Visiting Finland

Living in Washington allows one to travel the world without jet lag. On November 7, 2012 I attended a benefit for the Washington Chorus at the Finnish Embassy and got a great introduction to a country I’ve never visited. The building, on Massachusetts Avenue opposite the Naval Observatory (home of the Vice President), is the only Gold LEED-certified embassy in Washington. With its green glass front and abundant plants, it blends well into Embassy Row forest. Inside I descended a beautiful, curving wood stairway to find an ideal performance space decorated with stunning fabric panels by Markku Piri, whose glassworks were also on view.

My friend Jan Lodal had arranged the event for the Chorus that is so dear to him and Elizabeth. He introduced me to Ambassador Ritva Koukku-Ronde, who was warm in her appreciation of choral music in general and the Washington Chorus in particular. Friends Nancy and Kent Stansberry joined in tasting the delectable hors d’ouevres and admiring Piri’s Spirit of Paradise. The evening’s honoree was Marin Alsop, Maestra of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Two impressive women and then a short concert.

After the concert, more delicious food and a gift of four CDs of music by Finnish artists as we departed. I intend to spend more time on the culture section of their website and to go back for one of their monthly free tours.