Finnish Canadians are organizing a grand Independence Day Charity Ball at the prestigious Granite Club in Toronto on December 6, 2003. "Finland has so much to celebrate," exclaimed Valerie Knuuttila, the General Manager of the Finnish (Toronto) Credit Union, "I am thrilled that Finnish Canadians are able to rejoice in Finland's achievements." Ms Knuuttila is part of a newly created joint committee of the Canadian Friends of Finland Education Foundation and the Canada Finland Chamber of Commerce that will resurrect a fine old Finnish Canadian tradition - a grand Independence Day Charity Ball.

According to Dr. Varpu Lindström, professor of history at York University and co-chair of the Independence Day Charity Ball, Finnish Canadians and their Canadian friends organized Finland-Aid concerts and dinners during the late thirties, and particularly during the Winter War and its aftermath, in order to give financial assistance to their troubled homeland. In Finland, the annual Independence Day Ball at the President's Palace is the social highlight of the year.

Today Finland is a thriving nation. It is among the ten wealthiest nations in the world. It is known for its high level of technical expertise and its commitment to social welfare and equality. Its citizens are, according to UN surveys, the best educated in the world. Recently Finland became the first country to have two women as democratically elected heads of state: Tarja Halonen, President and Anneli Jäätteenmäki, Prime Minister. Finland's commitment to education is also visible in Canada. For the past twelve years Finland has co-sponsored the Finnish Studies Program at the University of Toronto together with the Finnish Canadian community.

Tommi Korhonen, chair of the Canada Finland Chamber of Commerce and General Manager of Finnair and CO-chair of the Independence Day Charity Ball committee, stated that it is most appropriate that the goal of the charity ball is to support the Finnish Studies Program. He is pleased to announce that Finnair will be a major sponsor of the event. Another enthusiastic member of the Committee, Tuula Kivinen, owner of Flowers of the World suggested: "I can't wait to see all the men and women dressed in their finery sweeping across the dance floor to the tunes of a ballroom orchestra's melancholy tango or sentimental waltz." Kivinen is thrilled that the Ball will have a special 30 minute segment of uninterrupted tango with the all time tango queen of Finland, Arja Koriseva (www.arjakoriseva.fi), who will fly to Toronto especially for the Charity Ball. Dr. Hilkka Davidson agrees, and is busily planning a menu fitting for an Independence Day feast.

Organizing an Independence Day Charity Ball will require a great deal of work and community support. According to Bill Holt, the next task of the committee is to find an excellent keynote speaker who can appeal to all Canadians. Ari Elo, of the Northern European, stresses the importance of sharing information. The committee members plan to give frequent updates of this exciting event.

"For now", recommends Katri West, President of the Canadian Friends of Finland, "everyone should mark December 6 in their calendars and plan to celebrate Finland's Independence Day at the Granite Club." The organizers have already received table reservations from as far as Sudbury and eagerly welcome American neighbours from New York State. After all, Buffalo is only a two-hour ride from Toronto.

Advance seat and table reservations can be made with Valerie Knuuttila at the Finnish Toronto Credit Union (1-800-668-7242 or 416-486-1533 or via e-mail valerie@finnishcu.com). The tickets, including the dinner, entertainment and dance are $150 ($90 tax deductible) payable to the CFF Education Foundation. For updates please turn to the Finland's Independence Day Charity Ball web site: www.canadafinlandcc.com/charityball.html.

"How wonderful to revive the old tradition," exclaims the President of the CFF Education foundation, Dr. Sheila Embleton, as she welcomes everyone to this "sparkling event in Toronto which will surely brighten the darker days of winter."