Respect issue 3 / 2019
BLUE WINGS SCANDI SKINCARE
DON’T BE SHY – HELP YOURSELF TO THIS ISSUE AND
S EA’S T H E M O M ENT
V I L L A WO N D E R F U L
Finland’s wooden houses shake off their shabby rep
SHARE IT WITH A LOVED ONE!
T E MPLES O F TO DAY
How Chinese millennials are rediscovering zen
CI AO BELLA!
Bologna’s foodie scene gets a delicious twist
www.kia.fi @kiamotorsfinland
Täysin uusi Kia ProCeed
Bold Move
alk. 26.171 € tai 249 €/kk*
Bold move. Itsevarma valinta. Täysin uusi ProCeed on premium-estetiikkaa henkivä shooting brake: farmarin ja coupén urheilullinen yhdistelmä ja rohkea jatke AutoBildin perheautovertailun voittaneen Kia Ceedin mallistolle. Matala, voimakkaasti laskeutuva kattolinja ja näyttävä GT-line varustelu viestivät ProCeedin urheilullisesta luonteesta. Malliston lippulaivana on urheilullinen 204 hv GT. ProCeed on tyylikäs, yksilöllinen ja itsevarma. Juuri niin kuin sinäkin.
VUODEN TAKUU
*Kia ProCeed 1,0 T-GDi ISG 120hv GT-Line SB EcoDynamics alk. autoveroton hinta 22.990,48 € + arvioitu autovero 3.180,71 € + tk 600 € = kokonaishinta 26.771,19 €. Vapaa autoetu alk. 580 €/kk, käyttöetu alk. 415 €/kk. EU-yhd. kulutus 5,1–7,1 l/100 km, CO2-päästöt 136–169 g/km. Kia-huolenpitosopimus alk. 30 €/kk (sopimusaika 36 kk, 10 tkm/ vuosi). Kia-takuu 7 vuotta tai 150 000 km, kolme ensimmäistä vuotta ilman kilometrirajaa. Kia 24h tiepalvelu vuodeksi veloituksetta.Kuvien autot erikoisvarustein. Tilaa MyKia-uutiskirje ja varaa huolto helposti www.kia.fi. Kertaluoton rahoitusesimerkki: Kia ProCeed Hinta 26.171,19 €, käsiraha 3.750 €, sopimusaika 60 kk, kuukausierä 249,15 €, luoton määrä yht. 22.611,19 € (sis. perustamismaksun 190 €), viimeinen suurempi erä 10.000 €. Kuukausierä sisältää koron 1,90 %, perustamismaksun 190 € ja käsittelykulun 9 €/kk. Luottokustannukset yhteensä 2.287,45 €, luoton ja luottokustannusten yhteismäärä 24.708,64 €, todellinen luottohinta 28.458,64 € ja todellinen vuosikorko 2,85 %. Edellyttää hyväksytyn luottopäätöksen ja kaskovakuutuksen. Palvelun tuottaa Santander Consumer Finance Oy, Risto Rytin tie 33, 00570 Helsinki.
Editorial Welcome onboard
bluewings.finnair.com
TOPI MA N N ER
Chief Executive Officer, Finnair
FO KUS M E D I A F I N L A N D Managing editor Amanda Soila Art director Aino Ahtiainen Web editor Shelly Nyqvist Visual designer Sesilja Lindell Editorial assistant Aino Vähälä English editing Silja Kudel Reprographics Faktor Oy Cover Monica Kylén and Mats Johansson by Mikael Lundblad Behind this issue Daniel Allen, Tim Bird, Laurel Colless, Micha van Dinther, Mark Fletcher, Laura Iisalo, Kalle Kirstilä, Silja Kudel, Mikael Lundblad, Kristian Luoma, Pinja Meretoja, Katja Pantzar, Nardia Plumridge, Jussi Ratilainen, Robert Seger, Liisa Valonen, and Kristiina Wilson Submissions and feedback bluewings@fokusmedia.fi Blue Wings online bluewings.finnair.com issuu.com/finnair_bluewings Editorial Offices Hämeentie 135 A, 00560 Helsinki, Finland, tel. +358 40 630 8253 firstname.lastname@fokusmedia.fi Advertising Sales Jaana Lindvall-Harki tel. +358 40 582 1416 jaana.lindvall-harki@fokusmedia.fi Publisher Fokus Media Finland Printed by Punamusta, Joensuu, Finland 2019 Paper UPM Valor 61g, Cover paper Stora Enso LumiArt 200g ISSN-0358-7703
Editor-in-Chief Arja Suominen arja.suominen@finnair.com Finnair Head Office Tietotie 9 A, Helsinki Airport, 1053 Finnair, Finland, tel. +358 (0)9 818 81, Postal address: P. O. Box 15, 01053 Finnair, Finland Customer feedback finnair.com/feedback or by mail: Customer Relations, SL/403, FI-01053 Finnair finnair.com, finnair.fi, finnairgroup.com
Building the future O N E OF THE MOST important principles I believe in is to always start with people. Since joining Finnair at the beginning of the year, I’ve been spending time talking with our staff as well as our customers. It’s been very interesting to discover what makes this great airline tick and what customers would like to see in the future. Finnair is a service business, and service will always be about human interactions. When I think about customer s ervice or daily interactions related to travelling, the magic ingredients are empathy, creativity, respect, and a smile. I come from an entrepreneurial background, and it’s been ingrained in me to have an ambitious mindset, meaning it’s always important to look at situations through a lens of opportunity. The airline business is a constantly evolving industry, but courage, transformation, and renewal can help us stay ahead of the curve. We can develop new solutions for tomorrow’s challenges while building on the platforms of the past, whether that’s in the areas of sustainability, digitalisation, or simply making our customers feel more at home. We hope you enjoy your journey with us, Topi Manner
Service will always be about human interactions.
MARCH 2019 BLUE WINGS 3
WE HAVE IT IN CHECK At Hästens, we have been crafting better sleep since 1852. For the past 40 years, our blue-and-white check has been the hallmark of the high quality we offer. This instantly recognisable pattern acts as a guarantee that your bed is an authentic Hästens, exclusively created using premium structures and materials. You can choose your checked fabric from a range of one or two-tone colourways to suit your own style.
HÄSTENS STORE HELSINKI Mannerheimintie 8, 00100 Helsinki, Finland. Tel: +358 (0)20 780 1370
Contents March
Dream 11
GLO B AL P U L S E
Earthy trends
15
WIS E C RA F T
Nordic ocean beauty. Page 18
DIY shoes
Zen again
17
LOS ANGE L ES
PAG E 40
Bespoke floral design
1 8 SW E D E N
Coastal skincare
2 3 P RO D U C T I N S PI RAT I O N
Rainy day London 24 LO FOTE N
Idyllic village
2 6 B O LO G NA
Street stories in Lisbon
Foodie guide
PAG E 3 2
Explore Botanical artistry
3 2 L I SB ON
Hidden corners of the city 3 8 PR OFI L E
PAGE 1 7
Musician JD Samson 40 NANJI NG
Urban enlightenment 48 SMAR T STUFF
Clever thinking by companies 52 CONVE R SATI ON
Expat chat with Anu Partanen
Green temptations of Bologna. Page 26
MARCH 2019 BLUE WINGS 5
Contents March
Create 54 C RE ATIV E CO R N ER
Finland’s wooden revival 6 2 INV E STIGATIO N
Clear the air 66 L ATV IA
Eat local 71
S H OWRO O M
Global design 78 Q &A
Night photography Don’t be afraid of the dark. Page 78
Fly
Eat like a local in Latvia
80 FI NNAI R NE WS
PAG E 66
What’s new
82 FI NNAI R SE RVI CES
Fly the short northern route 83 FI NNAI R PLUS
Frequent flyer rewards
84 SHOPPI NG
Wish list from the Finnair Shop
86 MY FI NNAI R
Passenger stories
87 SKY FOOD
Culinary options in the air
88 W E L L NE SS
Facing climate change
Comfortable flying
89 E NTE R TAI NME NT
Stay connected
90 STAFF TI PS
PAGE 6 2
Plane spotting
91
HOL I DAY SAMPL ER
Bella Italia
92 SUSTAI NAB I L I TY
Gender equality
93 FL E E T
The Moomins are back! Page 71
Modern fleet at your service
94 MAPS
Helsinki Airport and destination check-list
98 FI NL AND FACTS
Fascinating figures
6 BLUE WINGS MARCH 2019
A revolution in financial administration With Azets as your local partner, you are able to concentrate on your core business knowing that your financial administration is in safe hands when starting or running your business in Finland. We are revolutionizing Financial, Payroll and HR administration with a combination of advanced technologies like software robotics, automation and BI solutions, with over 40 years of experience in the Nordics. Our 700 local professionals delivers market-specific expertise and advice to help your business succeed. Azets’ services are tailored to your individual needs and are scalable with the growth of your business. Read more at azets.fi/eng.
Accounting – VAT – IPT – Tax Representation – Local IFRS or US GAAP Reporting – Advisory – Payroll – HR To find out more about how Azets can help you revolutionize your financial administration call us on +358 10 756 4500 or mail to sales.fi@azets.com
Now in Helsinki 新新新
For men and ƒor women
For men and ƒor women
新的一年
Pohjoisesplanadi 33 Pohjoisesplanadi 33 • 00100 Helsinki • www.fere.fi
PHOTO MIKAEL LUNDBLAD
Dream
Keep your curiosity alive
The ocean allure Swedish skincare goes back to nature (p. 18) MARCH 2019 BLUE WINGS 9
Opel
INSIGNIA GRAND SPORT
MAKE AN INSTANT IMPRESSION
Time of the new leaders Insignia – the masterpiece of a German engineering. It is the leader in its class with its unique top innovations, premium class luxury features and superb appearance. Insignia offers its driver best-in-class Intellilux LED® Matrix headlights, premium class interior with ergonomic AGR seats, comprehensive driver assistance systems, dynamic performance adaptive four-wheel driving system and a lot more… Challenge your expectations. Experience now also the power of new 200 hp engines. Go for a test drive. You can find the nearest Opel showroom in Finland at www.opel.fi
Insignia Grand Sport fuel consumption combined 5,0–7,8 l/100 km; CO2 (WLTP) emissions combined 131–193 g/km. Insignia Grand Sport Enjoy 1.5 Turbo Start/Stop M6 (140 hp) total price starting from 28 817,03 € (incl. vehicle tax and shipping). Read more Opel.fi.
Global pulse COMPILED BY KATJA PANTZAR
Ideas for good life from around the world
Book nook
THINK BEFORE YOU SHOP Each time you spend money you make a choice about whether to support individuals, small businesses, or large corporations. Author Jane Mosbacher Morris shows consumers how to create positive change through their purchasing choices in her new book BUY T HE
Ground control
SHOES OFF! digital world, we’ve lost touch with nature. But to the rescue comes grounding, which is all about having direct contact with the earth – meaning skin on soil, sand, and/or water. According to an article in the Washington Post by Carrie Dennett, the idea behind grounding, also called earthing, is that humans evolved in direct contact with the Earth’s subtle electric charge, but have lost that connection thanks to inventions such as buildings, furniture, and shoes. Research has also shown that barefoot contact with the earth can improve sleep, reduce pain, decrease muscle tension, and lower stress.
CHANG E YOU WANT TO SEE
(PenguinRandom House US).
