Issuu

Coming to the Puget Sound Area in 2028? – A Proposal –

Decision Made

n May of this year, the board of directors of FinnFest USA passed a resolution authorizing board member Jim Ojala to proceed with exploring the possibility of bringing their annual gathering to the Seattle-Tacoma Area in 2028 with suggested dates of Wednesday, June 7th through Sunday, June 11th. Proposed venues include the National Nordic Museum in Seattle and Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma. Ojala first began investigating this possibility in late 2025. The following report details the initial results of his investigation based on conversations and meetings with various businesses, organizations and academic institutions from the Puget Sound area and elsewhere around the country.

Values Embraced

ver since its founding in 1983, FinnFest USA has embraced the purpose and particular set of values articulated in its original Mission Statement. In that document it avowed to create …a broad national community involving all FinnishAmericans, Finnish citizens living in America, and all Americans interested in Finland and/or Finnish America … through the establishment, organization, operation, maintenance, and promotion of an annual festival (providing) Finnish Americans and their progeny an opportunity to meet one another and to broaden and deepen their knowledge of Finland and Finnish American history and culture. … FinnFest is North America’s premiere experience of Nordic culture and learning and provides a platform for anyone to interact with Nordic living, past, present and future. (Emphasis added.)

Goal Stated

o expand public awareness of the benefits to all people of the values embraced by the five Nordic Sister democaracies of Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland.

PROPOSED TACOMA AREA TOURS DAY I – FINNFEST 2028 Wednesday, June 7th | Tacoma, Washington

Tacoma’s Museum Quartet

s described herein, Day I would allow out-of-town visitors to arrive a day or two before the formal program of presentations commences to check into their respective accommodations and visit at their leisure one or more of four exceptional museums located a short distance from one another in Tacoma’s Museum District, topping off the evening of June 7th by joining local festival attendees at a proposed welcoming dinner.

Washington State Historical Society

1911 Pacific Avenue | Tacoma, Washington 98402 Web: www.washingtonhistory.com he Washington State Historical Society (above) describes itself as “dedicated to collecting, preserving, and vividly presenting Washington’s rich and storied history. … Our vision is to be the

recognized destination for Washington State history … serving as our state’s primary history educator, making history relevant to our modern lives, and supporting civic dialogue where all are welcome.” The Historical Society stands as a possible candidate for hosting a tour of FinnFest attendees in 2028 and, perhaps, holding a Finnish/Nordicthemed exhibition of its own coninciding with activities at PLU.

Tacoma Art Museum

1701 Pacific Avenue | Tacoma, Washington 98402 Web: tacomaartmuseum.org n its own words, the Tacoma Art Museum (above) “remains the leading resource for the art of the Pacific Northwest and the greater Western region — defying expectations, advancing community voices, and expanding avenues of engagement and learning.”

Museum of Glass

1801 Dock Street | Tacoma, Washington 98402 Web: museumofglass.org

ith good reason, the Museum of Glass (previous page) touts itself

W as “the premier contemporary art museum dedicated to glass and

glassmaking. … Since its founding nearly 25 years ago, the Museum of Glass has become a cultural icon in the Pacific Northwest, and a place where imagination, artistry, and innovation thrive.” The museum stands as another possible candidate for hosting a tour of FinnFest attendees in 2028 and, perhaps as well, mounting an exhibition of Finnish/Nordic glass art for the occasion, including examples of glass birds designed by Finnish glass artist Oiva Toikka.

LeMay America’s Car Museum

2702 East D Street | Tacoma, Washington 98421 Web: americascarmuseum.org he LeMay – America’s Car Museum (above) describes itself as “a non-profit organization chartered to preserve and interpret the history and technology of the automobile and its influence on American culture. The Museum is dedicated to securing and interpreting the valuable LeMay Collection and to acquiring, preserving and interpreting additional artifacts that explore broad themes of American mobility and lifestyle in an instructive and entertaining manner.” The veritable stuff of dreams to auto enthusiasts the world over, the LeMay and its array of stunning exhibits await FinnFest attendees with open arms.

PROPOSED PRESENTATION TOPICS DAY II – FINNFEST 2028 Thursday, June 8th | Tacoma, Washington

Proposed Venue:

Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) Tacoma, Washington Web: www.plu.edu

Suggested Theme:

Celebrating the Five Nordic Sister Democracies

DAY II – Suggested PLU-based Events 1. Keynote / Welcome to Pacific Lutheran University Speaker to be determined

The Holocaust & Transparency: The Case of Finland he Holocaust fits well with PLU’s Powell-Heller Conference for Holocaust Education where every year experts gather for a series of discussions on this tragedy. The 2021 program, case in point, featured the late Dr. Yehuda Bauer from the Hebrew University in Jerulalem, arguably the world’s leading expert at the time. Regarding Finland, in 2019 the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Vienna praised the Finnish government for commissioning a study examining in depth the country’s complicated history with the Holocaust. Lāth Carlson from the NNM endorsed featuring programming aimed at the Holocaust, calling such discussions more important today than ever before given the re-emergence of anti-Semitic sentiment as the memory of the Holocaust fades with the passing of older generations and the ascent of less-informecd new ones. FinnFest can point to a notable history concerning this all-important subject. Its 2015 gathering in Buffalo, NY featured Rabbi Simon Livson, born in Israel to Finnish parents, who returned to Finland where Livson grew up. In 2012, Levin became chief rabbi of Finland’s Jewish community — a position he holds to this day. Web: https://www.plu.edu/holocaustconference/ Web: https://www.dailypublic.com/articles/10062015/finn-fest-qa-rabbisimon-i-livson

Performance of Jewish Liturgical Music by the Choir of the West ince its founding a century ago, PLU’s Choir of the West has won recognition as a premiere university choral group. Emblematic of its status, the choir has performed world premieres of choral works by prominent composers and would likely embrace an opportunity to perform a choral work in 2028 inspired by the Nordic response to the Holocaust. I have a family acquaintance to recommend as a candidate to create such a piece — Andrea Jill Gersten Higgins (below, right) — a renowned composer of Jewish liturgical music whose works have been performed in Israel, Canada, the US and elsewhere around the world. Web: https://www.plu.edu/choir/ Web: jmwc.org/jill-higgins-andrea/

