ANGRY BIRDS GO NORTH
STOCKHOLM’S CHRISTMAS SPIRIT
Gifts issue
HOW TO BEAT JETLAG
ICELAND BY DESIGN
Trends, destinations and insights for travellers • December 2014
Your l na perso y cop
TAKE AN
ECO BREAK
IN LAOS LIGHT FANTASTIC
IN AMSTERDAM SOOTHING
NORDIC SPAS
&
Creative gifts good giving
Dual Time Manufacture Self-winding manufacture movement with Silicium technology. Patented unique time zone quick setting. 18 ct rose gold case. Water-resistant to 30 m. Also available in stainless steel.
U LY S S E - N A R D I N . C O M
EDITORIAL
BY ARJA SUOMINEN SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, COMMUNICATIONS AND CORPORATE RESPONSIBILTY
WWW.FINNAIR.COM
PRODUCER Amanda Soila ART DIRECTOR Sirpa Ärmänen SUB-EDITOR Anna-Maria Wasenius GRAPHIC DESIGNER Pia Hytönen CONTENT MANAGER Kati Heikinheimo ENGLISH EDITING Silja Kudel and Laura Palotie REPROGRAPHIC Isma Valkama ENGLISH TRANSLATION Wif Stenger SUBMISSIONS bluewings@sanoma.com EDITORIAL OFFICES Lapinmäentie 1, 00350 Helsinki, Finland, Postal address P.O.Box 100, 00040 Sanoma, Finland, tel. +358 9 1201, fax +358 9 120 5988, e-mail firstname.lastname@headofficefinland.fi ADVERTISING SALES Media Assistant Sirkka Pulkkinen tel. +358 9 120 5921 PUBLISHER Head Office Finland PRINTED BY Hansaprint, Turku, Finland 2014 PAPER UPM Valor 61g Cover paper Stora Enso LumiArt 200g CIRCULATION 60,000 ISSN-0358-7703
Giving makes the world go round
O
ne of the most celebrated holiday traditions throughout the world takes the shape of a certain jolly, gift-giving man who wears a red suit. With many names ranging from Saint Nicholas to Père Noël (France), Babbo Natale (Italy), Ded Moroz (Russia), Hoteiosho (Japan), and Dun Che Lao Ren (China), he’s known as Joulupukki in Finland.
Whatever we call him, many believe that his secret workshop is hidden
somewhere north of the Arctic Circle, next to the Korvatunturi fell, deep in the heart of Finnish Lapland. It’s only natural, then, that Finnair is the official airline of Santa Claus. For more than 30 years, we’ve worked with the official Santa Claus Foundation – whose partners include World Vision Finland and Save the Children Finland – to promote Santa, gift giving and the wellbeing of children around the world. This year the real Finnish Santa’s tour on Finnair takes him to meet children everywhere from Stockholm, Vil-
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Arja Suominen arja.suominen@finnair.com FINNAIR HEAD OFFICE Tietotie 9 A, Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, 1053 Finnair, Finland, tel. +358 9 81881, Postal address: P. O. Box 15, 01053 Finnair, Finland CUSTOMER FEEDBACK www.finnair.com > Information and services > After the flight or by mail: Customer Relations, SL/08, FI-01053 FINNAIR. www.finnair.com www.finnair.fi www.finnairgroup.com
nius and Saint Petersburg to Beijing, Tokyo and Singapore with two Finnair A321s sporting special Father Christmas liveries. The holiday season is ultimately about giving and helping others. That’s why we’ve recently introduced an option on our online booking engine that allows you to donate to UNICEF and children’s education in Asia. So when you’re booking your next trip, consider a small donation to give a hand up to the next generation. And once on board, remember to keep an eye out for any fellow passengers wearing red. Happy holidays! Arja Suominen DECEMBER 2014
BLUE WINGS
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DECEMBER 2014
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34
44
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50 GIFT IDEAS WITH A CREATIVE TWIST
34
JAIPUR’S SOUND AND COLOUR
42
TOP 5 NORDIC SPAS
44
FESTIVE SPARKLE IN AMSTERDAM
52
BUSINESS WITH A BIG HEART
61
PEEKING INTO ICELAND’S DESIGN SCENE
66
FUNDING A BETTER FUTURE
72
GREEN LAOS FOR ECO-TRAVELLERS
Kickstart the holiday season with stylish and imaginative presents
Explore India’s Pink City by foot, on rickshaw or in a hot air balloon
Luxurious pampering from Tromsø to Helsinki
The Christmas spirit and the Light Festival brighten up the Dutch capital
Social entrepreneurship offers cutting-edge answers to urgent problems
Meet some creative types from the island nation
Donate to UNICEF’s Schools for Asia campaign online
Try out jungle hikes, go elephant-spotting and sample traditional lodgings
ON THE COVER: MEMORY OF WATER BY EMMI ITÄRANTA, HARPER VOYAGER 2014 PHOTO BY PÄIVI RISTELL
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TRAVEL COLUMNS 8
10
12
NEWS
BOOKS
Our new holiday menu
Murakami journeys to Finland
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DECEMBER 2014
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18
WELLBEING
TECH
DESTINATION
HELSINKI
Beating
Angry Birds’ icy comeback
Stockholm’s Christmas sights
Indoor winter wonderland
jetlag
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42 IN THIS ISSUE Norway, p. 6, 42 Stockholm, p. 18, 43 Helsinki, p. 20, 43 Jaipur, p. 34 Copenhagen, p. 43 Amsterdam, p. 45 Iceland, p. 61 Laos, p. 72
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TRAVEL MOMENT
50
SIXTEN KORKMAN
58
ALEXANDER STUBB
69
THIS MONTH AROUND THE WORLD
80
FINLAND IN FIGURES
60
FLYING FINNAIR
REGULARS
67
New border crossings
82
Before and during the flight
83
In-flight entertainment
85
Helsinki Airport
86
Maps and destinations
88
Corporate responsibility
92
Fleet
94
Frequent flyer benefits
95
DECEMBER 2014
BLUE WINGS
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DECEMBER 2014
TRAVEL MOMENT PHOTO BY JANI KÄRPPÄ TEXT BY MIIKKA HAST
FJORDS AFTER SUNSET WE COULD HAVE not found a better spot for our camp: our tents were surrounded by pointy peaks, narrow couloirs and open faces filled with fresh powder snow. One quarter of our view remained open down to the val-
ley floor and all the way to the fjord. A magnificent day of snowboarding and climbing in Tamok Valley, Northern Norway, culminated with this striking blue moment right after sunset and just before dark. DECEMBER 2014
BLUE WINGS
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TRAVEL NEWS
COMPILED AND WRITTEN BY KATJA PANTZAR
PÄIVI RISTELL
Michelin-starred chef Pekka Terävä has created Finnair’s special Christmas menu.
SANTA’S CARRIER Since 1983, Finnair has been the official airline of Santa Claus. Two of Finnair’s newest airplanes – A321 Sharklets – decorated with Santa Claus livery fly to destinations in Europe and further afield such as Dubai.
WIN A TRIP TO SEE SANTA!
SCRUMPTIOUS SEASON’S GREETINGS
M
ichelin-starred chef Pekka Terävä, known for his fresh take on classic Nordic cuisine, has created an exclusive Christmas menu for Finnair. “My menu is inspired by Finnish nature with seasonal ingredients, vegetables, wild game and fish,” says Terävä. The five-course dinner, served in Business Class on long-haul flights departing from Helsinki November 26 through December 30, features an assortment of traditional Finnish delicacies. A selection of starters including Matjes herring with crème fraîche, Nordic-style cured trout, and breast of turkey with foie gras mousse is served, followed by one of three mains: braised duck confit in thyme sauce with a potato purée; roasted cod with bacon and fennel in a butter sauce accompanied by shrimps and peas; or cannelloni filled with herb cream cheese in tomato sauce and edamame beans and romanesco broccoli. Dishes are paired with Finnair’s fine, award winning wines and rounded out by a dessert of gourmet ice cream, coffee or tea, and an after dinner drink. “It’s really been an absolute delight to work with Terävä, who has created this
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On November 28, the official Finnair+Santa Claus video debuts online, with instructions on how to win a flight for four to meet Mr Claus at his workshop in Rovaniemi, Lapland. FINNAIR.COM/OFFICIAL AIRLINEOFSANTA #OFFICIALAIRLINEOFSANTA
NONSTOP TO CHICAGO
menu based on the traditional Finnish Christmas buffet,” says Maarit Keränen, Finnair’s Head of Service Concept. “And the food neatly complements our Ultima Thule design glassware, a part of Finnair’s heritage, which was first introduced in 1969 on the New York route, as well as the Marimekko tableware created for us more recently.” This is Terävä’s third collaboration with the airline. Along with award-winning celebrity chef Tomi Björck, he created the Signature inflight menus for 2013-14 to mark Finnair’s 90th anniversary last year. FINNAIR.COM
Finnair will start direct flights to the largest city in the American Midwest next summer between June 13 and October 17, 2015. Operated three times a week, the Helsinki-Chicago route offers excellent oneworld connections onward to other US cities.
NEW APP Finnair’s new mobile app has rolled out for Apple iOS devices, with other platforms to follow. Designed to be a traveller’s companion throughout the journey, it provides personalised, up-to-the-minute flight information, and e-boarding pass storage. It can also be used to check in, select seats, purchase upgrades, receive news, and view point balances.
THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS TO EVERY RULE.
ROYAL OAK DIAMOND SET IN STEEL.
TRAVEL BOOKS
COMPILED AND WRITTEN BY KATJA PANTZAR
MURAKAMI’S FINNISH QUEST WHY ARE YOU ered. When his new girlfriend urges him GOING TO FINLAND? to confront the past, he sets out to contact “Sibelius, Aki Kauris his former friends and discovers that the mäki films, Marimekko, only person who could have provided the Nokia, Moomin,” answer has been murdered. As he gets in answers Tsukuru touch with the other three former friends, Tazaki. he discovers one of them lives in Finland But the truth is that with her Finnish husband and daughters. Tazaki, the sympathetic pro With trademark Murakami style, this quirky literary page-turner tagonist of Colourless takes readers through Tsukuru Tazaki and the streets of Tokyo, his Years of PilNagoya and Helsinki, grimage by the before heading out cult novel to the Finnish ist Haruki Bestselling Japanese writer Haruki Murakami countryside near Murakami, is not known to release two books in one year; Hämeenlinna is trying to 2014 is an exception as the English-language where Tazaki solve a mys edition of a new 96-page illustrated book hopes to find tery. When called The Strange Library – about a boy caught resolution. Tazaki was up in a surreal adventure at the library Recently pub a college – releases this month. lished in English sophomore, and Finnish, Muraka one day his mi’s 13th novel sold four best friends one million copies in announced that Japan during its first week of they publication alone. never wanted to speak to him or see him again. MURAKAMIBOOKS.CO.UK Now 36, Tazaki has never fully recov
DOUBLE MURAKAMI
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WEIRD AND WONDERFUL Granta’s Best of Young Finnish Novelists features 20 young Finnish novelists under 40. From bestselling authors such as Sofi Oksanen and those rising to Oksanen’s ranks such as Emmi Itäranta, Katja Kettu, and Riikka Pulkkinen, the collection runs the gamut from historical fiction to modern day weird. Swedish-Finnish writer Philip Teir’s “Summer in Siboo” captures the delicious awkwardness of being a teenager, while Juha Itkonen’s “Rimini” plays on the nostalgia of planning a holiday with a thick stack of travel brochures and expectations: “Corfu. Santorini. Alanya. Ayia. Napa. Loutraki. I loved all the names, their promise of something unknown.” Yet the ensuing Rimini trip is not quite what anyone in the family expected. OTAVA.FI
READ THIS – IF YOU DARE Helsinki Noir joins the series of original noir anthologies launched in 2004 by New York’s Akashic Books with a series of stories set in distinct neighbourhoods or locations within a city. Edited by the late James Thompson, Helsinki Noir brings together 14 original stories that range from gruesome to funny. A fitting read for this time of year, best-selling author Leena Lehtolainen’s “Kiss of Santa,” takes place in the Stockmann department store, as a young woman goes undercover to solve a string of thefts in the lead-up to Christmas. AKASHICBOOKS.COM
Happiness is handmade. To create memorable moments, all you need is a blank piece of paper and a vivid imagination. See our full selection of sustainable paper to spark your creativity at printingandreading.storaenso.com
TRAVEL WELLBEING
TEXT BY KATI HEIKINHEIMO PHOTOS BY ISTOCKPHOTO
HOW TO COPE WITH JET LAG
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SLEEP DIFFICULTIES ARE a nuisance that travelling across time zones can often trigger. “This is because a steady daily rhythm is one of the most important building blocks of sound sleep,” says Mikael Sallinen, a researcher at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health and one of Finland’s leading sleep experts. There is no magic trick to make our bodies skip time zones without side effects. However, adapting can be faster and easier by following a few tips:
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PROTEIN BOOST Nutritional needs are very individual, but according to Sallinen there’s a simple rule that works for most travellers: foods rich in protein (such as chicken, turkey, fish, plain yogurt) and slowdigesting carbohydrates (whole wheat
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MINI-WORKOUTS
In addition to a regular daily rhythm, one of the most important elements affecting sleep is exercise. “It’s human to find an excuse for skipping exercise when travelling. That’s why a workout has to be easy to start and execute,” says Sallinen. Many small spurts are just as effective as one official workout. Grab opportunities where you can: walk instead of taking a taxi, or stand instead of sitting down. Follow live-stream yoga or pilates classes on yoogaia.com or try the countless free videos on YouTube. If you travel regularly, ask a personal trainer to customise a hotel room workout for you. But if you’re experiencing severe sleep deprivation, it’s better to rest than exercise, Sallinen recommends.
pasta, brown rice, green leafy vegetables, nuts) are a good choice. They keep blood sugar levels steady and keep you energised more effectively than foods rich in fat or fast-digesting carbohydrates. They also help you maintain your body weight in the long run.
KEEP STRESS AT BAY Stress and sleep difficulties tend to go hand-in-hand. “According to the latest research, certain ways of dealing with stress are more likely to increase insomnia: these include substance use and trying to suppress feelings of stress,” says Sallinen. Instead, a mindfulness-based view on stress and an active, result-oriented approach is beneficial. Accept how you feel right now, and if you want things to be better in the future, start taking action.
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RESET YOUR CLOCK
A few days before departure, start syncing your schedule with your destination’s time zone. Every day when you go to bed and wake up, move your schedule 15 to 30 minutes towards the desired one. This will allow you to get a one- or two-hour headstart on adjusting to the new time zone. When you reach your destination, the main factor influencing your time zone transition is the lack or presence of daylight. “It might come as a surprise that if you arrive very early or late in the day, it may not be a good idea to get out in the sun,” says Sallinen. Entrain, an iPhone app developed at the University of Michigan, will help you calculate an optimal lighting schedule. For those taking off from Helsinki, a chart is available on www.terveysportti.fi (in Finnish only). Please turn to the next page for our list of sleep-boosting gadgets.
TRAVEL WELLBEING
TEXT BY KATI HEIKINHEIMO
SLEEP BETTER
ON THE FLY
THESE GADGETS MAY HELP YOU SKIP JET LAG ALTOGETHER.
PORTABLE SUN
BUCKLE UP AND DREAM AWAY
Adjusting to a new time zone can be accelerated by optimising exposure to light. If the sun’s not shining or you need to spend time indoors, this portable version of Litebook’s new generation LED lamp offers a handy solution.
What if you could spend travel time sound asleep and wake up refreshed without a stiff neck? Finnish innovation RelaxALLY promises just that. This ergonomically tested, easy-to-use restband keeps your head still while you’re sleeping in a sitting position whether on a plane, in a bus, train or car.
LITEBOOK.COM
RELAXALLY.COM
MONITOR YOUR SLEEP Biohacking your health is becoming ever more popular. A good night’s rest is one of the keys to wellbeing. Beddit’s sleep sensor app analyses your zzzzs with the help of a small sensor placed under your sheet, and provides tips on how to improve the quality of your sleep. BEDDIT.COM
BLUE LIGHT BLOCKER It’s equally important to avoid light – especially the blue light emitted by digital device screens – in the evenings when recalibrating your internal clock. Uvex’s UV-blocking glasses are a practical and affordable solution, while donning a pair of orange safety glasses will also do the trick. UVEX.COM
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WARM FEET, GREAT SLEEP A pair of wool socks has been scientifically proven to facilitate falling asleep. Finnish brand Ruskovilla offers quality socks made of ethically produced Merino wool. RUSKOVILLA.FI
HELSINKI, 7. MARRASKUUTA 2014
Private Banker Anna Eskelin-Heino kiittää asiakkaitaan.
Miten tämä vaikuttaa sinuun? On aika jakaa asiakkaillemme kiitoksia. The Banker –lehti valitsi lokakuussa Nordean Private Banking –palvelut Pohjoismaiden ja Suomen parhaiksi vuonna 2014. Aiemmin tänä vuonna saimme vastaavat palkinnot myös Euromoney-lehdeltä. Lupaamme myös jatkossa tehdä parhaamme, jotta saat meiltä sinulle parhaiten sopivat ratkaisut varallisuutesi hoitoon. Tervetuloa tutustumaan. Varaa aika henkilökohtaiseen tapaamiseen numerosta 08001-98989 tai lue lisää: nordeaprivatebanking.fi/tervetuloa Private Banking -palvelu sopii yksityishenkilöille, yrittäjille, yhteisöille ja säätiöille, joiden sijoitettava varallisuus ylittää 250 000 euroa.