PHOTOS ISTOCK, NIKLAS NABB, GALEN CROUT
IN O UR B U SY
H E L S INKI
Security activist Chelsea Manning is one of the many headliners at the Querelle festival for LGBTIQ+ people, which takes place on April 26-27.
Did you know that there are 7,000 nerve endings in each foot?
Celebrate diversity
SHOW YOUR TRUE COLOURS What better way to show community spirit than events free of prejudice and bias?
TO KYO
In the Japanese capital, Rainbow Pride happens April 28–29 with a lively, inclusive festival that culminates with a parade – naturally.
MARCH 2019 BLUE WINGS 11
12 BLUE WINGS MARCH 2019
Global pulse Ideas for good life from around the world
GO GREEN The top food trends of the moment are all about respecting the earth. Life hack
WISE WORDS Keeping a gratitude journal can boost your mood. A study published in Everyday Health found that those who journalled were more optimistic, felt better physically, and reported greater overall wellbeing.
VEG G I E SPR EADS
Get creative with your greens by blending vegetables into brightly coloured and tasty spreads that can easily be added to a food bowl, sandwich, or a salad.
Beauty boost
THE YELLOW ALLURE plant of the ginger family, which was predominantly used in southeast Asia for thousands of years is transitioning from food to skincare. The latest in the line, KORA’s Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating mask, utilises the orange-coloured plant known for its anti-inflammatory and skin-calming qualities. KORA’s mask also contains papaya enzymes, aspen bark, and peppermint and rosehip seeds.
PHOTOS KYLE LOFTUS, ISTOCK
TH E FLOW E RIN G
Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating mask detoxes and refines.
PL ANT CHE ES ES
With the growing trend of plant-based eating, cheeses made from cashew nuts, for example, offer a range of options for those looking to go meat and dairy free.
COFFE E CASCARA
Cascara, the husk or peel of the coffee cherry that wraps around coffee beans, is turning up in refreshing drinks, beers, and spirits.
MARCH 2019 BLUE WINGS 13
Maahantuoja Oy Trexet Finland Ab www.newwave.fi A New Wave Group Company
Wise craft
TEXT LAURA IISALO PHOTOS ROOSA MATTSSON
Local talents to watch
Pihka Collection’s Sofia Salmi, Roosa Mattsson, Maisa Salonen, and Miia Ylimäki.
Slowly does it DO YOU KNOW who made your shoes? The answer is likely no, but Pihka Collection, a group of young fashion entrepreneurs based in the Finnish city of Tampere, wants to change that. Formed by shoemaker and founder Maisa Salonen, designer Roosa Mattsson, and economist-artisan Sofia Salmi, the ethically driven brand sells bags, shoes, and accessories hand-made out of sustainably sourced leather in simple yet colourful styles with classic appeal – nothing too frivolous. What’s more, they also run popular courses where anyone can make their own bag or pair of shoes from scratch. “We want to prove that the fashion business can be sustainable. By offering people the chance to work with the same methods and materials we use ourselves, we make our business truly transparent,” Mattsson explains.
Their brand ideology champions the quest to slow down the speed at which contemporary fashion is consumed and created. Pihka aims to make products that last forever, provided they are cared for. A broken bag strap can be repaired, and shoes can always be re-soled. “We are worried about the irresponsible ways leather is used in fast fashion these days. It is such a durable, long-lasting material that it deserves to be respected,” Mattsson notes. And while the team enjoys their current pace, they plan to expand in the future by making their brand internationally recognisable. “We want people to know straight away what our name stands for,” Salonen says: “Sustainable fashion without sacrificing playfulness and style.”
Pihka Collection creates sustainable fashion without sacrificing style.
MARCH 2019 BLUE WINGS 15
Tampere Helsinki Stockholm Riga
1h Bremen
2h Budapest
3h Malaga
Destination Tampere Region – The Sauna Capital of the World 35 public saunas
Part of the city centre
World Sauna Forum 2019
The Sauna Capital is growing bigger! We now have 35 public saunas in the Tampere region for anyone to relax in, throughout the year. You can choose the soft heat of the oldest public sauna in Finland, or the atmospheric warmth of the country’s newest public sauna – and everything in between. In the winter time you can jump in the icy water after warming up in the sauna.
You can walk to a sauna in the centre of Tampere. For example, the Kuuma Sauna & Restaurant is located at the Laukontori Market place, near the Tammerkoski rapids and Lake Pyhäjärvi. The city’s Central Square, Keskustori, is just two blocks away from Laukon tori. Kuuma contains a restaurant, a public sauna and office spaces.
The world’s biggest sauna event, the World Sauna Forum, will be organized this year in Tampere. The World Sauna Forum is the biggest networking event that focuses on the Finnish sauna experience and its internationalization. The Forum will be held from 3rd–4th October – mark the dates down in your calendar and come enjoy the best sauna experience in the world!
www.visittampere.fi @FlyTampere
TEXT KALLE KIRSTILÄ PHOTOS ROBERT SEGER
Up close Off the beaten path
FI NNAI R FL I E S TO
Los Angeles (LAX) three times a week.
LOS ANGELES
NURSERY TALES R
olling Greens home+garden in the Fairfax district of Los Angeles is not your average garden centre. In the midst of a vast medley of pots and plants is a modern space that resembles a cocktail bar, but no drinks are served in this establishment. Instead, the artists behind the counter are busy creating impressive arrangements out of plants, containers, and decorative items like moss and driftwood. This is the Rolling Greens’ signature service: The Flower Arrangement Bar, where “baristas” create potted plant arrangements custom-made to customer wishes. Brianne Bird, who runs the shop, calls herself a “self-proclaimed black thumb,” but she has tapped
Many of the baristas are self-taught botanical artists.
into a business with huge demand in Los Angeles. “Anybody can put a plant in a pot and put that on the table. But if you can offer your family and guests a beautiful story, it’s something special and very much appreciated.” After the container is chosen, a bespoke arrangement is made according to the customer’s specific requests. Many customers return later to have their arrangement refreshed. “If the components are no longer thriving, we can substitute them with new plant life,” says Bird. In Southern California succulents are the most popular of all plants, says Bird. “They can grow indoors or outdoors, and they require very little maintenance. Also each plant is different and like a piece of art in itself,” she adds. Rolling Greens offers same-day service, but more demanding arrangements take from three to four days. The price tag is from 200 US dollars upwards, and varies depending on chosen container, size, plant, and the amount of work needed.
MARCH 2019 BLUE WINGS 17
Monica Kylén and Mats Johansson’s L:a Bruket started from a simple soap dish and is now a global skincare favourite.
18 BLUE WINGS MARCH 2019
Passion project
Back to the source Swedish beauty brand L:a Bruket stays true to its all-natural and organic ethos. TEXT MICHA VAN DINTHER PHOTOS MIKAEL LUNDBLAD
FI NNAI R F LIES TO
Gothenberg (GOT) four times a day.
T
en years ago, Monica Kylén was charting a new career path by showcasing her own line of ceramics at the Formex design fair in Stockholm. A few days into the exhibition, it hit Kylén – the handcrafted natural soap was gaining more attention than the ceramic soap dish itself. What some might have taken as a setback, actually provided Kylén with insight. Ten years on, that little spark named L:a Bruket, which translates into “little clay factory,” has grown into a full-fledged beauty brand available in 48 countries, and with flagship stores in Tokyo and Stockholm. “The brand name itself is a conversation starter,” she says. “In France, we are referred to as la Bruket, while the Los Angelenos think we are local. They call it LA Bruket.” L:a Bruket’s actual place of origin is the small coastal town of Varberg in western Sweden, a historic place known for its salubrious well and for being the country’s most spa-dense city. On the outskirts of town, in a modern industrial area, is the company’s headquarters – a retail space, an office with an R&D department, and a warehouse – with a significantly more appealing interior than its plain façade. Kylén and Mats Johansson, her partner in business as well as in life, have taken a short break in their busy work schedule to show us around the facilities. “Looking back, the timing was just right,” says Johansson, reflecting on what the ingredients for L:a Bruket’s recipe to success are. “In 2009, >
Saw toothed wrack is harvested along the coastline and used in some of L:a Bruket’s products.
MARCH 2019 BLUE WINGS 19
Wind, sun, salt, mud and seaweed are all sources of inspiration.
everyone started buying local produce, baking their own sourdough bread, and brewing beer in the basement. At that time, there were hardly any handmade natural soaps available.” Johansson, with a background in retail and marketing, is clearly the brand’s eloquent spin doctor, while Kylén takes on a visionary role in product development.
FACIAL SUPERFOODS In the overly complicated beauty industry world, L:a Bruket’s approach is to simplify and go back to the basics. “We use simple recipes, and are more low-tech than high-tech. We use all-natural ingredients, where quality and effect can be directly linked to how the growing conditions were last season,” explains Kylén. Due to these small variations, each batch has to be individually tweaked to meet their exacting standards. L:a Bruket’s extensive range, which consists of body and face care, room scents, and home care, uses coastal elements such as wind, sun, salt, mud, and seaweed as inspiration – and oftentimes ingredients – in its regimen, conceiving products that echo authentic “Swedishness.” As Johansson says, “Think of these products as superfoods for the skin. If these ingredients are healthy to eat, why wouldn’t they also be good for your skin?” Kylén picks up a small apothecary-style bottle with L:a Bruket’s characteristic black-and-white label and holds it up for us to examine. “The Broccoli Seed Serum is a good example. We started looking into b roccoli, which is acclaimed for its many benefits, as a potential skin superfood. As there was no broccoli seed oil to be found anywhere, we had it specially made for this serum.” The duo’s eagerness to try out ideas and to continuously push the boundaries of all-natural beauty has its roots in something deeper than financial gain. “I do this because I feel a deep need to contribute and take a stand,” says Kylén. “With L:a Bruket, I want to show that things can be done in a natural and organic way. My drive comes from within. That is why I feel such passion. I want to make a difference in people’s lives.”
20 BLUE WINGS MARCH 2019
“I want to show that things can be done in a natural and organic way.” MONI CA KY LÉN
Monica Kylén creates all the scents using essential oils.
MARCH 2019 BLUE WINGS 21
Find Scandinavian, Finnish and Baltic retailers at www.barbour.com
Culture swap Destination inspiration
COMPILED BY LAURA IISALO
London calling
Smile even when it’s raining!
1
The signature English style celebrates great classics with brilliant detailing.
4 6
2 3 5
FI NNAI R FL I E S TO
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE COMPANIES
London (LHR) six times a day. Look carefully: there’s a dragonfly on a honeysuckle!
1 — B RO L LY G O O D The handcrafted City Gent umbrella comes with a wooden handle and contrasting highlights. €115 from londonundercover.co.uk 2 — S O F T S H AV E Anti-pollution post shave balm is an essential skin shield in the big city. €13.50 from heathlondon.co.uk 3 — F I N A L F LO U R I S H The Golden Eagle silk twill pocket square is a bright alternative to a white handkerchief. €55 from anikdevin.com 4 — M AC M AG I C The Cotton-Blend Unlined 2-In-1 Mac is a rainy-day style saviour. €390 from paulsmith.com 5 — S H IRT IL LU ST RAT ED The soft cotton Dragonfly Print Shirt adds a touch of fun to a classic wardrobe. €13.50 from simoncarter.net 6 — S O L E M U S I C Cheaney Derby Boots are handmade in England by heritage shoemakers. €440 from cheaney.co.uk
MARCH 2019 BLUE WINGS 23
Coordinates A place to be
N 67° 56’44” E 13° 07’53” LO CATIO N
Hamnøy, Lofoten, Norway RU GG E D C L IFF S , a gentle ocean breeze, and an idyllic fishing village. This is the scene that unfolds from the bridge in Hamnøy, on the eastern side of Norway’s Lofoten archipelago. There are very few places like this where a distance of only a few kilometres unravels centuries of history and culture. Even if the Northern Lights aren’t dancing, the journey through the fjords will set the standard for every mountain and oceanfront visit yet to come.