Visit of Crown Prince Olav & Crown Princess Märtha of Norway he royal couple’s visit to the Pacific Lutheran campus in 1939 marked a signature moment in the school’s history, one with clear Finnish ties in the person of Emil Hurja, born on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in 1892 to a Finnish immigrant couple. King Haakon VI of Norway declared Hurja a Knight of St. Olav of the First Order for organizing the Crown Prince and Crown Princess’ 10-week, 22-city tour of the US. In recent years, two cinematic experiences — one an 8-part 2021 PBS mini-series, Atlantic Crossing, chronicling the royal couple’s ties to FDR, the other the 2016 Norwegian movie, The King’s Choice, portraying King Haakon VI and Crown Prince Olav’s response to the Nazi occupation of Norway in 1941 — touch upon Olav and Märta’s lives. Web: https://royaltyrobertwriter.home.blog/2020/05/01/norwegian-royalvisit-to-the-us/

Nordic Cowboys in the American West hat red-blooded American patriot worth their salt doesn’t like

W cowboys? Nary a one, I reckon, and a possible candidate to deliver a

paper on the subject is a Pacific Lutheran history graduate, Richard Slatta. Slatta recently retired from the faculty at North Carlolina State University where he earned a reputation as America’s foremost authority on the history of cowboys — in the US, in Argentina, in Hawaii, in just about any corner of the earth one might look. Web: https://faculty.chass.ncsu.edu/slatta/slattabks.htm

Nordic Cooking

C Cultural Center (SCC) features a newly-remodeled, state-of-the-art

ourtesy of a gift from a PLU alum, the school’s Scandinavian

demonstration kitchen (next page) with seating for hundreds of aspiring Julia Child wannabes — offering the ideal venue for the presentations on Finnish/Nordic cooking we propose for inclusion in Tacoma programming. An ideal presenter for 2028 was honored at this year’s gathering — Scandinavian cookbook author Beatrice Ojakangas. Web: https://www.plu.edu/scancenter/

Thea Foss & the Founding of Foss Maritime.

n an inlet in Tacoma’s Commencement Bay, starting with a single row boat in 1889, an enterprising woman of Norwegian descent named Thea Foss founded what grew over time into Foss Maritime, whose vessels are omnipresent on the waters of Puget Sound. Web: https://womenoffshore.org/tribute-to-the-founder-of-fossmaritime-thea-foss/

above-mentioned topics represent but a select few of the many T he Nordic-themed subjects that potentially could become the focus of

presentations made during the Tacoma portion of the FinnFest 2028 celebration. With two years to plan and prepare for that event, a far wider range of topics will in good time be considered for inclusion in the programming based on input from a host of sources. Consider, then, those suggested herein as a starting point, not as the end product,

SUPPORTING TACOMA VENUE DAY II – FINNFEST 2028 Scandinavian Cultural Center

Pacific Lutheran University Thursday, June 8th | Tacoma, Washington Web: https://www.plu.edu/scancenter/

Suggested Focus:

Celebrating Nordic Culture

Honoring a Storied Tradition

C those of Finland has been a part of FinnFest gatherings ever since the elebrating the many distinctive qualities of Nordic culture such as

opening day of its first celebration in 1983. FinnFest 2028 pledges to maintain that same tradition from the opening day of its Seattle–Tacoma event. PLU’s Scandinavian Cultural Center provides an ideal venue for continuing to honor and support FinnFest’s legacy while adding flavors of its own to the recipe. “The Scandinavian Cultural Center,” they explain, “serves to enrich understanding and appreciation of Nordic and Nordic-American perspectives and cultures through our shared values, ideas, and heart; to embrace Nordic themes of connection to nature, sustainability,

hospitality, social justice, and innovation; and to support PLU’s educational mission in recognition of PLU’s Nordic heritage and traditions. PLU’s Scandinavian Cultural Center defines itself in terms that could easily have been written by FinnFest USA, making them a perfect match.

ooking to celebrate Finnish / Nordic / Scandinavian music? The SCC’s got you covered via their extensive network of performers from not only the Puget Sound Area but from across the entire Pacific Northwest.

ooking to to kick up your heels and trip the Light Fantastic? No problem there, either. The SCC and PLU share a century-long tradition of celebrating Nordic folk-dancing. Taking performance art one step further, for many summers in the past the university hosted the world-renowned Joffrey Ballet Company. On top of that, over the years, their theatre department has staged any number of operas. Add the form and grace and range of ballet and opera to the rhythms and pacing of waltzes, polkas, schottisches, rheinlanders and mazurkas and you raise the artistic range of FinnFest 2028 to a new level.

Looking to revel in the beauty and intricacy of Nordic handicrafts? For the past 48 years, PLU and the SCC have hosted an annual Nordic Heritage Festival where artists and craftspeople of every stripe gather to share their handiwork and knowledge with attendees. FinnFest 2028 will draw from a broad, well-established base of talented people eager to make new friends, learn from one another, and introduce their artistry to a wider audience..

innFest 2028 will examine the Finnish/Nordic/Scandinavian approach to life and human interaction, gathering together in Seattle and Tacoma an array of artists and specialists for five memorable days devoted to reflecting on the character and quality of life in the five Nordic Sister democracies and in America — asking questions, searching for answers with open hearts and minds, exploring wonderous new possibilities together.

PROPOSED PRESENTATION TOPICS DAYS III, IV & V – FINNFEST 2028

Friday, Saturday & Sunday, June 8th, 9th & 10th | Seattle, Washington

Proposed Venue:

National Nordic Museum, Seattle, Washington Web: https://nordicmuseum.org

Suggested Theme:

Celebrating the Nordic Sisters

Friday, June 9th – Suggested Seattle Events 1.

Welcome to Seattle & National Nordic Museum (suggested)

Lāth Carlson, President, Executive Director, NNM

Keynote Speaker – Seattle Program (suggested)

Robert Gavin Strand, Executive Director, Nordic Center & Center for Responsible Business, Haas School of Business, UC-Berkeley; Associate Professor, Copenhagen Business School erkeley professor Robert Gavin Strand (above) will speak about the myriad contributions people from the five Nordic Sister democracies of Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland — and people living in the US and elsewhere across the globe with Nordic roots — have made to the world in so many ways, along with a current update on arguments he made in his 2026 book, Nordic Capitalism: Lessons for Realizing Sustainable Capitalism (Cambridge University Press, 2026). Web: https://haas.berkeley.edu/faculty/robert-strand/ Web: https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/nordic-capitalism/ 901C84D741E4050CCB4513C8AFCD6860

Salute to Nordic Olympians in an Olympic Year

Paavo Nurmi Memorial 5k Run

he Summer Olympic Games return to Los Angeles for the third time in 2028, by chance the 100th anniversary of the final Olympic Games appearance of Paavo Nurmi (above) — a.k.a. “The Flying Finn” — who in 1928 completed his unrivaled Olympic career with a victory in the men’s 10,000 meter race at that year’s Amsterdam Games. Web: https://www.olympics.com/en/athletes/paavo-nurmi Web: https://la28.org/en.html

N We propose holding instead a less demanding 5k run with the aim

urmi’s final Olympic triumph came in the men’s 10,000 meter race.

of attracting a greater number of runners.