S ijoit usneuvonta | Ver ot us | Perhe oikeus | Perint ö suunnit te lu | Vakuutus s ijoit taminen
TRAVEL TECH
COMPILED AND WRITTEN BY ROGER NORUM
ALL FINN AND GAMES Rovio is not alone in helping to make Finland a household name among MMO (massive multiplayer online) gamers. These Finnish mobile games are luring in international players with their addictive gameplay, comical style and in-game purchases.
BEST FIENDS is one of the most recent releases, launched in October by Los Angeles and Helsinki-based company Seriously. The game allows players to collect and evolve fantastical characters in the fight against voracious slugs. The characters grow more diabolical as their special powers are unlocked. SERIOUSLY.COM
THE BIRDS ARE BACK THE ANGRY BIRDS ARE MIGRATING NORTH WITH A NEW WINTER RELEASE.
H
ow a simple, slingshot-puzzle video game with heavy-browed, wingless beasts became one of the world’s most downloaded mobile apps is anyone’s guess. But one thing is for certain: the Finnish-made Angry Birds are not flying the coop anytime soon. Now boasting over two billion downloads, the birds are migrating North with the winter release of On Finn Ice, which is available in December. Developed in a partnership between Visit Finland and Rovio Entertainment, the all new game features a range of Finnish winter landscapes and cultural traditions.
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Now, players will have the opportunity to play stages in Finnish Lapland and the lake district, as well as chill out in a sauna which you can destroy with the birds, as the Northern Lights above. When you complete a level, you are rewarded with small informational bubbles holding factoids on Finnish cultural icons such as salmiakki (salty liquorice) and korvapuusti (cinnamon rolls). Even the soundtrack was recorded by Finnish cello rock band Apocalyptica. On Finn Ice ROVIO.COM
SUPERNAUTS, the runaway success, lets players work together to forge building materials and erect structures in order to construct new human habitats on asteroids in outer space, before rescuing people stranded back on Earth. GRANDCRUGAMES.COM
CLASH OF CLANS, the combat strategy game developed by Helsinki-headquartered Supercell, continues to soar in popularity. You can strategically form and train your own village clans, march them into battle and even attack and backstab your own friends! SUPERCELL.NET
The Finest Clothing for Men in Finland
MARIE ANDERSSON
TRAVEL DESTINATION
COMPILED AND WRITTEN BY LAURA PALOTIE
OLA ERICSON/IMAGEBANK.SWEDEN.SE
The Christmas market in Stockholm’s Old Town has been a tradition since the early 1900s and is held every weekend in December leading up to Christmas.
Stockholm toddler Kerstin at the Skansen holiday market.
STOCKHOLM’S YULE ZEST
W
hile the Finnish holiday season is known for its preference for calmness, Sweden does Scandinavian Christmas with pep in its step. A yuletide visit to Stockholm is all about comfort, with a touch of luxury – from elaborate window displays to lavish meals. An easy introduction to Stockholm Christmas is the holiday market at the Skansen open-air museum, which receives 1.4 million visitors year-round. The holiday market dates back to 1903 and features 100 vendors selling treats and handicrafts. Kids dance around a Christmas tree to Swedish holiday tunes as parents warm up with cups of steaming glögg (mulled wine). Another tradition is the intricate, hand-
made holiday window display of NK department store, unveiled in November. Last year one could spot a fox disguised as a reindeer and a band of carolling dogs. The overflowing Christmas buffet table is a scene familiar from Carl Larsson’s paintings and author Astrid Lindgren’s books. Långbro Värdshus, 12 kilometres from Stockholm’s centre, feels both classic and culinary. Among the dozens of dishes are herring, salmon and vegetables pickled inhouse, pâtés, casseroles, smoked meats and porridge. “The saying is that you have to go for five rounds of food – start with the 15 varieties of Baltic herring and then move to the meatballs, bread and cheese,
and lutfisk [salted and dried whitefish],” says Långbro’s celebrity chef Fredrik Eriksson. SKANSEN HOLIDAY MARKET
Open 10 am – 4 pm on weekends (November 29 – December 21, free admission December 24). SKANSEN.SE CHRISTMAS TABLE AT LÅNGBRO VÄRDSHUS Through December 21. Lunch 525 SEK (57 euros), Dinner 750 Sek (81 euros). Stora mans väg 4, Älvsjö, LANGBROVARDSHUS.SE
STRIPED PIG WHILE MUCH of the world marks Christmas with candy canes, Sweden has multiflavoured polkagris (“polka pigs”), created in 1859 in the town of Gränna by Amalia Eriksson. They resemble candy canes, but are shaped like little pillows or sticks. Gamla Stans Polkagriskokeri, established in 2011 in the Old Town of Stockholm, credits itself as the first polkagris shop with an in-house factory outside of Gränna. Owners Jonas Walldow and Damo
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Sundvall grew up in Gränna, and learned to make polkagris at a young age. “It’s a town of 2,500 inhabitants, but they still have a dozen polkagris factories – the scent of peppermint-flavoured sugar is everywhere,” says Walldow. “After 15 years in ‘real’ jobs, we came back to our original ones.” Walldow notes that Amalia Eriksson originally intended the polkagris as cough drops.
“You always have an excuse for polkagris; you’re just taking your medicine,” adds Sundvall. After all, both Amalia and her daughter lived to their 90s. Lilla Nygatan 10, GAMLASTANSPOLKAGRISKOKERI.SE
28 %
FINNISH SISU
17 %
EXPEDITIONS ABROAD
22 %
9%
INTERACTION WITH FELLOW ARTISTS
THE AMBIENCE OF AINOLA
21%
NATIONAL ROMANTIC TENDENCIES
MAIN PARTNERS
13 %
MELANCHOLY AND MYTHOLOGY
ateneum.fi ATENEUM ART MUSEUM FINNISH NATIONAL GALLERY
COMPILED AND WRITTEN BY DAVE DUNNE
HELSINKI HIGHLIGHTS THIS MONTH
ATENEUM
KONSTA LINKOLA
TRAVEL HELSINKI
Cross-country skiers get some practice before the real stuff arrives, and right, Winter World Helsinki’s Ice Bar.
HELSINKI’S SNOWY SECRETS IF NATURAL SNOW FAILS TO SHOW, HEAD TO THE EASTERN HELSINKI FOR INDOORS WINTER FUN.
C
hristmastime and a heavy blanket of snow – it’s typical of the scenes in the cold north. But such is the unpredictability of the climate that even Finns sometimes worry whether there’ll be a white Christmas or not. Thankfully Kivikko Ski Hall – just 15 minutes from Helsinki city centre – allows for cross-country skiing and winter-related activities regardless of the weather. The ski hall boasts just over one kilometre of ski track, a ski shop, café, children’s sports park, a gym and Unique Lapland’s Winter World Helsinki. The ski track has been run by the City of Helsinki since 2012, and yearly sees about 25,000 visitors. “We opened this season at the end of September, and from mid-October we start to get quite busy,” says Petteri Huurre, head of division of the city’s indoor sports services. “We might get 500 skiers-a-day at times.”
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WINTER FUN, YEAR-ROUND When the real snow does arrive to the south, the ski track closes until the next winter. But Winter World Helsinki remains open year-round, allowing for indoor husky-safaris, mini-skidoo rides, an ice bar and depending on the time of year, the chance to visit Santa himself. It might be a balmy +12 degrees Celsius outside, but inside it’s -3 degrees Celsius and thankfully winter outdoors clothes are for hire. Kids can use the kick-sleds, visit the igloos or use the mini ski-slope and even go husky sledding in the middle of summer. Adults can sit on reindeer pelt-insulated ice benches and sip a drink. But drink up, the ice glasses are prone to melt after 15 minutes, so it really is a case of “mind the ice.” KIVIKKO SKI HALL SAVIKIEKONTIE 4, 00940 HELSINKI
COMPOSER’S LIFE IN ART Ateneum Art Museum is hosting the exhibition Sibelius and the World of Art to celebrate 150 years since the birth of Jean Sibelius – Finland’s national composer. Sibelius’ works helped define Finnish national identity and the exhibition – running until March 22, 2015 – explores the composer’s contacts with the art scene of his day. ATENEUM.FI
LUCIA SHINES HER LIGHT On December 13, bringing a celebration of light at the darkest time of the year, the Lucia Parade departs from Helsinki Cathedral on Senate Square at 6 pm. The candle-lit procession takes place after the crowning of a young girl as St. Lucia and takes a circuitous route to Market Square. A Christmas tradition at its best. VISITHELSINKI.FI
WELCOMING NEW YEAR Senate Square is again the place to be on New Year’s Eve, as the capital welcomes the new year with music, singing, speeches and a stunning fireworks display. Thousands of people have congregated in the square for the big celebration as far back as 1932.
DRIVEN BY BIOFORE The Biofore Concept Car challenges conventions in car manufacturing. The majority of the parts traditionally made from plastic are replaced with advanced biomaterials without compromising quality and safety. Created by a new generation of talent from Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences with next generation biomaterials by UPM – The Biofore Company. This is a car that drives real sustainable change. www.bioforeconceptcar.upm.com
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Blue Wings is printed on UPM Valor paper
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COMPILED BY BLUE WINGS TEAM, TEXT BY LAURA PALOTIE PHOTOS BY PÄIVI RISTELL AND MANUFACTURES
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OUR WISH LIST
NOSTALGIC PATTERNS
ON THE HUNT FOR SOME GIFT INSPIRATION? THIS YEAR’S ESSENTIALS, FROM APPAREL TO EXPERIENCES, ALL COME WITH A CREATIVE TWIST.
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MAAILMAN SYNTY (”Birth of the World”) pattern by Turkubased hemp textile company Saana ja Olli is inspired by traditional Nordic rugs often seen on the walls of historical Finnish homes. Container €24
CONSCIOUS COMMUTES KEEPCUP’S REUSABLE and colourful on-the-go mugs replicate the standard sizes of disposable cups. This Australian invention is the eco-conscious gift for the busy commuter. From €12
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STORE.SAANAJAOLLI.COM
KEEPCUP.COM.AU or KAFFECENTRALEN.COM in Finland
TAKE A GLOGG BREAK THIS SANNA ANNUKKA designed pattern on a mug, plate and spoon created by Sami Ruotsalainen is made for a cosy evening of mulled wine and gingerbread cookies. €37.70, or go to finnairplusshop.com to pay with a flexible combination of Finnair Plus points and money MARIMEKKO.COM
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REMEMBER YOUR GREENS MANUFACTURED IN FINLAND, the soilfree Smart Garden is a veritable indoor mini-greenhouse. LED lights and a nifty watering system allow for herbs to reach full growth in six weeks. €199 PLANTUI.COM
DECEMBER 2014
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MOROCCAN CREATIONS
WINTER IN MOOMINVALLEY ARABIA’S SEASONAL Moomin mugs, featuring Tove Jansson’s beloved characters, are coveted collectors’ items. The latest collection of mugs and bowls features the family skipping their annual winter sleep to have fun in the snow. Mug €23.30
FINNISH COMPANY Madesign collaborates with artisans and entrepreneurs in Morocco to find distinctive handmade and vintage interior design items. Artisans weaving these intricate Berber rugs pass on the skill from generation to generation. From €1,045 MADESIGN.FI/SHOP
STORE.IITTALA.FI
STYLISH BREWS CHEMEX’S HOURGLASS-SHAPED glass coffeemaker invented in 1941 is not just beautiful: coffee enthusiasts also praise the pure, sedimentfree flavor it achieves. From €49 CHEMEXCOFFEEMAKER.COM or CREMA.FI in Finland
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NEWLY ESTABLISHED Finnish company Warrior Coffee offers roasts from beans that are grown without harmful chemicals, and processed in a way that achieves a clear taste. A monthly subscription is available. From €18.90
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WARRIORCOFFEE.COM
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CHAMELEON SPEAKERS UPLOUD AUDIO’S Finnish-made speakers merge great sound with good looks: a SEAS Prestige series coaxial driver creates a uniform sound throughout the room, and a range of “speakerwear” colours help you match the speaker to any space. €500 UPLOUDAUDIO.COM
BUNDLED-UP ELECTRONICS HELSINKI-BASED MOZO Accessories offers a line of quilted sleeves and winter vests for smartphones and tablets. They shield your device from winter chills and preserve battery life. €19–35 MOZOACCESSORIES.COM
HIP HEADPHONES THESE STYLISH NOISE-CANCELLING headphones feature soft leather ear cups and 40-millimetre moving coil drivers that provide an excellent sound. Proceeds support ILove.org, a charitable foundation run by Bob Marley’s family. €329 or €219 + 1000 Finnair Plus points. At FINNAIRPLUSSHOP.COM THEHOUSEOFMARLEY.COM
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ENERGY IN MOTION SUNTRICA’S MOVE SOLARSTRAP helps eliminate the stress of running out of battery on your smartphone. The light device gathers solar energy that you can later use to give a jolt of energy to your tablet, camera or phone.€89
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TRIPLETHREAT WATCH THIS USER-FRIENDLY GPS watch, with separate modes for running, cycling or swimming, tracks your daily activity and enables easy sharing of your feats of endurance on social media. €350
SUNTRICA.COM
SUUNTO.COM
MAGIC DREAMS
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FINLAYSON’S MAGIC MOOMIN duvet cover set, made of 100 per cent cotton, is based on original drawings by Tove Jansson and features the quirky and beloved characters against a dark blue setting that is perfect for slumber time. €43
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PRECIOUS CARGO
FINLAYSON.FI
LEGO’S CARGO terminal set includes all the essentials for a successful cargo flight, from a fuel truck and air control tower to a crew including a pilot, controller
KICK, KICK AND AWAY
PET BACKPACKS
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ARE YOU DINOSAUR, shark, penguin or bumblebee? Skip Hop’s spacious and expressive backpacks fit everything essential for a day at preschool. There is even an extra pouch for a snack. From €26.90 SKIPHOP.COM or PIENIIHMINEN.FI in Helsinki
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DECEMBER 2014
Shop at FINNAIRPLUSSHOP.COM and pay with a flexible combination of points and money.
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THE ESLA KICKSPARK is a sled for ambitious winter athletes: its streamlined design and light steel frame allow for high speeds. Developer Hannu Vierikko has multiple World Championships in kicksled racing. €219 ESLA.FI
and three cargo workers. €109.95
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18 TANGLED UP IN BLUE FINNISH MELLI ECO DESIGN offers comfy organic cotton clothes for life’s first adventures. The popular Blue Berries pattern is Leena Renko’s design. Long-sleeved T-shirt €18.90 MELLIECODESIGN.COM
CAT NAPS TEXTILE COMPANY VALLILA collaborates with some of Finland’s most imaginative print designers. Tanja Orsjoki’s Leijonapalmu (”Lion Palm”) design is gently absurdist. €17
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ENVY ON THE SLOPES Wuuuf merges Finnish design thinking with the ultimate urban winter pastime: sledding. They are cushioned, coarse on top to keep you firmly in place, and slippery on the bottom. €34.90 WUUUF.FI
VALLILA.FI
WOOD REIMAGINED
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Aamu Song & Johan Olin’s Salakauppa (“Secret Shop”) wooden novelties include toy lamps for any wroom-obsessed child. (Available by order from €165) SALAKAUPPA.FI
TOY STORIES START A TINY FARM STAND or café with an assortment of sweet wooden food items sold by Tingeling toy store in Helsinki. (€2–9.50)
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TINGELING.FI
GRAPHIC DESIGNER and illustrator Lotta Nieminen tells the tale of a little girl who walks around the world in one day. Each scene is rendered with countless small details. BIGPICTUREPRESS.NET/ OUR-BOOKS/ WALK-THIS-WORLD
SWEET BIRCH PUZZLES from Salakauppa (“Secret Shop”) feature shapeless creatures positioned into a group hug. €19–29 SALAKAUPPA.FI
DECEMBER 2014
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SEASONAL SCENTS LUMI, KNOWN for its colourful leather accessories, has introduced a line of scented items inspired by Finland’s four seasons. Bath oil: €62, Bath salt: €70, Candle: €35
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LUMIACCESSORIES.COM
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HIPPIE MEETS CHIC
This fun wrap-around bracelet by Finnish jewellery company House of Elliott is made of leather, tiger’s eye, small crystals and ceramic details. €49 HOUSEOFELLIOTT.FI
TUCKED AWAY CLUTCH ME MADE OF SUSTAINABLY treated leather, the Rosemary bag by Finnish MoiMoi (Literally “bye bye”) can be worn as a clutch or with a brass shoulder chain. €105
THIS NO-FRILLS BAG for toiletries or gadgets, made of a durable polyestercotton blend, can withstand travel around the world. €29
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FJALLRAVEN.COM or PARTIOAITTA.FI in Helsinki
MOIMOI-ACCESSORIES.COM
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NATURAL WARMTH
A SET OF MERINO wool-lined reindeer gloves and lambswool beanie by Finnish designer sisters Milla and Iina Kettunen provide a cosy shield against the season. Gloves €98 and hat €89 MONTHOFSUNDAYS.FI
PUNCTUAL AND BEAUTIFUL
Seiko’s solar-powered GPS watch recognises the world’s 39 time zones (€2,520). Michael Kors’s rose gold -toned watch (€305) pairs beautifully with DKNY’s bracelets (€129–169). In Finland PERKKO.FI
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28 SLUSH INSURANCE WELL BEFORE ”Nokia” was associated with mobile innovation, it was synonymous with rain boots. The heavy-duty Finnjagd features a sturdy heel and can be adjusted with laces. Nokian boots are also available via the Finnair PlusShop. Finnjagd model from €69 NOKIANJALKINEET.FI
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JOHANNA SINISALO’S The Blood of Angels tells the story of a beekeeper who predicts that the world is coming to an end when bees begin to disappear.