– Kristian Luoma is a traveller and photographer from Oulu, Finland
24 BLUE WINGS MARCH 2019
PHOTO KRISTIAN LUOMA
EXPLORE SPRING LIGHT IN DESIGN See it. Feel it. Sense it.
FROM PUDASJÄRVI
FROM HELSINKI
PROFIN
FAT PIPE
Profin combines modern design to traditional craftsmanship. Finnish wood and the Japanese Masame cutting technique come together in their high-quality glass sliding doors, windows and doors. Experience wood like never before at profin.fi/en
Rain or shine, blizzard or sleet – the Finnish weather is always perfect for floorball. Fat Pipe floorball sticks and blades are designed and manufactured right in Finland’s capital, Helsinki. Take a look at all the gear and get floorballing at fatpipe.fi
FROM HELSINKI
FROM NUMMELA
SAUSO
MODULE
When you bring together the art of fine leather, unique techniques and skilled artisans, what do you get? Something that fits like a glove. Sauso is a 90-year-old Finnish premium glove brand. Buy your gloves to love at sauso.com/en
Module is the success enabler of modern work environment. By combining decades of experience in high-quality engineering, implementing work environments and Finnish design, Module creates spaces for hard work, collaboration and tranquility. Read more at modulesolutions.eu
Roam with us into Finnish nature and design Finnish nature and Finnish design are inseparable. The extremes of our nature – from the nightless nights of summer to the polar nights of winter – affect everything we do and design. We grant the Design from Finland mark to Finnish design that elevates and surprises, but more importantly, feels like it’s designed for you. Continue your design journey at www.designfromfinland.com/explore
Inside track Bologna
Vetro’s plantbased dishes are a treat for the eyes, too.
FI NNAI R FL I E S TO Bologna (BLQ)
three times a week during the summer season.
B O L O G N A’ S N E W PA L AT E Creative restaurants are bringing a delicious twist to Italy’s foodie capital. TEXT NARDIA PLUMRIDGE PHOTOS NARDIA PLUMRIDGE AND LORENZO BURLANDO
26 BLUE WINGS MARCH 2019
3
BEST OF BO LO G NA
For local meats, cheese, and condiments.
FLAVOUR GARDEN Tucked within a former greenhouse in the leafy Giardini Margherita, VE TR O ’s menu is filled with plant-based dishes using organic vegetables grown in their adjoining allotment. Standouts include chestnut gnocchi with leak and green apple and a salad of grilled persimmons tossed with goat cheese and corn crumble. With a heavy community focus on educational projects, Vetro is family friendly and popular with local creatives.
The on-site co-working space draws in local creatives.
ME ATY B USI NESS
The family-run deli Salumeria Simoni is the quintessential food stop for local delicacies. The store is famed for their signature sandwich, panino alla mortadella.
VI NEG AR WONDERS
Quirky classics served in a modern trattoria.
The region around Bologna is known for balsamic vinegar and what better way to discover its traditions than a visit to the Museo Del Balsamico Tradizionale.
CLASSIC MAKEOVER Respecting Bologna recipe traditions but with an innovative twist is the sleek O LT R E . Chef Daniele Bendanti has worked in Michelin 5-star restaurants throughout Italy’s north before returning home to Bologna. Bendanti plates up classics such as tagliatelle al ragu and tortellini in a creamy sauce made with 24-month-aged Parmigiano, two of the highlights on his minimal menu. >
CHE E SE PARA DISE
A store dedicated to cheese, Al Regno Della Forma is a formaggio lover’s paradise. “Kingdom of Form” celebrates local dairy products, and the aroma in the shop tantalises those cheesy taste buds.
MARCH 2019 BLUE WINGS 27
RAW POWER Vegan and phytogenic eatery B OTANI CA L AB is the brainchild of owner Anna Artesiani who studied in Los Angeles under American raw food guru, Matthew Kenney. From couscous to cashew nut yoghurt, handmade pasta with macadamia “ricotta,” and desserts like raw cheesecake, the menu focuses on respecting nature and the environment using high quality, strictly organic ingredients. The lunch menu changes daily.
CREATIVE CRUSH Chef Cesare Marretti is a TV celebrity in Italy and the dining experience at E ’CUCI NA is as avant-garde as he is. With a focus on freshness and no waste, his lunchtime set menu for 10-20 euros is a steal and very simple: choose from meat, fish, or vegetarian. A self-described chef, artist, designer, eccentric, and innovator, Marretti offers a clue as what to expect: all meals surprise with colour and flavour and are served within a modern gallery setting.
28 BLUE WINGS MARCH 2019
A whimsical setting is part of the charm at E’ cucina.
ADVERTISEMENT
The beer pioneers from Tuusula The special brews of Maku Brewing have taken off – Finnair’s own signature beer Blueberry Saison is the latest addition to the rural brewery’s success story
Less than 10 kilometres from the Helsinki Airport, in a town called Tuusula,
trains future professionals that study brewing at the local brewing school. The Maku
seven beer enthusiasts are making their dream a reality. In just five years, mi-
shop, opened last year, was a welcome addition to Tuusula’s local supply, and has
crobrewery Maku Brewing has become one of Finland’s hottest beer brands,
become somewhat of a tourist attraction.
largely because of its innovative and award-winning product development. As a result of all the hard work, Maku Brewing was exposed to the international media during the Trump-Putin summit in Helsinki last year, has the advantage
”And being located this close to the airport has been an advantage for us as well, opening many doors to the outside world.”
of being the only Finnish microbrewery whose products are being sold at the
Ecological choices help the entire industry
duty free shop at the Helsinki airport, and is now flying across the globe
Since the beginning, Maku Brewing has been an advocator for canned beers. For
with its Finnair-exclusive Blueberry Saison signature beer. The brewery has been growing at a fast rate but has always kept its original vision from the foundation of the company in 2014. ”Our passion for beers and the brewing industry is what started all of this. Out of that passion came the will to make beer
example, they’ve launched a ”taster set” of four different beers, which works as a great introduction to the world of Maku Brewing. The microbrewery is especially pleased with the fact that their pioneer work with cans has started to pay off. It is, after all, about more than just the format into which the beer is being packaged. ”For us, the can is an important step considering the envi-
with our own hands and to create something
ronment, as its carbon footprint is much smaller than that of a
new for ourselves and others to enjoy. Since the
bottle. At the same time, the can as a format has enabled us a
beginning we’ve put ourselves out there and
wider distribution. The can is appearing to grow in popularity,
showed everyone the faces behind the product.
and it is with pleasure that I’ve been watching many other Finnish
We hope to bring the good vibe of Maku to all
microbreweries follow our example.”
beer lovers and experimenters - now even in the skies”, CEO Jussi Tamminen says. It’s no accident that Maku Brewing is located in Tuusula, in the Ristikivi area. The group of friends wanted to set up their brewery in a well-connected location and - above all else – to have access to great quality water, which lays the foundation for all of their products. ”We’re a local brewery but also the most rural brewery of Helsinki, since
”It feels very good to see that even being a small company that Maku Brewing is, we’ve been able to inspire others to make ecological choices as well, such as solutions concerning the cleaning process, which save large amounts of water. There is much more to learn, and every week you must be ready to develop something new and figure out better ways to operate”, Tamminen says. In 2019, Maku Brewing will be expanding its international cooperation and grow as a company by one new employee. The microbrewery will keep making
we’re officially located 200 metres into the countryside”, Tamminen says with
bold decisions: their core products IPA, Osinko Pils and American Red Ale became
a smile.
gluten-free last year, and product development will continue in the innovative style
Maku Brewing is an active participant in local events in Tuusula, and also
typical of Maku Brewing.
Maku Brewing - A microbrewery that employs seven people, founded in 2014 in Tuusula, Finland. - The Finnish word maku means flavour or taste. - Uses only pure Finnish lake water and mainly Finnish malts. The spent grain is used in local farms for animal feed. - Is known for the award-winning Maku IPA 7,3% (widely available in Alko, the Finnish alcohol monopoly), the Seven Brothers beers (named and inspired by the characters from the famous novel by Aleksis Kivi), for being the only Finnish beer brand on sale at the Helsinki Airport duty free and now, of course, Finnair’s own signature beer, Blueberry Saison.
www.makubrewing.com #makustellaan
PHOTO JUSSI RATILAINEN
Explore
Think beyond the box
If streets could talk Lisbon’s eventful past is ever-present in the city’s striking details (p. 32) MARCH 2019 BLUE WINGS 31
Escape
Signs of life
Lisbon is rich in history with delicious details ever-present for those who look in the right places. PHOTOS JUSSI RATILAINEN
32 BLUE WINGS MARCH 2019
The Santa Catarina viewpoint offers stunning vistas over the rooftops of Lisbon. This is where the locals gather in the evenings to meet and listen to live music.
Many streets in Lisbon are as steep as they get. The easiest way to get around is by a scooter or the sturdy little trams that easily climb the hills.
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MARCH 2019 BLUE WINGS 33
Lisbon is the Âsecond oldest capital city in the world and its historic centre has been built on seven hills. This means that the buildings are stacked almost on top of each other, each street higher than the next.
The azulejo tileworks are a quintessential sight lining the streets of ÂLisbon. The blue tiles got popular in the later 1600s, inspired by Chinese porcelain.
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The Ponte 25 de Abril bridge Âconnects Lisbon to the Almada region. Built in 1966, it was renamed after the Carnation Revolution that started on April 25 in 1974.
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FI NNAI R FL I E S TO
Lisbon (LIS) daily.
Many of the city’s buildings have been painted in hues that naturally reflect light. The yellows, pinks, and ochres radiate the sunlight even in the shadows.
36 BLUE WINGS MARCH 2019
After nearly 85 per cent of the city was destroyed during an earthquake in 1755, the city was rebuilt following the Pombaline style of architecture, which is designed to withstand earthquakes.
In addition to the azulejos tiles, ÂLisbon is full of delightful visual details such as the decorative front doors that give character to Lisbon buildings.
MARCH 2019 BLUE WINGS 37
JD Samson will be one of the headline acts at Querelle Festival in Helsinki in April.