Pertti Karppinen – The Paavo Nurmi of the Water

A Pertti Karppinen delivered a Nurmi-esque performance on the

t the Summer Olympics in 1976, 1980 and 1984, Finnish rower

water, capturing three straight Olympic gold medals in the men’s single sculling event. Today he coaches Finland’s national men’s and women’s teams. We suggest Karppinen and Nurmi as centerpieces for 2028. Web: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Pertti-Karppinen

Pertti Karppinen – cont'd – Seattle & The Boys in the Boat

eattle stands out for its passion for the sport of rowing. Witness its response to Daniel James Brown’s 2013 bestseller, The Boys in the Boat, and George Clooney’s 2023 cinematic take on Brown’s book. At its Seattle premiere, the University of Washington took in millions in donations in a single night. I propose inviting Pertti Karppinen to visit in 2028 as part of Seattle’s Opening Day of Boating Season where 100,000+ people gather every year to view rowing races preceeding the festive main event — a spectacular single-file parade of decorated boats of every size and shape and description through Montlake Cut. Web: https://www.danieljamesbrown.com/books/the-boys-in-the-boat/ Web: https://www.seattleyachtclub.org/opening-day-2026

Pertti Karppinen – continued – The Finns & the Windermere Cup

O festivities, the University of Washington hosts a slate of crew races,

n the first Saturday of May every year, as part of Opening Day

capped by contests featuring the UW women’s and men’s varsity VIII+s. Every year, Washington invites one premiere women’s crew and one premiere men’s crew from overseas to participate in those contests. Men’s and women's teams from Russia, China, Croatia, New Zealand,

Australia, Poland, Belarus, the UK, Romania and Brazil number among the many invitees that have competed in Seattle over the years, each one hosted — all expenses paid — by Windermere Real Estate. Every year, Washington men’s and women’s head coaches decide which country’s crews to invite the following year and submit their choices to Windermere, who then hauls out their checkbook. Husky coaches have expressed an interest in inviting crews from Finland to compete in the 2028 event, Karppinen included, with all related costs borne by Windermere —.a package worth between $30,000 and $40,000. Web: https://windermerecup.com.

Pertti Karppinen – continued – Celebrating the Nordic Sisters

have been held concerning the possibility of turning D iscussions the month separating Seattle’s Opening Day in early May 2028 from

the opening of FinnFest in early June into a multi-faceted celebration of the contributions immigrants from the Nordic Sisters and their progeny

have made to life in America. Seattle’s National Nordic Museum has said it would consider mounting one or more exhibitions linked to whatever themes are included in the 2028 gathering — rowing related or not.

ne such exhibition might center on the stories of rowers and coaches from local schools and rowing clubs boasting Nordic roots. Washington’s coach in 1936, for instance was Al Ulbrickson, known as “The Dour Dane”. A successor of his at Washington, himself coached by Ulbrickson, was Dick Erickson, fiercely proud of his Norwegian heritage. Adding an unexpected nuance to that noted pair, one of the “stars” of Dan Brown’s book and George Clooney’s movie was the boat in which the Boys rowed, the George Pocock-built Husky Clipper. PLU Crew sports close links to both Brown’s book and the Clipper herself, to wit: Brown delivered his first public address on TBITB in April 2013 to attendees at the Golden Anniversary celebration of rowing at PLU. Honored that same evening was the PLU men’s crew that rowed the Clipper to a record-setting victory in her final race before being retired. Today the Clipper hangs in the UW’s Conibear Shellhouse where she has become a major tourist attraction. Of the PLU oarsmen honored that night, two boasted 100 percent Finnish roots, two others 50 percent Finnish roots, two others 100 percent Norwegian roots and one 50 percent Swedish roots — making up a veritable Smörgåsbord of Nordic bloodlines. Rowing on every level flourishes the length of Puget Sound, providing a ready-made regional audience of thousands for any promotional activity linking competitors with similar Nordic roots to the sport of rowing. The more we succeed in inspiring their enthusiasm, the more of them we can expect to attend and support FinnFest 2028. Web: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BIeiKHNqOzU&t=13s&ra=m is one possible program topic to include in FinnFest in R owing Seattle and Tacoma in 2028. Nordic cinema is another.

Nordic/Finnish-themed Film Festival

ver the past decade, a number of Finnish movies — including action flicks such as Sisu (2022), Sisu: Road to Revenge (2025) and Attack on Finland (2021) — have been released in the US. Add to that the Norwegian television series Atlantic Crossing (2016) and Norwegian films such as Number 24 (2024), Narvik (2022) and The King’s Choice (2016) and you have the makings of a Nordic-themed film festival. Seattle has just the venue for such an event, the SIFF Cinema Downtown, home to the Seattle International Film Festival. A Nordic-themed film festival might be organized to coincide with the run-up to FinnFest 2028. Web: https://www.siff.net

Dale Chihuly & the Art of Glass-making

ale Chihuly is a Seattle legend known the world over for his glassmaking artistry. His headquarters are located in the same lakeside building that for decades served as the shop where George and Stan Pocock lovingly crafted wooden works of art cleverly disguised as racing shells. There is a variety of ties to pursue between Chihuly in Seattle and Finnish glass artists far across the muddy pond in Finland; those to the makers of Toikka Birds in Helsiinki are self-evident. A link between Tacoma’s Glass Museum with Chihuly’s Seattle operations is suggested as a way to better highlight Finnish glass artists and their work. Web: https://www.chihuly.com https://www.chihuly.com

FinnFest in Seattle: A Look Back at 1989 & 1999 in Light of 2028

hen I first mentioned FinnFest to Lāth Carlson at the NNM last

W November, he gushed with praise over two FinnFest gatherings

held previously in Seattle, one in 1989, the other in 1999. “I’ve heard nothing but great things about FinnFest,” he emoted. I personally remember the 1989 event well, having made a presentation that week at the UW’s Kane Hall at one of its sessions. Uncertain as to how many of us participants and presenters from 1989 remain standing. I presume that a greater number of presenters and attendees from the 1999 event can be expected to attend. From what will no doubt be a mixed lot, perhaps a group can put together a presentation about what they saw and experienced in those two years. The 1989 affair shone brightly,

mounted as it was on a grand scale and pulled off with great aplomb to thousands of attendees. FinnFest’s avowed goal for 2028 should be for all of us to do our best to match that success. Web: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=K-6EXjLCtTU&ra=m

