Current affairs

At the presidential session on Friday 8 February, the President of the Republic decided to appoint the following new Ambassadors.

Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Anne-Mari Virolainen will visit Washington DC on 11–12 February.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini will visit Washington DC on 5–8 February and attend a Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, hosted by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. In addition, Minister Soini will have meetings with representatives of the administration and participate in the annual National Prayer Breakfast, hosted by members of the US Congress.

A rousing new social media campaign highlighting the centennial of Finland - U.S. diplomatic relations is underway! Every weekday the Embassy of Finland in DC and the U.S. Embassy Finland post photos online that commemorate the 100 year journey of upholding US and Finnish relations.

The concept of Finnish Your Dinner is simple – bring a dish and share it with new friends while celebrating Finnish "Friendship Day" a.k.a. ystävänpäivä.

A possibility to vote by post will be introduced in the parliamentary elections of spring 2019. This means that eligible voters who reside abroad permanently (expatriate Finns) and eligible voters who reside in Finland but are abroad at the time of the elections may vote by post. Advance voting will be arranged at Finnish diplomatic and consular missions abroad in the same manner as before.

The Consulate General of Finland in New York will bring the portable passport unit to Chicago, Illinois on 12.-14. March, 2019. The passport needs to be applied for in person, and an appointment is necessary.

Finnish American Congressional Staffer Travel and Exchange Program, also known as FACSTEP, was organized now for the ninth time. Seven congressional staffers traveled to Finland in August. This bipartisan exchange program offers a great opportunity for the Congressional Staff members to learn about key elements of Finnish society.

In this part of our blog series 'Finns in the United States', the Honorary Consul of Pennsylvania Kristina Mattila shares information of the Finnish-American community in her area.

Nordic Impression showcases art from Åland, Denmark, the Faroe Islands, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, from years 1821-2018. Make sure to check out the exhibition, it is on view until January 13th 2019.