BOOKISH PRESENTS
PETEROWENPUBLISHERS.COM
EMMI ITÄRANTA’S speculative fiction debut has received rave reviews from Publishers Weekly and The Washington Post. In Memory of Water, a young tea master is left with the task of guarding a hidden spring in a world nearly void of water.
BELOVED CHILDREN’S author and illustrator Mauri Kunnas now tackles rock ‘n’ roll history, telling the story of The Beatles in a picture book aimed at teens and adults. MAURIKUNNAS.NET
HARPERVOYAGERBOOKS.COM
HARMONY MASTERS INTERNATIONALLY TOURING Finnish vocal group Rajaton (“Boundless”), who recently performed at New York’s Carnegie Hall, has released a live album with violinist brothers Jaakko and Pekka Kuusisto. The title, “Two Degrees,” refers to climate change. €21.90
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FABULOUS CLOGS MADE IN FINLAND of vegetable-tanned leather, this chic clog is the creation of award-winning Finnish shoe designer Terhi Pölkki. The birch sole is suited for urban strolling. €179 SHOP.TERHIPOLKKI.COM
RAJATON.NET/EN
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SKIN NOURISHMENT THIS TRAVEL-SIZED selection of natural and organic lotions, oils and bath products is designed for relaxation with its rose and lavender scents. €23.90 DR.HAUSCHKA.COM
MIDNIGHT GLAM LUMENE’S HOLIDAY SEASON Party Collection is all about shimmery lashes and sparkling polishes. Mascara €12.90, nail polish €6.50 LUMEME.COM
DECEMBER 2014
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CASHMERE TREATS
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FINNISH LIFESTYLE BRAND Balmuir stocks a variety of luxurious cashmere products. The Helsinki scarf is available in several colours and three sizes.
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FROM €139, BALMUIR.COM, or pay with a combination of Finnair Plus Points and money at FINNAIRPLUSSHOP.COM
HIP POCKETS AND LUMENE STUFF
DAYS OF THE FEET
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THE FATCLOTH PUTS a fresh spin on the pocket square. Showcasing fun and modern designs, they are made of a microfibre fabric that withstands frequent washes and heavy-duty use. €25–29. Finnish cosmetics favourite Lumene’s gift sets come in two refreshing scent options, both aimed to kickstart the day. €13.90 (includes a stick deodorant and a two-in-one shower gel and shampoo)
THE STATUS OF the tie as the primary gentlemen’s accessory is being threatened: expressive socks have taken centre stage in recent years. This gift set offers a colourful option, made 50 per cent of recycled cotton, for every day of the week. €60
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SHOP.YALO.FI
THEFATCLOTH.COM and LUMEME.COM
STYLE WITH A STORY FINNISH COSTO turns recycled or discarded materials into accessories suited for a laidback urban look. The Waris backpack is made of 100 per cent recycled denim while the playful and popular Kombai hat collection includes a special collection designed by Johanna Gullichsen. Costo Waris backpack €159, Kombai X Johanna Gullichsen, €69 COSTO.FI
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SHOE INNOVATIONS
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AKI CHOKLAT IS among Finland’s best-known shoe designers. His creations have been sold at Barneys New York, Takashimaya and Harvey Nichols, just to name a few. Slippers €79
PAPER ARTISTRY
AKICHOKLAT.COM
PAPERSHOP.FI
THESE WRAPPING PAPERS and imaginative cards are stylish and adorable. Cards from €1.50 and wrapping paper from €7
FINNISH BUBBLES CELEBRATE THE START of 2015 with an organic sparkling wine from southeastern Finland by Viiniverla available in sets of three from beverage retailer Alko. €95.10 (set of three) VIINIVERLA.FI
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FOR COCOA LOVERS FROM FINLAND’S MOST beloved candy company Fazer comes the Magic Box, which contains luxurious dark chocolate truffles or dark chocolate pralines flavoured with blueberry or raspberry. 4 pieces: €6 and 16 pieces: €20 FAZER.COM, or pre-order at FINNAIRSHOP.COM
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FELINE MIND TRICKS WATCH YOUR CAT have fun in locating a treat by solving this puzzle created by Nina Ottoson of Sweden. Four difficulty levels are available. From €19.90 NINA-OTTOSSON.COM
WINTER WAGS
DOG’S BEST FRIEND
COMFORT KNIT SWEATER by Finnish company Hurtta protects a dog’s muscles in cold environments and provides a comfortable fit even for pooches not accustomed to wearing clothes. From €59.90
DESIGNED AND MADE in Finland, Ke-hu dog toys (literally “praise”) are meant for shared play between dog and owner. The strap and netted ball in the Atom model allow for easy grabbing and throwing. €16.50
SEE HURTTA.COM/EN/ Distributors for retailers
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KE-HU.FI
DECEMBER 2014
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CONSCIENTIOUS TREATS ORGANIC HERBAL TEAS by UK-based Pukka come in more than 30 varieties, from star anise and cinnamon or lemon and mandarin to teas intended for detox or bedtime. From €5 PUKKAHERBS.COM and in Finland RUOHONJUURI.FI
ORGANIC SEED & BEAN offers Fairtrade and organic chocolates. Try Chilli and lime, Lavender, or Lemon and Cardamom. From €3 SEEDANDBEAN.CO.UK and in Finland RUOHONJUURI.FI
SUPERFOOD SPRINKLES MADE OF 100 per cent blackcurrant, blueberry, lingonberry or cranberry, these berry powders can be sprinkled on top of smoothies or yoghurts, or used in desserts, salads or sauces. From €10
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ADVENTURES IN FINLAND
ACTIVE TRAVELLERS prefer immaterial gifts: book a river paddling excursion in Oulanka National Park near Kuusamo in northern Finland, or a full-throttle ride in a Formula 1 race car near Loimaa in southern Finland. Paddling: from €50 and Formula 1 racing: from €750
BERRYFECT.COM (recipes also available)
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ELAMYSLAHJAT.FI
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CULINARY JOURNEYS CELEBRITY CHEF Tomi Björck’s Asian fusion restaurant Farang has been one of the trailblazers of Helsinki’s new, experimental culinary scene. The best way to enjoy Farang is via one of its tasting menus: the crispy pork comes highly recommended. €59–€66 FARANG.FI
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HELSINKI TREATS NEWLY OPENED Roobertin Herkku (“Robert’s Treats”) is run by a pair of siblings whose grandmother owned a candy store from the 1960s to 80s. Its assortment of specialties includes toffee, salty liquorice, traditional strawberry and ginger sweets and lingonberry lemonade from small Nordic producers. €3–8 ROOBERTINHERKKU.FI
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A bike to be proud of pelago The Design from Finland Recognition was awarded in November 2014 by the Design from Finland Committee and the Association for Finnish Work to Pelago Bicycles. Pelago is a bicycle company born out of local cyclists’ demand for new bicycles for daily transport and alternative means of travel. The name Pelago is short for ‘archipelago’ - one of the most picturesque and memorable elements of Finnish nature. The authenticity of islands and rocks in the Finnish archipelago has affected Pelago’s approach to design and business. To cope with the heat of summer and the snow and sleet of winter one must always be well-prepared. Pelago makes goods that one can rely on. Functional, aesthetic and strong. The aim of Pelago is to make bicycles that customers can be proud of – bikes that we still ride in 2050 – bikes that serve the purpose.
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In an effort to recognize Finnish design more widely the Design from finland Mark has been established. it signals that a service or product along with its design and development originates from finland and underlines unique finnish concepts. The mark has been granted by the Association for finnish work to over 200 finnish design and service enterprises to date. You can find all the member companies and their stories from http://www.avainlippu.fi/design-finland.
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Fiskars is Finland’s oldest still operating company and its cutting tools are real-life classics! Fiskars is best known for their scissors with orange statement handles, even though the range of products includes many different kinds of tools to help everyday life – all in their own statement colors and patterns. Marimekko is one of Finland’s best known design brands. They combine their own design tradition with current contemporary trends. Most famous Marimekko products are fabrics and clothes but they also design home essentials. Reima has over 70 years’ experience of designing children’s wear. The Finnish climate and the changing seasons define Reima’s product development. The clothes are designed for all weathers. They aim to make outdoor play fun in all weathers. Unmonday Model 4.3 represents a specific solution to a very specific problem. They created wireless and flexible portable speakers which don’t compromise on sound quality or on good design. Unmonday wanted to create a speaker that their customers can enjoy for decades to come.
frenn FRENN was born out of the belief that it is possible to meld comfort and credibility in contemporary menswear. FRENN men’s wear arose from a desire to create pieces that people would cherish for years, if not decades. FRENN fights against conformity and marches on behalf of difference and personality.
Rooftops seen from the Tiger Fort above Jaipur.
HIGH ON JAIPUR THE FABLED PINK CITY IS A DAILY FESTIVAL OF COLOUR, SOUND AND CULTURAL RICHES.
I
34 BLUE WINGS
DECEMBER 2014
TEXT AND PHOTOS BY TIM BIRD
t is late November, the peak wedding season, and the gardens of the Diggi Palace Hotel erupt in a riot of fairy lights. It’s not clear if these are in honour of the wedding receptions held here or leftovers from the celebration of light, Diwali, that glorious annual expression of illuminated Indo-kitsch.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet.
A hot air balloon offers misty morning views.
JAIPUR • State capital of Rajasthan, with a population of about 3 million • About 260 kilometres to the southwest of the Indian capital New Delhi • Generally hot, semi-arid climate: most rain falls from June to September • About three quarters of Jaipur’s people are Hindu, with Muslims accounting for about 17% • Jain Singh II, founder of Jaipur in 1727, had the city built according to the principles of Vastu Shastra, the Indian equivalent of Feng Shui, taking account of the five elements of Earth, Water, Air, Fire and Space. FINNAIR FLIES nonstop to Delhi up to six times a week, with good connections onward to Jaipur.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet.
The Jal Mahal or water palace sits in Man Sagar Lake. DECEMBER 2014
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The rooftop terrace at the Peacock Restaurant.
EAT LIKE A KING
For a royal splurge, make a booking at 1135 AD high up in Amber Fort, a treasury of glittering silverware and antique ornaments. Sitar and tabla recitals accompany a “heritage dinner” of northern India specialities. Dinner with wine at around €60-70 for two isn’t the cheapest in town but it’s one of the most elegant and romantic – and you get to see the fort at night, without the tourist hordes.
LIKING IT SPICY
Mateshwari Spices on the road out to the Amber Fort is a great place to stock up with exotic teas, from masala mixes to Darjeeling and Assam blends, and spices, including cardamom, saffron and turmeric. WWW.SPICESWORLD.COM
MSHOSPITALITY.IN/LOCATION/1135AD
BIRD’S EYE VIEW
HAGGLE HAPPY
The Peacock Restaurant in the city’s southern suburbs is something of a Jaipur institution. On the rooftop of the Hotel Pearl Palace, the Peacock is a great place to down a Kingfisher beer or glass of chilled Sula wine before tucking in to affordable Indian, Chinese and European dishes. Service is attentive, if leisurely, and the food is good: in addition to the precarious and rocky rickshaw ride to get there, expect to pay as little as €10-15 for two for a generous tandoori meal.
For cushion covers embroidered with tiny mirrors, quilted bedspreads, authentic pashmina scarves and ready-made or tailored garments, you’ll find some of the best-stocked shops around the Ramgarh Mode on the Amber Road. The shopping experience is a little more relaxed than in the frenzied Pink City, but you can still practise your haggling skills.
HOTELPEARLPALACE.COM
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Celebratory fireworks are exploding in every direction, as if a small war were being contested on the hotel perimeter. But as guests soon come to appreciate, the Diggi Palace, with its tranquil lawn-side restaurant, parakeets, peacocks and dazzling bougainvillea, is one of several restored haveli mansions that provide absolute calm in the eye of Jaipur’s invigorating storm. This calm makes it the perfect setting for an annual literary festival in January, one of the biggest in India, that has attracted the likes of writers William Dalrymple and Ian McEwan and even media mogul Oprah Winfrey. The havelis, mainly built in the 19th century and often lavishly embellished with frescoes and fine detail, are just one example of the considerable cultural riches of Jaipur, state capital of Rajasthan. The city forms one corner of the tourist circuit called the Golden Triangle, along with Delhi and Agra, site of the Taj Mahal. Expanded as the new capital of Rajasthan under the orders of Jai Singh II in the first half of the 18th century, just south of the stronghold of the massive Amber Palace, Jaipur now sprawls well beyond the confines of the original walled old city.
FOOD VENDORS TURN SIMPLE FOOD INTO AN ART FORM.
That old city is known as the Pink City because of the dominant colour of the buildings (in fact more terracotta than pink), a shade chosen to temper the fierce blaze of the sun. Its streets are laid out in an easy-to-navigate grid plan, with the main drags crossing at broad circular intersections. Bustling bazaars line the cool passageways, peddling everything from kites and snow-white plaster and marble statues to silver bowls and dazzling bangles. Food vendors turn simple food into an art form, balancing on their heads bowls of yellow rice, studded like jewelled crowns with nuts and peppers. The combined aroma of flavoured bidi cigarettes and freshly baked roti coils out of the shops and hangs in the midday heat. CRAZY DRUMMING Above everything hangs the noise of hooting rickshaws and shouting traders. The soundtrack reaches a crescendo in the streets of the Pink City as the sizeable Muslim community celebrates Muharram, one of four sacred months on the Islam calendar. Women don their finest glittering necklaces, earrings and saris, and trays of sweets and other treats are passed around. The celebrations focus on a procession of glittering floats and unrelenting drumming. The drums are beaten by bands of teenage boys, their eyes ablaze, arms flung at the suffering instruments in a frenzied contest to out-drum each other.
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Marigolds and roses are traded by the sack-full at Jaipur’s morning flower market.
Jantar Mantar, the astronomical observatory.
Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds.
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DECEMBER 2014
A zig-zagging track populated by goats, herders and the occasional moped leads to the Tiger (or Nahargarh) Fort perched on a hilltop on the northern side of the city. The sky is flecked with tiny kites as the fading light glows on the endless rooftops stretched across the valley. Children yelling, dogs barking, temple bells and mullahs’ calls to prayer flood the evening air. A beer on a fortress terrace is the perfect way to take in the full moon rising over the fortifications. On the walk back down to the valley, a boy on a moped stops to talk. “I think this must be the most peaceful place in India,” he says. “I like to come here to think about my life, what it has been, what it will be.” WALTZING THE SKIES The following morning at 5 am, the dome of a hot air balloon expands in the dawn light in a field some 20 kilometres to the north of the city. I squeeze into the basket with my fellow passengers, a handful of English tourists, as the pilot fires up the burner and we drift into an apparently windless sky. Sky Waltz, the balloon operator, runs morning and evening tours. The course of the flight, including the launch point, depends on the weather conditions. This morning the balloon rises gently over mist-shrouded woodland, skimming the roofs of the towns and villages, the walls of the Amber Fort visible to the west.
Children pursue us through the fields, begging us to descend, and dogs run barking after our shadow. Bemused families put their breakfasts aside as our graceful orb passes balconies and courtyards, coming to rest after an hour or so in a meadow crowded with onlookers, like an alien craft stranded on a different planet. But the support vehicle arrives quickly on the scene and returns the passengers to Jaipur in time for breakfast. PALACE OF WINDS The balloons are not allowed to fly over the actual city, and in any case the attractions of the Pink City are best explored on foot. Most tours gravitate towards the City Palace, a complex of ornate courtyards, chambers and pavilions, and the Jantar Mantar, an outdoor astronomical observatory whose giant dials and stairways resemble an oversized children’s playground. Composite tickets for 400 rupees (about 5 euros) give access to a number of attractions in and around Jaipur, including the Jantar Mantar and the Hawa Mahal, the “Palace of Winds’.” Its richly embellished façade is perhaps the most recognisable Jaipur icon. The same ticket grants access to the magnificent Amber Palace, a 30-minute rickshaw hop out of town. The palace complex clings to the hills above Amber town, its profile reflected in Maota lake. Elephants lum-
Sweepers in the City Palace courtyard.
An improvised table for street snacks.
Festivals come thick and fast in Rajasthan.
ber up and down the path to the main gate, offering a lazy transport option for those who don’t fancy the walk. Exploring the passages of the palace can be wearying, but it’s worth saving some energy for the walk up to the Jaigarh Fort looming above the palace. From here the fortress walls dip and soar across the surrounding hills like a military roller coaster. Jaipur’s landmarks impress with their scale, but its more intimate aspects also leave a lasting impression. Wedding bands in their glittering uniforms hang around in the Bari Chaupur square waiting for gigs. The lucky ones pile in to tiny cycle rickshaws, their drums and trumpets poking out at all angles, like comical characters in a children’s story. The children’s fantasy continues on the hotel lawn, where a traditional puppet show is in progress.
teacher who also works at the Diggi Palace. His sons Rajeev and Sudarshan invite me to the family home where they spread their exquisite paintings on the floor. Sudarshan performs his party trick, inscribing a message on a grain of rice using a fine squirrel-hair brush, but the brothers’ real tour de force is their interpretation of classical scenes from Hindu mythology, reflecting all the essential colours of India. The same colours are striking again at the flower and vegetable market in the Pink City in the early morning, where the traders dump great sacks of pungent marigolds and roses onto the ground and engage in negotiations while sipping steaming glasses of masala chai. Most of the flowers are destined for temple offerings and garlands, and the demand is especially high during the wedding season. But the fireworks light up the Jaipur sky again that night and the temple bells chime, giving a reminder that in India the festival is part of the essential grammar of life, not just its punctuation. l
CHILDREN YELLING, DOGS BARKING, TEMPLE BELLS AND MULLAHS’ CALLS TO PRAYER FLOOD THE EVENING AIR.