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Think again
BEYOND LABELS JD Samson, a New York-based DJ, visual artist, and producer reflects on what respect means today. TEXT KATJA PANTZAR PHOTO KRISTIINA WILSON
W
Samson, who grew up in Pepper Pike, here does true respect Ohio, moved to NYC at age 17 to attend come from? One of the best Sarah Lawrence College in the early ’90s people to answer this is JD and has been part of the change in the Samson who has spent much of her LGBTQ scene since then. life questioning gender issues through “So much has happened, but really music, art, and activism. “Respect is listening first, and hearing not enough,” says Samson. “There was no internet – and don’t come for not only that person, but everything that person holds: their history of oppression, me, because the internet has helped our community in a number of ways – marginalisation, trauma, and fear,” she but the truth is that it has completely says. reshaped all communities.” Samson says Samson, a New York-based gender these communities can grow, separate, queer political activist, visual artist, and rejoin quickly, which can also shut DJ, musician, and producer, is best people out. known for her work This creates a potential with pioneering feminist “I’ve been for shame instead of electro-pop band Le Tigre Pride. “We have a very and art/performance happy and necessary ‘call out culture,’ collective MEN, which surprised to that helps us stay on addresses issues such as our toes as responsible gender politics. She has be viewed community members, but also produced songs for as an activist indeed, it creates fear and Grammy award-winning silence from some of our artists such as Christina simply for most important voices, Aguilera. being myself.” and generates a ‘gang She identified as a mentality’ of agreeing with lesbian at age 15 and is the masses (or the loudest/angriest) known for her support of both LGBTQ and feminist causes. But Samson doesn’t because we don’t want to ‘get in trouble.’” consider herself to be a leader, rather an An assistant arts professor at the activist. Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music “I’ve been happy and surprised to be at Tisch NYU, Samson is also currently viewed as an activist simply for being working on a new music project called myself,” says Samson. “I am an artist, CRICKETS with Roddy Bottum from Faith and I create a lot of different kinds of No More and Michael O’Neill from MEN. work. I am most well known for my “We are an intentionally minimal music, and my moustache. I can’t claim to be a leader, especially in this moment, and conceptual band that challenges masculinity in music by barely playing where there are so many more voices anything and focusing on the simplicity that should be amplified, and when of patterns, and not stepping on each things have changed so much politically other’s toes,” says Samson. and culturally.”
JD SAMSON is a songwriter, producer, visual artist, and internationally renowned DJ who is credited with galvanising NYC’s LGBTQ community. ON L AB E L S:
“When I was a kid, I had a journal. And in that journal, I had a drawing of a quote, ‘labels are for food.’ Recently I went back to this journal, to see what ideas held true for me as an adult, and this one felt extremely relevant.” D I D YOU KNOW ?
JD Samson is currently writing an experimental memoir.
MARCH 2019 BLUE WINGS 39
Field Trip Nanjing
In Nanjing and beyond, a burgeoning array of sites and services offer connections to the calmer, healthier, more spiritual side of Chinese life. TEXT AND PHOTOS DANIEL ALLEN
40 BLUE WINGS MARCH 2019
NOW
Lighting incense sticks in front of the Usnisa Palace’s Thousand-Buddha Hall.
AND ZEN MARCH 2019 BLUE WINGS 41
Gong meditation at the Sangha Retreat.
I HALL.
n the close heat of a July morning in Nanjing, Wang Lei lights a supersized, ochre-coloured incense stick and bends towards the shiny new dome of the USNI SA PAL ACE ’S THOUSAND - B UD D HA
With jaw-dropping architecture providing the backdrop to time-honoured Buddhist reverence, it’s just one more Chinese juxtaposition in a land that blends ancient and modern like no other. Wang is not your typical Buddhist practitioner. Until recently, the 28-yearold had barely set foot in a temple, and was far more interested in gaming and online shopping than religion. Yet today, the restaurant manager admits his life before Buddhism was empty and superficial.
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“Looking back, I wasn’t happy at all,” he explains candidly. “I hated my job. I found it demeaning and didn’t think my salary was high enough. But buying stuff online didn’t make me feel better either.” These days Wang visits the Usnisa Palace and other Buddhist temples in Nanjing as often as he can. Sometimes he joins classes in meditation and Buddhist teaching. “I have learned so much,” he says. “Now I live not only to better myself, but to help other people, too. Through meditation I have found inner peace.”
TOWERS AND TEMPLES Wang’s story is far from unusual. If the old saying “money doesn’t buy happiness,” seems trite, then these days more young Chinese are interested in
finding something that can. And as the search for real meaning intensifies, so too does the number of sites and services catering to their desires. Jeff Yee is director of Y EJ O C I R C L E , a Shanghai-based company set up in 2010 to offer millennial Chinese (and foreigners) more spiritual, meaningful travel experiences. “I see a lot of young Chinese turning their back on consumerism these days,” he says. “Whether it be nature, or spirituality, or health and wellbeing, they are choosing to focus on other things. I think that’s healthy and a sign of a maturing society.” Located on the outskirts of Nanjing, overlooked by Niushou (“cattle head”) Mountain, the Usnisa Palace and surrounding NIU S H O U S H A N C U LT U RA L PARK typify the city’s burgeoning
Sunset over Yangcheng Lake, Suzhou.
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Many young Chinese choose to focus on nature, spirituality, or wellbeing instead of consumerism. MARCH 2019 BLUE WINGS 43
1
3
2
5
4
6
1. The Porcelain Tower at night. 2. The golden dome of the Usnisa Palace. 3. Buddhist ribbons at the Usnisa Palace. 4. Incense sticks at Niushoushan Cultural Park. 5. Wholesome cuisine at the Sangha Retreat. 6. The pool at the Sangha Retreat.
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FI NNAI R FL I E S TO
Nanjing (NKG) three times a week.
investment in sites dedicated to religion, health, and spiritual wellbeing. Opened in 2015 at an eye-watering cost of four billion RMB (approximately 525 million euro), the sprawling, 197-acre site boasts numerous attractions, including multiple pagodas, a temple, a working monastery, and a stunningly designed modern palace, ringed by upscale eateries and boutiques. The park, which was under construction for three years, lies on a centuries-old sacred site where the Niutou Sect of Chinese Zen Buddhism originated, while Niushou Mountain also happens to be the location where Zheng He, China’s version of explorer Christopher Columbus, is buried. Yet the area was relatively unknown until recently, when a piece of bone from Buddha himself was discovered in a stone chest beaneath one of Nanjing’s Buddhist temples. “The park commemorates the find,” explains Wang Lei. “But even if you’re not interested in Buddhism, this is a beautiful place to walk, especially in the spring, when everything is blossoming.”
Complementing Niushoushan is another similarly arresting, multimilliondollar Nanjing-based Buddhist attraction: the POR CE L AI N TOW E R . Situated in downtown Nanjing on the south bank of the Qinhuai River, enclosed by the Porcelain Tower Heritage Park, the 108-metre-high structure has quickly become one of the city’s foremost architectural icons. The decidedly high-tech Porcelain Tower, constructed from steel and glass, is not the first of its kind to grace Nanjing. Made with glittering porcelain bricks and widely considered the most exquisite pagoda in China, the original tower was destroyed during the Taiping Rebellion in the 19th century. Its modern replacement now forms the backdrop for some spectacular al fresco music and dance performances, and is surrounded by some equally modern museums and galleries. Renowned as a city of culture, history, and religion, Nanjing today offers residents and visitors a widening array of sites to enjoy more tranquil, thoughtprovoking pursuits. Yet for those prepared to venture farther afield, other sanctuaries of wellness and spirituality await.
RAREFIED RETREATS As the late afternoon sun dips towards the horizon, the surface of Yangcheng Lake is transformed into a golden mirror, with long stretches of shimmering water reflecting the reedbed islets above with perfect clarity. On a wooden platform beside the lake, yoga instructor Amanda Xu practices crescent moons, her conjoined hands reaching up into the fiery sky. Here, about a 30-minute drive from
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MARCH 2019 BLUE WINGS 45
Meditation at the Sangha Retreat (with Chongyuan Temple in the background).
the traffic jams and wall-to-wall neon of downtown Suzhou (and 90 minutes by high-speed train from Nanjing), life is slow, tranquil, and decidedly more organic. The multi-storey silhouette of Chongyuan Temple, visible across the water, adds to the zen-like ambience. Yangcheng Lake, a body of fresh water located between the far larger Lake Tai and the mighty Yangtze River, has long been famous for its hairy crabs, served up as a delicacy with gingerand-vinegar sauce. Yet today the lake is slowly becoming known for more than just its prized crustaceans, as a growing number of local Chinese come here to escape the rigours of urban life, nurture their health and wellness, and generally pamper themselves. The location for such spiritual and physical rejuvenation is the recently opened SANG HA R E TR E AT , a “holistic wellness sanctuary” by Octave that extends across nearly 19 hectares of prime, beautifully landscaped lakeside property. Designed by Tsao & McKown Architects from New York, Sangha – the Sanskrit word for “community” – is envisioned as a health and wellness hub that includes both permanent homes and a seemingly neverending array of on-site treatments and facilities. “Sangha’s rationale is to treat wellness holistically,” explains Katherine Wong, the Sangha Retreat general manager. “We start by raising awareness in our guests, and then go on to teach them different practices so that they can sustain their health and wellness long term.”
WATERY WONDERLAND To call Sangha a retreat is something of an understatement – this is a watery wellness wonderland on a scale that has never been seen before in China. In addition to the 109 houses, four apartment buildings, various restaurants, and other guest accommodation, facilities, and services
46 BLUE WINGS MARCH 2019
This is a watery wellness wonderland on a scale that has never been seen before in China.
include a deluxe spa, meditation and gong baths, massages, yoga, hydrotherapy, an array of beauty treatments, and a stunning outdoor pool. The chic, minimalistic design, which places Mother Nature centre stage, riffs respectfully on Taoist principles. Wellness programmes at Sangha are individually curated, encompassing mind-body practices, various therapies, and medical consultations. Taoist practitioners are on hand to instruct those guests desiring spiritual guidance. “Our location in China, which is where the great living philosophy and practice of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) originates, helps us offer the highest quality treatments,” says Sangha’s Wong. “We are able to access the finest TCM talent, materials, and ingredients. TCM is still a living healing
system, and we can integrate the latest research into Western healing therapies.” Sangha is not Octave’s only Chinese offering. The company’s Shanghaibased L I VI NG R OOM is one of China’s first comprehensive urban wellness centres, offering classes in yoga, boxing and fitness, as well as a popular organic restaurant. Katherine Wong sees Octave’s expansion in China continuing for the foreseeable future. “The demand for wellness retreats here is huge,” she says. “China is rapidly becoming a first world country, with all the stresses and strains of the developed world. The next step is for China to grow beyond its appetite for material things, and discover our true need to live life harmoniously with each other and the environment.”
Community living at the Sangha Retreat.
MARCH 2019 BLUE WINGS 47
Smart stuff Discoveries for a clever life
COMPILED BY MARK FLETCHER
GET GOING These productivity apps will put your devices to good use.
New clothing tech
FROM BARK TO BOLERO and paper company Stora Enso has joined H&M and IKEA in backing an initiative called TreeToTextile, which will develop new textile fibres from renewable forest raw materials. The TreeToTextile project has successfully completed the trial phase in Sweden and now Stora Enso will mass produce it at their Nordic plants. “The goal of TreeToTextile is to make this innovative technology broadly accessible and to provide better textiles in harmony with nature, to all,” says head of Stora
F I N N I S H P UL P
Enso Biomaterials division, Markus Mannström.
Coming soon: forest resources made into sustainable textiles!
CO NNEC TE D H O M ES
Designed to allow users to chain together various devices and services via custom “applets,” IFTTT can even send you an email when the dishwasher has finished its cycle.
M ASTE R O F N OT ES
An all-in-one digital organising tool, Evernote syncs lists, notes, voice recordings, and a large range of other functions to make searching hassle-free.
