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For a full list of past events (2003-2009), click Events
This donation represents one of the largest - if not largest - financial donation of a Finnish diaspora group worldwide to the advancement of Finnish Studies at a major international university.
The Finnish Studies program at the University of Toronto is the largest Finnish language program in North America and represents a significant contribution to its language faculty. Currently the Finnish Studies program is financed on a rotating five year basis with contribution from the Finnish Government - which contribution will lapse in 5 years. The establishment of the permanent chair will permit the program to continue indefinitely.
Annual General Meeting
President's Report
My name is Bill Holt and I am the president of The Canadian Friends of Finland - Toronto. Before I ask Borje Vahamaki to formally introduce our speaker - Mr Wolfram Eilenberger, I would like to summarize the highlights of the last 12 months.
Our first major event in 2009 was the gala reception held on October 28 at Hart House to a) commemorate the retirement of Prof Borje Vahamaki - the founder and first professor of the Finnish Studies program at the University of Toronto and b) to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Finnish Studies program at the University of Toronto. The evening's festivities were well attended with over 200 participants who were entertained by a variety of Finnish artists and entertainers. The evening was concluded with the presentation of various scholarships to students in the Finnish Studies program at the University.
On November 7, CFF sponsored a classical music afternoon presentation by Rick Philips - a past presenter of classical music on CBC radio 2. The program entitled "The Musical Heart and Soul of Finland" consisted of the music of Jean Sibelius. The event was so popular that we are planning a repeat of the seminar next fall.
Just before Christmas - we had an evening to formally introduce Pia Paivio - the new Prof of Finnish Studies at the University. Prof Paivio outlined her thoughts and focus as to the next 5 years in the program. I should add parenthetically that we are extremely fortunately to have Pia not only as the Prof of Finnish Studies but also as a director of the Canadian Friends of Finland. Ending the evening - we celebrated a traditional Finnish "Pikkujoulu" with Finnish refreshments and Christmas carols.
Our first film in the new year was "Letters to Father Jacob" - an awarding winning film that had won Best Film awards in 3 Film Festivals in Europe. The film was also entered by Finland in the 2010 Hollywood Oscar nominations for best foreign film.
We celebrated a milestone on February 24th, when our sister organization, The Canadian Friends of Finland Educational Foundation presented the final segment of a $500,000 donation to the University of Toronto. This donation represented the funding for the establishment of a permanent Chair of Finnish Studies at the University. With the establishment of such a Chair - the University of Toronto will have the first and only full Chair of Finnish Studies in Canada and would be unique in North America. This donation is historic as it is the largest donation to a major international university for Finnish Studies by a Finnish Diaspora group anywhere in the world. These funds were raised over a 20 year period in various small events such as film nights, lotteries and silent auctions. I should also add that in addition to the $500,000 itself , the CFFEF had over a 20 year period also contributed an additional amount totally more than $500,000 to the actual funding of the program itself. We should all be very proud of this achievement in furthering Finnish language and culture in Canada.
Another film night was held on March 10 and was entitled "The House of Branching Love" This film - directed by Mika Kaurismaki - was a hilarious and somewhat harrowing film of a marriage breakdown and subsequent reconciliation and redemption.
The final event of the year was a joint reception with the Canada - Finland Chamber of Commerce to hear a presentation by Mr Pertti Voutilainen. Mr Voutilainen was the past President of Outokumpu and past Chairman of the Kansallis Banking Group - a major Finnish Bank. He is currently a director of a public Canadian gold mine - Agnico-Eagle Gold. Mr Voutilainen spoke of the comparison of culture and business practices between Canada and Finland.
In April, many of our members participated personally and/or financially in the Varpu Lindstrom running team in support of the Brain Cancer Foundation. I am happy to report that the Varpu Lindstrom team placed first and successfully raised $17,000 for brain cancer research.
Finally - I should report that The CFF was represented at the recent meeting of the Finnish Expatriate Parliament in Helsinki. The Finnish Expatriate Parliament is the forum for the worldwide Finnish Diaspora to express their views to the Finnish Parliament. Issues ranging from continuing support for Finnish language schools, to pensions, and citizenship were voted upon and referred to the federal parliament for enactment.
I am pleased to report that the proposal by the Canadian Friends of Finland to allow grandchildren of Finnish citizens to apply for dual citizenship was unanimously approved by the Expatriate Parliament and will now be forwarded to the Federal Parliament for their consideration.
Many thanks to all who supported the CFFEF's second 50/50 lottery. A 50/ 50 Lottery means that a single winner receives 50% of the gross proceeds of the lottery and the lottery sponsor (usually a charity) receives the other 50%.