Attendant to that, I propose inviting renowned Finnish journalist Rauli Virtanen to make an appearance at FinnFest in 2028. I first met Rauli when he flew to Seattle in 1997 to interview me about my uncle and godfather, Emil Hurja, for a YLE documentary series he planned about prominent figures with Finnish roots from around the world. I took Rauli and his then-six-year-old son Pepe on a tour of Seattle and spent hours with him exploring the holdings at the UW’s Suzallo Library. I count the time we spent together as magical, like something that happened in a living dream only yesterday. Web: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rauli_Virtanen Web: https://areena.yle.fi/1-62315587

FinnFest Through the Ages: A Brief History

ttendees not present in the early days of FinnFest would likely welcome an opportunity to learn something about its roots, dating back to its founding in 1983. Marianne Wargelin, long-time FinnFest president, is an expert on this subject. My own knowledge of FinnFest in its early years stems from my involvement with the 1986 gathering at the Novi, Michigan Hilton and the aforementioned 1989 Seattle FinnFest at the UW. This might work best as a presentation featuring Wargelin. Web: https://finnfest.us

10.

Nordics on the Western Frontier: The Case of Alaska

A Finnish immigrants and their offspring played in the conquering of

major component of the 1989 FinnFest emphasized the role

America’s frontier. One set of presentations dealt specifically with Finns in Alaska, where America’s quest to conquer our western frontier ran head-on into Tsarist Russia’s quest to conquer its eastern frontier. “Oh, East is East, and West is West, and never the twain shall meet,” wrote Rudyard Kipling in 1889. In the case of Alaska, Kipling’s words missed the mark by the width of the Bering Straits. In the early decades of the 20th century, the University of Washington proactively involved itself in addressing the academic and research needs of settlers in the Territory of Alaska. Their archives overflow with materials related to Alaskan affairs. FinnFest 2028 represents an opportunity to re-examine this subject in depth from a fresh twenty-first century perpective. Web: https://history.state.gov/milestones/1866-1898/alaska-purchase

11.

Life at the Top of the World: Possible Topics to Consider

he Nordics understandably have a particular interest in any topic touching on life in the Arctic climes. One such topic involves traffic across the Northern Sea Route — the Северный морской путь to Russians — between Norway in the west and the Bering Strait in the east; another concerns the dizzying tergiversations of an ever-evolving organization known as the Northern Forum; still another centers on the Arctic Council. Finnish-built icebreakers — two of them nuclear powered and based in Murmansk — have long played a key role in clearing paths through the Arctic ice pack along Russia’s northern coast, allowing the vessels of the Murmansk Shipping Company (laughingly

dubbed “carrot ships” for their hulls’ bright orange color, painted that way so as to be easily visible from the air when traversing ice-encrusted Arctic waters) to safely navigate to and fro’ serving ports and oil-and-gas platforms scattered across Russia’s challenging northern shores. Truth be told, beginning from the early 1990’s on, year-round navigation across the rooftop of the world has been possible if you used satellite imagery to follow leads (cracks) in the ice; if you happened to be aboard a super ice-class ship designed to protect you from threatening ice; and, lastly, if a sturdy Finnish-built icebreaker accompanied you on your journey. In the decades since, owing to the continued melting and retreat of the Arctic ice pack, year-round trans-Arctic travel by ship recently became a reality. Meanwhile, beginning with the first meeting of the Northern Forum General Assembly in Tromsø, Norway in 1993 — a conference which I attended — the Northern Forum has met annually ever since as a non-profit NGO with consultative status accredited by the United Nations. At one time, the Northern Forum based the headquarters of its Secretariat in Rovaniemi, Finland. Today those headquarters call Yakutsk, Russia home. Unanswered questions abound concerning the Arctic’s future. The geopolitical crisis currently gripping the world poses a major challenge to world peace. FinnFest 2028 might conceivably provide a forum where such questions could be addressed. Web: https://northernforum.org/en/ Web: https://arctic-council.org Web: https://www.fni.no Web: https://www.spri.cam.ac.uk

12.

Nordic Loggers Felling Trees / Nordic Skiers Challenging Slopes / Nordic Climbers Scaling Peakss / Nordic Vintners Crafting Wines / Nordic Adventurers Blazing New Trails / Nordic Radicals Demanding Change / Nordic Soldiers Fighting for Peace / Nordic Architects Designing Stuff

he possibilities for adding meaningful topics to the 2028 program present themselves in numbers too large for all of them to be mentioned here. We opt, therefore, for the sake of simplicity to focus in hop-skip-and-jump fashion on a mere handful of topics.

or Nordic Loggers Felling Trees, scores of men sporting Nordic roots harvested Sitka Spruce from the forests of the Pacific Northwest as members of the Army Signal Corps’ Spruce Production Division during World War I. Their purpose was to supply a fledgling aircraft company known as the Pacific Aero Products Company founded by an entrepreneur named William Boeing with strong, straightgrained, clear cedar cants for use in crafting spars and ribs for aircraft to meet the inflated, war-induced demand for more planes. Web: https://www.nps.gov/articles/spruceproductiondivision.htm Web: https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/ spruce_production_division/ Web: https://web.archive.org/web/20251209204113/https://lib.uw.edu/ specialcollections/collections/exhibits/kinsey/spruce/

or Nordic Skiers Challenging Slopes, a modest handful of admiring Nordic acolytes of Austrian-born skier and long-time Seattle resident, the late Otto Lang, helped him introduce the Austrian Alberg style of downhill skiing to America using fixed-heel bindings and a wedge-to-parallel system optimized for steep descents that eventually replaced the theretofore-dominant Norwegian (Telemark) style utilizing free-heel bindings designed for cross-country travel. Of special note, in the 1936 movie Sun Valley Serenade starring Norwegian skating legend Sonja Henie, in scenes where Henie appears to be skiing recklessly downhill, Lang, dressed up as Henie, was doing the actual skiing. In all, the story of this pivotal change in skiing styles stands out as a fascinating tale regardless of one’s family’s origins, a story whose cast features notable players from the Pacific Northwest with Nordic roots. Of note, the late legendary skiing documentary filmmaker Warren Miller was an understudy and close friend of Otto Lang. His film company continues to operate on Washington’s San Juan Island and is searching through its archives for footage featuring Nordic skiing. Web: https://www.skihall.com/hall-of-famers/otto-lang/? srsltid=AfmBOoocecLxWvbDgPwE61_NGWaqgDzpmZEZ9dFUx7vEtxfks 0uPGJgT