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Widespread Wi-Fi
INTO THE SPACE The digital world just got smaller with Dutch satellite company Hiber having launched their first ‘HiberBand’ nanosatellites, providing connectivity to many remote locations around the world. The Dutch governmentbacked project lays claim to being the first truly global satellite solution.
PHOTOS ADITYA VYAS / UNSPLASH, COURTESY OF THE COMPANIES, ISTOCK
KE E P ING TA B S
Promising to increase productivity, RescueTime monitors your computer use and informs you when and how you’re both productive and distracted.
Smart stuff Discoveries for a clever life
It seems that the one characteristic most closely correlated with success in life is the ability to delay gratification.” M ICHI O KAKU, THEOR E TI CAL PHYSI CI ST
Sink your teeth into this juicy meatless burger!
Tackling pollution
SUPERSIZE SPONGE AMSTE R DAM- B ASED
architect
Angelo Renna has designed a concept for an artificial “sponge mountain” made to cut pollution in Turin, Italy. The 90-metre construction will be made from specially engineered soil taken from a nearby TurinLyon railway tunnel project. The mountain will also serve as a green landmark for the city and as an inviting place for a leisurely walk.
Sustainable food tech
MIMICKING MEAT Impossible Foods were already turning heads with their plant-based Impossible Burger V.1 but V.2 has just hit the market and supplier demand is through the roof. Impossible Burger V.2 has been made from a new gluten-free/zero cholesterol recipe that packs a protein punch equivalent to that of beef.
LISTEN UP! Inspired by the books of the same name, the award-winning podcast Freakonomics Radio, hosted by co-authors Stephen Dubner and Steve Levitt, explores “the hidden side of everything” from economy to pop culture.
MARCH 2019 BLUE WINGS 49
WHAT WORKS IN SWEDEN
WORKWEAR COLLECTION 2019
Our garments prove themselves every day in tough environments. Visible, durable and comfortable. We feel that if they work in Sweden, they will work everywhere and more and more workers, all over the world, agree with us. Test ProJob. We can take it.
www.projob.se/en Importer Oy Trexet Finland Ab A New Wave Group Company www.newwave.fi
Smart stuff Discoveries for a clever life
Future car solution
PHOTO HYUNDAI
HAVE LEGS WILL TRAVEL W H E RE TH IS CA R is going, it doesn’t need roads. The Elevate Concept by South Korean carmaker Hyundai can use wheels or robotic legs, enabling users to navigate from smooth roads to the most hazardous terrain. The hybrid car would come in handy for hard to reach emergency situations or help make for one heck of a picnic excursion.
Importer Oy Trexet Finland Ab• A New Wave Group Company • www.newwave.fi
Conversation Guest writer Anu Partanen
It takes a nation to raise a child
A N U PARTANE N is a journalist living in Helsinki. Her book The Nordic Theory of Everything: In Search of a Better Life compares life in the United States and the Nordic countries.
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AS I SAT WA I T I N G for my flight in an airport café in Iceland, I spotted a little girl across the room crying, clinging to her mother. Without thinking I started talking out loud. “Poor little one, you must be tired.” Had I gone crazy? I’d been born and raised in Finland, and we Finns tend to be a reserved people who respect each other’s privacy. We don’t just go starting up conversations with strangers. But I can offer an explanation. Two things have happened to me recently. One: I gave birth to a child. Two: I gave birth to that child in the United States. My home country of Finland is a land of many successes (Nokia) and some failures (Nokia). It is a country where a child born today has more opportunities to succeed, regardless of family background, than a child almost anywhere else. Finland’s public health-care system covers every child; its public daycare system is excellent and affordable; and its world-famous public education system is free for every child. In the US where I got married, had my child, and lived for a decade, it’s a different story. A child in the US born to wealthy or highly educated parents can also have great opportunities. But the vast majority of families in the US are stuck with far fewer options, and they struggle to get decent healthcare and education. These differences between Finland and the US are a paradox. In Finland, every citizen contributes to every child’s welfare in a crucial way−because as a society we pay the taxes that fund our services for all citizens. At the same
time, when it comes to encountering children in everyday life, we Finns often think other people’s children are none of our business. It’s the other way around in the US. The lack of universal social services wreaks havoc on the nation’s children. Yet everywhere you go, the love for kids overflows. “Aw, is there a little one in there?” The bear of a man was standing on a hot street in New York City, sweating in a hard hat and safety vest. He was leaning over to get a closer look at the baby carrier strapped to my chest, my newborn hidden inside. “I have four myself,” he told me proudly. Such frequent intrusions surprised me. Like many Finns I’d never been particularly touched by encounters with other people’s children. But now I realise that having a child in the US has changed me. As a Nordic citizen I will always believe that it is the duty of society to ensure children get equal opportunities. But in the US, I also came to love the outpouring of support from strangers. Now that I’ve moved back to Finland, I’m used to strangers mostly ignoring my child. But that day at the airport, when I saw the mother with the crying child boarding the same flight as me, I walked over and offered to carry the mother’s belongings. We commiserated about travel with young children, and the little one stopped crying. So next time you hear a child cry at the airport or on the plane, maybe just go ahead: intrude. No matter where you’re from, it might make that parent’s job a little easier.
The differences between Finland and the US are a paradox.
PHOTO COURTESY OF CAFÉ POSTRES
Create
Celebrate accomplishments
A treat for all senses Finland’s newest hotspots bring fresh ambiance to historical settings (p. 54) MARCH 2019 BLUE WINGS 53
LIVING
54 BLUE WINGS MARCH 2019
Creative corner Finland
LA VILLA LOCA Gone are the days of cosy clutter and shabby chic. Finland’s facelifted wooden villas are all about modern design and community spirit. TEXT AMANDA SOILA PHOTOS AMANDA SOILA, CAFE SIILI, AND BRINNA CREATIVE
I
n the forest-filled north, wooden housing was the norm for centuries. Timber was abundant, and wooden homes provided clean air and a pest-free environment for residents. But, alas, many old wooden neighbourhoods were demolished to make way for concrete housing blocks or brick rowhouses during the housing boom of the 1960s and ’70s. Timber buildings fell upon tough times, with owners showing little interest in investing in the pricey upkeep of the crumbling beauties that survived the demolition spree. But now some of Finland’s most visionary entrepreneurs, from restaurateurs to hotel owners, are rediscovering these grand dames of wooden architecture.
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COMMUNIT Y AT H E A R T Helsinki’s summer café Siili has become a nextgeneration neighbourhood meeting place.
pioneers of the wooden Renaissance is California-based entrepreneur Jyri Engeström, who was born in the “garden city” neighbourhood of Helsinki’s Käpylä, where each block used to comprise a little store or service alongside family living quarters. But for 40 years Engeström, who left Helsinki but kept returning to his “hood” every summer, witnessed the spaces fall into gradual decay. That is until four years ago when he got the idea of converting one of them, a space next to his childhood home, into a neighbourhood meeting place – and so café Siili was born. Wanting to reawaken the old village-like feel of the area, Engeström and his partner Caterina Fake renovated the building and opened a summer café in a tiny cellar space. The idea to install a modern café in a historic setting was partly inspired by San Francisco, where the family spends winters. “In San Francisco, we’ve been witnessing the rise of new-wave coffee joints in our
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ONE OF THE
neighbourhood, where lots of the houses are wooden just like in Käpylä,” Engeström says. formerly housed a milk shop and a community sauna, but had been kept as a storeroom for years after they were closed down, and its renovation was no easy affair. Not wanting to cut corners, Engeström and Fake teamed up with Studio Puisto, the architects behind many of Finland’s most interesting hotel openings, as well as quirky designer duo Aamu Song and Johan Olin. The result echoes the “In Siili artisan spirit of today, coupled with respect for history and a modern, we found warm touch. a way to build “These old houses should be looked after, if only for health a community reasons,” says Engeström. Wooden spaces have been shown to have in real life.” cleaner air quality, but they are also said to lower stress levels and even increase interaction between people. Community is at the heart of everything for Engeström, founder of services such as the Jaiku online community. The same goes for Fake, co-founder of the Flickr image sharing service. “We have both been community builders online, but with Siili we found a way to do it in real life as well,” says Engeström. Though Siili was born as a neighbourhood meeting place, the little café soon attracted people from all over Helsinki. With just eight seats indoors and another eight out in the garden, the micro-café is tiny, but that’s part of its charm. “The humble setting is part of our philosophy, harking back to the days when these buildings each housed several families. But, in fact, they were forerunners of the huge communal living trend we are seeing at the moment. We find beauty in that modesty,” says Engeström. >
TH E O L D 1 92 0S S PAC E
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G ROWI N G OLD TOGETHER Porvoo’s Café Postres brings a modern touch to historic settings.
A SHOR T HOP FR OM
HE L SI NKI , the old town of Porvoo is dotted with wellpreserved timber buildings dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries, making it a favourite day outing for travellers. It’s also a great spot for ambitious restaurateurs such as Riku and Johanna Stenros, who moved from Helsinki to Porvoo 16 years ago. As the owner of several restaurants in Helsinki, Riku Stenros initially had no ambition to open another in his new home town. “But when we spent time in the old town, we noticed how lots of the cafés and hotels were stuck in a time warp. Decorating with antiques and serving old-fashioned food is not the only way to respect history,” he muses. I N 2 016, the couple teamed up with top chef Simona Milazzo to open Café Postres in Porvoo’s old town. First opened as an artisan café specialising in ice creams, brunch and lunch were soon added to the menu. With light green exteriors and large slanted windows overlooking the cobblestone street, the building was a private residence until the 1970s, at which point it was abandoned like many other buildings in Porvoo. In the ’90s, it opened as a restaurant that survived for 20 years.
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“You know an old wooden house is healthy when your toes are freezing.”
“But when we started, the space had been empty for a while and it was in pretty bad shape,” notes Riku Stenros. the house is a heritage site protected by the National Board of Antiquities, so structural alterations needed to be minimal. Instead of initiating a total overhaul, Stenros and his team strove to rejuvenate the original materials that had been covered up over the years. “You should never insulate anything in this kind of house. It should be allowed to breathe. You know that an old wooden house is healthy when your toes are freezing in winter,” he says. The original spirit of the house also guided the team’s aesthetic choices. The visual palette consists of natural materials such as leather, wood, and clay, with local artisans adding a unique, hand-crafted touch. But the best part of a wooden house comes naturally with the package: “It’s the atmosphere, the scents, and the sounds. And the house keeps changing and adapting to its inhabitants.” >
L IKE AL L O F OL D PO RVO O,
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MINIMALIST O F T H E S PA TOWN
W HI L E KÄPYL Ä AND
are small and sweet, more striking wooden villas can be found in the west-coast town of Hanko. A famous spa town since the 1800s, Hanko formerly accommodated spa visitors in quaint guesthouses during the summer season, while more affluent families built their own grand villas, which remain landmarks to this day. But even these beauties have not escaped deterioration, with owners unwilling or unable to invest in the massive renovations required to bring the buildings up to date. One recently reopened guesthouse, however, has shaken things up thanks to Staffan Tallqvist and his opportune timing.
Hanko’s Villa Solgården is a hub of peace and calm.
