I've always loved David Bowie, and this up-beat song about the inevitability of change seems once again relevant to me when I'm handing over the reins of Finn-Guild to a new, freshly recruited Managing Director. Luckily I’ll have a soft landing as I’ll still be editing the … [Read more...]
When the Doves Disappeared by Sofi Oksanen – book review
Once again Sofi Oksanen excels in making the recent tragic history of Estonia and its people into an engaging and riveting read. In her previous, much acclaimed novel, Purge, the story follows three generations of women, while in When the Doves Disappeared, we trace the fates of two male … [Read more...]
Want to hear me speak in Finnish?
I was asked some time ago to do an interview for the School of Slavonic and East European Studies at University College London. Afterwards, I promptly forgot about it, until today when I came across the email exchange about the Language Trail project.I don't usually like listening to myself (and … [Read more...]
Happy Independence Day Finland!
Today Finland celebrates 97 years of independence, and although my home country is in the grip of a recession, I think we still have a lot to be grateful for, and need to celebrate an independence which during our short history has at times been difficult to maintain. In his address to all Finns … [Read more...]
Coffee and Vodka – out now in paperback!
It's finally here! My family drama, Coffee and Vodka, is now out in paperback.Here's the blurb:Nordic Noir meets Family Drama‘In Stockholm everything is bigger and better.’ When Pappa announces the family is to leave their small Finnish town for a new life in Sweden, 11-year-old Eeva is elated. … [Read more...]
Finnish Pop-Up Shop in Camden, London
If you happen to be in London at the end of November, why not visit Finn-Guild's exclusively Finnish Pop-up shop in Camden for Christmas gifts with a difference?What is it?A sale of books, new titles (in both Finnish and English), Finnish goodies, such as famously moorish Fazer chocolate, rye … [Read more...]
To Finland, Again
I am preparing to travel to Finland, again, this coming weekend. This is my third working trip to my home country in so many months, but this time the circumstances are rather sad.A short time after I was back in the Finn-Guild office from our wonderful holiday to Spain, I received the shocking news … [Read more...]
Find me in June issue of the Scan Magazine!
I'm delighted to let you know that I'm the blogger of the month in June's issue of the Scan Magazine! The magazine approached me a while back, but because of the challenges of my new post at Finn-Guild, the piece was pushed back a few months. I'm so pleased the article is finally up and it … [Read more...]
Oh, to be in Finland…
I was feeling a bit miserable this morning when the alarm went at 5.30 am. I was getting up early for my flight to Helsinki. This, my first trip to Finland in my role as head of Finn-Guild, would include a regional meeting on Saturday in Hämeenlinna, and some hectic visits to the many organisations … [Read more...]
My First Parliament Session
Ok, so I'm talking of a meeting of Finnish Expatriate Parliament, held in Manchester over the weekend, not the other one in Westminster...But, as a Finn living abroad, and as the new head of Finn-Guild, attending my first Finnish Expatriate Parliament session was an important first for me - and a … [Read more...]
