Finnposium: The Forest Finns

Who are the Forest Finns? What is their story and status today? This informative and thought-provoking program offers insights on this fascinating and little known part of Nordic history.
Sarah Kammlah of Facebook’s Forest Finns in America, a social network platform bridging the gap between America and the Forest Finn minority abroad, moderates a panel consisting of top Forest Finn experts and minority activists IngMarie Bohmelin, Jan Myhrvold and Birger Nesholen.
They will discuss the riveting history and plight of this invisible culture, and touch upon the current “awakening” and governmental reparations which restore what was once lost due to the pressures of assimilating into much larger national cultures.
America’s Forest Finn connections not only span the period of the New Sweden colonies but the generations that followed in the late 1800’s emigration rush.
Whether you have Finnish-American ties to Savolax and Karelia (Savonlinnan ja Karjalan läänit) or are interested in the current foreign affairs of this extended branch of the much larger Finnish family tree, this thought-provoking and insightful webinar will enlighten your understanding of the Forest Finn people here in America and abroad.
This Finnposium Zoom webinar was hosted live by Finlandia Foundation National on April 27, 2024.
It is presented in partnership with FinnFest USA.
IIka Karppanen photo