TRUE COLOURS OF INDIA One of Jaipur’s most enduring impressions is left by the artist Leela Kanth Pareek, known as Masterji, a retired 40 BLUE WINGS
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Enää ei tarvitse palata matkalta kotiin vain löytääkseen tyhjän jääkaapin
Ruokakassisi odottaa viileässä kaapissa HelsinkiVantaan lentokentällä! Nopea toimitus Tilausjärjestelmä on toteutettu yhdessä Digital Foodien kansa ja tilauksen voi tehdä verkossa tai Foodien mobiilisovellusten avulla, esimerkiksi lähtöpisteessä ennen lentoa.Tarjolla on koko Lentoaseman Alepan valikoima, poislukien ikärajavalvottavat tuotteet kuten olut- ja tupakkatuotteet. Nopea toimitusrytmi lähes vuorokauden ympäri hoitaa ostot tilauksesta toimitukseen jopa 3 tunnissa.
Matkalta palaajaa odottaa usein kotona tyhjä jääkaappi. Alepa Kauppakassi pilotoi Helsinki-Vantaan lentokentällä täysin uudenlaista, jäädytetyillä lokeroilla varustettua noutopistettä. Noutopiste on auki 6 päivänä viikossa lähes vuorokauden ympäri, toimituksen saa erittäin nopeasti, jopa kolmessa tunnissa.
Helppo käyttää Käyttö on vaivatonta. Asiakas valitsee/tilaa Kauppakassin sivustolta haluamansa tuotteet ja noutoajan 3-4h noutoikkunoista. Tuotteet maksetaan tilausvaiheessa luottokortilla. Tuotteet kerätään Alepa Lentoasemalta ja viedään noutoikkunan alkuun mennessä odottamaan lokeroihin. Asiakas saa tekstiviestin, jossa on lokerokoodi avaamista varten. Ostokset odottavat kasseihin pakattuina lokerossa valmiina kotiin vietäviksi.
Matkasi varrella Noutopiste sijaitsee Lentoaseman Alepan vieressä, 2B terminaalin tuloaulassa, eli se on kätevästi kävelyreitillä pysäköintialueille tai taksiasemalle. Noutopiste helpottaa sekä matkustajia että lentokentällä työskenteleviä, kun tuotteet on kerätty etukäteen.
Alepa edelläkävijänä
Melbournesta ja Gatwickista”, jatkaa Jukka Ranua. ”Myös jäähdytettyjen lokeroiden osalta kokeilu on ensimmäisiä maailmassa.” HOK-Elanto on ruoan verkkokaupan edelläkävijä ja johtava toimija Suomessa. Itsepalvelunoutoa Alepa Kauppakassi testasi yhdessä Itellan kanssa Alepa Viherlaaksossa jo alkuvuodesta 2013. Lentoaseman jäähdytetyt lokerot on toteutettu yhteistyössä Norpe Oy:n kanssa. Suunnittelussa on kiinnitetty erityistä huomiota kylmäketjuun varmistamiseen. Jokainen lokero on joko erillinen jääkaappi tai pakastin.
”Moni matkusteleva tuntee tilanteen missä reissun jälkeen pitäisi jaksaa käydä vielä kaupassa, kun jääkaappi odottaa kotona tyhjänä. Uusi noutopiste tarjoaa mahdollisuuden säästää aikaa ja vaivaa kun tarvittavat tuotteet odottavat valmiiksi kerättyinä. Matkalta palaavan tarvitsee jatkossa vain napata kassit mukaansa lentokentän lokeroista.” kertoo HOK-Elannon verkkokaupan kehityspäällikkö Jukka Ranua. ”Ruoan verkkokaupan noutopisteillä on selvä kysyntä ja Alepa Kauppakassi onkin yksi maailman ensimmäisistä toimijoista joka tarjoaa noutopisteen lentokentällä. Vastaavia löytyy tietoni mukaan vain
Toimitukset ma-la Noutoaika Tilaus tehtävä viimeistään 6-9 9-12 12-15 15-18 18-21 21-06
TILAA TÄÄLTÄ: alepa.fi/kauppakassi
01 06 09 12 14 16
Tilaus on noudettavissa viimeistään valitun aikaikkunan alkuun mennessä
ruokakauppasi netissä
Alepakauppakassi-logo Keltainen M=10 Y=100 PMS 109C Punainen M=100 Y=100 PMS 1795 C
NORDIC SPAS
1
TROMSØ, NORWAY Spa-goers can soak in a saltwater hot tub while travelling through arctic nature beneath the Northern Lights onboard Vulkana, a former fishing boat converted into a floating spa. A Zen lounge, sauna with a view, and traditional Turkish hamam round out the offerings at Vulkana, where a variety of massage treatments are available as are cabins and a restaurant. VULKANA.NO
FINNAIR flies nonstop to TromsØ three times a week from January through March 2015.
CHRISTIAN NILSEN
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NORDIC SPAS
TOP
BY KATJA PANTZAR
HELSIINKI DAY SPA
THESE FIVE TRAVEL-WORTHY SPAS COMBINE ASIAN AND SCANDINAVIAN ELEMENTS IN THEIR EXOTIC TREATMENT MENUS.
GRAND HOTEL ARTESIA
2
OSLO, NORWAY Birch trees line the pool deck of Artesia in the upscale Grand Hotel Oslo where their cupping treatment is one of the top therapies. Cupping, long popular in the Nordic countries, is based on the ancient Chinese form of alternative medicine – rubber suction cups are placed on the skin to increase blood flow. Benefits include detoxification, cellulite reduction and relief from muscle aches. Artesia, at the grand hotel Oslo GRAND.NO
Sturebadet STUREBADET.SE
Helsinki Day Spa DAYSPA.FI AMAZING SPACE SPA
ACCUSOFT INC
3
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN Founded by medical doctor in 1855 and styled after Roman baths, Sturebadet is an upscale oasis that attracts Stockholm’s rich and famous. Try their Sami Zen, which takes place under the starry sky of a treatment room built to resemble a Sami tent. To the sounds of enchanting Yoik music, the treatment starts with a body scrub, followed by a mineral-rich bath, and a healing massage using hot lava stones and warm birch oil.
4
HELSINKI, FINLAND Adjacent to design hotel Klaus K, the Helsinki Day Spa neatly combines Asian and Scandinavian elements. The spa lounge is housed in a heritage building dating back to the 1880s, while the Asian-themed care rooms offer a range of options including Ayurvedic Massage, a traditional Indian massage that stimulates prana, or life force. This is the go-to address for luxurious pampering and beauty treatments such as the Filorga Skin Perfusion Signature facial that uses LED therapy and cryotherapy to bring out a fresher, more luminous complexion.
5
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK It’s fitting that Laura Bonné, the owner of Amazing Space DK, was awarded “Fiery Soul of the Year” at the Danish Beauty Awards in 2013, as one of her signature treatments is the Nordic Stone Massage. The 120-minute massage with warm Icelandic lava stones, uses arnica and rosehip oil, is followed by a revitalising and rejuvenating facial. Stone therapy has been practiced in China for some 2,000 years. Amazing Space DK AMAZING-SPACE.DK
DECEMBER 2014
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A Christmas light festival lifts the spirits on Amsterdam’s canals.
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AMSTERDAM
GLAMS IT UP LIKE MANY EUROPEAN CITIES, THE DUTCH CAPITAL IS DEVISING INCREASINGLY IMAGINATIVE WAYS TO LIGHT UP THE WINTER BLUES WITH EVERY PASSING YEAR.
L
TEXT AND PHOTOS BY TIM BIRD
ight infiltrates the Amsterdam winter in many ways. For some, it’s the glitter of gems at Gassan Diamonds, where daily free tours introduce visitors to the craft of cutting this most coveted of jewels. For others, it’s the shades of light interpreted by Vermeer, Rembrandt and the other Dutch masters at the newly-renovated Rijksmuseum, or the dazzling visual and spiritual illumination provided by the treasures of the Van Gogh Museum. There’s nothing like a blast of Vincent’s Sunflowers to shake away the winter gloom.
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Chocolate and other candies (top) and steaming spiced wine (right) along the Damrak.
Christmas seems to come earlier every year to most places, but in Amsterdam they’ve always jumped to the front of the festive queue. The traditional arrival of Sinterklaas, or Saint Nicholas, takes place in November, with more celebrations soon following on Saint Nicholas Eve on December 5. With actual Christmas still three weeks off, the city is already in full yuletide swing. Glitter also fills the shop windows in De Negen Straatjes – the Nine Streets – that spread across the central canals close to the Dam Square. From the 1920s bric-a-brac of Djoeke Wessing’s Art Deco store at Huidenstraat 20 to the chic evening wear at the Vintage Shop at Wolvenstraat 7, this glamorous shopping zone comes into its own in the weeks leading up to Christmas. CHRISTMAS SPIRIT The yuletide spirit spreads along the Damrak, the main street connecting the giant Christmas tree in Dam Square and the De Bijenkorf department store with the main railway station. Giftshaped lights dangle from the trees, the tempting aroma of roasting almonds blends with that of fries and pretzels, and stag-night 46 BLUE WINGS
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tourists take a break from the lurid delights of the Red Light district to inspect the gift stalls or warm up with a mug of hot chocolate. In recent years, the main focus of festive sparkle has been on the Light Festival, an annual artistic exercise lifting citizens’ winter spirits in many European cities from Helsinki to Berlin, but one especially suited to the reflective canals of Amsterdam. Special boat cruises combine a glass of warming Glühwein (mulled wine) with a waterborne view of multi-coloured installations on a designated Water Colours route. Surreal shifting patterns are projected on the facades of architectural fixtures such as the Hermitage Museum, and a new light surprise waits round every canal corner.
An atmospheric mist wraps itself around Amsterdam’s central canals.
The Illuminade walking tour includes stunning surprises around every corner.
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Imaginative and sometimes surreal light installations illuminate “A Bright City.”
“We wanted to let visitors and Amsterdam’s citizens rediscover the city in new and exciting ways,” says Rogier van der Heide, artistic director of the festival for 2013-2014. “We hope to trigger your imagination.” CREATIVE LIGHT The festival installations are concentrated in the Plantagebuurt area of the city, following the Illuminade walking route, with all the illuminated attractions free of charge. At one point walkers might encounter a delicate hanging framework of toy-like motifs; the next they walk through an arch of blues and red pulsing to an electronic beat. Last year, a dazzling carpet of household lamps was spread on the banks of one canal, while outside the Rijksmuseum visitors could jump on a row of stationary bicycles to generate an arch of light across one of the city’s main biking arteries. Some of these installations were fashioned across the northern side of Amsterdam’s harbour in previous shipyards gradually being repurposed in a frenzy of radical artistic and archi-
tectural activity dubbed as the “NDSM Selfmade City.” The huge 20,000-square-metre NDSM warehouse hall is being transformed into a shelter for individual studio units, while piles of disused freight containers have been redesigned as student quarters. The theme of creative and experimental light continues in this mushrooming community, from the sparks of welders forging steel stairs for hotel rooms being built in a nearby dockland crane to the eccentric solar-powered contraptions and illuminated machines of designer-inventor Eibert Draisma. In the depths of winter, the chill winds sweep in across Amsterdam’s harbour from the North Sea, unhindered by the flat coastlands of the Netherlands, and the sun hovers in a low arc. Thankfully, from the sparkle of the Damrak Christmas Market to the crazy creative alchemy of NDSM, the bright colours of imagination light up the city’s darkest months. l
“WE WANT VISITORS AND CITIZENS TO REDISCOVER THE CITY.”
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FINNAIR FLIES nonstop to Amsterdam twice a day.
The Illuminade walking tour includes stunning surprises around every corner.
‘A BRIGHT CITY’ is the theme of the 20142015 Amsterdam Light Festival, which runs until January 18. The Illuminade walking route is open from December 11 until January 4. WWW.AMSTERDAMLIGHTFESTIVAL.COM
DECEMBER 2014
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EUROPEAN VOICES BY SIXTEN KORKMAN
The new pioneers of Finnish architecture
W
e spend most of our once stood. Before the Second World War time in manmade there were more than three million Jewish physical surroundpeople in Poland, and only ten per cent of ings. Buildings and them survived the war. physical infrastructures comprise HOW DOES AN ARCHITECT DEAL with the most significant heritage we leave for a location and theme connected to an younger generations. Our infrastructure is incomprehensible tragedy? The main also the main channel through which we architect, Rainer Mahlamäki, opted for a can accomplish the objectives of energy minimalist appearance: he incorporated a and environmental policies. large and non-linear passage into a box of In the language of economists, the built glass. This approach feels right; flashy “Bilenvironment is referred to as “a public bao effects” (referring to the Guggenheim good.” We all enjoy beautiful surroundMuseum by architect Frank Gehry) would ings and feel saddened when seeing ugly not have been appropriate in this context. buildings. We wish for our “enlarged livThe passageway separates Mahlamäing room” to be as ki’s building into two attractive as possiparts. The curves HOW DOES AN ARCHITECT ble. Thus we should of its high walls are DEAL WITH A THEME insist on high qualperplexing, sparkCONNECTED TO AN ity architecture. ing various interpretations. The building INCOMPREHENSIBLE FINLAND HAS is rich in contradicTRAGEDY? BEEN BLESSED tions. It is dark and with many good sad as well as light architects, of whom Alvar Aalto is the and open. It appears cold and disciplined most famous. Recently, the inaugural while also being warm and welcoming. It Finlandia Prize in Architecture honspeaks about history and tragedy, includoured the best project by a Finnish ing the Holocaust, but it also contains architect (or a foreign architect for a many spaces referring to the present and project in Finland) built over the past future. It is an example of ideas striking a three years. I had the privilege of select- harmony with form. ing the winner from four candidates This museum is more than a building: it picked by a jury of experts. is a work of deep significance that helps to What were my criteria for good rehabilitate the history and legacy of Polarchitecture? First, I decided that the ish Jews. It has also visually transformed look or appearance should bear some the face of Warsaw. l relation to the purpose or idea of the building. Second, I felt that both esthetic and functional requirements should be fulfilled. Third, the building AALTO UNIVERSITY professor Sixten had to fit into its surroundings. Korkman is the former director general at the The winning candidate was the Council of the EU’s Directorate for Economic Museum of the History of Polish Jews and Social Affairs. His latest book is Euro: (jewishmuseum.org.pl). This newly valutta vailla valtiota (Euro: The currency opened museum is located in Warwithout a state). saw, in the place where a Jewish ghetto 50 BLUE WINGS
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WHAT IS SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP? The European Commission defines a social enterprise as “an operator in the social economy whose main objective is to have a social impact rather than make a profit. It operates by providing goods and services for the market in an entrepreneurial and innovative fashion and uses its profits primarily to achieve social objectives.” Social enterprises take various legal forms in different countries across Europe. Belgium, Finland, France, Italy, Poland, Portugal and the UK are the only European countries to have adopted national laws regulating social enterprise. The social enterprise sector currently employs over
14 million people in Europe
The social enterprise sector currently equates to around
6.5% of the European Union’s wage earning population
Knit one, purl one: ABURY helps Andean age-old crafts reach new, global markets.
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ABURY’s business model is based on a
50-50 profit sharing model
Hand-made leather carry bags were created in collaboration with international designers and Berber families.
INNOVATING
FOR A GOOD CAUSE BRIMMING WITH RADICAL SOLUTIONS TO SOCIETY’S MOST PRESSING PROBLEMS, SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS ARE OUT TO IMPROVE THE WORLD RATHER THAN THEIR OWN BANK BALANCE.
T
TEXT BY PETRA ZLATEVSKA
PHOTOS BY ABURY AND LEHTIKUVA
hey are visionaries, but also realists. They offer cutting-edge answers to urgent social, health and humanitarian problems. They exist in a space somewhere between classical entrepreneurialism and charitable work. Yet what differentiates social entrepreneurs from charity? While both are run using a not-for-profit model, social enterprises take an entrepreneurial approach to pursuing a social mission. Charities meanwhile exist largely from private donations, and are not managed like a business. Many are still operated through religious organisations. In the last few decades, social entrepreneurship has demonstrated its power to create momentous social change. The global financial crisis and devastating natural disasters in parts of Asia, Africa and even Europe have spurred social entrepreneurs to intervene instead of waiting for governments or businesses to take action. And they are having a real economic impact. According to a 2013 report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the social enterprise sector currently employs over 14 million people in Europe. That’s around 6.5 per cent of the European Union’s wage-earning population. Social entrepreneurs research what is not working and solve the problem on a practical scale by “changing the system, spreading the solution, and persuading entire societies to move in different directions,” states Ashoka, one of the world’s largest networks supporting social entrepreneurs to realise their vision.