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PORVOO
“I had had my eye on the house for quite a while before it finally became available. Though the interiors were in pretty terrible condition I could see that the structure was in good shape,” says Tallqvist. He first bought the house as a future summer villa for his three children. While waiting for them to grow up, he decided to renovate the place to serve as a guesthouse, which was opened during summer of 2015. Villa Solgården represents the more “The homemodern end of Hanko’s wooden like feel comes architecture with its mansard roof and undecorated façade. Its from the simple beauty lies in its simplicity and its spacious, light rooms. These were style.” also the key elements architect Joanna Maury sought to emphasise in the renovations, in which three layers of plastic carpet were removed to reveal beautiful wooden flooring. The walls and staircases meanwhile underwent minimal changes to maintain the old atmosphere. “We tried to bring in an interior style that complements the building. We wanted this place to radiate a sort of zen ambiance. A ‘less is more’ philosophy was crucial,” says Tallqvist. The rule of simplicity has been followed to a T in the spacious living room and kitchen area, as well as in the 16 cosy, white rooms containing only the essentials. “People always associate the word ‘cosy’ with shabby, but here the home-like feel comes from the simple style and relaxed atmosphere,” he says. Like most of Hanko, Solgården caters to summer visitors from May to September. In winter, the old house hibernates, the freezing temperatures keeping mould at bay. And it looks like visitors can look forward to plenty of future summers at Solgården. After a few years of running the guesthouse, Tallqvist decided that perhaps his children might want to choose their own summer hideaways. Solgården will thus remain a guesthouse, keeping alive the spa town tradition and providing fresh air and peace for many seasons to come.
O RIG INAL LY B U I LT I N 1 9 0 4 ,
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Investigation
Fair flying Are you up in the air about climate change and travel? We take a closer look at what the industry is doing to tackle the issue. TEXT LAUREL COLLESS ILLUSTRATION PINJA MERETOJA
Y
ou’ve just stowed your cabin bag and switched your device to flight mode. Now as you prepare for takeoff, are you landed with guilt about adding more carbon to our overloaded skies? If so, you’re not alone. You’re also not alone in the sky right now. An average of 8,000 people every second board a plane, so you’re sharing the air with about one million other passengers. Down on the ground, the United Nations has given the world a 12-year window to cap the average global temperature rise at 1.5 degrees Celsius. To achieve this, as a world, we need to halve our total emissions by 2030. But what can we do? “Different people have different motivations for changing their behaviour,” explains Markus Terho, project director at Finland’s Innovation Fund, Sitra. Terho and his team have studied and worked for two years on how to motivate individuals to make sustainable everyday choices. They’ve also developed a lifestyle test, designed, as Terho smilingly puts it, “to show people whether they’re a threat or an opportunity for the environment.” The online test, which has already been taken nearly
600,000 times, generates a slate of new behaviour suggestions, tailored for each user. “We all have to eat, we all have to move, we all need to live somewhere, and buy products and services,” says Terho. “And all of these are linked to environmental impacts.”
WHY DO WE FLY? We all have reasons for flying. Think about yours. You may have family who live far, or perhaps you’re travelling for work, maybe you’re living in the cold North and off in search of sunshine. The Sitra study found that an average Finnish family makes only one flight per year. So, they have other ways to cut their carbon dioxide emissions that might have a bigger impact. “But for people who fly a lot, for example more than ten times a year, even a small reduction could have a radical effect,” Terho suggests. Finnair’s Director of Corporate Sustainability, Kati Ihamäki agrees. “We encourage our passengers to think about how often they fly and why. And we want them to travel as efficiently as possible,” she says.
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YÖVY SINULLE VALITUSSA HOTELLISSA Finnair Holidays vie sinut maailman unohtumattomiin kolkkiin ja hotelleihin, jotka varmasti ovat vierailusi arvoisia helmiä. Finnair Holidays –matkat sisältävät aina lennot ja sinulle valitut hotellit. Saat nämä ja kolminkertaiset Finnair Plus -pisteet osoitteesta finnair.fi/holidays
“Even simple things like direct ascents or descents during take-off and landing can make flying more efficient.”
To support this, Finnair has a service to help people combine different travel modes, offering a combination of rail and air services. “A rule of thumb would be, if it’s less than 500 kilometres, try to find a better alternative than flying,” says Ihamäki. Finnair wants to do everything possible to curb emissions, she asserts: “People tend to forget just how bad climate change is for business.” We all know how extreme weather linked to a warming planet affects air travel. Heat waves, freezes, flooding, hurricanes, and superstorms can all keep planes grounded. Finnair’s climate action plan includes fleet renewal, operational and infrastructure efficiency, emissions offsetting, and biofuel. If you’re travelling right now on a Finnair long-haul, that’s good news for your carbon footprint. In 2009, Finnair invested in a new fuel-efficient fleet, which uses 25 per cent less fuel. “The numbers speak for themselves,” says Ihamäki. Backed by the new fleet efficiency, combined with operational actions taken during the period from 2009 to 2017, the airline achieved a 19.8 per cent reduction in emissions.
OPTIMISING FLIGHT EFFICIENCY Weight also has a dramatic effect on fuel use. Who knew that Finnair’s Marimekko dinnerware had been especially designed to weigh 15 per cent less than the regular collection? Seats, cargo nets, even our luggage in the hold, may seem negligible but, overall, they add up to fuel efficiency. Finnair pilots have also been trained to find the right flight conditions. That can mean flying slower or faster, with favourable winds, avoiding storms, and optimising flight altitudes depending on air temperature. “Even simple things like direct ascents or descents during takeoff and landing, instead of a gradual approach can make flying more efficient,” Ihamäki explains.
Advanced airports can play a role in this. Helsinki Airport has invested in three runways, making continuous landing possible even at peak times. It also helps cut down on runway taxiing time and flying holding patterns, waiting to land. On the ground Finnair’s headquarters have been designed to achieve the Leed Platinum certification in green building. “But even with all these internal efforts,” Ihamäki insists, “we want to go beyond our own operational emissions.” That’s where the carbon offset programme comes in.
FINDING THE BEST WAY FORWARD? Finland, along with 78 other countries, has voluntarily signed up to an offsetting programme called CORSIA, the first industry-wide compensation mechanism for managing aviation emissions. Starting in 2027, international flights will be required to offset emissions beyond 2020 levels either directly by buying biofuels or by purchasing carbon offsets. Finnair customers can also sign up for a similar type of system. In the Push for Change service launched in January, the cost of offsets is one euro for a return flight within Finland; two euros for a return flight inside Europe; and six euros for a return intercontinental flight. “We wanted to make it inclusive and give our passengers a chance to take part,” Ihamäki explains. Buying an offset will either support clean energy projects in the developing world or investment into biofuel. “It’s in our best interests to solve the climate crisis inclusively and positively,” Ihamäki affirms. Sitra’s Markus Terho also advocates a positive approach, with less of the negative mantras – Don’t fly! Don’t drive! Don’t eat beef! “Know where your impacts come from,” he advises, “and what changes could bring the best gains, while still keeping life enjoyable.”
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Sidesteps Latvia
On the wild side Every day is local food day in Latvia, where eating off the land has always been in fashion. TEXT SILJA KUDEL PHOTOS LIISA VALONEN
W
hen food bloggers extol the merits of foraging or rave about hyperlocal superfoods, the average Latvian is likely to sigh and shrug: “Meh, we’ve been doing that for centuries!” Forest-to-fork sustainable eating has always been a natural choice in a country that is 60 per cent woodland and remains dominated by small farms. Home vegetable gardens are common, and
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a Latvian without a pair of gumboots is asking for very wet feet come berry and mushroom season. Not that Latvia is a medieval culinary backwater. Traditional grey peas and speck come alive with a side dish of pickled rhubarb, and birch sap makes a great detox salad dressing. We scout the Baltic gastronomy capital and meet innovators who are pushing tradition in eclectic directions.
Feast afloat tinkles softly as chef Valters Zirdzinš , sprinkles dill on a fresh platter of herring appetisers. Eyes down, finessing a sixcourse menu for 28 guests, he seems oblivious to the magical location of his kitchen, which is serenely afloat on a motorised raft in the middle of a lake in the Latvian countryside. Zirdzinš , is a celebrity chef invited to cook for “Dinner on the Lake,” a pop-up restaurant conceived by Arturs Gailitis. “Every week we invite a different chef to create a gourmet seasonal spread for our guests. We serve up the finest of Latvia, both in food and scenery,” says Gailitis.
HAR P MUSI C
Lake Kala is the scenic location of “Dinner on the Lake,” a seasonal pop-up in Vestiena parish.
Valters Zirdziņš is head chef at Valtera restorans, a gourmet local food eatery in Riga.
Sustainable eating is a natural choice in a country of small farms.
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Volumes of flavour says “library,” but the books on the shelves are mainly for show at Biblioteka No1, one of Riga’s finest restaurants. Lightening up traditional Latvian fare with contemporary touches, the menu packs volumes of flavour, texture, and colour with a cavalcade of seasonal herbs, berries, mushrooms, and veggies. The exquisite location and terrace overlooking Central Park attracts the weekend party crowd, but elegant nooks are available for quiet dining. THE SI G N OUTSI D E
@orrefors
Bloom
6400025 • Design vase H 125 mm Ø 230 mm It is a universal truth that opposites attract and create harmony. Hot and cold, hard and soft, black and white. You can´t have one without the other. When designer Lisa Hilland was asked to create a vase for Orrefors that was just as beautiful with or without flowers, she chose to contrast the exclusive crystal with metal. BLOOM is inspired by the organic shapes in nature, such as flowers and leaves. It is as perfect holding an exquisite bouquet as it is with a simple branch of ivy, but is also stunning in its own glory when the clear Orrefors crystal catches the light just right. Design by Lisa Hilland 2018
orrefors.com Maahantuoja Oy Trexet Finland Ab • www.newwave.fi A New Wave Group Company
Hot ale, milord? H OT DARK B E E R with honey and spices is a winter specialty served at Valmiermuiža, a craft brewery located on the grounds of an 18th-century manor near the northern town of Valmiera. Slow-brewed using pure, local ingredients, the brewery’s acclaimed live beers can be sampled on a brewery tour and in the granary kitchen, which serves meals made from pure, local produce. For younger lords and ladies, there are organic sodas made from quince, chokeberry, and rhubarb.
Do the truffle are among the wild goodies found in the gourmet truffles handcrafted by NelleUlla. Sold in exclusive outlets around the world, the Riga-based wild chocolate brand experiments with unusual fillings such as local sea buckthorn and freeze-dried berries. “We make ‘forest confectionary’ out of fresh flavours that aren’t too sweet. My winter favourite is gingerbread,” says co-founder Laura Sebre.
CO R N F LOW ER PETA L S
Sweet wild thing: NelleUlla gingerbread truffles have a peppery kick.
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FINNAIR.COM
TO LEARN NEW TRICKS ONE OF 6 974 073 REASONS TO FLY
Showroom COMPILED BY SILJA KUDEL
Celebrating creative outcomes
CALL ME CUTE
Hiker hideaway
ROCKING AURORA
Put more “smart” in your smartphone with a clever case. The Varden cabin is open to hikers year-round.
