Finland@Expo2010 newsletter 8/2009

Pertti Huitu elected as Vice Chairman of the Steering Committee of Expo 2010 Shanghai China

Pertti Huitu, Commissioner General of Finland for Expo 2010 Shanghai China, was elected as a Vice Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Expo at the Fourth International Participants Meeting held on 24 September 2009.

The Steering Committee of the Expo, which consists of commissioners general from the participating countries and organizations, handles key issues related to the organization of the Expo. Hiroshi Tsukamoto, Commissioner General of Japan for Expo 2010 Shanghai, was elected as the Chairman of the Steering Committee. Finland’s Commissioner General, Pertti Huitu, who was elected as a Vice Chairman, has extensive experience and broad expertise in Expos. Huitu has followed Expos since the 1980s as a Finpro representative, and has acted as Commissioner General of Finland for EXPO 2000 Hanover and as Commissioner General of Nordic Countries for Expo 2005 Aichi Japan. This is the first time that a Finnish representative is elected as one of the chairpersons of an Expo Steering Committee.

 
The Finnish pavilion has reached its rooftop

The Finnish pavilion building at Expo 2010 in Shanghai has now reached its rooftop and the topping-out party took place on Monday 21 September 2009.  The topping-out party took place in the famous Shanghai Grand Theatre. In the party, the construction process of the Finnish pavilion was introduced to the guests by means of a videomovie.

A sole and unique element of the Finnish pavilion is the typical Finnish Sauna. One of the world leading forest and paper groups Stora Enso is providing the Sauna together with Rantasalmi, the oldest log home manufacturer in the world and Harvia, the heating solution supplier for Saunas. The consortium of the three companies will realize the sauna in accordance with the winning plan, published last week, of a design competition organised by the Finnish Habitare fair for furniture, interior decoration and design. The architects for the winning Sauna design are Anu Puustinen and Ville Hara from architect's office Avanto. 

KONE, an innovative leader in the elevator and escalator industry and Nokia, the world leader in manufacturing mobile devices and converging Internet and communications industries, will be the official National Partners for Finland at Expo 2010. KONE is also providing a custom-made elevator for the Finnish pavilion, which will play an integral part in the pavilion's high-tech look and feel.  Nokia will integrate new mobile and internet technologies, design, sustainable practices and experiences into the Finnish Pavilion to inspire visitors with an exciting vision of how tomorrow’s technology will change life for the better.
Finland at Expo 2010 project has also lately been joined by Finnish companies Metso, Marimekko, Abloy, Teknikum, Keraplast and Halton.

 
Cultural Events

Stratovarius played Finland famous in China

One of the most famous Finnish metal music bands STRATOVARIUS, which has gained big success also in many European countries, came to China. Stratovarius performed on Sunday 6 September 2009 in Mao Live House in Beijing. The Beijing concert was the first debut ever for Stratovarius in continental China.
The concert also emphasized Finland's participation at the Expo 2010 in Shanghai as well as the Finnish Expo 2010 -related cultural programme. The wide cultural programme is promoting Finnish culture in China. It is contributing to enhance new networks and exportation possibilities which can make entry of Finnish performers easier in China also after the Expo 2010. 

Upcoming events in October

Finnish Jazz musician VERNERI POHJOLA will play twice at the Shanghai JZ Music Festival: at the JZ Club on Saturday 17th of October and on the festival Jazz Stage on Sunday 18th October. The Shanghai JZ Music festival is Shanghai's largest outdoor music event this year. Verneri Pohjola is an award-winnig trumpeter coming from a family of talented Finnish musicians. Pohjola's music can be described very Finnish, both breezy and meditative. His main vehicle of expression is the Ilmiliekki Quartet, one of the internationally most successful Finnish jazz ensembles having toured in USA and Canada, Australia and Europe. His first own album "Aurora" is a collection of his own music played with several prominent and top Finnish jazz artists including his late father Pekka Pohjola.   

ORIENTAL JAM from Jyväskylä is a Finnish band touring China in October. This alternative rock band can be heard in Chongqing in the Nuts Club on 10 October and in Chengdu on 14 and 17 October in Jah Bar and in Rock Aid Sichuan charity concert. The Beijing concerts take place on 21, 22 and 23 October in Take 5 bar, Mao Live House and Lugas Villa. The band's first official release was the single "So lost" in 2005. Their debut album "Celebration" was released for free in May at the band's website as they wanted as many people as possible to hear their music.


A Finnish youth clothing brand CTRL Clothing is presenting its new collection in an exhibition in The Source gallery of Shanghai (Xinle Road 158) from 30 October onwards. The company offers a full collection of skateboarding-style clothes for boys and girls. CTRL Clothing sells its clothes in 30 countries all over the world. Now the company is reaching the markets in China where it has production activity as well. From Shanghai the exhibition continues to Peking.

 

 

Events

FBCS will take a summer break in July & August. See you in September!

September - Golf: FBCS invitational 2010

Sept 6th - Joint Nordic Seminar: Dr Dan Steinbock. Details to Come. Mark your calendar.

Sept 14th - Luncheon discussion with minister Häkämies. Details to Come. Mark your calendar.

Sept 17th - China Business Councils meeting in Kirnu. Details to Come. Mark your calendar.

Oct 14th- Finland - China investment & Finance forum

Nov 26th - FBCS visit to Suzhou SIP. Details to Come. Mark your calendar.

FinnBiz Winter '10

The Winter issue of FinnBiz is now out and has been distributed to members of the Business councils in Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou.

You can download a PDF version by clicking the link below.


The second issue of FinnBiz for 2010 is planned for fall. Sponsor-slots for this issue is still available. These will be allocated on a first come - first served basis. If you are interested in reaching the decionmakers of the Finnish Business community in China, please contact oskar@startupshanghai.com