Tag Archive: Martha Wiljanen Community Hall

January 16, 2023

FAHC to show ‘Sirkka: Past and Present’ at Martha Wiljanen Hall during Heikinpäivä 2023 | Trailer

Sirkka Tuomi Holm was born just days before women earned the right to vote in the United States, a point her father considered vitally important and reminded her of it frequently. Her activism started then, and didn’t ever stop.

Holm, who died in October 2020 at age 100, was a walking, talking, living history book. From her grandfather fighting for the Reds during the Finnish Civil War, to her immigrant parents’ involvement in labor strikes, to being trailed by the FBI [...]

Philip Johnson 125th Anniversary Banquet

June 28, 2022

‘Semper Reformanda’: Johnson makes final address at 125th Anniversary celebration

After 15 years in office, Dr. Philip Johnson made his final address as President of Finlandia University on June 23, 2022. In the celebratory conclusion of Finlandia’s 125th Anniversary, patrons gathered in Martha Wiljanen Hall to reflect on FinnU’s past while boldly imagining its future.

“Semper reformanda; always reforming,” Johnson said. “As I think about our 125 years, if there is a single thread that weaves its way through our story here at Suomi College, Finlandia University, it’s this idea of [...]

February 2, 2022

Experience the 125th Anniversary

In December, Finlandia welcomed students, faculty and staff along with alumni, friends and family to a series of events in commemoration of the institution’s 125th anniversary. In honor of its Finnish and Lutheran heritage, Finlandia celebrated Finnish Independence Day for the 104th time at the Finnish American Heritage Center following a Sunday worship service at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Hancock.

The anniversary celebrations didn’t stop on Sunday. In the week following, the Finlandia University Gallery held the 31st Annual Contemporary [...]

December 13, 2021

Finlandia celebrates 125th Anniversary

A semester of celebration culminated on Sunday, Dec. 5 in a full day of dance, musical performances and worship. Dozens of Finlandia University friends and family members gathered to commemorate the institution’s 125th Anniversary alongside the observance of a now 104-year-long tradition, Finnish Independence Day.

David Maki, Interim Director of the Finnish American Heritage Center (FAHC) on Finlandia’s campus, delivered the Independence Day program’s opening remarks.

“Today is another significant milestone in Finlandia University’s history as we celebrate the 125th Anniversary of [...]

May 28, 2021

Finnish American Heritage Center reopening June 1

The Finnish American Heritage Center (FAHC) will reopen to the general public on June 1, 2021 under the following guidelines:

Public hours will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday The Finlandia University Gallery and Martha Wiljanen Community Hall will be open and accessible for self-guided tours; guided art gallery tours provided by Gallery Director Carrie Flaspohler are available upon request The archive will be 100-percent appointment-only; masks will be required when inside archive reading room and other research areas The FAR [...]

January 29, 2018

Visiting scholar to discuss Sami-church relations

Rev. Bror Träskbacka, a leader in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland (ELCF) will offer insights into the relations between the Church and Finland’s indigenous people — the Sami — at a special presentation on Tuesday, February 6 at the Finnish American Heritage Center (FAHC).

RSVP to the Event on Facebook (not required)

The Rev. Bror Träskbacka, the coordinator for tourism ministry for the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church will discuss “The Sami: The Church’s Evolving Relationship [...]

April 12, 2016

Nordic Film Series wraps season with Norwegian movie

A Norwegian movie based on a famous novel concludes the 2015-16 season for the Nordic Film Series at Finlandia University’s Finnish American Heritage Center (FAHC).

“Victoria” will show at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 14 in the Martha Wiljanen Community Hall of the FAHC.

This 2013 film is a dramatization of Knut Hamsun’s 1898 novel of the same name, tells the story of the tragic and unhappy love affair between Victoria and Johannes. She’s a daughter of a rich [...]