The Finnish American Reporter

08/06/2026

Whether you love the feel of fresh newsprint in your hands, or the convenience of modern technology, FAR's got you covered. Our print edition is still the most widely circulated publication for Finns and friends of Finland in North America; the digital edition has seen notable growth in its first month of existence.

What better time than the present to give a present of culture directly to those who value their heritage as much as you do?Subscriptions to either edition are only a few clicks away at www.finnishamericanreporter.com

08/05/2026

Every issue of the Finnish American Reporter is shaped by the people who read it, write for it, and believe our stories are worth preserving.

And, you're encouraged to contribute. :)

Thank you for helping keep Finnish American stories alive.

More information at FinnishAmericanReporter.com.

Finnish American Society of the Midwest, FASM, a Finlandia Foundation Chapt

07/30/2026

Arriving soon in your mailbox or on your favorite device ... the August 2026 FAR is published and on its way to subscribers around the world.

Subscriptions to either our print or digital editions can be ordered at www.finnishamericanreporter.com.

Some perks of the digital edition are that font sizes can be increased for those whose eyes are a bit more tired than they once were, and that online delivery for our readers outside of the U.S. is a bit more efficient than shipping across borders.

You could (and should) be our next subscriber ... and if you are already on our list, how about a gift subscription for your family and friends?

07/13/2026

A familiar face came up the stairs and into the office late last week ... what a pleasant surprise to see former intern Olli Romppanen, and what a pleasant surprise for Olli to learn that FAR now has a digital edition. Go to www.finnishamericanreporter.com for easy access to either a digital or a print subscription today!

The digital edition does not replace the print edition ... subscribers can choose either method of delivery. The digital edition is a wonderful opportunity for folks who live, say, across an ocean from the FAR office, or perhaps don't have the visual acuity they once did. Order your digital edition today for easy and instant access to your favorite connection to your heritage.

07/13/2026

Some news stops you in your tracks. This is one of those moments.

Sirkka Sinervo-Dragonas lived a quiet life in Wilmington, Delaware. Born in Turku, Finland, she worked as a government accountant and carried a deep, lifelong pride in her Finnish roots. Many in our community never knew her name. But what she left behind will shape the future of Finnish America for generations.

Sirkka's estate included a vision: a scholarship fund to support Finnish and Finnish American students in higher education. When Finlandia University closed before she passed, that vision had no clear home—until Finlandia Foundation National stepped in.

We are honored to announce the official establishment of the Sirkka Sinervo-Dragonas Fund—a $1.5 million endowment dedicated exclusively to scholarships for students pursuing Finnish and Nordic studies. The first Sirkka Scholars will be named in 2028, our 75th anniversary year.

This is what community looks like. This is what legacy looks like.

📖 Read the full story: https://finlandiafoundation.org/2026/06/30/new-scholarship-fund-established-at-finlandia-foundation-national-honoring-the-legacy-of-sirkka-sinervo-dragonas/

Kiitos, Sirkka. 🇫🇮

07/06/2026

40 years of Finnish American stories. Now in your pocket.

The Finnish American Reporter has gone digital — and we couldn't be more excited to share what that means for our community.

For four decades, FAR has been the heartbeat of Finnish America — bringing you the news, stories, history, and voices that connect us across this country and beyond. Now those stories live online, where you can read on your phone or computer, zoom in, click deeper, and explore the rich, layered world of Finnish America at your own pace.

Don't worry — print isn't going anywhere. We love print. But now the digital edition exists alongside it, making sure these stories reach everyone who is curious, connected, or just discovering Finnish America for the first time.

Subscribe today. Give a gift subscription to someone who would love it. And help us make sure 40 more years of stories get seen, heard, and shared.

🔗 finnishamericanreporter.com

07/02/2026

Wishing you a safe and joyful Independence Day weekend. 🇺🇸❤️🤍💙
Our offices will be closed on Friday, July 3, and will reopen on Monday, July 6.

06/11/2026

If you’re a regular reader of the Finnish American Reporter, you probably saw the May cover story featuring Kuparikielet. Formed in October 2025 at FFN’s Finnish American Folk School in Hancock, Kuparikielet brings together eight young musicians in middle and high school to perform folk dance music. This music includes Finnish folk classics, alongside other folk dance music important in the region including American Bluegrass, Canadian fiddle tunes and swing.

The band members chose the name, which translates to English as Copper Strings, because they wanted something that reflected the connection to Finnish folk music as well as the region where they live, often referred to as the Copper Country because of its history of mining. These young musicians are preserving folk dance music, while also making it their own. Want to hear them for yourself?

Join us next week to celebrate Juhannus where you can expect to hear Kuparikielet and other great musicians performing throughout the summer solstice celebration.

Visit www.FinnishAmericanFolkSchool.com to learn more about Kuparikielet and their upcoming performances in Michigan and beyond.

06/11/2026

06/08/2026

It's almost here. You've been reading about it for months. We can't wait to host you here in Hancock! Are you joining us for Juhannus? Let us know in the comments!

Six months ago, when we began celebrating our year as the Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture, the view out our window looked like you see in the photo below. Now, as we gear up to host several hundred of our closest friends -- and some very special guests who've altered their summer break plans to be with us -- our view is strikingly different.

Summer has arrived, and with it, Juhannus is just around the corner. We have a terrific slate of programs for all ages and cultural interests ... you can find that at www.hancockfinnougric.com.

As for the view these days? Come and see for yourself. Plan to spend the whole weekend. We -- along with our planning partners -- can guarantee you won't regret it!

If you're coming to Hancock for Juhannus, leave us a comment -- and bring along some friends!