Parabéns Tapani!

I'm sure it is more than deserved :-)

Warm regards
Nuno

> On Dec 5, 2015 5:19 PM, "Grace Githaiga" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>
>> Very nice Tapani.
>>
>> ________________________________
>> Date: Sat, 5 Dec 2015 06:21:14 +0000
>> From: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Re: Our Chair is a Knight!
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>>
>> This is fantastic news! Super congratulations, Sir Tapani... And long
live Finland!
>>
>> Mawaki
>>
>> Sent from BlueMail
>>
>> On Dec 4, 2015, at 21:54, Edward Morris <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>>
>>> Hello everybody,
>>>
>>>
>>> This Sunday, December 6th, is Independence Day in the Republic of
Finland. It was on this day ninety-nine years ago the Eduskunta, the
Finnish parliament, adopted a resolution declaring Finland independent from
Russia.
>>>
>>> As in many countries, Independence Day in Finland is a time of
remembrance and celebration. Befitting Finland, it is a day both of
formality and of understatement. In the evening families traditionally
light two candles, one blue and one white, and place them in the windows of
their homes. As a foreign guest in the country I was always quite touched
by the simplicity and beauty of the celebratory gesture. A Presidential
reception is held in the evening, the telecast of which traditionally is
amongst the most viewed television shows of the year in Finland. Shadow
events, often in the form of demonstrations and gatherings benefiting
charitable causes, take place concurrently.
>>>
>>> Independence Day is also the day honours are announced and presented.
It is with great joy I want  to let all of you know that this year Finnish
President Sauli Niinistö will be bestowing upon NCSG Chair Tapan Tarvainen
the honour and title of Knight of the White Rose of Finland. The White Rose
Order was established in 1919 by General Carl Mannheim, a man who is
considered by many, myself included, to be the greatest Finn of all time.
The Grand Master of the Order is the President of the Republic of Finland.
>>>
>>> I know everyone joins me in congratulating Tapani for being chosen to
receive this high honour in recognition of his service to his country and
to the world. I suspect we are probably the only SG at ICANN to have an
actual Knight as a Chair, further evidence of the exceptionally high
quality of person one encounters in the NCSG. Congratulations Tapani and
Happy Independence Day, Hyvää itsenäisyyspäivää,  to all of our Finnish
members and friends.
>>>
>>>
>>> Best,
>>>
>>> Ed Morris
>>>
>>>