FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 29, 2008
Contact:
Ira Salmela
Chair, Publicity Committee
iraturunen@finnfest2008.com
(218) 213-6080
OJAKANGAS AND SALMELA SERVE AS HONORARY CO-CHAIRS
FinnFest 2008 will be led by two accomplished Finnish-Americans, the Honorary Co-Chairs Beatrice Ojakangas and David Salmela.
Beatrice Ojakangas is a culinary professional and author, who has published over 25 cookbooks and received international recognition for preserving the cultural traditions and history of Scandinavian cooking. In 2005 Ojakangas' book, "The Great Scandinavian Baking Book", was inducted into the KitchenAid Cookbook Hall of Fame from the James Beard Foundation. The award is the highest honor awarded to a culinary professional. In her 40-year career Ojakangas has appeared on major television shows, including "Martha Stewart Living" and "Good Morning America", and has been a contributor to many national publications such as Bon Appetit, Family Circle, Redbook and Woman's Day.
Internationally renowned architect, David Salmela designs homes and buildings inspired by Minnesota's immigrant Scandinavian culture and his own Finnish-American roots. He has won more than 30 state and national design awards, including the Honor Award from the national American Institute of Architects - the highest professional distinction. Salmela's Finnish-inspired architectural design has been at the forefront of a rebirth in designing to the practicalities of environment made popular in the mid-20th Century works of Finnish architect Alvar Aalto. Mr. Salmela has been published in dozens of European and American books, magazines and newspapers. He has also served on national juries and presented lectures at schools across the country.
In May of 2007 both Ojakangas and Salmela received honorary Doctorate Degrees of Humane Letters from Dr. Kathryn A. Martin, Chancellor of the
University of Minnesota Duluth. The honorary degree is the highest award conferred by the University of Minnesota, recognizing individuals who have achieved eminence in cultural affairs, public service, or a field of knowledge and scholarship. For more information on Salmela and Ojakangas, can be found at:
http://www.d.umn.edu/news/2007/May/01-A.html
A 25-member FinnFest 2008 board of directors and co-chairs Jeanne Doty and Diane Fay Skomars, have been planning the upcoming event for over two years. An attendance of 7,000-10,000 people is expected, and over 1000 volunteers will be on hand to help oversee the various festivities.