The draw was held at a CFFEF event at U of T on Sat. Nov. 3 and the winning ticket was held by Patrick Walsh of Etobicoke who was in attendance at the event.
I had the unique experience of writing a cheque to Mr Walsh for $3,642.50 in front of 90 applauding (and heckling) CFFEF supporters.
831 lottery tickets were sold (45 more than last year) and gross proceeds were $7285.00.
After expenses, the net proceeds (about $3100.00) will be used to support the establishment of a permanent chair of Finnish studies at the University of Toronto.
Ron Walenius
The beginning of CFF was a courageous group of academics, exchange students to Finland and people committed to bringing some of the culture, literature, art, design and music from Finland to Canadians. We are deeply indebted to the ground breakers and founders for a rich history of events, lectures, films, symposia, galas and exhibits that enrich and expand our interests and knowledge.
It has been a splendid year of events and memories for an active membership in the 25th year of the Canadian Friends of Finland. The Board Members incite action and challenge ideas in raucous meetings to create events. I thank this stalwart group of individuals and highlight directors responsible for specific tasks:
Vice-President - President-in-waiting and invaluable assistance ; Ismo Heikkila
Secretary - Generates concepts and contacts ; Dr. Varpu Lindstrom
Treasurer - Keeps rock solid control of finances ; Paul Lindala
Membership - Encourages new memberships and meets challenge of collecting cheerfully ; Gail Patterson
Web Site ; CFF.ca - Huge task of info and event updating ; Paul Lindala
E-Mail Newsletter - Daunting task of communicating current events ; Heikki Walden
Recording Secretary - The impossible task of reducing hours of discussion into a few sentences ; Susan Vickberg and Katri West
Directors at Large - Dr. Borje Vahamaki, Dr. Noreen Stuckless, Ken Mark, Dr. Hilkka Davidson and Dr. Sheila Embleton
New Directors - Markus Raty, Riitta Huhtala
Welcome Aboard
Outline of 2005/2006 activities:
- Sept. 20th Documentary Films ; Finnish POW's in Soviet Camps - enthusiastic applause.
Damn Russkies ; Soviet POW's in Finland - boos and hisses
- Sept. 26th Lecture by Dr. Pauliina Raento on
Finnish Postage Stamps
Political and social trends of a country through examination of imagery on their stamps.
- Oct. 16th SYMPOSIUM ; Finnish Art & Literature
Sirpa Kahkonen presented films
100th Anniversary of Edelfelt's Life
Edelfelt Painting in Luxembourg Park
If There is a Will; Akseli Gallen ; Kallela and
Awards Dinner with keynote speaker Anne Korpela
- Nov. 6th Double Feature Films @ Ontario Science Centre
Both were exceptional films - Shades of Happiness and One Way Ticket to Mombasa
- Nov. 20th Celebration of Music from Finland @ Latvian Centre
Kaiku ( 3 Finn female Vocalists from New York)
Heidi Saario - pianist
Karen Davidson - soprano
Wonderful melodies, songs and artistry
Reception after with artists.
- Jan. 30th, 2006 Reception and Farewell Talk by Consul Sisko Peltonen-Siren with Concert by Vox Finlandiae Choir- marvelous songs
Heartfelt thank you for six years of committed duty as Consul.
- Mar. 1st Lecture and Power Point Presentation by Assistant Prof. Paivi Kataikko from Dortmund -Finnish Architecture and Building Culture Today.
Fine presentation of current architecture and its importance in Finland.
- Mar. 8th Lecture on Contemporary Finnish Women Writers by Prof. Virpi Varttinen.
- Mar. 28th Finnish Film -Mother of Mine
- A fine film, 2nd fan favourite @ Toronto International Film Festival.
- Apr. 12th Finnish Film Documentary -Fire and Ice
The passion, perseverance, ingenuity and 'sisu' of Finnish soldiers during the Winter War.
- May 28th Boundary Crossings @ York University
Concert with Vox Finlandia Choir and Pianist Heidi Saario
Intriguing historical, geographic and artistic photographs of northern Finland, Russia and Siberia.
- June 17th Midsummer Soire
Celebrating the 25th Year of CFF
Music, Food, Drink, Song and Dance
It has been an enervating and stimulating two years orchestrating these activities, but without the support and energy of the Directors, in particular Varpu Lindstrom and Borje Vahamaki who are the core of our ideas and contacts, the program would not be memorable and inspirational.
