The Square Wins at Cannes 2017 The Square, a film described as a social satire set in the art world, and directed by Ruben Östlund, whose previous film, Force Majeure was critically acclaimed as an 'icily disturbing family drama set in the French Alps', has won this year's Palme d'Or at the Cannes … [Read more...]
Five things you should know about a Finnish sauna
Image: Visit FinlandI was three days (yes days!) old when my parents took me into a sauna. It was early spring, and we were visiting our summer cottage near Kangasala in the Häme province of Finland. By all accounts I loved the heat and gurgled away on my mother’s lap.I’ve been an avid sauna-goer … [Read more...]
Ch – ch – ch – ch – changes
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...]
Finnish Tango is the Dance Therapy for the Soul
You may be surprised that in my view, out of all the Nordic people, we Finns are the most passionate. That strong emotion is a Finnish national characteristic may be a little known fact also because, as a people, we are most apt at hiding our passion – until we hear a tango piece.If you’re in … [Read more...]
Don’t Forget the Finnish Easter Fair!
If you are after some Nordic Easter goodies, you can't do better than visiting the Finnish Seamen's Mission in Rotherhithe., East London.This year's Spring Fair takes place next weekend 28 - 30 March 2014.I've written before about this excellent event here, but if you like Fazer chocolate, rye … [Read more...]
Finn-Guild AGM and Turkish soul food at Green Lanes, North London
My first six weeks as head of Finn-Guild, the Finnish British cultural association have been - to say the least - hectic. This is partly due to my desire to run before I can walk, but also due to the timing our AGM, the biggest event in the Finn-Guild members and volunteers' calendar, which took … [Read more...]