“Social entrepreneurship to me means making a difference through entrepreneurial work. If your work makes a social impact or there is a social return on your business investment, then you are a social entrepreneur,” says Andrea Kolb, Founder and CEO of ABURY, a Berlin-based social enterprise preserving ancient knowledge of handicrafts on the brink of extinction in remote villages in Morocco and Ecuador. It all began when Kolb decided to renovate an old riad, a traditional Moroccan guesthouse. “I fell in love with the country and saw Berber women and men in the village passionately carving and cutting leather bags. I wanted to give these timeless crafts a new lease of life and make sure other people around the world knew the stories behind the bags,” says Kolb. Since its creation in 2011, ABURY has been bridging the critical gap between ancient knowledge and modern trends. Its social business model is based on a 50-50 profit sharing model. Half the profits from online and retail sales in Europe and the US are invested in the business, while the remaining half is re-invested into local projects in the region through the ABURY Foundation. “Paying people fairly for their work is not enough. It may make their daily life easier but it does not help them buy a new sewing machine or send their children to university. It’s our responsibility to support local communities through collaboration, not dependency,” says Kolb.
“IT’S OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO SUPPORT LOCAL COMMUNITIES THROUGH COLLABORATION, NOT DEPENDENCY.”
ORDINARY PEOPLE, EXTRAORDINARY DEEDS
In Europe, social enterprises are active across a broad spectrum of activities ranging from social services, education and the environment to culture and the arts.
BERBER FASHION SAVVY
ABURY’s profits funded a scheme in which three international designers from Brazil, France and Spain lived in “symbiotic exchange” with local families in Africa and South America. The designers learned ancient handicrafts from local artisans and they, in turn, advised the artisans on quality management and international design trends. In Morocco, this involves Berber families who creDECEMBER 2014
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LEHTIKUVA BRUNO LEVY
Bangladeshi Nobel Peace Prize winner and economist Muhammad Yunus, the founder of microfinance Grameen Bank, paved the way for a wave of 21st century micro-financing initiatives.
ate and cut traditional Moroccan leather carry bags. Tablet pouches, clutches and wallets were recently introduced to the collection driven by demand in Europe. While Quechua women in Ecuador make alpaca jumpers, scarves and gloves from hand-spun wool. This year ABURY exceeded six figure sales, and has a large fan base including international fashion designer Donna Karan. It recently received an endorsement from the German UNESCO Commission for its innovative social business model to preserve “intangible cultural world heritage.” “Our social enterprise is scalable. As the UNESCO Convention shows, there are disappearing traditions and cultural heritages all around the world,” says Kolb. ASIA’S WAY OUT OF POVERTY With Asia being economically and developmentally more heterogeneous than Europe, the experience and nature of its social entrepreneurs varies even more widely than within Europe. This is confirmed by Shariha Khalid, co-founder of Scope Group, a Malaysian social impact consultancy advising social entrepreneurs in Asia. “Social business in Bangladesh is evolving in a context which is not comparable to the social enterprise movement in say, South Korea. In many ways, social challenges have a totally different scale in Asia,” said Khalid recently in an interview with the UK’s Guardian newspaper. Asia’s best-known social business is Grameen Bank, founded in the early 1980s by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Bangladeshi Economics Professor Muhammed Yunus. By lending about 21 euros to 42 impoverished women, he popularised a microfinance model where money is lent without collateral of Grameen Bank’s and at comparatively low interest borrowers find their rates. Yunus paved the way for a way out of poverty wave of 21st century micro-financ-
60%
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ing initiatives, such as Kiva, which offers online loans to farmers in poverty-stricken areas mostly in Africa, Asia and South America. Most of Grameen’s loans are given exclusively to poor women, as women were found to use the money more wisely and to be more reliable repaying the loan. Grameen Bank has extended credit to almost eight million people at a loan recovery rate higher than 98 per cent. Around 60 per cent of borrowers find their way out of poverty. Sharing his vision for 2050 in a Grameen Creative Lab report, Professor Yunus hopes to see the global economic system encourage individu“European social als, businesses and institutions to businesses can learn from Asia in terms of the share their prosperity, making income inequality an irrelevant issue, so that one day “unemployment” and “welfare” will be unheard of. of everyday citizens.”
inventiveness and creative power
2014 marks the
15th annual Social Enterprise Conference at Harvard University
CLOSING THE FUNDING GAP Access to finance appears to be a major barrier to budding social entrepreneurs, particularly in Europe. Many traditional venture capital firms are not interested in investing in companies that give away half their profits. “There are many government grants for European social businesses, yet the project has to be in Europe,” says Kolb. ”Then there are grants outside Europe for female social entrepreneurs active in, say, Asia or Africa. As a German female social entrepreneur with a social business headquartered in Europe yet operating outside the continent, I didn’t tick any of the funding boxes. I had to start out using my own savings and help from friends.” Kolb’s experience illustrates the fragmented approach there appears to be in the funding space. There are only a handful of venture capital firms and angel investors out there funding social business ventures. As yet, there is no formal international network of venture capitalists specialising in social business. The fragmented funding issue has, however, mobilised many innovators to create meaningful connections between social entrepreneurs and potential investors. Among them is Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, organiser of the Social Enterprise Conference, which has been bringing together successful social entrepreneurs, students and investors since 1989. Recent additions to the scene include Social Enterprise Week in Dubai and Social Business International, a joint Finnish and British social enterprise consultancy which organised a social business funding
seminar in London last month to help established social businesses grow their operations and impact. CROWDVESTING CRAZE
Other attempts to bridge the funding gap have come via social media using equity-based crowdfunding or “crowdvesting” platforms, such as Germany’s Companisto, where anyone can fund a business or social business through a collective investment. Shareholders are entitled to a cut of the profits, and the company or property value. Crowdfunding through platforms such as Indiegogo in turn gives supporters access to non-financial perks, such as a limited-edition book or a CD. “European social businesses can learn from Asia in terms of the inventiveness and creative power of everyday citizens who see problems in their communities and find socio-entrepreneurial approaches to solve them. Europeans can also learn from Asia about community resilience and the strength of community support and collaboration in solving problems,” says Khalid. Whatever the challenges and whatever the form, social entrepreneurship is here to stay, and as Professor Yunus predicts, in the near future it will be a mainstream part of our global business culture. l GRAMEENCREATIVELAB.COM
ABURY.NET/COMPANISTO.COM INDIEGOGO.COM/KIVA.ORG
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*Access to preferred or pre-reserved seating is in accordance with the individual policy of the oneworld member airline operating the flight. First and business class check-in desks and lounges are not available at all airports. Fast track is not available at all airports. Priority baggage handling is not available on flights operated by British Airways. Extra baggage allowance benefits differ for Sapphire and Emerald level members. oneworld benefits are available only to passengers on scheduled flights that are both marketed and operated by a oneworld member airline (marketed means that there must be a oneworld member airline’s flight number on your ticket). airberlin, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, LAN, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian, S7 Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, TAM Airlines and oneworld are trademarks of their respective companies. TAM Airlines (Paraguay) is currently not a part of oneworld. Some limitations and exceptions may apply. For more information, visit www.oneworld.com/benefits.
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EUROPEAN VOICES BY ALEXANDER STUBB
How the mighty fall... or don’t
H
ave you ever wondered what makes companies or countries tick? Why do we sometimes fail and sometimes succeed? Why is nothing permanent? In a couple of decades Nokia emerged from a rubber boot company to a world leader in mobile phones. In 2013, it sold off its mobile phones division and is now one of the world’s biggest mobile network companies: a new Nokia has emerged. In 1990, Finland was ranked a Top 30 country in international comparisons on indicators ranging from GDP per capita to competitiveness and quality of education. A couple of decades later those very same measures rank Finland as a Top 3 country. Yet times have been difficult for Finland. We’re struggling to continue to advance, let alone stay where we are. It’s impossible to generalise, but I think American business consultant and author Jim Collins, who has written six books on leadership,
started to boom. But then arrogance kicks in − you think you’re entitled to success and you lose sight of the underlying factors that initially contributed to your rise. Stage 2: Undisciplined pursuit of more. When you think you can do no wrong is precisely when things start to go wrong. More scale, more growth, more acclaim or more welfare state, as was Finland’s case during the first decade of this millennium: you simply let go of your core values and think you can grow without any limits. Stage 3: Denial of risk and peril. As companies or countries move to this stage, the internal warning signs increase. You know something is wrong, yet you think it’s just a temporary or cyclical problem and blame external factors such as the global economy. Stage 4: Grasping for salvation. This is when everyone knows you’re in trouble. The big question is: How does leadership respond? Do you look for quick salvation or go back to the basics that brought you success in the first place? Our instinct is to do as much as possible as quickly as possible, but actually the opposite is true. You need to stay cool, calm and collected and start building a THE KEY IS TO STAY comeback step-by-step. This is ALERT AND DETECT THE what I hope Finland will do in SIGNS OF DECLINE EARLY. the next few years. Stage 5: Capitulation to irrelevance or death. The longer does a pretty good job of you remain in Stage 4, the more likely you analysing success and failare to spiral downward. You have to believe ure. In his book How the in what you do and that your company or Mighty Fall, he identifies country works for a greater cause and you five stages of decline that are willing to work for that cause. With that pertain to individuals, teams, attitude you will survive. companies and countries alike. The mighty may fall, but they can also Everyone and everything is rise again. The key is to stay alert and detect vulnerable. Even the greatest and early signs of decline. most powerful have difficulties Success is based on a combination of staying at the top. dreams, beliefs, hard work and a bit of luck. The good news is that we We all have the opportunity to succeed. The can reverse decline before it’s key is to figure out how to do so and learn too late. Here’s how: from your mistakes. If you don’t believe me, Stage 1: Hubris born of read Jim Collins. l success. This is when nothing goes wrong. You go from success to success. For Alexander Stubb (@alexstubb) is the Prime example, Nokia focused on Minister of Finland and tries to stay alert on all mobile phones at a time accounts. when telecommunications
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www.kia.fi
Saksalainen katsastusmies suosittelee!
Saksalaisen suuren laatututkimuksen menestyjät enestyjät omissa luokissaan! Rio oli vertailun paras ja cee’d sijoittui sijalle jalle 3.
Lähde: Saksan suurin henkilöautojen katsastaja GTU, luotettavuusraportti ortti 2014
Kia Rio alkaen 14.590 €
Vapaa autoetu alk. 435 €/kk, käyttöetu alk. 255 €/kk
Kia cee’d alkaen 19.550 €
Vapaa autoetu alk. 505 €/kk, käyttöetu alk. 325 €/kk
Kia cee’d autoveroton hinta alk. 15.510,14 €, arvioitu autovero alk. 4.039,86 €, kokonaishinta alk. 19.550 €. Vapaa autoetu alk. 505 €/kk, käyttöetu alk. 325 €/kk. EU-yhd. 3,8–6,1 l/100 km, CO2-päästöt 100–145 g/km. Kia Rio autoveroton hinta nta alk. 12.211,72 €, arvioitu autovero alk. 2.378,28 €, kokonaishinta alk. 14.590 €. Vapaa autoetu alk. 435 €/kk, käyttöetu alk. 255 €/kk. EU-yhd. 3,7-6,4 l/100 km, CO2-päästöt 94-150 g/km. Takuu 7 vuotta tai 150 000 km, kolme ensimmäistä vuotta ilman kilometrirajaa. Kia 24h tiepalvelu vuodeksi veloituksetta. Kuvan autot erikoisvarustein.
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Ceramist Guðbjörg Káradóttir and designer Ólöf Ernudóttir set out to capture the shade of glaciers in their tableware.
CREATIVE FIRE
BURNS IN ICELAND FOLKLORE AND DRAMATIC LANDSCAPES INSPIRE THE UNIQUE, SUSTAINABLE CREATIONS OF ICELANDIC DESIGNERS. TEXT BY EMMA FEXEUS
O
PHOTOS BY MIKAEL AXELSSON
ne of the world’s youngest countries both geologically and historically, Iceland is a country without a long-standing design legacy. In both style and materials, Iceland’s designers are unfettered by the shackles of tradition. This gives them a freedom that other Scandinavian countries can only envy: the luxury of starting from zero and going wherever their creative minds take them. Isolated in the middle of the
ocean with few natural resources for crafting furniture, their standpoint is unique, and so are their designs. What they do have plenty of, though, is amazing natural scenery, a dramatic climate and a treasure-trove of inspiration in the form of old Viking tales known as the Icelandic Sagas. We met up with three local creatives who put these unique local resources to work in their eco-designs. DECEMBER 2014
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MAD ABOUT MINERALS BACK IN ICELAND she majored in geology, but when her husband went to study abroad, Kristbjörg María Guðmundsdóttir found herself studying industrial design at the Ingvar Kamprad Design Centre in Lund, Sweden. Her love of minerals is endearingly obvious in the quartz tabletop of her first product design, the Ark table. Guðmundsdóttir chose quartz because of its durability and endless versatility. When mixed with sand, quartz can be cast and dyed in any shade of the rainbow. The name, meaning “sheet,” is a reference to its form and potential use as a magazine rack. However its possible applications are boundless. The handles make it easy to carry around, and the height makes it the perfect partner for your laptop while working from a sofa, for example. The simple and ingenious design makes it easy to assemble without the use of screws, and the frame is shaped to maximise stability. “The material is very strong, so it should last for many years. I don’t want to contribute to throw-away consumerism – that’s really important to me,” Guðmundsdóttir says. KRISTBJORG.PROSITE.COM
Kristbjörg María Guðmundsdóttir exhibiting the basic idea of her product: mobility.
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María Kristín Jónsdóttir creates her laser-cut jewellery for a fictional tribe of Icelandic nomads.
Intricate cuts and folds in the leather transform the flat sheets into three dimensional jewellery.
STYLING THE MODERN NOMAD STAKA HAS THREE meanings in Icelandic. It can mean either “animal skin” or “poetry” that is passed on from generation to generation. It is also the name of a jewellery brand launched in 2011 by María Kristín Jónsdóttir, product design graduate and former student of ethics and philosophy. Jónsdóttir creates her laser-cut jewellery for a fictional tribe of Icelandic nomads whom she imagines living somewhere in the wilderness. Putting herself in their shoes and imagining what they might wear, she developed a jewellery collection that is easy to carry and won’t crush or break if you travel with it. Completely flat when unfolded, all the pieces are cut from vegetable-tanned leather, which improves with age, acquiring an attractive patinated surface that should last for generations. All pieces are unisex, adapting uniquely to whoever is wearing them. Not wanting to define what people should wear, the designer asserts that “everybody has their own sense of style.” The upcoming Staka collection will feature pieces that can be mixed and matched with the previous collection for a personalised look. STAKA.IS
DECEMBER 2014
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Káradóttir and Ernudóttir arrange their collection and refill the bowls with the local delicacy of dried, salted seaweed for the night’s opening party.
IN MEMORY OF MELTING GLACIERS POSTULÍNA IS A DESIGN studio consisting of ceramist Guðbjörg Káradóttir and designer Ólöf Jakobína Ernudóttir, co-creators of handmade porcelain tableware. They met when Ernudóttir was taking one of Káradóttir’s pottery classes. Discovering that she “wasn’t exactly a natural-born ceramist,” Ernudóttir persuaded her teacher to produce her ideas on her behalf. The two bounced ideas off each other, eventually resulting in a small collection that won them a grant from the Aurora Design Fund to develop a range of tableware. “Making prototypes in clay is very quick and easy. I love that you have them instantly; you don’t have to wait three weeks for a carpenter who forgets your appointments. It takes us approximately ten days to make a completely finished product,” says Káradóttir. All the pieces are tested in their homes daily to tweak every last detail. This is how they discovered that the matte part of the porcelain doesn’t transfer heat.
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The inspiration for the new collection came when Reykjavík was covered in deep snow and the designers spent their days digging snow caves in the garden with their kids. They were so fascinated by the blue colour inside the caves that they set out to capture the same shade in their tableware. As spring approached, they took their ceramic pieces to the glacier to match the colour and texture. The black hues seen in the pieces mirror the volcanic sculptures formed from the ash and black sand that emerges from cracks in the ice as the glacier melts. The entire collection is a comment on global warming, preserving a memory of the glacier for the day when it finally disappears forever. GUDBJORGKARADOTTIR.COM
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Contributions to UNICEF support education in Asian schools.
FUNDING A BETTER FUTURE
FOR ASIAN CHILDREN UNICEF’S SCHOOLS FOR ASIA CAMPAIGN BENEFITS FROM A NEW ONLINE DONATION METHOD AVAILABLE TO FINNAIR PASSENGERS.
F
TEXT AND PHOTOS BY TIM BIRD
innair’s collaboration with UNICEF Finland marks its 20th anniversary this year with the launch of an innovative approach to inviting contributions from customers. In cooperation with Amadeus, a technology partner for the global travel industry, travellers now have the option of donating sums of one, five or ten euros at the time of booking on the Finnair web site ‒ available in 37 different country editions and 14 languages. Donated sums are directed to UNICEF’s Schools for Asia campaign that supports education for the most vulnerable children in 11 Asian countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Mongolia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea,
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the Philippines, Timor-Leste and Vietnam. By the end of 2013, Schools for Asia had raised 18.2 million euros. Funds contribute to increased access to, and quality of, education for millions of children, and to better learning outcomes. “We’ve traditionally made our UNICEF collection in-flight, but now passengers can donate as they book their flights at finnair.com,” says Pekka Vauramo, CEO of Finnair. “We hope that passengers will back our aim of providing a better future for many children. Even very small sums can make a big difference, and every donation is significant to those who benefit.” “In a changing world, it’s time to adopt new ways of making it easier for customers to contribute to the causes we support,” says Kati Ihamäki, Vice Presi-
Children in rural areas in northern Vietnam benefit from semi-boarding schools.
Ten-year-old Dua lodges at school during the week. Working together: Finnair and Amadeus team up with UNICEF.