B I R D CAL LS
PHOTOS TOR EVEN MATHISEN, GUTSY ANIMATIONS, COURTESY OF THE COMPANIES
Kauniste offers a range of whimsical slimlook covers in frisky colours. €29
A G LOW ING CO CO O N sits atop Storfjellet Mountain near the northern town of Hammerfest in Norway. What initially looks like an oversized insect nest or alien pod is a wooden hiking cabin designed by Spinn Arkitekter, with a prefabricated honeycomb structure developed by Format Engineers. Designed to withstand harsh polar conditions, the hut blends perfectly with its rocky surroundings, offering a once-in-a-lifetime lookout point for observing the Northern Lights. Later this year, Spinn Arkitekter will construct a twin cabin on Tyven, a mountain on the other side of Hammerfest.
L E T’S TAL K NAT URAL
Lastu for iPhone is crafted from real wood with a smooth, dark, or light finish. €28.90
Primetime premiere
RETURN TO MOOMINVALLEY A new generation of fans can look forward to discovering writer-illustrator Tove Jansson’s classic stories about a family of whimsical trolls and their friends. Moominvalley is a 3D animation series premiering this spring in Finland and the UK. The series was supported by a crowdsourced Indiegogo campaign, and the British version features a starstudded cast of A-listers including Kate Winslet and Rosamund Pike.
SHAD OW PLAY
Lend an ear to your favourite troll with a characterful cover from Moomin by Mozo. €24.90
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Showroom Celebrating creative outcomes
Book nook
SISU FROM BRISTOL
Sisu gets visual in the hands of Naomi Wilkinson.
“Nordic wellbeing brought to you from Bristol” – this could be the secret slogan of two books recently illustrated by UK artist Naomi Wilkinson, the talented visual ambassador of trendy lifestyle exports from the North. First she translated the Swedish concept of “balance” into images for Lagom: The Swedish Art of Balanced Living by Linnea Dunne. Now her endearing style adds fresh energy to the pages of Sisu – the Finnish Art of Courage, a hands-on guide to finding strength by Joanna Nylund.
Toe ticklers
FLEET OF FOOT If you’re a frequent flyer right down to your toes, then say it with your socks! Sweden’s Happy Socks have designed a limitededition gift item celebrating Finnair. The exclusive print features snow-white airplanes against a midnight-blue background, topped with a pale blue cuff. Pre-order from the Finnair Shop for €10.
Iiu Susiraja portrays herself through a lens of absurdist humour.
Showroom Celebrating creative outcomes
Perfect Match
PRETTY WHITTY
Z ANI TA WHITTINGTON
Australian photographer and influential style blogger
MAR I ME KKO
Iconic Finnish design brand famous for its striking textile prints
BOLD BY NAT URE
Series of short films introducing adventurous creative spirits
When the humble thistle takes centre stage.
Q&A
PHOTOS IIU SUSIRAJA, PIRJE MYKKÄNEN, ANITA AUSTVIKA, COURTESY OF THE COMPANIES
SURREAL SELFIES Iiu Susiraja challenges established ideas about femininity with her candid self-portraits. W H Y D ID YO U G ET I N TO
W H AT M ESSAG E AR E YOU
P H OTO G RAP H Y A N D V I DEO?
S EN DI N G W I T H YOUR
“There is a touch of truth to these mediums. Of course images can be manipulated, but I like the idea that a photo and video can be true. I love the truth.”
U N C EN S O R ED S EL FI E S?
YO U P O RTRAY YO U RS E L F W ITH B RU TAL H O NE STY, IN “ UNFL ATTE RIN G ” P OS E S US ING W E IRD P RO P S . WHY?
“There’s a wonderful freedom when you don’t have to think too much about what others think of you. It’s addictive! It’s good if my photos empower other people to dare to photograph themselves. After Susiraja’s 10-year seeing my upcoming retrospective exhibition at Kiasma, opens at the viewers may begin to Helsinki Museum of Contemporary look at the props and Art Kiasma on the body differently.”
“I start by thinking March 15. about different props and how they can be W H AT P L ACE I N S PI R ES YO U ? used in a fun, new, or strange way as part of me. Humour “My home, wherever it plays a big role in my art – it happens to be, which is reshuffles the whole deck. currently Turku. My domestic When people don’t have a environment is a place I can clear picture of you, you’re safe.” be wild and free.”
Whistling thistles!
IT’S A BAND OF WEEDS ONE OF THE W E I R D E ST ACTS
seen on tour recently is Band of Weeds, which consists of three plants: common wormwood (Artemisia vulgaris), dooryard dock (Rumex longifolius), and creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense). The botanical trio have even released an album of 11 songs called Other Than Human, which features sound material recorded directly from plants. The fictive band is a project conceived by artists Kalle Hamm and Dzamil Kamanger, giving a voice to beings normally relegated to muteness. The song interpretations are by musicians Lauri Ainala and Hermanni Keko.
MARCH 2019 BLUE WINGS 73
Showroom Celebrating creative outcomes
SE NJA
Dark labels look flattering on skin care products made from wild Finnish berries and herbs.
BIRD B NB
Offer feathered friends a hip hangout with a fold-out birdhouse from March. €59
Dark thoughts
NORDIC NOIR Everything looks chicer in mysterious black, the colour that says “don’t mess with me.” WAV BY RA DI S
Black lines make a bold graphic statement in birch shelving from Estonian Design House. €295
B AL MUI R
The Milan Scarf is a luxurious mix of cashmere and silk: €99 pre-ordered from the Finnair Shop.
NOME N NE SCI O
The Finnish unisex fashion brand designs comfort clothes for minimalists.
Joy of unisex: his = hers!
Showroom Celebrating creative outcomes
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE COMPANIES, LINA JELANSKI, TEAMLAB
teamLab’s digital artworks find a permanent home in Tokyo.
BORDERLESS BODIES For those who missed out on teamLab’s recent smash-hit exhibition at Helsinki’s Amos Rex Museum, consolation is offered in Tokyo. The Mori Building Digital Art Museum hosts Borderless, a permanent exhibition of teamLab’s mind-blowing digital artworks fused in a vast, immersive 3D world. Wander, explore, forget yourself – but don’t forget to pre-book. Tickets sell out fast.
Fly with the brighter alliance. Welcome to oneworld®, an alliance of 13 world-leading airlines committed to providing the highest level of service and connecting you to over 1,000 destinations around the world. It’s the smartest way to travel and make your connections to more than 150 countries worldwide. Exploring the world has never been easier. If you’re planning to visit three, four, five or more continents in a single trip, booking a oneworld Explorer fare is the simpler way to travel around the world. Select routes, plan stopovers, and book your itinerary by searching global travel options that fit your needs. Learn more about how you can travel bright at oneworld.com
Enjoy more places. And how you get there.
Finnair Plus Silver oneworld Ruby
Finnair Plus Gold oneworld Sapphire
Finnair Plus Platinum oneworld Emerald
Earn and redeem Finnair Plus points on all oneworld member airlines Earn Tier points on all eligible oneworld flights Access to Business Class priority check-in Access to preferred or pre-reserved seating Priority on waitlists and when on standby Access to Business Class lounges Priority boarding Extra baggage allowance Priority baggage handling Access to First Class priority check-in Access to First Class lounges Fast track at security lanes 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). American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, LATAM Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian, S7 Airlines, SriLankan Airlines and oneworld are trademarks of their respective companies. LATAM Airlines (Paraguay) is currently not a part of oneworld. Some limitations and exceptions may apply. For more information, visit www.oneworld.com/benefits. Fiji Airways is a oneworld connect partner which provides select alliance benefits to oneworld members. For more information, visit www.oneworld.com/oneworld-connect.
Globetrotter On the road with a travel blogger
Light painting in a forest near Levi, Lapland.
A (husky) pack leader in Rovaniemi, Lapland.
A bird’s eye view of a forest in Kittilä, Lapland.
The Milky Way galaxy and a shooting star, the Dolomites, Italy.
When the lights go out Photographer Roope Honkapirtti finds beauty in the darkness. HOW D ID YO U G E T I N T ER EST ED I N
I joined a friend of mine when he was going out to take pictures of the night sky. It was one of the best experiences of my life, and the next day I bought his old camera.
P H OTO GRAP H Y ?
orway, but beautiful views can be N found across the whole planet. A R E YO U E VE R AFRAI D OF THE DAR K?
I used to be very afraid of the dark especially when alone but over years I’ve got used to it.
WH AT IS IT AB O U T DA R K N ESS T H AT
The dark skies always put me in a peaceful mood and I find the endlessness of space fascinating. FAS C INATE S YO U?
WH E RE D O YO U FI N D T H E M OST M AG ICAL S KIE S? Most of my pictures are taken in Finland or Northern
78 BLUE WINGS MARCH 2019
S H A R E A TI P FOR CAPTUR I NG A G R EAT N I G HT-TI ME SHOT?
For a great night-time shot the only things you need are a camera or a phone with manual settings, a place with little or no light pollution, and a tripod or a rock on which to balance the camera.
R OOPE H ONKAPIRT T I
is a 23-year-old photographer from southern Finland who spends most of his free time wandering around nature with his camera. @roopehonkapirtti
Fly
FINNAIR
The world of Finnair
Hello world! The world is your playground with Finnair’s extensive network MARCH 2019 BLUE WINGS 79
World of Finnair Highlights of the month
Chongqing THE HILLS ARE ALIVE
Built on a mountainous terrain, lush hills form an ever-present backdrop to the urban skyline in the southwest Chinese city of Chongqing. The dramatic scenery also beckons exploration beyond the city. One such nature escape is the Wulong National Geology Park, some two hours from downtown Chongqing, where deep valleys and stone archways meet to form breath-taking views. Finnair flies to Chongqing (CKG) three times a week.
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World of Finnair Highlights of the month
Snow versus sun winter route takes passengers to Sapporo, a stunning Japanese city surrounded by mountains and known for its amazing winterthemed activities. “Finnair is the only European airline to fly a scheduled route to Sapporo,” says Christian Lesjak, Senior Vice President, Network and Resource Management. Two weekly
FINNAIR’S NE W EST
frequencies will operate starting December 15, 2019. For those preferring the sandy beaches over winter sports, Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic is the place to be. With gorgeous resorts and golf courses, Punta Cana offers a family-friendly escape from the winter blues. A weekly frequency will operate starting December 13, 2019.
Heart of HEL Helsinki Airport opened the doors to its newest extension, Aukio. The impressive event plaza offers arriving and departing passengers in the long-haul area a glimpse of Finland’s four seasons with an immersive spatial experience. In addition to the plaza, passengers can enjoy world-class restaurants and shops, including a selection of high-quality Finnish design – while not forgetting international favourites.
I N FE B R UARY
PHOTOS ISTOCK, FINNAIR, PASI SALMINEN
FINNAIR ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Travel without hassle and hurry. The Finnair Lounge in the non-Schengen area of Helsinki Airport is undergoing a total transformation. The renewal will be completed gradually by June 2019.
FINNAIR
Did you know that you can preorder a vegetarian meal for your flight? We are also trialling a vegan salad with Finnish pulled oats on our long-haul Business Class, starting Feb 13.
FINNAIR
Our 13th #A350Finnair is expected to fly home during next week. Altogether we’ve ordered 19 A350 aircraft and the last aircraft will be delivered during 2022.