or Nordic Climbers Scaling Slopes, I offer you PLU graduate Lute Jerstad (above) who, in 1963, together with Jim Whittaker, became the first Americans to scale the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest. Web: https://harborhistorymuseum.blogspot.com/2016/06/luther-geraldjerstad-1936-1998-first.html?m=1

or Nordic Vintners Crafting Wines, I offer for consideration Gustave Ferdinand Niebaum (above), a Finnish sea captain who settled in Napa Valley, California in 1870. There he founded Inglenook Winery. Fans of Niebaum at the 1989 Seattle FinnFest declared him the father of California wine-making. A chance to revisit Niebaum’s story will present itself by the time FinnFest 2028 rolls around. Web: https://winehistorytours.com/gustave-ferdinand-niebaum-the-seacaptain-who-founded-a-wine-empire/

or Nordic Adventurers Blazing New Trails, look no further than north to Alaska and the Arctic for the example of a true Nordic adventurer, Norway’s Raold Amundsen (above). If you prefer instead to look south to Antarctica, you will find there none other than Amundsen again, for he became the first explorer of any nationality to reach both the North and the South poles. Web: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Roald-Amundsen

or Nordic Radicals Demanding Change, I suggest Minnesota’s own Arvo Kustaa Halberg — better known to the FBI as Gus Hall (above) — long-time general secretary of the Communist Party USA. For an alternative, libertarian-leaning counterweight to Hall, one might consider instead economist William Arthur Niskanen (below), an adviser to Ronald Reagan and former chairman of the Cato Institute. Web: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gus-Hall Web: https://cato.org/people/william-niskanen

or Nordic Soldiers Fighting for Peace, turn to any one of some 27,000 Finns who gave their lives defending their country against Josef Stalin’s invading hordes during the Winter War of 1939–1940. Web: https://www.britannica.com/event/Russo-Finnish-War Web: https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/second-world-war/eastern-front/ short-history-of-the-winter-war

or Nordic Architects Designing Stuf, turn to the University of Washington’s College of Built Environments (above), “the only college in the nation with the disciplinary departments of Architecture, Construction Management, Landscape Architecture, Real Estate, and Urban Design and Planning under one roof — allowing us to offer unparalleled opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration. Together, we are guided by three core pillars: collaboration and impact, bold thought leadership, and equitable and just practices.” Web: https://arch.be.uw.edu

o matter in which direction you look, you will likely spy a descendant of Nordic immigrants with a story to tell. “There is a history in all men’s lives,” Shakespeare wrot in Richard II. FinnFest 2028 promises to be replete with a bounty of them, each with a Nordic twist

Michigan in 1986, together with the late Melvin Holli from I ntheNovi, University of Illinois-Chicago, I offered to a FinnFest audience

for the first time my thoughts about my favorite uncle and godfather, Emil Hurja, my mother’s older brother. In Seattle in 1989, I held forth on my uncle again. Following a 35-year hiatus, I spoke to Duluth audiences in 2024 and 2025, again about Hurja. Emil Hurja graduated from the University of Washington, as did his Danish-American wife, Gudrun née Anderson Hurja. Lifelong, they both lived colorful, storybook lives. Guddie grew up in Dawson City, Yukon Territory at the height of the Klondike Gold Rush. Various writers have described her as the first nonindigenous child to settle there. Later, in Seattle, she worked as arguably

the first street reporter in the city’s history. In New York, in the peak years of the Roaring 20s, she performed on stage off-Broadway as a member of theatre legend Eva LaGallienne’s Civic Repertory Theatre troupe. In Washington, DC in the early years of the New Deal, she became what one reporter later described as “the Perle Mesta of Washington before there was a Perle Mesta.” During and after World War II, the governments of Finland and Denmark honored her for her work supporting women widowed and children orphaned by the war. Few people save for myself and Rauli Virtanen know of or appreciate Guddie’s achievements. Her hubby Emil, on the other hand, made it onto the cover of Time Magazine in 1935 for his polling prowess; King Haakon VI of Norway knighted him in 1939; and the Finnish government named him to the Order of the White Rose for his efforts working together with Herbert Hoover to support Finland during the Winter War. For the two of them, it all began to burst forth during their years as students at the University of Washington. Putting an exclamation mark on Hurja’s story, FDR once called his mystical power to accurately forecast election results “the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen in my political life.” Web: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rGeqHqrlS_8&t=38s&ra=m

S have followed suit, including Mary Stuckey at Penn State, David

ince the publication of Melvin Holli’s book on Emil Hurja, others

Greenberg at Rutgers, pollster G. Elliott Morris of Strength in Numbers, and this writer with an article, “Emil Hurja”, published by Cornell’s

Roper Center for Public Opinion Research. The Hurjas are one of many subjects illustrative of the role the University of Washington has played on issues related to the Nordic Sister democracies. Web: https://hist.uic.edu/news-stories/melvin-g-mel-holli-1933-2016/ Web: https://www.amazon.com/Wizard-Washington-Franklin-RooseveltRoosevelts/dp/031229395X Web: https://cas.la.psu.edu/people/mary-stuckey/ Web: https://www.psupress.org/books/titles/978-0-271-06647-9.html? srsltid=AfmBOoqxdTrbNXUEzMwHiz7aCGYiEINPOqUcO4JaJrwyFZF6E 46oDemy Web: https://history.rutgers.edu/people/faculty/details/206-greenbergdavid Web: https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/01/emil-hurjapollster-fdr-213537/ Web: https://www.gelliottmorris.com Web: https://www.amazon.com/Strength-Numbers-Polls-Work-Needebook/dp/B09KM9MBFZ?ref_=ast_author_mpb Web: https://fiftyplusone.news/about Web: https://ropercenter.cornell.edu/emil-hurja

14.

Robert Strand & Nordic Capitalism Redux

in late 2025 I traded thoughts with Marianne Wargelin about B ack the notable similarities — as well as some obvious dissimilarities —

between how business is done on her home turf, the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, and how business is done on my home turf, the SeattleTacoma area. Six years ago, in a privately-commissioned manuscript, I argued for the existence of an identifiable, verifiable Seattle style of doing business. After meeting Robert Strand, hearing him speak, and reading his book, I now argue to anyone who cares to listen that a distinctive Nordic style of doing business underlies the business styles of both Wargelin’s and my home territories. Robert Strand’s appearance in September at this year’s gathering constitutes the start — and by no measure the finish — of a debate I anticipate will continue throughout 2027 and on into 2028, reaching a penultimate conclusion at next year’s planned event in Minneapolis and, ideally, its ultimate conclusion in Seattle two years hence.

he 2027 FinnFest will return to the Minneapolis Hilton Hotel, site of our September 2026 gathering. For the latest information about dates and planned programming, visit: https://finnfest.us

DAYS III, IV & V – Friday, June 9th, Saturday, June 10th & Sunday, June 11th 2028 – Suggested Seattle Area Tours

our possibilities abound for Seattle visitors, where a plethora of notable attractions awaits curious travelers, appealing to a wide range of passions and interests. We highlight below a few of those many destinations.

