Details

I love details. Spending one summer in Ullanlinna and walking around the “real” Helsinki after work, it’s almost inevitable that I happen upon many small details that shop owners so carefully put out onto the streets, many of them probably unnoticed. I loved this little “wind-powered” fish installation, the ideal alternative if you like the mesmerising…

Back in Helsinki

The first thing I heard when arriving in Helsinki: good you didn’t come earlier, it has been so cold. The wind was still quite chilly today, but the bright sunshine, the blue sky and the fresh air made up for it twice. I spent my first day strolling around in the city and felt somewhat…

Sibelius Violin Concerto

I had the great pleasure today to listen to  the Violin concerto of Jean Sibelius in the same premises where it was performed the first time! The city hall of Helsinki, then still Seurahuone Hotel, features an impressive celebration hall and has hosted many balls, concerts and events since the 19th century till today. The…

Hvitträsk

With  my family in Germany over Easter, I decided to use my free time for visiting Hvitträsk, former home and studio to the trio of architects who belonged to the most influencial forces during the Art Nouveau period in Helsinki: Hermann Gesellius, Armas Lindgren and  Eliel Saarinen. Unfortunately, the weather was very “Finnish” and the…

Charismatic in Finland = no Charisma

According to Wikipedia, Charisma is something like a “compelling attractiveness or charm that can inspire devotion in others”. YLE, the national broadcasting company, has undertaken a poll to find out, who of the political leaders in Finland is seen as the most charismatic. Out came the leader of the Centre Party, Juha Sipilä. People seemed…

New Prime Minister for Finland

Jyrki Katainen, former prime minister of Finland, has succeeded in transferring his burden of leading Finland to a new man: Alexander Stubb, who is succeeding Katainen as head of the strongest party National Coalition Party and thus becomes automatically prime minister of Finland. I have collected a few videos from YouTube to give an idea…

Identity

I was invited on a short notice to fill a gap in a panel discussion on “intercultural interaction in teaching environments”. The main focus being on “identity” and how teachers could support young people who are still figuring out their identity. While preparing for the panel, surprisingly I found out that I didn’t really have…

Vanhojentanssi

Vanhojentanssi is a tradition in Finland that I really like. Translated it means something like “the dance of the oldest”. When the third grade in high school has finished their “ylioppilastutkinto” = final exams, those who are now the oldest in high school have a special dance event. They dance so to speak into their…