Time for Philip Claverie's farewell after nearly two decades as an Honorary Consul of Finland in New Orleans

Honorary Consul Philip Claverie represented and promoted Finland and Finnish interests in Louisiana nearly 20 years. In his farewell interview by Consul General Mika Koskinen, Mr. Claverie recaps some memorable moments from his time in service for Finland. 

Mika Koskinen: You have been serving Finland with great devotion for nearly twenty years. How did you become acquainted with Finland, and what made you pursue the Honorary Consul’s position?

MK: During these years as an honorary consul, you have had extraordinary experiences visiting Finnish delegations and citizens in your constituency. Would you like to share a couple of highlights with us?

PC: In 2010, I hosted a high level delegation to New Orleans for the specific purposes of gaining insights in disaster management and relief, seeking “lessons learned” by us from the disaster of Hurricane Katrina.   These included the Minister of the Interior herself, the State Secretary of Interior Ministry, the Deputy Chief of the Border Guard, the Director Generals for Rescue Services and Police and Ambassador Pekka Lintu.  We met with representatives of Federal Emergency Management (FEMA), Homeland Security for City of New Orleans, Chief of Port of New Orleans Harbor Patrol and Commander of U.S. Coast Guard.

In 2013, I also hosted a delegation of 30 Finnish teachers of English who were visiting various cities in the US.  Unknown to the delegation at the time the visit was scheduled, we were able to share with them the fact that New Orleans was the only city in the US where all of the public schools were what we call “charter schools” run by independent non-profit boards, rather than governmental entities.  (That continues to be true in 2022.)

MK: You represent us in three great states. What could Finland learn from Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi?

PC: The strengths of the states are varied.  Of course, New Orleans is known for jazz and food.  But much of the three states combine agriculture (cotton, sugar cane and soybeans, as well as fish, oyster, shrimp and crawfish farming), with shipbuilding and technology.  Finland has learned of our music, just consider the Pori Jazz Festival which always features Louisiana musicians.  We could also be a resource for seafood farming.  But when it comes to agriculture, forestry and shipbuilding and technology, we can learn more from Finland than vice versa.

MK: You never missed any of our regional honorary consul’s meetings in Helsinki during all these years. Would you like to share some memories of these meetings with us?

PC: I have attended the US consuls meetings in Helsinki in 2003,2010 and 2014.  We have always been welcomed warmly by our hosts, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and colleagues, who take of their time to bring us up to date on political and cultural developments in Finland.  The political highlight of two meeting were visits with Presidents Halonen and Niinistö at Kultaranta, and visits to Eduskunta in Helsinki.  The business highlight was to witness the huge Nokia assembly line at Salo.  The cultural highlight was the debut of a Finnish opera at Savonlinna Opera Festival, where my wife and I sat directly behind both Jukka-Pekka Saraste and Esa Pekka Salonen.

MK: What would be your advice for your successor? How to get the best out of being an Honorary Consul of Finland?

PC: Immerse yourself in everything Finnish.  I have collected a library of Finnish literature (all translated into English) – read them.  I have collected a library of Finnish music – listen to them.  And, since my successor is married to a Dane, whenever you go to Denmark, visit Finland.

MK: You have participated in Saunapojat – sauna lovers - Club formed by our honorary consuls in the United States. How would you describe your relationship with the Finnish sauna?

PC: The Saunapojat was inaugurated at the beautiful sauna at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2003.  It was my first sauna, but by no means the last.  It is a unique experience, one I highly treasure.  We have a sauna in my office building in New Orleans; I use it in the winter.  In the summer, I just go outside – it’s so similar.

MK: Your wonderful journalist wife, Laura, has assisted you greatly in your work as Honorary Consul of Finland. What kind of experience did Laura have with Finland?

PC: My wife truly loves everything Finnish, not just Marimekko – Sibelius (whenever she hears it on the radio, she calls me), salmon (at least once a week), dill (we grow it), and, of course, the Finnish people.  She is excited to be returning in June.

If my wife loves, Finland, my daughter Stephanie absolutely adores Finland   my best trip to Finland was just the two of visiting Lapland in March of 2007.  We spent 10 days in Rovaniemi, Saariselkä, Inari and Ivalo – we slept at the SnowCastle in Kemi, rode on and swam off of the Icebreaker Sampo , went dogsledding, snow skiing and reindeer safariing, and of course went to sauna daily.

MK: I would like to extend our gratitude and best wishes to both of you. However, this is not a farewell, since I am sure that our cooperation will continue!

PC: Of course it will.  You can count on it!