The Husky Clipper & Conibear Shellhouse

O The Boys in the Boat, telling the incredible story of a University of wing to the unprecedented popularity of Daniel James Brown’s

Washington crew that won Olympic gold in Berlin with Adolf Hitler and a bevy of his henchmen watching from an aerie perched above the finish line, the shell in which they rowed, the Husky Clipper, has become a major tourist attraction drawing visiting rowers and non-rowers alike. Web: https://washingtonrowing.com/about/conibear-shellhouse/ Web: https://www.plu.edu/news/archive/2023/12/19/boys-in-the-boat-pluhusky-clipper/ Web: https://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g60878d10990327-i291770851-The_Boys_of_1936_Tour-Seattle_Washington.html https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60878-d10990327Reviews-The_Boys_of_1936_Tour-Seattle_Washington.html

A Fishing Fleet, a Finnish Lutheran Church & So Much More

he National Nordic Museum sits smack dab in the middle of Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood, for over a century the home to one of America’s greatest fishing fleets. Ballard has long been famous for its large population of people of Nordic descent. A short ways north of the museum sits the Seattle Finnish Lutheran Church (above), where services are held on alternating Sundays in Finnish and English. Ballard offers attendees a wealth of options, all within easy reach of each other. Web: https://www.visitballard.com

Seattle Center, the Space Needle & the Chihuly Glass Garden

oasting the iconic Space Needle, the Chihuly Garden & Glass Museum, the Seattle Science Center and more, the Seattle Center is a “must see” on any out-of-town visitor’s To-Do list. Web: https://www.chihulygardenandglass.com Web: https://www.seattlecenter.com/events/featured-events/fitness

Pike Place Market

A flying salmon and as home to the original Starbucks store, just two dd to that To-Do list Seattle’s Pike Place Market, known for its

of its many colorful attractions.. Web: https://www.pikeplacemarket.org

more information about the abundant attractions of Seattle F or and Tacoma and Washington state in general, visit:

Web: https://stateofwatourism.com Web: https://visitseattle.org Web: https://www.visitpiercecounty.com

WILDCARD PROPOSALS – FINNFEST 2028 Precise Days & Locations to Be Determined

The Nordic Sisters & the Russian Bear: Whereto Next?

he bear, not elephant, in the room regarding Finland and her fellow Nordic Sisters’ future is the threat posed by Russia under Vladimir Putin. His unprovoked 2022 invasion of Ukraine is fast approaching its 1,700th day as of the date of this writing with no end in sight, and no one can predict with confidence where things will stand two years from now. The Russian leader’s aggression has driven Finland and Sweden to join NATO and inspired all five Nordic Sisters to publicly embrace Ukraine’s cause. Given the global impact of Putin’s war, this issue merits consideration for inclusion in FinnFest 2028’s programming, regardless of what the current status of Putin's war will be at the time .

Pacific Lutheran University & Training of Russian Managers

eginning in 1992 and extending over a 10-year period, based on an initiative launched by this writer, PLU offered a series of management seminars and specialized training programs for personnel from the airline, airport, aircraft manufacturing and air traffic control

sectors in the former Soviet Union, enlisting the participation of various American companies and government entities and of scholars from four other academic institutions: the University of Arizona, Seattle University, the University of Washington and DePaul University. Over that span, more than 200 managers from every corner of the FSU/NIS were “students” at PLU. As a result, the school can call upon a wealth of first-hand experience to put together a program such as what is being suggested here. In an intriguing coincidence, one of the teachers involved in this effort — John Ahern, Dean at the time of the DePaul University School of Accountancy — helped train some 50 Aeroflot accountants and economists on GAAP and related issues back in 1992-93. Since then he has taught accounting in both Finland and Russia as well as in Bahrain, Hong Kong and the Czech Republic. Given those credentials, Ahern would be a worthy candidate to contribute to this panel discussion. While this topic may seem unrelated to Nordic themes, there is a broader context within which it could work. Specialists from PLU, DePaul, and Seattle University all taught in departments noted for their adherence to values and approaches closely aligned with those of Nordic capitalism. Properly conceived and implemented, a session focused on this subject could provide valuable insights into the minds of Russian institutions and the people who run them. Web: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:149e92e9-893a-4734adb1-145cd2da9a1e

Lessons from the Past to Learn from from a FinnishAmerican Entrepreneur About Doing Business in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Estonia & other former Soviet Republics

etween 1989 and 2015, this writer travelled to Russia and Ukraine and other former member states of the Soviet Union over 50 times, representing clients in the US, the UK, Finland and Australia. His Western clients included the now-defunct construction company Haka Oy in Finland; The Mennen Company, Exxon-Mobile, the Port of Grays Harbor and Jacob’s Trading Company in the US; Trans-World Metals in the UK; and BHP (Broken Hill Proprietary) in Australia. Among the Russian clients he served were Aeroflot International Airlines, Komsomolsk-na-Amur Aviation Production Company, Irkutsk Aviation Production Company and the General Staff of the Russian Air Force. Among the many issues he addressed concerning Russia were training of aviation managers, protecting the marine environment, evaluating the development of oil and gas resources in the Russian Arctic and devloping port facilities on Sakhalin Island and elsewhere in the Russian Far East as well as on the Gulf of Finland. His Finnish family name, Ojala, and the heritage it represented played well with the Russians, Ukrainians and other nationalities he dealt with owing to Finland’s history of serving as a bridge between the West and the Soviet Union. Based in Seattle at the time, he became deeply involved in the regional business community and its commitment to open the markets of the former Soviet Union. That experience provides him with a solid foundation for helping organize a program in Seattle touching on issues related to the history of Finnish and Nordic enterprises doing business in Russia and dealing with the challenges posed by the Russian bear in other areas, including the Arctic, with an informed Russian slant. Web: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:149e92e9-893a-4734adb1-145cd2da9a1e

Nordic Capitalism: Pitching a Big Tent

inland and her Nordic Sisters are not alone amongst the nations of the world in their embrace of the values Robert Strand holds

dear in Nordic Capitalism. Even in the U.S., respected contrarian voices continue to speak out in support of alternative approaches to capitalism which, when examined closely, echo sentiments similar to Strand’s, each with their own subtle nuances. The question of Nordic Capitalism v. neoliberal capitalism is far more complex than the simplified recitations put forth in this proposal would indicate. An in-depth exploration of other informed takes on alternatives to the dictums of Adam Smith and Milton Friedman and their followers would give added value to the program proposed here. 4.

