Avajaiset Opening
Opening Convocation: Hidden in Plain Sight
FinnFest USA 2026 begins with music, poetry, ceremony and the Finnish American stories woven through the nation’s history.
This event is part of FinnFest USA 2026, September 17–20 in Minneapolis.
Some stories shape a nation and still remain hidden in plain sight. On Thursday evening, FinnFest brings those stories into the room—and officially opens four days of music, ideas, history, art, wellness and community in Minneapolis.
Emceed by Eric Brown, the 2026 Opening Convocation will feature welcomes, the national anthems of Finland and the United States, dignitary greetings, music, poetry and reflections on important Finnish American anniversaries. Together, these voices reveal the people and cultural connections that have often been overlooked, from colonial America to contemporary Finland.
The Convocation is more than a ceremony. It is the shared starting point for the weekend: a chance to gather with old friends, meet new ones and understand the larger story connecting the programs that follow.
After the Convocation, stay for the evening gathering and live music beginning at 6:30 p.m. Thursday opens the door; Friday and Saturday fill the Hilton with conversations, workshops, the free Tori and performance; Sunday moves to the American Swedish Institute for a family-friendly finale.
Program rundown
- 5:00 PM Greetings and welcome to FinnFest 2026 — “Hidden in Plain Sight”; in honor of the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. Emcee Eric Brown.
- 5:05 PM Reading of FinnFest’s official Inclusion statement — David Leifer.
- 5:10 PM National anthems of Finland & USA — Suomi 100 Choir (Eeva Savolainen, director); audience welcome to join.
- 5:20 PM Greetings and welcome — K. Marianne Wargelin; Steve Riedel, Honorary Consul of Finland; Hannakaisa Andersson, Cultural Counselor, Embassy of Finland.
- 5:30 PM Order of the White Rose of Finland Award — knighting ceremony for Beatrice Ojakangas.
- 5:40 PM Finland 100 Choir performs with Eeppi Ursin (Kesäpäivä Kangasala; Born of the Forest).
- 5:55 PM Poetry recited in honor of Beatrice Ojakangas — Jim Johnson.
- 6:05 PM Rollcall: Finland and Finnish American historic anniversaries in 2026 — James Ojala and Liam Reidy.
- 6:10 PM Music — Paleface (Karri Miettinen): Finlandia Hymn; Finnish American IWW song.
- 6:25 PM Final comments from the emcee.
- 6:30 PM Reception begins.
Be in the room when FinnFest begins.