On 29 August 2018 members of The Birch and the Star visited Ainola, the home of composer Jean Sibelius and his family, located in Järvenpää close to many other artists’ homes around Lake Tuusula. We spent the afternoon exploring every nook and corner of the charming early 20th century house designed by the architect Lars Sonck. We were even allowed to take a peak into parts of the house that are usually closed from the public. In the upstairs bedroom the presence of Aino Sibelius, who continued to live there after her husband’s death, could still be felt. And in the little room where Jean Sibelius had spent hours composing, reading and thinking, we encountered a ceramic bust of Beethoven sculpted by Sibelius’ friend Sigurd Wettenhovi-Aspa. The wonderful collection of artworks mostly consists of gifts given to Sibelius and his family by artist friends and admirers of the composer’s work. The garden has been kept beautifully with some plants originating from the time the Sibelius family still lived there. Of course we also stoped to pay our respects at Jean and Aino Sibelius’ grave.

We wish to thank museum director Hanne Selkokari for being such a wonderful host!

Greetings from the general annual meeting

The Birch and the Star held its general annual meeting in Ateneum Art Museum on June 6, 2018 and elected a new board for the association. Riikka Stewen was elected as chair of the association. Other board members are Marja Lahelma (communications officer) and Petra Lehtoruusu (secretary) with Anna-Maria von Bonsdorff (vice-chair) and Anne Pelin as vice-members. Nina Kokkinen continues as treasurer.

Join us for a trip to Ainola Museum on Aug 29, 2018

On August 29th the association organizes a trip to Ainola Museum for its members. The programme includes visiting the Finnish national composer Jean Sibelius’ home with museum director Hanne Selkokari as our host. The trip is limited to members of The Birch and the Star, but joining the association is possible during the trip. Welcome to join us and contribute to the association’s future activities!

The programme starts in Ainola on Wednesday Aug, 29 at 16:00.

Call for Ideas on the association’s future

The board is beginning work on a strategy for the associations future and kindly asks members to submit ideas for developing the association and its activities. Please send any proposals for activities to the associations secretary Petra Lehtoruusu (petra.lehtoruusu[at)helsinki.fi).

Updating the association’s membership register

The association is updating its membership register and kindly asks members to send their current contact information to secretary Petra Lehtoruusu (petra.lehtoruusu(at)helsinki.fi). Thank you for your help!

Best regards,
The Birch and the Star Board of 2018

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Terveisiä vuosikokouksesta!

Vuosikokous Ateneumin taidemuseossa 6.6.2018 valitsi yhdistykselle uuden hallituksen. Yhdistyksen puheenjohtajaksi valittiin Riikka Stewen. Hänen lisäkseen hallitukseen valittiin Marja Lahelma (tiedottaja) ja Petra Lehtoruusu sekä varajäseniksi Anna-Maria von Bonsdorff (varapj) ja Anne Pelin. Taloudenhoitajana jatkaa Nina Kokkinen.

Kesäretki Ainolaan 29.8.2018

Birch and the Star järjestää jäsenilleen retken Ainolaan 29.8.2018. Ohjelmaan sisältyy vierailu kansallissäveltäjä Jean Sibeliuksen kotimuseoon Järvenpäässä museonjohtaja Hanne Selkokarin johdolla. Retki on avoin vain jäsenille, mutta retken aikana on mahdollista liittyä yhdistyksen jäseneksi. Tervetuloa mukaan!

Ohjelma alkaa Ainolassa ke 29.8. klo 16:00.

Tule mukaan ideoimaan yhdistyksen tulevaisuutta

Hallitus aloittaa strategiatyön yhdistyksen kehittämiseksi. Jäsenistöltä toivotaan palautetta ideoita yhdistyksen tulevaa toimintaa varten. Ehdotukset voi lähettää sihteeri Petra Lehtoruusulle (petra.lehtoruusu(at)helsinki.fi).

Yhdistyksen jäsenrekisteriä päivitetään

The Birch and the Star pääivittää jäsenrekisteriään ja pyytää jäsenistöä lähettämään ajantasaiset yhteystietonsa sihteeri Petra Lehtoruusulle (petra.lehtoruusu(at)helsinki.fi). Kiitoksia avusta!

 Terveisin,
The Birch and the Starin hallitus 2018