The photographer Anna Leppälä lives and works in Helsinki and studied at the University of Art and Design. She was chosen as Finland’s Young Artist of the Year in 2010.
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Osmo Vänskä conducts London Philharmonic Orchestra
An interesting programme of Russian music: Balakirev’s Islamey, Khachaturian’s Piano Concerto (soloist Marc-Andre Hamelin) and Kalinnikov’s Symphony No 1. 7.30 pm at Royal Festival Hall
Recital by Soile Isokoski
Soile Isokoski, accompanied by Ilkka Paananen, will give a recital of songs by Schubert, Kuula, Brahms, Bernstein and Strauss. 7.30pm at the Wigmore Hall.
Anastasie Mannerheim
Mertsi Fisher will give us a talk on the life of Mannerheim’s daughter, Anastasie, from her childhood in St Petersburg to Paris, London, Hove, Letchworth and finally Faversham. Time and venue to be confirmed.
Åland Islands
The Åland Islands came a little more into focus for some of us last year with the restoration and rededication of the memorial to the Finnish soldiers who had been captured at Bomarsund and were imprisoned at Lewes until the end of the Crimean War. However, the Islands seem somewhat detached from the consciousness of many when they think about Finland. As Director of the Åland Maritime Museum, Hanna Hagmark-Cooper is well placed to tell us more about the Islands and their history. The meeting will be held at the Finnish Church in London, 33 Albion Street, London SE16 7HZ at 6.00 for 6.30pm. Feel free to arrive earlier if you like so that you have time to enjoy a cup of coffee and some Finnish delicacies. Members wishing to attend should notify the Hon. Secretary in the usual way; others are requested to use the web contact form.
Westermarck
A highlight of the Society’s Centenary celebrations was the international conference focusing on the work of one of the Society’s founders, the social-anthropologist, Edward Westermarck. David Shankland, Director of the Royal Anthropological Institute, has now edited the papers given at the conference and additional materials have been added, including photographs. Dr Shankland will introduce the new book. The meeting will be the last we are able to hold at the Finnish Institute, 35-36 Eagle Street, London WC1. Time 6.00 for 6.30pm. Members wishing to attend the event should notify the Hon. Secretary in the usual way; others should please use the web contact form.
Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting of the Society will be held at Europe House, 32 Smith Square, London SW1 at 6.00pm. It will be followed by a talk to be given by the the Ambassador, H.E. Mr Pekka Huhtaniemi, on the subject of Finland in Europe followed by a Reception.
The peculiar Finns – did they really come from Asia?
Marjo-Riitta Järvelin, Professor of Lifecourse Epidemiology at Imperial College, London, will give a talk based on what the latest genetic research teaches us about the origins of the Finnish people. The meeting will be held at the Finnish Institute, 35-36 Eagle Street, London WC1 at 6.00 for 6.30pm. Members should notify the Secretary in the usual way if they wish to attend; non-members should use the contact form on this website.
Northern Lights concert at Royal College of Music
The Royal College of Music Chamber Choir will perform a selection of popular songs by composers from Finland and Estonia. At the heart of the programme are two pieces by Veljo Tormis, whose works are inspired by folk song traditions. His St John’s Day Song for Midsummer’s Eve and St Catherine’s Day Songs mark two significant dates in the Estonian calendar, the beginning of haymaking and the arrival of winter. The Finnish works are Rautavaara’s Lorca Suite and Sibelius’s Rakastava.
The concert will take place at 6.00pm in the Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall. The Royal College of Music is in Prince Consort Road, directly south from the Royal Albert Hall.
Tickets cost £8 or £5, but the RCM is pleased to offer members of The Anglo-Finnish Society the best available seats for £4. Quote ‘NORDIC OFFER’ when booking through the RCM Box Office on 020 7591 4314.
Finnish Church Christmas Fair
The Finnish Church will be holding its usual Christmas Fair this year from Wednesday 20 November until Sunday 24 November. It is open 12.00 – 20.00 on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and from 10.00 – 18.00 on Saturday and Sunday. Expect all the usual delights: chocolate, salmiakki, rye bread, Karelian pies, cheese, sausages and other delicacies plus handicrafts and other items.
This year the event extends into Albion Street where there will be a traditional Scandinavian Christmas Market.