Issued by,
Seppo Kanerva
President
Canadian Friends of Finland
Canadian Friends of Finland, Annual General Meeting
20 June, 2005
President's report
Initiative - 2 Finns are chased by a bear. One stops and puts on running shoes. The other yells "Idiot, you can't outrun a bear". The first guy gasps "I don't have to outrun the bear - I just have to outrun you.
CFF has had a bountiful and active year. Membership has grown to over 220, our goal of introducing Finnish culture, art and literature to our membership was well represented this year.
The Finnish Studies program at U of T is on firmer ground with a positive audit by 2 Finnish Professors and the goal to reach the $1 million threshold through the CFF Education Foundation Fund reached $330,000. A Chair will be granted to the Finnish Studies when $1 million is reached which will secure the program for life.
Our programs are usually initiated through the hard work and efforts of the Directors and particularly the insight of Professor Varpu Lindstrom and Borje Yahamaki. Our finances and web site are well managed by Treasurer, Paul Lindala. Membership czar is Gail Paterson, who has seen good fruits from her labours. Recording Secretary Susie (Susan Vickberg) reminds us of our promises at meetings. We have achieved much in the 24 years of CFF and are planning a 25th Year Celebration for June 2006. I outline past and future events for your information.
Past Events
Oct. 2004 - Film - The Invisible Elina
Nov. - Film - Letters from Karelia - celebrity film star Borje Vahamaki and historian, Varpu Lindstrom
Nov. - Symposium The World of Kalevala
Dec. - Independence Day Gala - dancing, music, auction, with approx. $10,000 raised for Finnish Studies and the CFF Education Foundation Fund.
Feb. 2005 - Karelian Music Ensemble Concert
Feb. - Karelian Music Instrument Lecture
Apr. - Film - Land of Love
Apr. - Finn Power at Finnish Agricola Church - 3 tables for information on CFF and CFFEP
Future Events Planned
Sunday, Oct. 16th, 2005 - Symposium - Hannu Makela Finlandia Prize winner and author Anna Kortelainen
Sunday, Oct. 16, 2005 - CFF Awards Dinner
Sunday, Nov. 6, 2005 - Films - Double Feature @ Ontario Science Centre
Saturday, June 17, 2006 - 25th CFF Anniversary Celebration
Dec. 2007 - 90th Year of Finnish Independence Gala at Granite Club
submitted by Seppo Kanerva
Canadian Friends of Finland, Annual General Meeting
10 June, 2004
President's report
This report includes activities by both the Canadian Friends of Finland and its Education Foundation.
Professor Kimmo Innanen from York University gave a talk on 9 October,2003 on his work as a astronomer, on the Innanen asteroid and other celestial matters. He also told us anecdotes from his Finnish immigrant childhood.
A month later CFF held its annual symposium at the St. Michael's College and the topic was "Origins of the Finns and the Sami". Dr. Sammallahti from Oulu University talked about the many Sami dialects and Dr. Embleton unravelled the mysteries of the word Suomi. And at the end Dr. Anttila commented on the subject.
In the evening CFFEF held the Awards dinner where students were presented their awards. Ms Pirkko Mkikokkila, Attachee, Press and Cultural Affairs from the Embassy of Finland gave the speech.
Our biggest event of the year was the Independence Day Charity Ball December 6th, 2003 which was held at the Granite Club on Bayview Avenue. Ambassador Ristim�ki and his wife and Consul Partanen were there as representatives of the Republic of Finland. The main attraction was the stunning Arja Koriseva who gave a small concert and later sang tango melodies for us to dance to.
CFF was represented at the FinnPower 2004 on 20 March at Suomi-Koti.
First of April CFF members had an interesting opportunity to hear about the fate of the Finns from Canada, United States and Finland who went in the 1920s and 30s to Soviet Karelia to build a new world. Dr. Lindstrom showed film excerpts from interviews with survivors and afterwards Mrs. Eila Lahti-Argutina from Petrozavodsk, Karelia answered questions from the audience.
CFF had succeeded in bringing to Canada the new film "Sibelius" which was shown on 2 May 2004 at the Ontario Science Centre to capasity crowds. There wasn't a dry eye in the audience by the end of the film.
Our main event next fall is the Independence Day Gala on December 4th where we hope to see all of you.
Negotiations are going on about next five year plan for the Finnish Studies Program. We have already been told that CFFEF portion has been lowered to 25% from 38% and we hope for further easement.
On behalf of CFF and CFFEF I would like to thank Ambassador Ilkka Ristimaki and the Finnish Embassy and Consul Marketta Partanen and the Finnish Consulate for all the help they have given us. And thanks to the hardworking members of the boards .
