Eight different Nordic-level companies showcased the exciting new opportunities in property management and technologies. The Nordic PropTech Showcases event was organized as part of the official program of the New York Real Estate Tech Week and gathered over 150 sign-ups at the Consulate General of Finland. Read more in this blog post and in our Facebook post.

The Consul General’s residence in Los Angeles was turned into an immersive Lapland experience as we celebrated the release of a Lapland themed ambient music album called “SACPES”. Our American guests stepping into the house were able to immerse in a beautiful Lapland experience including Virtual Reality headsets, Finnish cuisine and soothing soundscapes. Check out the photos from the event on our Facebook.

Why does a Finnish police officer attend the FBI training? Embassy of Finland visited the FBI National Academy in Virginia and interviewed Ari Lahtela, Senior Detective Superintendent, from Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation about his course. See a video in Facebook.

Are you on our Twitter? Follow the Head of Political Section Sirpa Nyberg: @sirpanyberg

Embassy of Finland brought together leaders for sustainability to celebrate the great achievement of the Embassy staff – they secured a prestigious LEED Platinum certificate for the second time. This award, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. See tweets from that day.

A holiday tradition in Finland brought to the United States and Mexico by the Finnish Lutheran Church. People gather to sing the most loved Christmas Songs from Finland, along with other traditional Christmas songs with Finnish lyrics. This fall, there will be seven Kauneimmat Joululaulut services sponsored by the Finnish Lutheran Church of California and Texas, held in Mexico City, Mexico; California, Texas, and Minnesota. The complete schedule is as follows:

Dec 1st at 1 PM
L.A. Suomikirkko - Finnish Lutheran Church of Los Angeles
St. Paul's Lutheran Church
958 Lincoln Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90403

Mexico City -  Dec 1st
This is a private event in conjunction with
the Finnish Embassy in Mexico

Dec 7th at 5 PM
Dallasin Suomikirkko - Finnish Lutheran Church of Northern Texas
Rejoice Lutheran Church
532 E Sandy Lake Rd
Coppell, Texas 75019

Dec 11th at 6:30 PM
Sponsored by Finlandia Club of Sacramento Valley/$10 donation to cover travel expenses.
Bethel Lutheran Church
1050 Douglas Blvd.
Roseville, CA 95678

Dec 12th at 7:30 PM
Piilaakson Suomikirkko - Finnish Lutheran Church of Silicon Valley
Grace Lutheran Church
3149 Waverley Street
Palo Alto, CA 94306

Dec 14th at 1 PM
followed by Finnish Christmas marketplace 2:30-5 p.m.
Christ Church Lutheran
3244 34th Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55406

Dec 15th at 3 PM
San Diegon Suomikirkko - Finnish Lutheran Church of San Diego
Incarnation Lutheran Church
16889 Espola Rd
Poway, CA 92064

For more information, email jarmotarkki@socalsynod.org or call 805-350-1667