Vincentian, Jesuit & Other Variations on a Common Theme

wo academic institutions whose stated values support this argument have already been mentioned: DePaul University in Chicago and Seattle University in Seattle — both respected Catholic centers of learning, each inspired by a separate strain of Catholicism — in the case of DePaul, by the example of the sixteenth century champion of the poor, St Vincent de Paul, in the case of Seattle University, by that of the sixteenth century founder of the Society of Jesuits, St. Ignatius of Loyola.

ePaul's Mission Statement encapsulates many the values Robert Strand associates with Nordic Capitalism and the Nordic Sisters: As an innovative Catholic, Vincentian university anchored in the global city of Chicago, DePaul isupports the integral human development of its students ... through its commitment to outstanding teaching, academic excellence, real world experience,

community engagement, and systemic change. DePaul prepares its students to be successful in their chosen fields and agents of transformation throughout their lives. Guided by an ethic of V i n ce n t i a n p e r s o n a l i s m a n d p ro fe s s i o n a l i s m , D e Pa u l compassionately upholds the dignity of all members of its diverse, multi-faith, and inclusive community. Through education and research, the university addresses the great questions of our day, promoting peaceful, just, and equitable solutions to social and environmental challenges. DePaul’s School of Accountancy brings those values to life in its classrooms and through the actions of its many graduates. A representative from DePaul’ School of Accountancy would bring an added dimension to conversations concerning Nordic-style capitalism.

S mission together echo DePaul’s self-image. Prononcing itself a eattle University’s various statements of values and purpose and

“forward-thinking university dedicated to delivering transformational education,” Seattle University declares:

We are guided by a deep commitment to empowering you to improve the human condition and shape a better world for all. Our inclusive and innovative education prepares you to thrive professionally and live purposefully in a diverse, interconnected and rapidly changing world. Our strong connections to greater Seattle's diverse communities and game-changing employers give you an inspiring and supportive environment to live out your personal mission, vision and values.Seattle University is dedicated to educating the whole person, to professional formation, and to empowering leaders for a just and humane world. We will be one of the most innovative and progressive Jesuit and Catholic universities in the world, educating with excellence at the undergraduate, graduate and professional levels. … We put the good of students first. … We value excellence in learning with great teachers who are active scholars. … We celebrate educational excellence achieved through diversity.. … We treasure our Jesuit Catholic ethos and the enrichment from many faiths of our university community. … We foster a concern for justice and the competence to promote it. … We seek to develop responsible leaders committed to the common good. Similar to specialists from DePaul’s School of Accountancy and MIS, a representative of Seattle University’s School of Business could bring an added dimension to conversations concerning Nordic-style capitalism.

into the “big tent” envisioned here need not be limited to I nvitees Catholic institutions such as DePaul or Seattle University. Pacific

Lutheran University stands out as an able representative of Norwegianrelated American universities. Given PLU’s commitment to fostering a greater awareness of the Holocaust, it is not unreasonable to consider seeking schools with strong Jewish roots such as Brandeis University — and my graduate school Alma Mater, Binghamton University — to participate in the proposed discussion. Given Seattle and Tacoma’s location on the eastern edge of the Pacific Rim and the Puget Sound Area’s strong connections with the nations and cultures of the Far East, welcoming participation from that corner of the globe makes perfect sense. As for the nations of the Middle East, this writer enjoyed in the past a direct association with Saudi Arabia’s Aramco, the world’s largest oil company, as well as with its Arizona Highways-lookalike magazine, AramcoWorld. On occasion the latter has published insightful pieces treating Judaism. Given that fact — representative of a larger effort to portray a more open-minded image of the company and the Kingdom — the Texas offices of Aramco World would be the likely starting-point for approaching Aramco regarding possible participation in FinnFest 2028. Web: https://www.brandeis.edu/about/mission.html Web: https://www.binghamton.edu/about/mission-vision-values.html Web: https://www.binghamton.edu/judaic-studies/

LU embraces outreach programs to people of all faiths, including Muslims, variously proclaiming that

PLU is committed to the success of Jewish and Muslim students, staff, and faculty. … Here you will find a place of acceptance, openmindedness, and compassion. No matter your background, faith, gender identity, or orientation, we can flourish together. … Diversity is vital to the vibrancy and sustainability of our university community and the world beyond it. Web: https://www.plu.edu/diversity-justice-sustainability/supportfor-jewish-and-muslim-students/

Manifesto of Nordic Capitalism A commitment to making everyday life better for the many and securing freedom for current and future generations.

e reject denial. We face complex challenges head-on, guided by scientific evidence and a sense of responsibility for current and future generations. We champion education that cultivates critical thinking and informed decision-making, recognizing that lasting solutions require an educated, engaged citizenry.

e invest in children. We strive to ensure that every child grows up in a safe, nurturing environment with opportunities to thrive. By investing in a good childhood for all, we strengthen the foundations for individual and collective flourishing.

e anchor capitalism in democracy. We see capitalism as a tool to serve society – not an end in itself. We disperse power in line with democratic principles.

e embrace a Me–We–Me mindset. We preserve and enhance individual freedom through strong collective institutions – so each person can flourish with dignity and opportunity. We uphold the principle that a flourishing society depends on individuals who take responsibility for themselves and for one another. We recognize that individual and collective prosperity reinforce one another.

e expand freedoms. We uphold equality of opportunity, ensuring everyone has access to the tools and conditions needed to pursue a meaningful life with dignity and purpose. e celebrate stewards. We elevate those who exhibit decency, embrace humanistic values, and demonstrate ethical leadership in stewarding enterprises that create long-term societal value.

e practice good governance. We build trust through transparency, accountability, democratic processes, and stakeholder dialogue—shaping institutions that serve the interests of society.

e balance cooperation and competition. We design systems that foster cooperation where it strengthens society and embrace competition where it drives efficiency, sparks innovation, and serves the common good.

e are pragmatic. We choose what works over ideology, approaching challenges with humility and curiosity to learn from experience – our own and others’ – as we continuously improve systems to better serve the common good. e aspire to live within planetary boundaries. We embrace our responsibility to live within the Earth’s limits – and to demonstrate that it is possible to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Though small in scale, the Nordic nations show what can be done, offering examples to inspire action well beyond their borders. We commit to the ongoing pursuit of sustainable capitalism – through continued cooperation across the Nordic region and in willing collaboration with partners worldwide to secure lasting peace and prosperity.