Submitted by Katri West
CFF Annual General Meeting 9 June 2003
President's report
This report includes activities by both the Canadian Friends of Finland and its Education Foundation. We designate to EF certain activities which we hope will bring income because every year EF has to pay its share of the Finnish Studies Program along with the University of Toronto and the Finnish Government. We also hope to enlarge the endowment so that one day the Finnish Studies Program is supported solely by the income from the Fund. (So, if you have an extra million dollars or two...) CFF's main function is to bring Finnish culture here to Canada and present topics of interest about Finland to Canadians and facilitate the introduction of Canadian culture to Finland.
Here are some of the things we did during the last term.
Near Aleksis Kivi day in October we showed the new film The Life of Aleksis Kivi by Jari Halonen at the Town Hall of Innis College.
In November we had a symposium on Popular Culture in Finland. The speakers were Andrew Nestingen from the University of Washington who spoke about modern Finnish films and Santtu Luoto from Helsinki. Santtu Luoto writes scripts for radio and TV and books on popular culture. He gave us an overview on the history of Finnish rock with samples. In the auction held at the awards dinner these CDs were some of the most wanted items.
At the awards dinner, after the symposium Ambassador Ilkka Ristimaki gave the Jim Lindala Memorial Address.
In December, we succeeded in capturing Professor Juha Pentikainen on his way to the U.S. He gave a very interesting talk on Linnrot and Lars Levi Lastadius both of whom had been fascinated with Finnish and Sami mythology. Lastadius' notes had never been published and the manuscript pages had been scattered all over the world so the story of Prof. Pentiainen finding and then editing them was very interesting.
On December 6th we had our main event of the year, the third Nokia sponsored concert. The artist were Kouta Rosinen, Taina Piira and the pianist Hanna Susitaival. Taina Piira had stepped in with a moment's notice to replace Mari Palo who had a severe case of laryngitis. It was a very enjoyable and successful concert despite all the tragic happenings around that time.
In March we had the opporunity to hear Professor Jyrki Nummi tell us about Aleksis Kivi's Seven Brothers and how it was influenced by the world literature. Professor Nummi is the newest successor to the chair at the University of Helsinki first occupied by Elias Linnrot.
Later in March we saw that sweet film "Young Love" at Innis College and afterwards celebrated St. Urho's Day with song and refreshments. A long time CFF member, Chuck Sutyla from Ottawa had moved to Hong Kong and donated his Finnish books to CFFEF. They were sold at the party for the benefit of CFFEF.
In early April we heard a very interesting talk at the York University on "Mothers in Finland" given by Dr. Ulla Vuorela. She described the evolution of the Finnish mother through the ages. Dr. Vuorela is the first holder the Minna Canth Professorship at the Academy of Finland.
Website. We have just purchased the domain name www.cff.ca and also have a website designer to set it up; so now we are advancing. Soon, if members have an e-mail address they could put it on their membership renewal form and then we could send notices by e-mail and members could check events on the website.
We were also able to inform our members of a couple of Finnish music events in Toronto even if we were not directly connected with them. In February the world famous soprano Karita Mattila gave a concert to rave reviews and in April / May there was a visit by Ooppera Skaala giving several performances aimed mainly for children.
We had two sad occasions this year, too. In December Mr. Peter Vesa passed away suddenly. He and his wife Seija were instrumental in making the three Nokia sponsored concerts possible thanks to their connections to Jaakko Ryhanen and the young National Opera talents. They also housed the artists and supported the concerts liberally.
At the same time we unexpectedly lost Hissu Lindstrom, Varpu's mother. By giving us the use of her apartment for our meetings, welcoming us with her warm smile and plying us with coffee and pulla and any other good food she might come up with she had generally been like a den mother to the board. She is sorely missed by all of us.
On behalf of CFF and CFFEF I would like to thank Ambassador Ilkka Ristimaki and the Finnish Embassy and Consul Marketta Partanen and the Finnish Consulate for all the help they have given us. And thanks to the hardworking members of the boards like Sheila Embleton who with a few days notice before last years annual meeting was able to give a timely and amusing lecture on English usage in contemporary Finland
Harbourfront's International Authors series is going to introduce the Finnish writer, Hannu Makela, author of he children's book, Mr. Boo.
A main attraction for the future is Finland's Independence Day Charity Ball to be held on December 6th, 2003 at the Granite Club. We along with the Canada Finland Chamber of Commerce are reviving a tradition from way back of celebrating the day in a formal fashion with speakers and entertainment. I hope you will all mark the date in the calendar and start to talk to your friends about joining you there.
Submitted by Katri West
