Dec 16, 2009
By Mirva Lempi盲inen
If one had to compile a list of discussion topics to avoid at Christmas parties, rape would no doubt be high up there. Yet on Dec. 16, 2009, more than 100 New York Finns and their friends got together for Finland Center鈥檚 holiday party at the Salmagundi Club to break the silence surrounding this exact issue.
The purpose of the event, 鈥淎 Holiday Celebration with Meaning,鈥 was to raise funds for the Panzi Hospital in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. For years, the hospital鈥檚 gynecologist Denis Mukwege has patched together the bodies and lives of the battered women, who have become victims in the long-standing war.
鈥淪exual violence is the weapon of choice,鈥 said Lisa F. Jackson, a documentary filmmaker whose documentary, 鈥淭he Greatest Silence: Rape in the Congo,鈥 played a central part in the evening鈥檚 program.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been shown to be more effective than bullets,鈥 she said. The Panzi Hospital treats about 3,600 victims of sexual violence per year, many of who have been ostracized from their communities. The most disheartening thing, Jackson said, is that many of the women are now repeat visitors in the hospital that has become 鈥渁 fistula factory.鈥
Despite being 76 minutes long, the film captured an attentive audience of about 20 people. Meanwhile, the rest of the guests enjoyed themselves by listening to the soulful tunes of singer Janita in the Parlor, and by challenging the billiard World Champion Mika Immonen for a game of billiards in the Lower Gallery.
The evening also provided the guests the chance to nosh on Nordic-style hors d鈥檕euvres served by Sm枚rg氓s Chef, and to bid on items in a silent auction, including a dress designed by Paola Suhonen, some Ghanian woodcarvings and Finnish Christmas baskets.
In the event鈥檚 opening remarks Finland Center鈥檚 President Jaana Rehnstr枚m thanked the audience for 鈥渃oming here and choosing not to remain silent.鈥 She also talked about the values of health, education and women鈥檚 empowerment being Finland鈥檚 greatest exports.
Rehnstr枚m announced that the holiday party would kick off a yearlong campaign of fundraising efforts for the Panzi Hospital. Ritva Jolkkonen, the Consul General of Finland, gave an overview of Finland鈥檚 development assistance to Africa over the years, and thanked Finland Center for tackling such a difficult topic.
Jackson said she was happy to see that her documentary was making the rounds among the Finnish community in New York and that the Finns were enthusiastic about raising money for the Panzi Hospital.
鈥淯ltimately it鈥檚 a tremendous help because there are women who need these services,鈥 she said. 鈥淥nce people know, you鈥檒l want to do something.鈥
Ossi N盲rhi of Hastings attended the event with his daughter, Amy, and won his bids on three Ghanaian woodcarvings for $110. 鈥淚 think it was money well spent,鈥 he said, calling the event a 鈥渨onderful occasion.鈥
