On this day in 1917, Finland gained its independence as a sovereign state from Soviet Russia. To celebrate the day, Finns all over the world will light two candles. Traditionally they should be set by a window at six pm, but my window sills here in London are too narrow to hold anything. At least I … [Read more...]
Midsummer in Lemland, Åland
After a sleepless night when it never got fully dark, my post about midsummer in Åland is going to be a rather picture-laden one.The house is traditionally decorated with silver birch branches. The festivities started almost as soon as we settled in on Midsummer's Eve. Wood-buring sauna was … [Read more...]
An Interview with me at Displaced Nation
Just a quick note to say that there's an interview with me about being a Finn and an expat in London plus much more besides on the Displaced Nation site. I've just read the piece and must say I sound pretty crazy...nothing new there, then!?The post is here, tell me what you think? … [Read more...]
Finland are ice hockey world champions!
The silveware. Picture YLEGrowing up in Tampere I was an avid follower of ice hockey. My team, Ilves, were Finnish champions and I saw many matches in the newly built jäähalli. Since moving here, I've lost touch with the game, but could not miss the wonderful news that Finland, after first … [Read more...]
Eurovision 2011 with Twitter
First time the Englishman and I watched Eurovision after I moved to Britain was when I was heavily pregnant with our first child. Because I was too tired to go out to the pub on a Saturday night with friends, we spent the night in front of the TV instead, marvelling at the bad costumes and terrible … [Read more...]
Tampere in Conde Nast Traveller
Hämeensilta, TampereI couldn't believe it when a friend today told me there was an article in the latest Conde Nast Traveller about my home town, Tampere. Had Manse, (as the locals call it) an industrial city in the centre of Finland, suddenly become trendy? Imagine if FT's How to Spend it … [Read more...]
Historic election results in Finland
The Finnish Embassy in London where Daughter and I cast our votesLast week I wrote about the importance of using one's right to vote.This morning I'm in shock at the results of the Finnish general elections announced late Sunday night. Surprising enough that the National Coalition Party (NCP) is now … [Read more...]
Voting in Finnish general elections
I've written before here about my slight obsession with democracy and elections and the importance of using your right to vote. Hence, I was excited like a little girl, when a few weeks ago, the voting slip for this year's Finnish general elections popped through my letterbox.Finland has … [Read more...]
Happy Independence Day Finland!
The Senate Square on this day last yearThe Popular folklore about how Finland got its independence goes like this:In December 1917 a small delegation of Finnish statesmen travelled to Moscow in the hope that the leaders of the newly established Soviet Union would discuss … [Read more...]
Home thoughts
Being back in your home country can be equally as tricky as being a foreigner - immigrant - abroad.First of all there are all the emotions that family re-unions can ignite. Sometimes they are beautiful and lovely, sometimes an old, deeply buried resentment raises its ugly head and bites the … [Read more...]
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