For publication on March 3, 2020, at 2 pm
Finland Society has selected the UK-based journalist Eeva Lennon as Finnish Expatriate of the Year 2020. With this recognition, the society wishes to highlight the significance of correct information and public debate.
Lennon has reported for Finnish media on many socially significant events, such as the oil crisis and the Irish Troubles, massive inflation and other turmoil during the late 20th century along with coverage of British royals and political icons from Harold Wilson to Margaret Thatcher. Her voice signing off as “Eeva Lennon, London,” is familiar to Finns.
Lennon lives in London and still works as a freelance correspondent. She has recently published her memoirs.
”There is an enormous, even excessive, flood of information today. We must ask ourselves more and more often which parts of it we can trust. Eeva Lennon, who has had a long career in conveying European information, has gained the trust of Finns with her expertise. With its selection of Expatriate of the Year 2020, the Finland Society wishes to highlight expatriate Finns’ responsibility in providing correct information and a true image of Finland,” says Finland Society chair Markus Aaltonen. There are some two million expatriate Finns, of whom about 300,000 have Finnish citizenship.
The Finland Society has selected the Finnish Expatriate of the Year since 1993. The recognition is given to expatriates or descendants of Finnish migrants who have succeeded exceptionally well in their fields.
The Finnish Expatriate of the Year 2020 honor will be announced on Tuesday March 3 at 2 pm at the Finnish Literature Society (Hallituskatu 1, Helsinki). The event is arranged by the Finland Society and is open to the public. Please sign up at info@suomi-seura.fi. Media is welcome to the event.
More information and interview requests: Finland Society Executive Director Tina Strandberg, tina.strandberg@suomi-seura.fi tel. +358 44 7129 230.
Finnish Expatriates of the Year selected by the Finland Society:
- 1993 Robert Selvala, founder of the Finnish American event FinnFest USA
- 1994 Mirja Bolgár, Finnish French translator and author
- 1995 Arvi Tervalampi, Finnish activist in Sweden
- 1996 Karita Mattila, opera singer
- 1997 Jari Litmanen, soccer player
- 1998 Vieno Williams, Finnish-American representative of the great migration wave
- 1999 Mika Häkkinen, Formula 1 driver
- 2000 Linus Torvalds, creator of the Linux user system
- 2001 Matti Salminen, opera singer
- 2002 Jacob Söderman, Parliamentary Ombudsman of Finland
- 2003 Kaija Saariaho, composer
- 2004 Erkki Toivanen, journalist
- 2005 Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor and composer
- 2006 Saku Koivu, hockey player
- 2007 Richard Impola, Emeritus Professor, Finnish-American translator
- 2008 Bengt Holmström, Professor of Economics
- 2009 Leena Pasanen, missionary doctor
- 2010 Helena Petäistö, journalist and author
- 2011 Olli Rehn, European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs
- 2012 Outi Hovatta, stem cell researcher
- 2013 Osmo Vänskä, conductor
- 2014 Bonita Pietila, TV producer
- 2015 Mark Levengood, journalist and author
- 2016 Suvi Kauranen, entrepreneur
- 2017 Suomi Schools around the world
- 2018 Mika Keränen, author
- 2019 Petteri Taalas, Secretary-General, World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
- 2020 Eeva Lennon, journalist