About this Event
Join us for a festive holiday gathering filled with traditional treats and inspiring cultural experiences! Enjoy delicious smoked salmon canapés, warm glögi, and classic Finnish Christmas pastries as we celebrate the season together.
The evening will feature a special discussion, "Immigration and the Expat Experience in Modern Finnish Literature," with Finnish-descended authors Maija Makinen and Meritta Koivisto. The discussion will be moderated by Jenni-Helena Niemi. The event also features a live music performance by the talented Emilia Qvist.
We look forward to welcoming you for an evening of connection, inspiration, and holiday cheer!
Maija Mäkinen is a Finnish-born writer living in Brooklyn. Her collection of short stories, THE GHOSTS OF OTHER IMMIGRANTS, was published in 2023 by New American Press and explores the impact of immigration across a lifetime. Her writing has appeared in The Iowa Review, Porter House Review, The Bare Life Review, and Berlin’s SAND Journal, among others, and in the anthology Short, Vigorous Roots – A Contemporary Flash Fiction Collection of Migrant Voices. She has received fellowships from Boston University, VCCA, Monson Arts, Art Omi, The Studios of Key West and Key West Literary Seminar, and the Kone Foundation in Finland. Recognitions include the Iowa Review Award in Fiction, the University of Cambridge Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize, the Nadia Christensen Prize in Translation, and an Honorable Mention in The Best American Short Stories 2022.
maijamakinen.com
Meritta Koivisto (Veilleux) is a Finnish novelist with an international background, having spent significant time in Stockholm and Los Angeles. With seven published books in Europe, she is also a screenwriter, playwright, and director who has garnered international awards and recognition in both the US and Europe.
Among her notable achievements, her short film Balthazar’s Funeral was a contender for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Awards, and her American play Privacy was a Top 10 Finalist at the New Century Writer Awards, supported by Francis Ford Coppola’s Zoetrope. Additionally, her acclaimed short film Wrestling With A Bee was broadcast by ARTE Cinema.
Koivisto’s gently ironic novel The London Lover is currently being adapted into a film in the UK, for which she wrote the screenplay. The novel is set to be published in the US in 2025.
In recent years, she has penned a highly popular Nordic noir thriller series based in Stockholm, available in audio and e-book formats for the Swedish audiobook and streaming company Storytel. They are also available as paperbacks. She is currently working on the fourth instalment of the series.
Jenni-Helena Niemi is a PR and communication specialist with over 20 years of experience and a background in journalism. Living in NYC for the past decade, she thrives on the city’s stories, good coffee, and meaningful connections, bringing creativity and passion to every conversation.
Emilia Qvist is a captivating pop-soul artist who effortlessly weaves Nordic depth into her music, creating a sound that is both authentic and refreshingly unique. With her Finnish roots at the core, Emilia draws from a rich tapestry of musical influences, delivering performances that resonate deeply with her audience.
As a seasoned performer across the Nordic region, Emilia has established herself as a sought-after freelance musician. Her debut singles, "Innan det är för sent" (2022) and "Nåt gott" (2023), climbed the Finnish YLE Vegatoppen chart, marking her as a rising star in Finland's vibrant music scene. With four singles released under Helsinki Records (Warner Music), Emilia continues to solidify her presence in the industry, offering a rich mix of songs in Swedish and English.
Don’t miss the chance to experience Emilia Qvist’s enchanting live performance—a soulful performance featuring her unique blend of pop-soul tracks, including a preview of her upcoming EP.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
43 St Nicholas Pl, 43 Saint Nicholas Place, New York, United States
USD 28.52