Manifesto of Nordic Capitalism A commitment to making everyday life better for the many and securing freedom for current and future generations. Source: Robert Gavin Strand, Nordic Capitalism

WILDCARD TOUR PROPOSALS Dates & destinations to be determined

ast FinnFests have featured more-extensive tour options than what has been proposed here as part of their overall programs. In addition to the tour of four Tacoma museums already suggested, the following tours may prove compelling for attracting attendees to join in the FinnFest 2028 fun:

Bus Trip to Mount Rainier National Park

nown as “The Mountain”, majestic, snow-capped Mount Rainier dominates the southern horizons of Seattle and Tacoma, beckoning one and all to come visit the national park surrounding her and explore the multitude of natural wonders awaiting them there. Web: https://www.nps.gov/mora/index.htm

Visit to Pacific Ocean Beaches

he State of Washington boasts some of the finest ocean beaches in T America — long inviting stretches of pristine, accesible, photogenic

shoreline within a day’s bus ride from Tacoma and Seattle. Web: https://www.scenicwa.com/story/everythings-beachy-onwashingtons-pacific-coast

Tour of Woodinville Wineries

varied collection of exceptional wineries — including that of wotld-renowned vintner Chateau St. Mischelle (previous page) — offers visiting oenophiles a variety of choices for touring and tasting. Web: https://woodinvillewinecountry.com

Seattle Mariners Baseball Game

ie-hard baseball fans from afar may find a chance to catch a Seattle Mariners game at one of the sport’s iconic stadiums, TMobile Park (above) too tempting of an opportunity to pass up. Web: https://www.mlb.com/mariners

Whale-watching Excursion on Puget Sound

atching Orcas whales cavort in the waters of Puget Sound is a

W “must-see”, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many visitors.

Web: https://www.viator.com/Seattle-tourism/d704-r6544791491s110221211?

Tours of Seattle-area Museums

eattle boasts a bevy of remarkable museums certain to tickle the fancies of many out-of-state visitors in town to participate in the FinnFest 2028 gathering. Popular options include:

Seattle Art Museum Web: https://www.seattleartmuseum.org

Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) Web: https://mohai.org

Center for Wooden Boats Web: https://www.cwb.org

Seattle Asian Art Museum Web: https://www.seattleartmuseum.org/visit/seattle-asian-art-museum

Frye Art Museum Web: https://fryemuseum.org

National Nordic Museum

S attendees will have ample opportunities to explore the National aving the Seattle host venue of FinnFest 2028 for last, festival

Nordic Museum’s varied and informative exhibits of Nordic culture and history and lifestyles. Web: https://nordicmuseum.org

Come join the celebration!

FinnFest 2028 Seattle/Tacoma June 2028 The Unrivaled Splendor of the Pacific Northwest Awaits You…

Memorandum of Understanding Between Finland & the State of Washington

O a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Leena-Kaisa Mikkola, n Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at the National Nordic Museum in Seattle,

Ambassador of Finland to the United States and Bob Ferguson, Governor of the State of Washington. On the following pages is an account of that accord issued by Governor Ferguson’s office.

Washington, Finland sign cooperative agreement to build economic, innovation partnerships Bob Ferguson and Finland’s Ambassador to the United States, G overnor Leena-Kaisa Mikkola, set a new framework to guide collaboration and

trade between Washington and Finland. They gathered at the National Nordic Museum in Seattle to sign a joint Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two regions and launch a new era of partnership on research, academia, innovation and business. This is the first collaborative agreement with a foreign nation Governor Ferguson has signed since taking office in 2025. The agreement lays out specific industries and research areas that will be the focus of ongoing collaboration between Finland and Washington. These include: • Modern maritime industry safety, efficiency and sustainability; • Aerospace and defense innovation; • Clean energy generation, transmission and storage; • Sustainable forestry, fisheries and water resource management;

• Sustainable transportation, including sustainable battery development; and • Emerging technologies such as quantum technology and Artificial Intelligence. The agreement helps facilitate trade missions, connects small businesses with potential investors and suppliers, and sets priorities for knowledge sharing and policy expertise.

For example: Washington state is a global leader in quantum computing research, and Finland is a leader in producing the cryogenic materials needed for quantum computing. The Washington-Finland agreement helps researchers build their supply chain, particularly small research firms who might not otherwise have the resources to locate international suppliers. Finland is currently building the next-generation fleet of U.S. polar icebreaker vessels. Washington serves as the home of the U.S. icebreaking fleet, employing skilled regional civilian maritime expertise that sustains these vessels between deployments. The partnership can help connect those experts to Finnish shipbuilders to share knowledge about ship design and maintenance as they come into U.S. service. “Washington state and Finland are global leaders in developing cutting-edge innovations,” Governor Ferguson said. “Today’s agreement strengthens our ties and helps build connections to create business opportunities, share expertise and expand academic partnerships with our worldclass universities. Our partnership is focused on industries that reflect Washington and Finland’s shared values and complementary strengths. I’m committed to building new opportunities for Washington.” “Finland and Washington state share a strong commitment to innovation and sustainable growth,” Leena-Kaisa Mikkola, Ambassador of Finland to the United States. “Our renewed partnership provides a framework for turning that shared commitment into practical cooperation, including in maritime, clean energy, and advanced technologies. Finnish companies such as Nokia (mobile networks), Wärtsilä (marine and energy technologies), KONE (escalators and elevators),

Vaisala (weather technologies), and Kemira (water treatment solutions) create jobs in local communities and further strengthen the ties between Finland and Washington. Partnerships at the state level support transatlantic relations, and Finland is pleased to deepen its ties with Washington state to build on the opportunities ahead.” The signing took place yesterday as part of the 2026 Nordic Innovation Summit in Seattle. The Summit is a unique convening of policymakers, business leaders, researchers, innovators, and cultural voices from across the Nordic region, the Arctic, and the Pacific Northwest to explore the future of Arctic cooperation, climate resilience, energy transition, security, health innovation, and emerging technologies. The Nordic Innovation Summit has become an annual event at the museum, itself an indication of the importance of Nordic ties to Washington. Wednesday, October 14, 2026 *** Vintage Black & White Images by Josef Scaylea (left), Chief Photographer The Seattle Times 1948-1983 Proposal Prepared by James H. Ojala, Ph.D. Tacoma, Washington Email: suomalainensiu@mac.com Phone: +1 (707) 362.4405