SMALL SUMS CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE, AND EVERY DONATION IS SIGNIFICANT TO THOSE WHO BENEFIT. dent for Sustainable Development at Finnair. “We hope this donation method will be at least as effective as our previous inflight collection, and we’re happy to provide a way for customers to engage with UNICEF while travelling.” Marja-Riitta Ketola, Executive Director for Finnish Committee for UNICEF, echoes the sentiment. “We’re extremely pleased to include this new mode of cooperation in our partnership, and we warmly welcome on board our new technology partner Amadeus.” “This partnership with Finnair underpins the global Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) agreement signed with UNICEF through which Amadeus provides the necessary technology through a community platform for online donations,” says Luis Maroto, President & CEO of Amadeus. “Finnair shares our vision that CSR must be a continued priority for companies wishing to be at the forefront of their respective sectors.” l
SCHOOLS FOR ASIA IN VIETNAM TEN-YEAR-OLD Dua lives in a remote mountain village in the northern Vietnamese province of Dien Bien. The provincial capital, Dien Bien Phu, is a half-day drive away, through rice paddies stretching across a wide valley dotted with buffaloes ridden by farmers wearing coolie hats. The nearest school to Dua’s village, the Phi Nhu primary school, is ten kilometres away along a rugged track. The trek is too challenging for her to make the trip daily and there is no alternative transport available. Fortunately it is one of a national network of more than 400 governmentsanctioned semi-boarding schools that make it possible for children in rural areas to get a good basic education as well as learn about health and hygiene issues. Dua can lodge at the school during the week and come home at weekends. The semi-boarding school facility is part of a country programme drawn up for 2012-2016 by UNICEF placing a special emphasis on tackling educational disparities between different ethnic groups in Vietnam. It’s just one example of the organisation’s Schools for Asia initiative, in which UNICEF’s remit is to contribute expert advice as well as financial and policy support to the educational authorities. FINNAIR.COM
DECEMBER 2014
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THIS MONTH AROUND THE WORLD WHERE TO GO, WHAT TO DO AND SEE COMPILED AND WRITTEN BY MIRVA LEMPIÄINEN
New Year, New York New York’s iconic New Year’s Rockin’ Eve celebration in Times Square dates back to 1972, and is now bigger than ever. Hosted by Ryan Seacrest for the 10th year, the extravaganza features 5.5 hours of entertainment and 38 musical acts, including megastar Taylor Swift. Over one million people cheer wildly on site as the ball drops at midnight.
ISTOKPHOTO
December 31 NEWYEARSROCKINEVE.COM
Skating London-style
Paris sparkles
Art invades Miami
Ice-skating in the courtyard of neo-classical Somerset House has been a favourite winter tradition in London since 2000. More than 100,000 skaters flock to Somerset over the two-month season, attending events such as Glad Tidings Tuesdays with Christmas choirs, ice clubbing nights with top DJs and shopping evenings at the Christmas Arcade.
Paris truly becomes “The City of Light” when 200 trees along the Champs-Elysées come alive with thousands of sparkling lights. The world’s most beautiful avenue also hosts an ice rink and a gourmet Christmas food market with 160 stalls. Free merry-go-rounds for children are set up in 20 city neighbourhoods, including at the Grand Palais.
The international art community descends upon Florida for the 13th time to admire the work of more than 4,000 globally renowned artists. The 75,000 visitors of Art Basel Miami Beach get to see paintings, sculptures, photos, videos and digital art from 200 leading galleries. Art performances also take place at Collins Park, SoundScape Park and on several beaches.
UNTIL JANUARY 11 SOMERSETHOUSE.ORG.UK/ ICE-RINK
UNTIL JANUARY 4 EN.PARISINFO.COM/DISCOVERING-PARIS/MAJOR-EVENTS/ CHRISTMAS-IN-PARIS
DECEMBER 3–7 ARTBASEL.COM/EN/ MIAMI-BEACH
DECEMBER 2014
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THIS MONTH AROUND THE WORLD
LEHTIKUVA
River Kwai party
What a ball!
River Kwai Bridge Week in Kanchanaburi, Thailand, honours the Second World War steel bridge forming part of the Thai-Burma Death Railway. The railway’s dark history is explored with a light and sound show featuring explosions, bomber planes and firedefying trains. A flower parade, peace pageant and food carts lighten up the mood.
Marking Finland’s 97th independence day1,800 political and cultural leaders gather to celebrate at the the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, which just underwent a 45-million euro renovation. The general public watches the fancy ball on TV, debating who is best and worst dressed via Twitter and Instagram (#linnanjuhlat).
November 28 – December 7 KANCHANABURI-INFO.COM/ EN/FESTIVAL.HTML
December 6 PRESIDENTTI.FI
ISTOKPHOTO
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Dubai on fire
Hong Kong design
Last year Dubai organised the largest fireworks show ever seen, and a repeat performance is in store this New Year’s Eve, too. Millions gather downtown near Burj Khalifa for a street party preceding the midnight fireworks. Music fans dance the night away at the Atlantis luxury resort while families congregate at Sunset Beach and Kite Beach.
The 10th Inno Design Tech Expo in Hong Kong presents eight seminars about innovation and design in the business world, exploring new marketing trends and entrepreneurship. Sweden is this year’s partner, sharing ideas from IKEA, Scania, Volvo and Electrolux. Last year the expo drew nearly 17,000 attendees and 371 exhibitors.
December 31 NEWYEARSEVELIVE.NET/ CITIES/DUBAI-UAE.HTML
December 4–6 HKTDC.COM/FAIR/ INNODESIGNTECHEXPO-EN
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THE GREEN GEMS
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T
TEXT BY FRAN WEAVER
PHOTOS BY FRAN WEAVER AND GETTY IMAGES
he morning mist lifts an hour after dawn to reveal rugged cliffs rising out of the lush jungle on the far side of the River Nam Song. Mosquito nets have ensured a night of sound sleep in a comfortable chalet belonging to Vang Vieng Eco-lodge, eight kilometres upstream from Vang Vieng town. “We set up the lodge as a peaceful place for people to stay in traditional cabins outside the town, close to nature,” says manager Nouanchan Synothong. She explains how the lodge buys produce from local farmers, and has its own organic vegetable garden and chicken run.
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Locals bring their washing down to the River Nam Song near the town of Vang Vieng.
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“Our guests like to go swimming or canoeing in the river, and walk or cycle around the countryside to explore the local villages, hills and caves. Ballooning is also getting popular,” says Synothong. A canoe trip down the river seems the perfect start to a jungle adventure. A colourful tuk-tuk taxi brings my guide Tang Same Oun and our sit-on-top kayaks down to the riverbank right by the lodge. We set off, paddling carefully through the first set of gentle rapids. No one else is on the river this early, and we are able to spot kingfishers, egrets, sandpipers and squawking flocks of mynah birds along the way. “There are bears, gibbons and lynxes in the jungle too,
A CANOE TRIP DOWN THE RIVER MAKES THE PERFECT START TO A JUNGLE ADVENTURE.
but they’re rare and hard to see,” says Same Oun, explaining that nature conservation is a new concept to many local people. “Villagers might still trap gibbons, for instance, and eat their meat, though it doesn’t even taste any good!” he says. “Bears are also sometimes illegally trapped for sale to China for use in traditional medicine,” he adds. ROCKING THE RIVER We take a break at a riverside farm café serving refreshing mulberry tea. The next stretch of the river has long been popular with backpackers who rent inflated tractor inner tubes and float down the Nam Song, stopping off at informal riverside bars. Tang explains that a couple of years ago the Vang Vieng tubing and partying scene was getting too wild. Serious injuries and even fatalities often resulted when intoxicated tourists got into trouble in the river. “In the end the authorities closed dangerous water-slides and swings, and started to limit alcohol sales along the river,” he says. “It’s much better and safer now. Tubing with
THE MONKS OF LUANG PRABANG THE HISTORIC MEKONG riverside town of Luang Prabang is dotted with dozens of old Buddhist temples. Bounlath, aged 18, is one of 26 monks who live and study at the small temple of Wat Pa Phai, tucked away in the backstreets behind picturesque shuttered houses dating from the French colonial era. Bounlath comes from the village of Houaythong in Bokeo Province, 15 hours away by bus. He has lived at Wat Pa Thai for three years, studying English as well as Buddhist dharma teachings. “When I leave the temple and become a lay person I hope to study at Luang Prabang University, and maybe become an English teacher,” he says. The monks’ day starts when they are roused by the temple bell at 4 am to wash, meditate and say prayers. At dawn they leave the temple in a solemn procession and walk round the streets of the town collecting rice, fruit, biscuits and cash donations for their temple from Buddhist believers and other wellwishers who come from near and far to line the streets of Luang Prabang each morning, waiting with their gifts for the monks to pass by. The monks’ bright orange robes add vivid colour to this daily alms-giving ritual, which has become a popular tourist attraction while preserving its dignity. “After returning to the temple for breakfast at seven we study until lunch time,” says Bounlath. “The afternoon is for rest and meditation, and we then have evening prayers at 6 pm before going to bed at 7:30 pm.” The monks’ simple but sufficient lifestyle is only possible thanks to the donations they collect daily at dawn. Luang Prabang’s temples provide a safe and healthy upbringing for boys from poor rural families in Northern Laos. For young men like Bounlath they may also represent an educational route into a respected profession.
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Some stretches of jungle walks are best enjoyed barefoot.
your friends can be great fun without drinking heavily.” Cartoon-based leaflets and posters also urge tourists to respect local customs and concepts of decency. The river carries us on to Vang Vieng town, which nestles among jagged limestone hills about four hours by road north of the capital Vientiane. Scenic natural forests and hills dominate landlocked Laos, which is about as large as the UK but has only 6.5 million inhabitants. OPENING UP TO ECOTOURISM “Ecotourism is a fairly new concept in Laos, but these days green-minded visitors can enjoy outdoor activities in most regions,” says Vianney Catteau, managing director of the non-profit adventure travel and ecotourism company Green Discovery. “You can’t realistically claim that any tourism is totally ecological, but we do our utmost to support sustainable development by minimising the environmental impacts of our activities. This means managing wastes responsibly and using non-polluting transportation like bicycles whenever possible – while optimising our social impacts.” The social benefits of nature tourism include jobs and income for local people from guiding, homestay accommodation and catering. “Tourism can help many rural people out of poverty and give them alternative sources of income to illegal logging and poaching,” says Catteau. EYE TO EYE WITH NATURE Green Discovery offer adventures including trekking, kayaking, road and mountain biking, rock-climb-
Kuang Si Falls can easily be visited from the historic town of Luang Prabang.
ing, zip-lining, and elephant encounters. Despite their jumbo size, wild elephants are extremely difficult to find. The best place to spot or ride one is at the various centres around Laos serving as “retirement homes” for the animals formerly employed at logging camps. Catteau emphasises that animal welfare is a high priority in the elephant-centred activities organised by his firm. “Tourism is better for the elephants than logging, but we favour activities that don’t bring elephants to the tourists. Instead we take visitors to see where elephants are humanely kept in near natural conditions,” he says. Other animal attractions in Laos include many rare tropical birds, and for lovers of creepy-crawly creatures, two world-beating giants of the genre: the Atlas moth, which has a wingspan of up to 25 cm; and the cave-dwelling giant huntsman spider, with its 30 cm leg-span. This arachnophobe’s nightmare was not discovered until 2001. Indochina’s mountainous forests remain so unexplored that they are among the few parts of the world where new species of large animals can still be found. ACCESSIBLE ADVENTURES One of Laos’s finest nature reserves, Phou Khao Khuay National Park, can be visited on a day-trip from Vientiane. At Ban Hath Khai village our interpreter Boumphack Phommachack introduces us to local guide Meay, who leads us down to the muddy River Nam Mang, where two alarmingly flimsy-looking wooden boats are ready to take us deeper into the park. DECEMBER 2014
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A day trip to Phou Khao Khuay National Park ends with a perfect picnic in scenic surroundings.
After scrambling up the river bank we trek for three hours through bamboo groves, across a boulder-strewn river bed and up a jungle-clad hillside to the picturepretty Tad Xay falls. While we swim in the warm water beneath the falls, Meay sets out a sumptuous picnic of piquantly marinated pork slices, spicy vegetables, mashed aubergine, herb-filled omelette, chilli sauce for dipping, and small baskets filled with Laos’s famous sticky rice. An ideal centre for exploring the natural assets of Northern Laos is the former royal capital Luang Prabang. This lovely laid-back town on the banks of the mighty Mekong is lavishly blessed with ornate Buddhist temples and attractive riverside restaurants. Several local restaurants offer authentic Lao cooking classes as well as delicious local dishes. Popular day-trips from Luang Prabang include the stunning Kuang Si waterfalls and the sacred riverside caves at Pak Ou, about two hours up the Mekong. The surrounding countryside is easy to explore by bicycle or tuk-tuk. My stay in Luang Prabang fortuitously coincided with the Buddhist Ok Phansa festival, during which locals make colourful dragon-shaped fireboats and candlelit flower garlands to float down the river. The rich local culture adds further spice to Laos’s natural attractions, creating a feast for all the senses. l
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ECONOMIC STRUCTURE Employed persons by industry, 3rd quarter 2014
FINLAND IN FIGURES
MANUFACTURING Food prod. and textiles 14%
Construction and energy Miscellaneous services
FOREIGN TRADE 2013 EXPORTS BY PRODUCTS BY ACTIVITY: 55,903 MEUR (per cent of total)
13%
34%
20%
Forest industry prod
Other manufactured goods 23%
8%
25%
Chemical ind prod
11%
Electric and electronics
Agriculture
5%
16%
Other industries
IMPORTS BY USE IN 2013: 58,168 MEUR (per cent of total)
Energy Capital goods
Metal and engineering products 48%
Trade and hotel
Transport and communications
MONTHLY TEMPERATURES AND RAINFALL IN HELSINKI 2013 MEAN MAX MIN RAINFALL AVERAGE 1981-2010
Intermediate goods
Financial and business services
16%
10%
13%
Machinery and equipment
Forest products 15%
14%
14%
Metals and metal products
Manufacturing
0
C 0 C 0 C mm
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII VIII
IX
X
XI
XII
52
36
38
32
37
57
63
56
76
70
58
-4,9 -1,8 -5,2 3,1 12,6 17,5 18,1 17,2 12,6 7,5 4,7 2,3 3,3 6,0 4,3 12,9 22,6 28,6 25,6 25,5 20,3 14,4 9,4 7,8 -22,6 -9,4 -18,4 -5,9 2,1 9,0 11,3 8,6 0,3 -3,1 -7,0 -10,3 80
Non-durable goods Durable consumer goods 0%
5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35%
EXPORTS AND IMPORTS (MEUR) TOTAL 2013 SWEDEN GERMANY RUSSIA USA NETHERLANDS CHINA GREAT BRITTAIN FRANCE
EXPORTS
55,903 6,477 5,411 5,354 3,559 3,463 3,170 2,898 1,767
IMPORTS
58,168 6,656 7,323 10,519 1,959 3,348 3,737 1,836 1,915
POPULATION 5.5 million, giving an average density of 18 people per sq. km of land area; annual growth rate 0.5% Life expectancy: men 77.8 and women 83.8 years. As in most other industrial countries, t he middle-aged groups predominate. Average household s ize: 2.1 persons. 54% of the households live in single-family houses; 44% in apartment b locks. 85% are urban-dwellers, with 1 million in the Helsinki Area, which includes Espoo and Vantaa.
Other major cities in Finland include Tampere, Turku, Oulu and Jyväskylä. Languages: 89.3% speak Finnish; 5.3% Swedish. Religion: 75% are Lutheran; 1% Orthodox. Education: 81% of the popula tion aged 25 to 64 have com pleted upper secondary or tertiary education and 37% (the highest percentage in the EU countries) have university or other tertiary qualifications.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON CURRENT TRENDS IN FINLAND, SEE:
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AREA 390,920 sq. kilometres or 150,900 sq. m iles, of which 9% is fresh water; land area is 303, 909 sq. kilometres or 117,337 sq. miles. There are 188,000 lakes. 6% of the land is under cultivation, with barley and oats the main crops. Forests (mainly pine and spruce) cover 68% of the country. GOVERNMENT Sovereign parliamentary republic since 1917. From 1809– 1917, autonom ous G rand D uchy within the Russian Empire; before that part of the Kingdom of Sweden for centuries. The president is elected ever y six years. The new president of Finland, Sauli Niinistö took office in March 2012. The 200 members of Parliament are elected for fouryear terms. Finland has been a member of the European Union since January 1995. WORKING LIFE 80% of women aged 25–54 are employed outside the home. Average monthly earnings, 3rd
quarter 2014: men 3,622 euros; women 3,012 euros. Unemployment rate 8.2%, in September 2014 according to Labour Force Survey. ECONOMY GDP 2013: 193 billion euros, the annual change in volume -1.4%. Annual inflation rate as of October 2014: 1%. Currency: Euro.
GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT PER CAPITA 2013* (EUR)
Nominal
Adjusted for Purchasing Power Standard
NORWAY 75,900 49,200 DENMARK 44,400 32,100 SWEDEN 43,800 32,700 USA 40,000 39,900 FINLAND 35,600 28,700 GERMANY 33,300 32,000 FRANCE 31,300 27,800 UK 29,600 27,200 EU27 25,900 25,800
Eurostat
Source: Statistics Finland
This is Finland at WWW.FINLAND.FI (English, Russian, Chinese, French, German, Spanish and Portuguese) News by Finnfacts at WWW.GOODNEWSFROMFINLAND.COM Findicator: WWW.FINDICATOR.FI
Tervetuloa / Välkommen/ Welcome / Bienvenue / Willkommen / Добро пожаловать / Tere tulemast / ようこそ / Bienvenido / 欢迎 / Benvenuti / Velkommen / 환영 / Witamy /
www.finnair.fi www.finnair.se www.finnair.com
www.finnair.fr
www.finnair.de
www.finnair.com/ru
www.finnair.ee www.finnair.com/jp
www.finnair.es
www.finnair.dk
www.finnair.com/cn
www.finnair.kr
www.finnair.it
www.finnair.fi/pl
Flying Finnair AUTOMATED BORDER CONTROL
82
BEFORE AND DURING THE FLIGHT
83
INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT
85
HELSINKI AIRPORT
86
MAPS
88
CORPORATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
92
FLEET
94
FREQUENT FLYER BENEFITS
95
DECEMBER 2014
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FINNAIR INFO HOW TO USE THE AUTOMATED BORDER CONTROL GATES
Place your passport with the info page face down on the reader. Please wait while your passport is being read for biographical and biometric data. When the scan is complete, the gate will open.
日本人で、ICパスポート（※）をお持ちの方 は、2012年5月から試験的に、出入国審査場において 自動化ゲートをご利用頂けます。 ヘルシンキ空港のシェンゲンエリアから、日本に向 けて出国される際にお使い頂くことが可能です。 まず、パスポートの顔写真ページを読み取ります。 該当ページを開き、読み取り機に向けて置いてくだ さい。 こちらで個人情報と生体認証データを読み取ります。
Enter through the gate and turn right. Please remove your possible backpack and stand on the footprints on the floor. Remove your glasses and hat. Stand still and look directly at the screen keeping your face visible. The camera will compare your facial image with the biometric feature scanned from your passport. Wait until the second gate opens. The border check for EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals is completed when the gate opens. Third country nationals must now move towards the border guard, who will check your entry stamp and mark your passport with an exit stamp.
Smooth crossings
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二番目のゲートが開いたら、出入国審査官のカウン ターにお進み下さい。パスポートの入国スタンプを 確認した後、出国スタンプを押印致します。 ご協力頂きまして有難うございます。 ※ ICパスポートとは、2006年3月20日から申請受付 を開始したIC旅券、つまり冊子中央にICチップ及び 通信を行うための。 アンテナを格納したカードが組み込まれているバイ オメトリック・パスポートのことです。
www.finnair.com/jp
대한민국 전자여권을 소지한 승객께서는 유럽에서 한국으로 입국 시, 헬싱키 공항에서 자동출국심사 서비스를 이용 하실 수 있습니다.
Have a nice journey!
ARRIVING AND DEPARTING passengers at Helsinki Airport can use the 30 automated border control gates. Fifteen of these are located in the departure hall. The Finnish Border Guard’s automated border control helps serve growing passenger volumes at Helsinki Airport. EU, EEA and Swiss nationals with biometric passports can take advantage of the automated border control gates. Third country nationals, who are exempt from the visa require-
ゲートが開いたら中に入り、右を向いてください。 カメラで顔認証を行い、パスポートの顔写真と照 合します。
ment and hold a biometric passport, may also use the automated border control upon departure. The service is available for Australian, Canadian, Japanese, New Zealand, South Korean and U.S. citizens. The automated border control is monitored by a border guard ensuring secure border crossings. Please note that passengers travelling with an infant, baggage trolley or wheelchair must use the manual border control line.
우선, 전자여권의 사진 페이지를 인식장치에 올려주시기를 바랍니다. 이 과정에서 여권정보가 시스템에 자동 인식됩니다. 첫 번째 게이트가 열리면 안으로 들어가 오른쪽에 위치한 카메라로 안면인증을 거치게 됩니다. 이후 마지막 게이트에서 출입국관리 직원의 출국확인도장을 받으시면 됩니다. 보다 간편하고 빠른 본 자동시스템의 많은 이용 바랍니다. 대한민국 전자여권은? 2008년 8월 25일 이후 발급된 여권으로 표지 하단부에 전자칩과 안테나가 내장 되어 있는 여권입니다.
www.finnair.com/KR
FINNAIR INFO BEFORE THE FLIGHT
BEFORE DEPARTURE
Speed up your takeoff! CHECKING IN TO your Finnair flight is quick and easy. You can save time and reduce hassle by checking in at a self-service kiosk at the airport, online 36 hours before departure or by text message. Find out more about our check-in services at WWW.FINNAIR.COM. IN CASE A FLIGHT IS DELAYED OR CANCELLED, Finnair will make every effort to keep you informed via SMS or e-mail. Please make sure that you have provided Finnair with up-to-date contact details. Find out more information on flight disruptions at FINNAIR.COM/FLIGHTINFO.
Finnair in a nutshell • FINNAIR IS NUMBER ONE in air traffic between Northern Europe and Asia. • IN 2013, Finnair carried 9.3 million passengers.
Sky Bistro replaces complimentary cold snack service on European flights On short-haul flights in Economy Class, Finnair has introduced a new service, Sky Bistro, a wider mix-and-match selection of seasonal, high-quality foods and beverages combining the best tastes of Europe and Asia. Sky Bistro, which is available on nearly all European flights, replacing the complimentary cold snack service that had been offered on some European flights lasting longer than two hours. On all flights in all classes, coffee and tea and still water remain complimentary – as does Finnair’s signature refreshment, blueberry juice. In Business Class, meals remain inclusive in the ticket price.
• CLOSE TO ONE AND A HALF MILLION passengers fly between Asia and Europe via Helsinki each year. • IN 2013, THE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS on scheduled flights totalled 8.5 million. Domestic travel accounted for 1.6 million passengers. Passenger total on leisure flights was nearly 768,000. • IN 2013, FINNAIR TRANSPORTED more than 146,000 tonnes of cargo. • ESTABLISHED IN 1923, Finnair is one of the world’s oldest operating airlines. • FINNAIR’S ROUTE NETWORK includes more than 50 international destinations.
DECEMBER 2014
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FINNAIR INFO DURING THE FLIGHT
IN THE AIR
Welcome aboard! SAFETY
PERKS FOR KIDS
• Safety information is presented by the cabin crew at the start of each flight. This information is also listed on the safety instruction card in your seat pocket.
• Children are offered puzzles or colouring books on intercontinental scheduled flights and leisure flights.
• Safety belts must remain fastened when the “Fasten safety belt” sign is on. For safety reasons we recommend keeping them fastened even when the sign has been switched off. • Passengers may use MP3, CD or DVD players as well as laptop computers when the “Fasten safety belt” sign is off.
ENTERTAINMENT • Inflight entertainment on intercontinental scheduled flights and leisure flights includes music, movies and an Airshow programme, which allows passengers to track their flight on a map. • On scheduled flights, headphones are available free of charge. On leisure flights, the entertainment fee includes headphones.
• Music and video entertainment is available on intercontinental scheduled flights and leisure flights. • On the Airbus A340-300 and Airbus A330-300 aircraft, games are available as part of the personal entertainment system. MEALS & DRINKS • Meals and snacks are served on intercontinental flights. Pre-order meals are available for Economy Class passengers on most European flights. • In Economy Class on intercontinental scheduled flights we serve a hot meal with complimentary wine, beer and non-alcoholic beverages. Additional alcoholic drinks are for sale. • In Economy Class on European scheduled flights, we offer snacks and meals for a charge and complimentary coffee, tea, still water and blueberry juice. • Alcoholic drinks are for sale in Economy Class on European scheduled flights, except on routes to and from Riga, St. Petersburg, Stockholm and Tallinn. • In Business Class all drinks are free of charge. On leisure flights, there is a charge for all beverages. • On flights to and from northern Finland, alcoholic beverages are sold after 9 am.
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Inflight shopping • You may order products in advance from our large and affordable pre-order assortment at www.finnairshop.com. On most flights we also have onboard sales items. The selection varies by route. • Tax-free products, alcohol and tobacco are sold on aircraft flying to and from destinations outside the European Union. These include all intercontinental flights, as well as Ekaterinburg, Geneva, Moscow and Zurich. On flights within the EU, products are affordable but not tax-free. • Due to limited space onboard, alcohol and tobacco products are not for sale on flights operated with Embraer aircraft, but these products may be ordered through the pre-order service. • Gift items, cosmetics, fragrances and confectionary are sold on scheduled flights to and from the following destinations: Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Brussels, Budapest, Dubrovnik, Düsseldorf, Ekaterinburg, Frankfurt, Geneva, Hamburg, Ljubljana, London, Madrid, Manchester, Malaga, Milan, Moscow, Munich, Nice, Paris, Prague, Rome, Venice, Vienna and Zurich. • SHOP WITH POINTS Pamper yourself with Finnair Plus points at www.finnairplusshop.com
FINNAIR INFO INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT
This month´s inflight picks Movies
Movies, TV, music and games onboard SIT BACK, RELAX AND ENJOY your flight with your personal entertainment system. Use your handset or touchscreen to choose from 72 movies, 150 TV shows, 24 music channels, up to 200 CD albums and 15 games. From films to news and sports, there’s always something for you to enjoy, including programs from Hollywood, Asia and around the globe. Available language tracks include English, Japanese, Korean, Thai, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Swedish and Finnish, depending on the program, as well as Finnish and Chinese subtitles. We also offer family films and cartoons on all international and leisure flights. Selection may vary by aircraft type. You can also create a music playlist from up to 200 CDs (on select aircraft). Most entertainment systems also include a satellite phone for texting and emails, and a power outlet so you can use your own laptop computer or personal entertainment device. The system also offers an Airshow moving map that displays the progress of your flight.
Personal entertainment systems are available on Airbus A330 and Airbus A340 aircraft. Headphones are free of charge on intercontinental scheduled flights. On leisure flights (AY1000 series) there is an entertainment fee including headphone rental (on Boeing 757, €5.00 per person including return flight; on Airbus A330 and A340 aircraft, €8.00 per person per flight). Most Airbus A340 aircraft and all Airbus A330 aircraft are equipped with an electricity socket, telephone and the option to send SMS & email messages via the Inflight Entertainment System (not available for inbound SMS to the US or Canada). Messages cost $2.00 each. Calls cost $7.00/first minute and $3.50/ every 30 secs thereafter.
Entertainment/communication systems may vary by aircraft.
Spanish Affair Determined to win over Amaia, Rafa crosses Spain from south to north from his hometown of Seville to Basque Country. Once there he will do whatever it takes to win her heart, no matter how absurd. (English subs, Rating NR)
Dolphin Tale 2 The group that saved Winter’s life reassemble in the wake of her surrogate mother’s passing in order to find her a companion. (Chinese Subtitles, Rating PG)
More Latest Movies
Personal entertainment system
Delicious A passionate chef resorts to extreme measures to get an obsessive dieter to eat good food. (Rating PG-13) The Drop Bob Saginowski finds himself at the center of a robbery gone awry and entwined in an investigation that digs deep into the neighborhood’s past. (Chinese Subtitles, Rating R)
NEW IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM Finnair has introduced a new easy-touse in-flight entertainment system for the wide body fleet. Aircraft will have the new system gradually during the Autumn 2014.
TV-series Surviving Jack Jack is about to become a stay-at-home dad, but it’s not going to be easy with a teenage daughter who’s getting busy with a boyfriend in her bedroom and a teenage son who’s going through puberty. Almost Human An old cop friend of Detective Kennex’s goes undercover, posing as a ”cook” of a highly addictive street drug called ”The Bends.” But his cover is blown.
Entertainment content is easy to discover and access by only one click.
Radio
All the different type of entertainment (movies, music and games) can be found from the top row navigation icons. Japan: J-Pop Discover the best of Japanese Pop, including music from Hanae, Kobukuro, Miki Imai, Yumi Matsutouya and more. Powered by Nokia MixRadio. Enjoy more music at music.nokia.com. DECEMBER 2014
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FINNAIR INFO BEFORE AND AFTER THE FLIGHT HELSINKI AIRPORT
TRANSFER SERVICE
34
33
32
32a
31x 31
31a-e 30
HOW TO TRANSFER • Check your gate and departure time on the airport monitors.
35
• If your baggage has not been checked through to your final destination, collect it from the baggage claim area and go to check-in and security control.
SHOP
Security control
LONG-HAUL AREA NON-SCHENGEN
• If you don’t have a boarding pass for your connecting flight, please contact the transfer service desk. • Most passengers transferring from nonEU countries to EU countries have to go through security and passport control. Please note that liquids are restricted in carry-on baggage.
SHOP
SHOP SHOPPING Receive special offers for airport services when you show your Finnair Plus card. You will recognise our partners by the Finnair Plus symbol. Helsinki Airport features more than 30 shops and boutiques and various restaurants and cafés. 86 BLUE WINGS
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Borde contro
36
FINNAIR LOUNGE FINNAIR PREMIUM LOUNGE 37
FINNAIR TRANSFER SERVICE
desks in Helsinki Airport T2 terminal are ready to help you with any inquiries related to your connection flights.
2ND FLOOR
37a-d
GROUND FLOOR
Border control
NON-SMOKING Smoking at Helsinki Airport is prohibited outside of designated smoking rooms.
SHOP
2ND FLOOR
38
CHILDREN Children’s playrooms offer videos, microwave ovens and baby care facilities.
SHOP
Transfer Service 3
• All Finnair and Flybe departures are located in the same terminal.
WIRELESS INTERNET is available free of charge. An eService Bar is located across from gate 21.
Border control
AUTOMATED BORDER CHECKS are available to passengers with biometric EU, EEA or Swiss passports. Place your passport on the reader with the photo page down, then pass through the first gate, turn towards the monitor, and wait for the second gate to open. See for more information on page 82.
LOST AND FOUND INQUIRIES Lentäjäntie 1 (next to terminal T2, street level) Open Mon-Fri 09:00-17:00 and Sat 09:00-15:00 Tel 0600 41006 (1,97€/min +local network charge) WWW.LOYTOTAVARA.NET
SHOP
WALKING TIME GATE 24-30: 7 MIN
T2 29
28
Restaurant & Deli Fly Inn
27
26
SHOP SCHENGEN AREA
24
25 Transfer Service 2
23
GATE AREA
Security check
er ol
CHECK-IN 240–270
CHECK-IN 201–232 SHOP
SHOP
FINNAIR LOUNGE
Security check
3RD FLOOR
22
Finnair Service Desk
GROCERY
21
SH
OP
20
1ST FLOOR
SHOP 19
Tourist info
18
Pharmacy
17 16
Transfer Service 1
15
CHECK-IN 101–114
14
Security check
Baggage storage
T1
GROUND FLOOR
13
GATE AREA 12
2ND FLOOR
11
SHOP BUS CONNECTIONS The Finnair City Bus to the Helsinki railway station leaves from Terminal 2 every 20 minutes, stopping also at Terminal 1. Travel time is about 30 minutes. Price: €6,30
1ST FLOOR
DECEMBER 2014
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INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS FROM HELSINKI
Great Circle Estimated Distances Flight km Times
AGADIR 4193 05:35 ALGHERO 2473 03:35 AMSTERDAM 1525 02:35 ALANYA/GAZIPASA 2722 03:45 ARRECIFE 4518 05:55 ATHENS 2490 03:40 BANGKOK 7912 09:45 BARCELONA 2632 03:55 BEIJING 6325 07:55 BERGEN 1112 03:30 BERLIN 1123 02:00 BIARRITZ 2581 03:45 BILLUND 1060 01:50 BODRUM 2572 03:55 BRUSSELS 1651 02:40 BUDAPEST 1481 02:20 BURGAS 1982 03:00 CATANIA 2636 03:45 CHANIA 2756 03:50 CHICAGO 7139 09:15 CHONGQING 6736 08:40 COPENHAGEN 895 01:40 DALAMAN 2639 03:40 DELHI 5229 06:50 DUBAI 4537 05:55 DUBLIN 2030 03:10 DUBROVNIK 2027 03:00 DÜSSELDORF 1512 02:25 EKATERINBURG 2098 03:05 FARO 3480 04:45 FRANKFURT 1543 02:35 FUERTEVENTURA 4578 06:05 FUNCHAL 4310 05:45 GENEVA 1994 03:00 GOA via Sharjah 6739 10:15 GOTHENBURG 785 01:25 HAMBURG 1172 02:00 HÔ CHI MINH CITY (Saigon) 8510 10:50 HONG KONG 7821 09:35 INNSBRUCK 1701 02:35 IRÁKLION 2777 03:55 KAZAN 1521 02:30 KAVALA 2159 03:15 KERKYRA 2331 03:25 KIEV 1171 01:55 KOS 2620 03:45 KRABI 8350 10:20 KRAKOW 1186 02:00 LANGKAWI 8560 10:25 LAS PALMAS 4700 06:10 LISBON 3369 04:50 LJUBLJANA 1713 02:40 LONDON 1863 03:10 MADRID 2950 04:25 MALAGA 3357 04:35 MALTA 2822 04:15 MANCHESTER 1817 03:00 MIAMI 8342 11:10 MILAN 1953 03:05 MINSK 740 01:25 MOSCOW 876 01:40 MUNICH 1577 02:30 NAGOYA 7780 09:40 NAPLES 2283 03:25 NEW YORK 6626 08:45 NICE 2202 03:25 NIZHNIY NOVGOROD 1189 02:10 NORRKÖPING 530 01:30 OSAKA 7751 09:30 OSLO 766 01:30 PALMA DE MALLORCA 2777 04:00 PAPHOS 2898 04:00
88 BLUE WINGS DECEMBER 2014
Great Circle Estimated Distances Flight km Times PARIS PHUKET PISA PONTA DELGADA PRAGUE PREVEZA PUERTO PLATA RHODES RIGA RIMINI ROME SAMARA SANTORINI SEOUL SHANGHAI SINGAPORE SKIATHOS SPLIT ST. PETERSBURG STOCKHOLM TALLINN TARTU TEL AVIV TENERIFE NORTE TENERIFE SUR TOKYO TORONTO TROMSØ VARADERO VARNA VENICE VERONA VIENNA VILNIUS WARSAW XIAN ZAKYNTHOS ZÜRICH
1900 03:05 8312 10:05 2093 03:20 4316 05:50 1322 02:10 2397 03:25 8417 11:15 2668 03:45 382 00:55 1993 03:00 2235 03:25 1698 02:35 2660 03:40 7050 08:40 7410 09:05 9272 11:30 2353 03:30 1956 02:55 301 01:00 400 01:00 101 00:30 245 00:50 3230 04:25 4691 06:10 4745 06:10 7849 09:45 6619 08:50 1081 02:00 8665 11:40 1911 02:55 1847 02:55 1903 02:55 1462 02:30 633 01:15 940 01:40 6421 07:50 2526 03:55 1781 02:45
SCHEDULED DESTINATIONS LEISURE DESTINATIONS PARTNER-OPERATED CODE-SHARE OR MARKETING DESTINATIONS SEASONAL ROUTE EW SCHEDULED N SEASONAL ROUTE NEW SCHEDULED DESTINATION IN 2014
Atl Oc antic ean
New
quay
DOMESTIC FLIGHTS FROM HELSINKI IVALO JOENSUU JYVÄSKYLÄ KAJAANI MARIEHAMN KEMI/TORNIO KITTILÄ KOKKOLA/PIETARSAARI KUOPIO KUUSAMO OULU PORI ROVANIEMI TAMPERE TURKU VAASA
931 01:35 360 01:00 235 00:45 464 01:00 282 00:55 609 01:30 823 01:25 391 01:05 335 01:00 667 01:15 514 01:05 214 00:40 697 01:20 143 00:35 150 00:35 348 00:55
Bay of B isca ya
Arct ic
Ocea n
Nor weg ian S ea
Nort
h Sea
Rostov-on-Don
Medit erranea n Sea DECEMBER 2014
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Arctic Ocean FINNAIR-INFO WORLD MAP
Finnair Plus members earn Plus points from travelling on any scheduled flight with a oneworld airline.
