Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
Press release 44/2017
18.8.2017
President of the Republic Sauli Niinistö and Mrs Jenni Haukio will travel to Minneapolis from 21 to 23 September 2017 as part of the celebrations for the centenary of Finland’s independence. President Niinistö will attend the main event of the FinnFest festival of Finnish Americans and the concert of the Minnesota Orchestra conducted by Music Director Osmo Vänskä on Friday, 22 September. In addition, the President will be awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree by the University of Minnesota and he will speak at an event of the Economic Club of Minnesota.
Minnesota is one of the most important areas of Finnish immigration into the United States. The presidential couple will also visit New York during their trip, and President Niinistö will participate in the opening week of the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly. In addition, the presidential couple will visit Washington, where they will participate in an event organised by the Embassy of Finland in celebration of the centenary. More information on the programme of the trip will be provided later.