Suomi–Finland Podcast

On March 13th, 2020, Finland commemorated the 80th Anniversary of the end of the Winter War. Why is the legacy of the Winter War so important to modern-day Finland? What were at the time Americans' perspectives on the War between Finland and the Soviet Union? Listen to learn more, and remember to check out further reading materials linked below. In late 2019, the Embassy of Finland hosted a seminar and panel discussion on the Winter War, where we were able to talk to both Finnish and American experts on the topic. The first part of this episode focuses on Finnish perspectives on the war, and the second part explores American points of view on the Winter War. Interviewees: Professor Kimmo Rentola, University of Helsinki Colonel Petteri Seppälä, Defense, Military, Naval and Air Attaché of Finland for the United States and Canada Professor Stephen Kotkin, Princeton University David W. Hogan Jr, Director of Histories, U.S. Army Center of Military History Host: Satu Järveläinen, Communications Coordinator at the Embassy of Finland in Washington DC Sources and further reading: - Centennial Story of Finland Part 4: Finland Fights Bravely for Her Independence: https://finlandabroad.fi/web/usa/current-affairs/-/asset_publisher/h5w4iTUJhNne/content/centennial-story-of-finland-part-4-finland-fights-bravely-for-her-independence-1937-1947/384951 - Ministry of Defence on Winter War: https://www.defmin.fi/winterwar/ - Women's Lotta Svärd Organization: https://www.lottasaatio.fi/eng/foundation/ - World's most famous sniper? Mr. Simo Häyhä: https://www.historyextra.com/period/second-world-war/worlds-deadliest-sniper-simo-hayha-finnish-white-death-winter-war/ - Yle News on Finland's Civil War in 1918: https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/civil_war_still_divides_finland_after_100_years_poll_suggests/10025538 - Eljas Erkko's full speech in English and transcribed in Finnish: https://yle.fi/aihe/artikkeli/2010/10/06/ulkoministerin-talvisotapuhe

How to be professionally funny in another language? How does it feel to start building your career from scratch in the US, when you’ve already made it in your own country in Europe? Ismo Leikola, a Finnish stand-up comedian is doing it all, building a successful career in comedy in the US. Ismo and Embassy of Finland’s Communications Coordinator, avid comedy fan Satu Järveläinen, sat down to discuss all the tricks of the trade behind making people laugh across cultures. Listen to find out also what joke simply doesn’t translate well enough for the American audiences. And yes indeed, this episode was recorded at the Embassy's linen closet next to our official diplomatic sauna since that is the quietest place in our busy workplace. Ismo got to enjoy a Finnish sauna after our recording session and before his gig. #FINUS100 Ismo's website for gig information: http://ismo.fun/tour/

Two experienced diplomats, one from Finland and the other from the United States share their memories of important moments in the Finnish – U.S. diplomatic relations' history. These two diplomats have witnessed global events from up close, and shared their knowledge in countless occasions for the public. Interviewees: Mr. James Ford Cooper worked at the U.S. Embassy in Helsinki during the Cold War, first as Political Counselor from 1976-1979 and later as Deputy Chief of Mission from 1984-1986. He was subsequently director of the Office of Northern European Affairs in the U.S. State Department. Ambassador Jukka Valtasaari served twice as the Ambassador of the Republic of Finland in the United States, first from 1988-1996 and then 2001-2005. Watch Mr. Cooper's lecture at the Library of Congress here: https://www.loc.gov/item/webcast-8733/ Watch Ambassador Valtasaari's talk at Baltimore Council on Foreign Affairs in 1992 in full here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkk4vaNEdDA

The Library of Congress has a great collection of Finnish items, everything from antique maps to modern and historical books, songs, newspapers and beyond. Reference Specialist Ms. Taru Spiegel helps all Finland enthusiasts to find what they need from the archives. In this episode of Suomi–Finland Podcast, we'll take a brief look at what stories some of these materials reveal to us about the past lives of the Finnish American community here in the US. Additional information Link to the Library of Congress article mentioned in the podcast: The Finns in America https://www.loc.gov/rr/european/FinnsAmer/finchro.html "This presentation provides information about immigration from Finland to the United States, and about the activities of Finnish-American immigrants in the United States from the 17th to the 20th centuries. Information is contained in a chronology and selected bibliography." Book: Gawboy, C. (2002)In With the Finn Crowd North Star Press of St. Cloud, Inc. ISBN: 0-87839-190-8 Finland collection's archive clips: Cowell, S. R. (1939) Lauvantai ilta = Saturday night. [Audio] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2017701826/. Kallio, K. & Lomax, A. (1938) Kuule sinä Hiltu kun laulelen = Hiltu When I am Singing. Newberry, MI. [Audio] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/afc1939007_afs02335a/. Cowell, S. R. (1939) Rekilaulu = Sleigh song. [Audio] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2017701828/. Cowell, S. R. (1939) Vaka vanha Vainamoinen = Steady old Vainamoinen. [Audio] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2017701839/. Cowell, S. R. (1939) Isontalon Antti = Andew Isontalon. [Audio] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2017701829/. ---- In May 2019, we're celebrating the centennial of Finland-U.S. diplomatic relations. In honor of this continued friendship, the Washington D.C. based Embassy of Finland's communication team's Satu Järveläinen highlights all things Finnish American in a new Suomi-Finland Podcast series.