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Past Events in 2026 by FFNCC and Friends of FFNCC
Event: An evening with author Maria Bouroncle, author of The Girl with the Name Tag: The Story of a Finnish War Child
When: Wednesday, May 20, 2026 | 6:00 PM
Where: McLean Community Center, 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean, VA
Finlandia Foundation NCC and FinnSpark co-hosted an evening with author Maria Bouroncle. Her book — The Girl with a Name Tag: The Story of a Finnish War Child — tells the true story of Finnish children sent alone to Sweden during World War II, carrying only a name tag. It's a piece of history that deserves to be known and remembered.
Maria shared her story, signed books, and we enjoyed light refreshments. This was a casual, welcoming evening for anyone who loves history, Nordic culture, or a great story.
6:00 PM — Refreshments & book signing
6:30 PM — Author talk
Event: Vappu (May Day or International Workers' Day) Celebration
When: Friday, May 1, 2026 | 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Where: Catboat Pizza Bar Picnic Area, Daingerfield Island, 1 Marina Drive, Alexandria, VA
Celebrate this Finnish national holiday with us!
Bring a dish to share. You may also bring your own food or purchase it from Catboat Pizza Bar. (No grills available.)
Beverages will be provided by FFNCC. Please bring lawn chairs or blankets. No cost to attend
This event was attended by about 30 members and friends.
Event: Book Talk - Money Values by Maarit Lassander
When: Sunday, May 17, 2026, 2:00 PM
Where: Resurrection Lutheran Church, 6201 Washington Blvd., Arlington, VA
Money Values is a groundbreaking exploration of how our relationship with money shapes everything, from our closest relationships to our connection to the World around us.
The book goes beyond typical financial advice. It, for example, reveals how our childhood experiences shape our spending later in life. The book explores the neuroscience of financial habits and challenges traditional definitions of success. Most importantly, this book provides practical tools that help readers align their finances with their values and contribute to positive change.
Maarit Lassander combines insights from psychology, personal finance, and social policy to show how transforming the way we think about money unlocks wellbeing for ourselves and others.
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The book is available to order on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other major retailers.
Event: Cantores Minores Concert - The Choir of Boys and Young Men of Helsinki Cathedral
When: Tuesday, April 28, 2026, 6:30 PM | Doors Open at 6:00 PM
Where: Embassy of Finland, 3301 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC
The Beloved Cantores Minores will be in Washington, DC for one performance only as they tour the U.S. East Coast. The concert will be followed by a reception.
Email FFNCC with any questions.
This event was attended by about 75 members and friends.
Event: Annual Kalevala Dinner & Finlandia Foundation Lecturer of the Year
When: Saturday, March 14, 2026, 6:00 PM
Where: Gadsby's Tavern, 400 Cameron Street, Alexandria, VA
Join us for the Annual Kalevala Dinner and talk from Finlandia Foundation National’s Lecturer of the Year, Jay Smith.
In addition to a full dinner catered by Mikko Nordic Fine Foods, Smith's presentation will focus on the life and legacy of John Morton, one of America's Founding Fathers who is of Finnish descent and who cast a crucial vote for American independence.
Smith, a trained historian, highlights Morton’s story in anticipation of the 2026 U.S.'s 250th anniversary.
Tickets - FFNCC Members, $80; Non-Members, $100
This event was attended by about 80 members and friends.
Event: Seeing Silence: The Paintings of Helene Schjerfbeck | One-Day Bus Trip
When: Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM (approx.)
Where: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City (bus departure from McLean, VA)
FFNCC and Finnspark will share a bus to NYC to enjoy a guided tour of the art exhibition.
Price (per person) $145
Price includes: bus, parking, snacks on the bus, museum admission, and guided tour of the exhibition.
Event: Ice Skating with Suomikoulu (The Finnish School of Washington, DC)
When: Saturday, February 28, 2026, Noon - 2:00 PM
Where: Westpost Outdoor Ice Skating, 1201 South Joyce Street, Arlington, VA (Pentagon Row)
Please come ice skating with the DC Finnish community at the Westpost outdoor ice rink
This is free of charge and there will be hot drinks and snacks/sweets served.
Event: Songs of Dan Andersson: Poetry, Music, and the Forest Finn Legacy
When: Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 7:00 - 8:30 PM
Where: St. John's Norwood Episcopal Church
Dan Andersson (1888–1920) is one of Sweden’s most beloved poets and songwriters, but his work is inseparable from the Finnmarken region where he was born and lived.
This concert presents five poems by Dan Andersson set to music, performed in Swedish, with spoken commentary in English.
It offers an introduction to Dan Andersson not only as a Swedish poet, but as an artist shaped by the Finnish–Swedish-Norwegian borderland region, with its unique blend of cultures and music.
The performers, Cliff Gaddy (vocals and baritone ukulele) and Kerstin Gaddy (harmonica), are members of the Nordic folk music ensemble, Washington’s Spelmanslag.
