Nordic Yuletide and New Year Wishes

The NEF Newsletter: Connecting New England, Finland, and Scandinavia through trade, education, and culture. Born from the enthusiasm of Finnish New Englanders, it charts our shared journey—past, present, and future. Join our growing community of 2,900+ subscribers and many more via email and blog. Share with anyone eager to build Nordic-New England bridges.

Editor-in-Chief: Dr. Henrik Totterman, Finnish Honorary Consul for Boston and New England. A professor, entrepreneur, and connector dedicated to fostering Finnish-American collaboration and advancing sustainable solutions.

Contents — December 2025

Finnish Independence Day Celebrations

Selected Highlights From the Past Year

Happy Holidays and New Year — Hyvää joulua ja onnellista uutta vuotta — God jul och gott nytt år

As we approach the final weeks of 2025, I find myself reflecting on a year that seems to be ending a bit abruptly—full of progress, yet still carrying many unfinished promises. We are all navigating an era marked by disruption and uneven circumstances. Some continue to thrive, while others face ongoing uncertainty. In such times, leadership—whether formal or informal—asks something of us: to look for opportunities to grow, while contributing to a more balanced and humane future.

From a Nordic New England perspective, this resonates deeply. Our community is built on shared values of resilience, cooperation, and trust. It also reminds us of a few things that matter greatly:

• Supporting efforts that bring stability back to families and communities
• Ensuring that AI and new technologies strengthen human capability rather than diminish it
• Creating spaces where people can build for the future together, not drift apart

Throughout the year, I’ve had the privilege of working with students, executives, and institutions across sectors and countries. I’ve also supported causes that matter personally. But what gives me the most hope is witnessing how many of you—quietly, consistently—do work that truly strengthens this community and the region around us.

So perhaps the question for all of us is this: What can each of us do to make a meaningful difference—and more importantly, what can we do together?

As I look toward 2026, I intend to invest my time and energy into building something new, grounded in the same values that have shaped our collective work this year. I invite you to continue keeping me and Finland in mind as you shape your own plans, partnerships, and aspirations.

Wishing you a thoughtful close to the year. And if a few promises naturally spill into 2027—well, that might be a sign that the work ahead is worth doing.

Warm regards,

Honorary Consul of Finland to the City of Boston and New England.

Consulate General of New York – Independence Day Reception at The Met

The Independence Day reception at The Met was a meaningful milestone in this year’s celebrations. Marking the opening of Seeing Silence: The Paintings of Helene Schjerfbeck — the first major U.S. exhibition dedicated to one of Finland’s most significant artists — on the eve of our 108th Independence Day carried a special resonance. It was a proud moment to see Finnish art receive such thoughtful attention on an international stage.

Warm appreciation goes to Minister Mari-Leena Talvitie, Consul General Jarmo Sareva, Jaana Sareva, and all partners and sponsors who made the evening possible. A particular note of thanks to the entire team at the Consulate General of Finland in New York for their excellent work in bringing together art, culture, and diplomacy in such a compelling way.

It was also a pleasure to share the evening with friends and colleagues from across the Finnish–American community, including members of the sports world whose presence reminded us how naturally art, business, diplomacy, and athletics can come together to celebrate our past, present, and future.

The Independence festivities continue throughout the region, culminating in our own gala dinner here in Boston — a fitting close to a week that has highlighted Finland’s cultural reach and the strong bonds within our community.

Harvard Faculty Club Cocktails with the Finnish Harvard & MIT Community

Our Independence Day celebrations continued with a memorable evening at the Harvard Faculty Club, where 55 members of the Finnish Harvard and MIT community gathered for a warm and lively reception. The Club offered the perfect setting for reconnecting with familiar faces and welcoming new ones, all united in marking Finland’s 108th year of independence.

After the reception, many of us continued on to the Boston Ballet for Finnish born Mikko Nissinen’s legendary The Nutcracker — always a magical beginning to the Christmas season and a point of pride for the Finnish community in Boston.

Events like this remind us how strong and vibrant our Finnish academic and professional community is across Harvard, MIT, and the broader region. A warm thank you to Kalle Heikkinen, Catherine Reilly, and Daria Alladio.