Atlantic Ocean
Agadir
Pacific Ocean
Ocea n Atlantic Ocean
oneworld: almost 1000 destinations.
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Arctic Ocean
Nizhniy Novgorod
Agadir
Taiwan
Pacific Ocean
Indian Ocean
DECEMBER 2014
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FINNAIR INFO CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY
Society and the environment Finnair wants to be the number one choice for quality- and environmentally-conscious travellers. The airline collaborates with many environmental and humanitarian organisations, and invites its frequent flyers to participate in these efforts by donating Finnair Plus points. Here are a few other examples of Finnair’s societal involvement in a changing world:
• From 1999 to 2009, Finnair cut its carbon dioxide emissions per seat by 22 per cent. By 2017, it intends to reduce this number by another 24 per cent; total reductions per seat from 1999 to 2017 will equal as much as 41 per cent. Finnair supports the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) goal of zeroemissions air travel by 2050, as well as a global emissions trading scheme. • Finnair flies one of the youngest fleets in the business. The average aircraft age is 9.9 years. Operating with new aircraft cuts back on fuel consumption and emissions by 20 to 30 per cent. The airline also flies the shortest routes between Europe and Asia via Helsinki, reducing fuel consumption. Passengers and cargo are carried on the same flights.
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• HOTT (House of Travel and Transportation), which houses Finnair’s headquarters near Helsinki, has received the esteemed LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum international environmental certification. The system ensures that a construction project meets the strictest requirements for environmental efficiency. HOTT is owned by pension insurance company Ilmarinen, and Finnair is the primary tenant. • Finnair employees are offered continuous training and development opportunities. The company also conducts an annual employee wellbeing survey, participates in campaigns promoting equal treatment at the workplace, and places a strong focus on occupational safety.
DECEMBER 2014
Finnair organised its second annual Health Day in conjunction with the Pink Ribbon campaign in late October.
HEALTHY CAREERS IN A COMPANY in which a large percentage of the workforce travels between continents and time zones, employee wellbeing is of utmost importance. In addition to regular health check-ups and screenings, Finnair also offers exercise allowances to fund athletic activities during team development days or group participation in marathons, for example. In addition, Finnair provides a six-month exercise programme for employees whose exercise habits are below the recommended levels. TO HELP spread awareness about healthy habits and early disease detection, Finnair organised its second annual Health Day on October 30th in conjunction with the Pink Ribbon campaign. Organised by the Cancer Society of Finland, the campaign raises funds for breast cancer research and counselling services. Throughout the day Finnair employees could check their blood pressure, hand grip strength and lung health (the latter service was provided by the Organisation for Respiratory Health in Finland), and receive up-to-date information about cancer prevention. Finnair has been a partner of the Pink Ribbon Campaign since 2010. FINNAIR’S FREQUENT flyers can support the Pink Ribbon campaign year-round by donating Finnair Plus points at pointshop.finnair.com. Donated points go to purchase flights for cancer counselling professionals.
FINNAIR INFO ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
DID YOU KNOW? Finnair has been included on the Carbon Disclosure Project’s (CDP) 2014 A List: The 2014 Climate Performance Leadership Index for its efforts to reduce emissions and slow climate change. Among the 187 companies included, Finnair is the only airline.
• Finnair prioritises recycling: assess and improve an airline’s for example, the airline has environmental management. donated cabin crew uniforms, Strongly believing that, as with blankets and other textiles to safety, the whole sector would Uusix and GlobeHope, compabenefit from a more systematic nies that turn used materials approach to environmental into design items. management, Finnair is part of • Finnair Group collaborates a pilot group of IATA member with environmental manageairlines participating in the ment company Ekokem on programme. waste management, including • Finnair is a member of United waste sorting, recycling and Nations Global Compact, a reuse. Materials such as cardcorporate responsibility initiaboard, paper, plastic and metal tive that comprises more than are recycled at Finnair, while 8,000 businesses. Participating hazardous waste is properly companies agree to make huprocessed. Material not suitman rights, fair labour standable for reuse is transported ards, environmental responsito Ekokem’s facilities for bility and anti-corruption core energy production. parts of their operations. • The recycling process begins • In 2011 Finnair signed the United onboard, where cabin attendNations Women’s Empowerants sort the waste generated ment Principles that encourage during the flight. companies to promote gender • In 2013 Finnair was certified equality and women’s empoweras a Stage 1 operator in IATA’s ment. The principles are the reEnvironmental Assessment sult of a collaboration between Program (IEnvA), a new envithe United Nations Development ronmental management sysFund for Women and the United tem designed to independently Nations Global Compact.
HOW YOU CAN HELP At pointshop.finnair.com, members of Finnair’s frequent flyer programme can donate points to the following organisations: ☛ The Finnish Association for Nature Conservation ☛ The Association of Friends of the University Children’s Hospitals ☛ The Cancer Society of Finland ☛ The Finnish Red Cross ☛ UNICEF ☛ The Baltic Sea Action Group ☛ Hope
FIND OUT MORE Finnair has published an annual overview of its sustainability efforts since 1997. The 2013 Annual Report – Finnair’s first to integrate sustainability indicators with financial reporting – measures and accounts for Finnair’s financial, economic, social and environmental performance and explains its impact on business results.
www.finnairgroup.com/ annualreport2013 BLOGS.FINNAIR.COM
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FINNAIR INFO FLEET
AIRBUS A350-900 (NEW IN 2015) Number 11 in order Seating capacity 297 Length 66.8 m Wingspan 64.75 m Cruising speed 903 km/h Maximum cruising altitude 13,000 m AIRBUS A340-300 Number 7 Seating capacity 270/269/261 Length 63.6 m Wingspan 60.3 m Cruising speed 870 km/h Maximum cruising altitude 12,500 m AIRBUS A330-300 Number 8 Seating capacity 297/271/263 Length 63.6 m Wingspan 60.3 m Cruising speed 870 km/h Maximum cruising altitude 12,600 m AIRBUS A321 (ER) Number 11 Seating capacity 136–209 Length 44.5 m Wingspan 34.1 m Cruising speed 840 km/h Maximum cruising altitude 11,900 m AIRBUS A320 Number 10 Seating capacity 110–165 Length 37.6 m Wingspan 34.1 m Cruising speed 840 km/h Maximum cruising altitude 11,900 m AIRBUS A319 Number 9 Seating capacity 105–138 Length 33.8 m Wingspan 34.1 m Cruising speed 840 km/h Maximum cruising altitude 11,900 m EMBRAER 190/170 Operated by Flybe Number 12/2 Seating capacity 100/76 Length 36.2/29.9 m Wingspan 28.7/26 m Cruising speed 850 km/h Maximum cruising altitude 12,300 m
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FINNAIR PLUS PARTNER BENEFITS FOR FREQUENT FLYERS
Finnair Plus Partner Benefits this month: SAVONLINNA OPERA FESTIVAL "The Marriage of Figaro" by Mozart, classed as the “opera of all operas,” is exclusively available for Finnair Plus members with Potluck tickets available at €73,50 each for the July 13th performance. Come and experience the world's most beautiful lake district, amazing acoustics of medieval castle and world class opera! Savonlinna Opera Festival July 3–August 2, 2015.
COUNTLESS BENEFITS FOR MEMBERS!
AIRBERLIN DOUBLE POINTS You can earn double Finnair Plus awards points on selected airberlin European flights between November 15, 2014 and February 28, 2015. www.finnair.com/FI/GB/ airberlin
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Find out more www.lippu.fi/plus
EXTRA HOTEL POINTS In 2014, the Shangri La group unveiled a number of exciting new hotels throughout Asia and in London. The longer you stay at these new hotels and other participating properties between December 1, 2014 and February 28, 2015 (both dates inclusive), the more Plus points you will earn.
10% OFF CAR RENTALS As a Finnair Plus member you receive a 10 per cent discount for car rentals in Europe, Middle East and Africa. Reserve a car in 2014, and benefit in 2015! Plus, Avis are offering free additional services and a chance to win 100,000 points! www.avis.fi/finnairplus
Airlines Travel Credit Card Insurance Restaurants Shopping Wellness Golf Entertainment Charity Leisure time
MORE THAN 300 PARTNERS!
Not yet a member? Find out how to join on the next page ➝
www.shangri-la.com
More Finnair Plus offers: finnair.com/plus DECEMBER 2014 BLUE WINGS 95
FINNAIR PLUS FREQUENT FLYER BENEFITS
Our Frequent Flyer Program
Join now and receive points for this flight! GET THESE BENEFITS • A head start on special flight sales • Exclusive members’ prices on offers • Earn and use points on Finnair, oneworld and partner airline flights • Earn and use points on numerous worldwide partner services EARN POINTS from both Finnair scheduled and leisure flights. Points can be used to purchase award flights, pay for additional baggage and upgrade Finnair flights from Economy to Business Class. Points can also be earned and used for oneworld scheduled flights. AS A FINNAIR PLUS MEMBER YOU EARN points when purchasing products and services from any one of our Finnair Plus partners. The extensive partner network makes it possible for you to earn and use points even when you are not travelling. Products and services range from hotels, restaurants and car rentals to products purchased in the Finnair PlusShop, where you can place orders online.
JOIN FINNAIR PLUS for free at finnair.com/plus or by filling out an application found as an insert in this magazine.
Join using this QR code and get 500 extra points from your next Finnair flight. ➝
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 1. Can I transfer points to someone else? You can transfer award points to your family members. Transferred points will not count towards the Finnair Plus tier point balance, but can be used to purchase awards. It’s fast and easy to exchange points for a fee through your Finnair Plus profile.
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DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION? SEND IT TO US: PLUS.NEWS@FINNAIR.FI
2. Can I buy something from the Finnair PlusShop even if I don’t have any points? Yes, you can buy products from the finnairplusshop.com using money only. Don’t forget to sign in first using your Finnair Plus login – that way you’ll earn one point for every euro you spend.
FINNAIR PLUS FREQUENT FLYER BENEFITS
Finnair Plus Tier benefits There are four Finnair Plus tiers: Basic, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Move to higher tiers by collecting tier points on Finnair or oneworld flights.
BASIC BENEFITS
SILVER BENEFITS RUBY
• C lassic and Any Seat flight awards • T ext message check-in for Finnair flights •P ayment for excess baggage charges with points •W aiting list priority based on tier •P lusShop and partner service purchases with points •D iscounts and points for partner services •P oints for credit card purchases
• All Basic level benefits • 10% points bonus on Finnair flights • Business Class check-in with Finnair • Priority Lane* security checks • One extra piece of baggage free of charge • Finnair lounge access when flying with Finnair • 10% discount on normally priced tax – free purchases made on Finnair flights outside of the EU
GOLD SAPPHIRE
Ch aged 2ildren join th −17 can e Plus JuFinnair progranior m!
PLATINUM EMERALD
• All Basic and Silver level benefits
• A ll Basic, Silver and Gold level benefits
• 1 5% points bonus on Finnair flights • C onfirmed seat 48 hours before Finnair flights (European or intercontinental for Business Class, intercontinental for Economy Class)
• 2 5% points bonus on Finnair flights
MOVE TO HIGHER TIERS 40,000 tier points or 24 scheduled flights*
•N o expiration of points during tracking period • Oneworld First Class check-in and lounge access
•D • Priority Lane* security iscounted travel checks upgrades for family members • T ravel class upgrades for Finnair flights • Special baggage free of charge on Finnair flights • Oneworld Business Class and Frequent Flyer lounge access + 1 guest
90,000 tier points or 54 scheduled flights*
150,000 tier points or 92 scheduled flights* * Finnair and other oneworld scheduled flights
* For example: Helsinki, Stockholm-Arlanda
More Finnair Plus information: finnair.com/plus
Did you know? ON SHORT-HAUL FLIGHTS in Economy Class, Finnair introduces Sky Bistro, a wider mix-and-match selection of seasonal, high-quality foods and beverages that replaces the complimentary cold snack. These meals can be paid for with the award vouchers that you may purchase with your Plus points. The award vouchers, worth €20 or €50, may be purchased at FINNAIR.FI/PLUSPARTNERS Sky Bistro FINNAIR.COM/SKYBISTRO
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FINNAIR PLUS ON BOARD SHOPPING
Tax-free gift ideas for Christmas SHOPPING AND TRAVELLING is a good combination. You'll always get good benefits when shopping onboard. You may pay for all onboard shopping, including Tax-free, preorder and Sky Bistro orders with award vouchers. You can purchase these vouchers, worth €20 or €50, at Finnair.fi/plus with your Finnair Plus points or with a flexible combination of points and money. Until December 14, you can buy these vouchers for half price. During December and January, you will get double points for all preorders and inflight shopping (offer valid December 1, 2014–January 31, 2015). Finnair Plus Silver, Gold and Platinum members receive a 10 per cent discount on regular-priced Tax-free items when shopping on a non-EU flight.
LOLA&GRACE MODULAR SET
Sold on Europe, Intercontinental €109,00 INGERSOLL MEN'S CHRONOGRAPH WATCH
NICOLAS FEUILLATTE BRUT COMPASS SLEEVE CHAMPAGNE
Sold on Intercontinental €245,00
Sold on Intercontinental flights €29,50
AIGNER CROSSOVER BAG
Sold on Intercontinental flights €119,00
HERMÈS UN JARDIN SUR LE NIL
Sold on Europe, Intercontinental €58,00 LINDT ASSORTED PRALINÉS BALLOTIN CHOCOLATES
Sold on Europe, Intercontinental €24,00
PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
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FINNAIR PLUS PLUSSHOP
Finnair PlusShop offers
ALL SOREL SHOES WITH SPECIAL PRICES! FOR EXAMPLE CLASSIC SOREL CARIBOU FOR MEN AND WOMEN
€149, several colours Member offer €99 + 1,000 points
The online Finnair PlusShop stocks more than 3,000 items and delivers around the world. Pay with Finnair Plus points, money or a combination of both. Items are shipped to your home or to your nearest post office.
MARIMEKKO KURJENPOLVI BATH TOWEL, 2PC
MARIMEKKO KURJENPOLVI HAND TOWEL, 2PC
BALMUIR HELSINKI CASHMERE SCARF
Black & red Member offer €55 + 1,000 points
Black & red Member offer €29 + 1,000 points
€199, two colours Member offer €139 + 1,000 points
SODASTREAM PLAY SODA MAKER & SODASTREAM WATERFALL GLASS CARAFE
ALL SAMSONITE SPARK LUGGAGE WITH SPECIAL PRICES! FOR EXAMPLE SAMSONITE SPARK SPINNER EXP. SUITCASE 79 CM
€102,90, several colours Member offer €69 + 1,000 points
€219, black, red & dark blue Member offer €149 + 1,000 points
ALL LEGOS –15%
PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
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THE ORIGINAL – THE LUGGAGE WITH THE GROOVES In 1950, the first RIMOWA suitcase with the unmistakable grooves was issued. Since then, it has evolved into a cult object in its own right. To this day, the original RIMOWA luggage has lost none of its fascination. It remains the luggage of choice for all those who seek the extraordinary – including model Alessandra Ambrosio. RIMOWA Store Finland – Pohjoisesplanadi 25, 00100 Helsinki www.rimowa.com