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Local Finnish CommunityUniversity of Washington Finnish Studies Suomi Koulu NEW! Finnish American Chamber of Commerce to the Northwest International Order of Runeberg The Swedish Finn Historical Society Finnish-American Heritage Committee United Finnish Kaleva Brothers & Sisters Nordic Organizations With Strong Finnish Involvement |
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What is the Finnish Connection? |
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Benefits of Finnish Connections |
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Events Updated on September 01, 1997 |
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Photo Gallery |
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Contact Information 16129 446th Ave. SE North Bend, WA 98045 Tel 425-888-4015 Email: pirjod@tvltime.com |
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Who are we?
We are a group of men and women who enjoy singing, especially Finnish choral music, for ourselves and our listeners’ pleasure. People in our choir range in age from the teens up to 90. Most of us have some connection with Finnish culture such as ancestry, travel, study, friends or spouses. Some are fascinated by Finnish music and its composers (many others in addition to Sibelius). We feel a commitment to the community to keeping Finnish music alive.
What do we sing?
Mostly Finnish choral numbers, folk songs, patriotic, humorous, sacred and secular. Besides Finnish, we have also sung in English, Swedish, Latin and Estonian.
Rehearsals
Mondays at 7:30 PM at the
Finnish Lutheran Church
8504 13th Avenue NW, Seattle
When and where do we sing?
At various programs of the Finnish Community, Christmas programs, retirement homes, programs at the Nordic Heritage Museum (Jule Fest and the Kalevala Day Festival).
Contact people
Choir Director- Karen Ingalls Kiansten- (206) 444-0223
Choir president- Lauri Kivimaki- (206) 281-8434
Tanhuajat Finnish folkdancers have been learning and dancing both traditional folkdances and more modern choreographed dances since 1974. Using authentic Finnish National Costumes (kansallispukut), the group brings Finnish dance to a larger audience in all of its color and flavor. As new cycles of learning and performing are always beginning, Tanhuajat encourages any interested individuals (dancers or nondancers!) to call or drop by their 7 p.m. Wednesday night practices at the Finnish Lutheran Church, located at 8504 13th Ave. NW in Seattle.
Over the years, Tanhuajat has performed internationally in Finland, Canada and the United States in authentic costumes. This has included appearances in the Finnish Canadian Grand Festival, FinnFest USA, various county fairs and festivals in Washington and Oregon, as well as regularly scheduled ethnic performances in the Seattle area. The most recent Finnish tour was in 1995, where the group performed in Lappeenranta and Savonlinna. These performances have inspired other groups to add some of the many Finnish dances to their repertoire.
Our nonprofessional group is open to all persons of whatever ethnic background, and currently about half of the members are not Finnish but simply interested in Finnish dance or Finnish culture. It is also open to all persons regardless of your perceived skill level in the beginning!
Tanhuajat has also given presentations on the history of Finnish dances and the traditional costumes. Tanhuajat also hosts groups touring from Finland and other countries. Tanhuajat is available for performances and presentations on the dances and costumes. If interested in any of these subjects, please call Sirkku Vasama and leave a message at 206-609-9945 or email. See you at practice or at performance!
Organized in 1981 to promote trade and business relationships between Finland and the Pacific Northwest, including Washington, Oregon and Idaho. It sponsors trade missions, exhibits and business luncheons. The Northwest FACC will soon have their own website under the National FACC site.
Uniting people mainly of Swedish speaking Finnish origin; a fraternal organization aiming to encourage unity, friendship, helpfulness and honor, and perpetuating the culture and heritage of Finland. Lodge 101 is located in Seattle and Lodge 107 in Tacoma. Both have choruses. Contact: Bonnie Olson (206) 783-7150.
The Swedish Finn Historical Society was founded in 1991 to preserve the cultural heritage of our families who emigrated around the world, beginning in 1638 and culminating in an enormous wave of emigration between 1870 and 1920. We collect and preserve in one central location all appropriate historical and genealogical materials pertaining to this ethnic group, and make them available for interpretive, educational and research purposes. An organization unique outside of Finland, our 500 + members come from Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Guinea, Finland, Sweden, and the USA. SFHS has active informational exchange opportunities with several Genealogical and Historical societies in Finland and Sweden.
A membership drive is underway. Its purpose is to register as many descendants from around the world as possible before all traces of Swedish Finn emigration is lost. Anyone who joins between Oct. 15 and Dec. 15, 1997 for the 1998 year receives one free chance on the Grand Prize: two SAS tickets to Finland from any North American Gateway City. Membership includes a Quarterly Newsletter, and assistance with questions of genealogy (there are 350+ family trees on file) or history. SFHS is the official repository of the International Order of Runeberg. The Enckell Collection on Alaska during the Russian period is part of the Archive. (Maria Enckell wrote Finns in Alaska and will have a second book on Finns who developed the East Coast of Russia on the Pacific published soon.) Thirty years of obituaries from "The Leading Star" are in the computer, and the project continues. Workshops, exhibits, and educational programs on Swedish Finn culture, history, language, and genealogy are presented. Document translation is available. A Swedish language class meets Tuesdays. A 1998 Summer Tour of Finland is planned for members.
Regular hours are Monday and Thursday: 9:30 - 12:30, except holidays. Special hours can be arranged with advance notice. Please visit us: 6512 23rd Avenue NW, Room 329 (Ballard), Seattle WA 98117-5728. Phone: 206-706-0738 Or fax 206-782-5813
Includes representatives from the area's Finnish organizations for the purpose of preserving Finnish-American heritage, its artifacts and history. Organizes the annual Finnish Community Bazaar. Contact: Leo Utter (425) 789-5067
A local group affiliated with the Finlandia Foundation Seattle Chapter. It arranges an annual summer picnic at the Finn Hall in Buckley, sponsors the Scandinavian Days in Puyallup and celebrates "pikkujoulu." Contact: Mrs. Jo Martin (253) 752-5857
The Seattle Lodge 11 was organized in 1904 as a fraternal, social and cultural lodge to provide a meeting place for Finnish immigrants, to preserve the language, customs and traditions of their former homeland for future generations. Contact Sirkka Wilson (206) 523-8810
Far North in Viking Ballard, this museum is an old schoolhouse focuses on the history of Nordic settlers in the United States, with exhibits of maritime equipment, costumes and photographs. Periodic traveling exhibits have included a show of 18th-century Alaskan and Northwest Coast Native artifacts from the National Museum of Finland. Check out the Finland Room!
Admission $2.50 for Adults, $1.50 for children
3014 NW 67th St.
206-789-5707
Tuesday - Sunday
Hosted by Ron Olsen and Doug Warne Saturdays 8:30 to 10:30 A.M.
For over 30 years, two Ballard natives have broadcast the sounds of Scandinavia over the airways to an estimated 150-200,000 first and second-generation Scandinavians living in the Seattle area. The show acts as a community billboard for the many activities of the more than 80 Scandinavian organizations in the city.