Warm Reflections on Our Boston Independence Gala Dinner

This year’s celebration of Finland’s 108th Independence Day in Boston was truly memorable — not just because of the program, music, or atmosphere, but because of the people who filled the room with warmth, pride, and community spirit. As the video and photos show, images often capture more than words ever can.

My sincere thanks to the organizing team whose dedication and attention to detail shaped the evening from start to finish. The decorations, the sweets, the pacing, and the welcoming spirit throughout the event reflected a level of care that does not go unnoticed. I am grateful to stand alongside such committed members of our Finnish–New England community.

We also extend our appreciation to our sponsors — GC Plus Law Group, LEADX3M, Tuomo Vuolteenaho, and Vaisala — whose support helped make the evening possible.

And finally, thank you to everyone who joined us: friends of Finland, members of Finlandia Foundation Boston, the staff and students of the Finnish School of New England, the Joe Brogan Jazz Trio, and the entire restaurant team. Your presence is what gives this celebration its meaning each year.

Kiitos kaikille — thank you all — for making this year’s Independence Day celebration a warm and unforgettable gathering.

Selected Highlights in Images From the Past Year:

January: A Nordic Cheer for a Resilient New Year

February: Nordic Hockey Flair in the Garden Air

March: The World Needs More Nordic Togetherness

April: Nordic Happiness in New England

May: Sauna, Summer, and Sisu — Stronger Ties, Brighter Skies

June: From Nordic Flag Raisings to Finnish-American Alliances

July-August: Nordic Summer: Rest, Reflect & Reimagine

September: Nordic Leadership in Action

October: Nordic-American Two-Way Bridge

THE NEF - NEW ENGLAND FINNS NEWSLETTER

NEXT ISSUE: #22, January 18, 2026.

Past Issues:

ISSUE #1: January 23, 2024, Setting Sails for a New Adventure - The NEF – The New England Finns monthly newsletter was launched on January 25, 2024, with well over 1200 subscribers on Linkedin a week later.

ISSUE #2: February 25, 2024, Sailing the Northeast Shores - 1776 on Linkedin.

ISSUE #3: March 31, 2024, Nordic Sailors Sharing Joy, Experiences, and Knowledge- 1900 on Linkedin.

ISSUE #4: April 28, 2024, Nordic Sailors and the New England Summer Season! - 2100 on Linkedin.

ISSUE #5: June 7, 2024, The Nordic Midsummer Magic - 2200 on Linkedin.

ISSUE #6: July 9, 2024, The Legendary Nordic Vacation - 2300 on Linkedin.

ISSUE #7: August 31, 2024, The Nordic Night of the Ancient Fires - 2400 on Linkedin.

ISSUE #8: September 29, 2024, Nordic Values At Work - 2450 on Linkedin.

ISSUE #9: November 3, 2024, Embracing the Northeastern Winds - 2500 on Linkedin.

ISSUE #10: December 8, 2024, Shining Bright under the Northern Lights - 2542 on Linkedin.

ISSUE #11: January 5, 2025, A Nordic Cheer for a Resilient New Year - 2584 on Linkedin.

ISSUE #12: February 2, 2025, Nordic Hockey Flair in the Garden Air - 2640 on Linkedin.

ISSUE #13: March 2, 2025, Nordic Hockey Flair in the Garden Air - 2680 on Linkedin.

ISSUE #14: April 5, 2025, Nordic Happiness in New England - 2703 on Linkedin.

ISSUE #15: May 4, 2025, Sauna, Summer, and Sisu — Stronger Ties, Brighter Skies - 2746 on Linkedin.

ISSUE #16: June 14, 2025, From Nordic Flag Raisings to Finnish-American Alliances - 2779 on Linkedin.

ISSUE #17: July 15, 2025, Nordic Summer: Rest, Reflect & Reimagine - 2793 on Linkedin.

ISSUE #18: September 15, Nordic Leadership in Action - 2820 on Linkedin

ISSUE #19: October 15, Nordic-American Two-Way Bridge - 2876 on Linkedin

ISSUE #20: November 20, Gratitude from Nordic New England - 2903 on Linkedin