FE E L FI NNAI R
MARCH 2019 BLUE WINGS 81
World of Finnair Services
STAY CONNECTED
Fly the short northern route
FI NNAI R CHAT Finnair Live chat is available on weekdays 7 am to 10 pm, on Saturdays 9 am to 6 pm, and on Sundays 10 am to 10 pm (Finnish time).
chatbot, affectionately known as Finn, who is ready to help plan your journey via Finnair’s global Facebook Messenger account. ME E T FI NNAI R ’S
FI NNAI R APP Tap your way through your journey. Log in with your last name and booking reference or your Finnair Plus username and password.
WITH A MODERN FLEET, extensive route network, and
world-class service, Finnair offers a comfortable and convenient way to travel. Finnair is one of the world’s oldest airlines. Since then, the company has grown from a small carrier to one that is a respected member of the international airline industry. Finnair’s route network includes 19 destinations in Asia, eight in the Americas, and 100 in Europe. In ESTAB L IS H E D IN 1 923 ,
2017, Finnair carried almost 12 million passengers. And during the 2018 summer season, Finnair will operate 97 flights a week to Asia, of which 38 flights are to China and 38 flights to Japan. Finnair’s modern and ecofriendly fleet consists of over 60 aircraft, most of which are Airbuses.
All Finnair A330 and A350 aircraft offer Wi-Fi connections. SKY HI G H W I - FI
W ECHAT
Scan and follow Finnair’s official WeChat account.
SMART PACKING
TIPS FOR A SMOOTH TAKEOFF
Pack too much? Avoid excess baggage fees by paying in advance for extra allowance at special pre-paid prices directly from finnair.com.
Before your flight
Self-service bag drop
Automated check-in
There’s a lot going on at Helsinki Airport and the construction is a nuisance. Arrive at the airport in good time and get to know the changes beforehand.
Print your bag tag at the self-service kiosk, go to the self-service bag drop, scan your bag tag, and send your bag through.
Finnair can do the check-in for you and send your boarding pass to your mobile phone. Just add your phone number to your Finnair Plus profile.
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Liquids rule Liquids are allowed through security in containers (max 100ml) packed in a transparent resealable 1-litre plastic bag.
World of Finnair Frequent flyer program
Finnair Plus membership THE FINNAIR PLUS program allows
FI
N
N
A JO IR IN .C A O T M /P L
U
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you to earn both tier points and award points when travelling with Finnair or a oneworld airline and award points from services provided by Finnair Plus partners.
A WORLD OF BENEFITS for free by filling in the form online at finnair.com/plus. As a Plus member, you get access to valuable benefits and rewards. Earn points for flights and services and use them both at home and abroad. You can use your Finnair Plus award points for additional Finnair services such as seat selection, J O IN FINNAIR PLU S
WHAT’S NEW THIS MONTH? meals, and extra baggage payments. The number of points you pay depends on your flight and the chosen service. You can pay for travel extras at the time you book your reservation or later through the Manage Booking tab. Go to finnairshop.com to find Finnair gift cards, partner services, and award vouchers.
BEST FROM PARTNERS
Nordea Mastercard You can now get Finnair Plus points for every credit purchase made with the Finnair Plus Mastercard. Receive two Finnair Plus points per every euro spent. Apply at finnairshop.com
You now have the option to protect your Finnair Plus account even better with twofactor authentication. When enabled, this feature adds an extra layer of security to your account and minimises the risk of possible fraud. To set up two-factor authentication, go to the Advanced login tab on the Update your Profile page and follow the instructions. To read more, log into your Finnair Plus profile: finnair.com/plus
AVIS extra points Receive up to 9,000 Finnair Plus points for your car rental with Avis. The rental period lasts from March 1 to August 31 with a minimum of 3 days rental. finnair.com/plus
MARCH 2019 BLUE WINGS 83
World of Finnair Deals of the month
7 reasons to love finnairshop.com THE FINNAIR SHOP is your one-stop shopping
site to pre-order products before your flight, buy Nordic design items delivered directly to your seat, and use your Finnair Plus points for various Finnair Plus partner services.
PEUGEOT PARIS Pepper and salt mill set, 2 pcs. Available at finnairshop.com for seat delivery.
€68
MOOMIN BISCUITS Moomin-shaped biscuits in a collectible tin, 175 g. Available at finnairshop.com for seat delivery.
€10
UCON ACROBATICS Ruben inflight bag. Multifunctional bag, size 45x37x8 cm. Available at finnairshop.com for seat delivery.
€53
MARCH DEALS
L:A BRUKET 167 broccoli seed hydrating daily serum, 50 ml. Available at finnairshop.com for seat delivery.
€45
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MARCH MADNESS Enjoy easy shopping! Receive a 20% discount on all pre-order purchases paid on Finnair flights from March 1–31, and a 20% discount on all onboard tax-free shopping from March 18–31. Please visit finnairshop.com, check the catalogue in the seat pocket, or ask a cabin crew member for more information.
World of Finnair Deals of the month
RETAIL THERAPY
P 0 0 R 0 FE F O
1,
SEGWAY NINEBOT
Lightweight electric kickscooter. Available at finnairshop.com for home delivery.
€729 + 1,000 p
SHOPPING MADE EASY! Now you can use your Finnair Plus points to pay for your pre-order products and o nboard purchases! Go to the complimentary Nordic Sky portal onboard – the pre-order webshop is always open on Wi-Fi connected Finnair flights. Find the best deals on tax-free products and enjoy special Finnair Plus offers.
4X WAYS TO SHOP
BILLEBEINO HOODIE Yellow unisex hoodie with a regular fit, 4 sizes. Available at finnairshop.com for home delivery.
ONB OARD
Shop online via your own mobile device during the flight using the complimentary Nordic Sky portal.
€80
PR E - OR D E R
Pre-order online before any Finnair flight. finnairshop.com
P 0 0 R 0 E 2, FF O
AWARD VOUCHER
Redeem a voucher for Hotel Levi Panorama. Use your Finnair Plus points or a combination of money and points (available at finnairshop.com).
€75 + 2,000 p
HOME DELIVERY
Use Finnair Plus points to shop for products delivered directly to your home.
VOUCHE R S
Use Finnair Plus points to redeem a voucher for restaurants, hotel stays, car rentals, and much more.
MARCH 2019 BLUE WINGS 85
World of Finnair Flying stories
Q&A
Flying stories IT’S THE CUSTOMERS who make Finnair
and that’s why we’ve dedicated this page to your travel stories.
SHAR E YOUR Finnair
moments on Instagram! Use #feelfinnair, if you want to be featured.
Meet the frequent flyer.
L I NN & E R I N B E L FRAGE
Finnair Plus members from Finland pinjaelvina Les jours comme ça. #helsinki #finland
susselsson On the path to finding my inner Chi. #chongqing #china
FI NNAI R PLUS TI ER
Junior W HI CH FI NNAI R PLUS B E NE FI T HAVE YOU U S ED?
Our mom upgraded us on our flights to Seoul! We could lie down to rest or watch TV and it made the long flight so much easier. HOW D O YOU STAY B USY ONB OAR D?
Read, draw, or play games. NE X T D E STI NATI ON ?
London TOP TI PS FOR LONDON ?
aggiecreative We met them while cross country skiing. #levilapland #reindeer #winter #beauty
piecesofmytravels Can you recognize the building in question? Love the details of it! #visitrussia #moscow
1. Visit the Harry Potter Studios. 2. Watch a musical. 3. Go on the London Eye for a panoramic view! I F YOU COUL D TRAVEL
TAKING PHOTOS AND VIDEOS ONBOARD
ANYW HE R E , W HERE WOUL D I T B E AND WHY ?
your travel experience? The use of small cameras or mobile devices for photography and video to capture your own travel moments is welcome onboard Finnair flights. Please respect the privacy of others onboard, and always ask the WANT TO S H A R E
86 BLUE WINGS MARCH 2019
crew and your fellow passengers for their consent before including them in your memories. Please follow crew instructions: crew members can prohibit photography or video if it disturbs other customers or the crew’s work, or causes a safety concern.
We are huge fans of Japan: anime, fashion, and everything kawaii. It would be cool to time our visit around cherry blossom season. And we’d eat lots of sushi!
World of Finnair Sky food
Eat well FANCY A SNACK ONBOARD? Finnair offers a wide selection of seasonal and healthy options that combine the best of the Nordics, Europe, and Asia.
3 WAYS TO A TASTY MEAL Complimentary beverages Complimentary coffee, tea, water, and Finnair’s signature blueberry juice are always served on Finnair flights.
SI G NATUR E ME NU.
Business Class passengers on Finnair longhaul flights can enjoy Signature Menus prepared by chefs from top restaurants.
S KY B I STR O.
Pick of the month Calling all foodies: test our Business Class standard meals in Economy Class – upgrade your first complimentary meal to a delicious burger meal on selected intercontinental flights. Pre-order for 22€.
Passengers on Finnair flights within Europe and the Middle East can mix and match favourite tastes from the onboard Sky Bistro menu.
FINNA
SKY BISTRIR O
PR E - OR D E R .
Passengers on Finnair flights within Europe and the Middle East can choose sandwiches, salads, breakfast, or dinner in advance from the Nordic Bistro menu.
CHEF OF THE SEASON A T A S T E S E N S A T I ON awaits long-haul Business Class passengers flying from Tokyo to Helsinki with Finnair’s first Japanese Signature Chef Rika Maezawa and her four seasons menu. The vegetablecentric meals stretch beyond the conventional boundaries of Japanese cuisine.
MARCH 2019 BLUE WINGS 87
World of Finnair Wellness & comfort
Onboard wellness
3X TIPS FOR CABIN COMFORT
STAY HYDRATED It is recommended to drink 1-2 decilitres of water every hour. If possible, minimise the amount of tea, coffee, and alcohol you drink. HEALTHIER AIRCRAFT
The Finnair A350 combines the latest technology with advanced passenger comfort features to help you rediscover the thrill of flying. An advanced HEPA filtering system changes the cabin air every two to three minutes ensuring comfort and health for all passengers. Large windows let natural light flow into the cabin and LED technology emits lighting and colours that are customised to fit the time of day, destination, or season. The noise level is 16 decibels below the standard requirement, so resting and relaxing while onboard is easy.
GET SOME SLEEP The best way to tune out is to wear an eye mask and ear plugs. Keep warm, too – have a jacket or blanket handy in case you need it.
2X COMFORTABLE UPGRADES NORDIC BUSINESS CLASS Finnair’s Business Class seats let you fully recline on your intercontinental flight. The seats transform into a 200 cm (6’6”) horizontal bed, so you can enjoy a good night’s sleep.
88 BLUE WINGS MARCH 2019
ECONOMY COMFORT Finnair’s Economy Comfort seating in the front of the Economy Class cabin makes intercontinental travel even more pleasurable with 8–13 cm (3–5 inches) more legroom.
GENERAL WELLBEING Try to bring something to snack on. Fruit and veggies are always a great healthy option. And remember to wear comfortable clothing.
World of Finnair Flight mode
Stay connected THE NORDIC SKY portal is available on all
intercontinental flights and most European flights, and gives you access to news, destination information, and Finnair services. You can use the portal to connect your own devices to the internet.
HOW TO GET STARTED
1 Join the Wi-Fi network Nordic Sky
3 Start exploring at nordic-sky. finnair.com
urn your T device to flight mode and enable Wi-Fi
2
WI-FI PRICES
FINNAIR APP – YOUR TRAVEL COMPANION
1 HOUR
7.95€
3 HOURS
11.95€
12 HOURS
19.95€
These prices apply to long haul flights. You can purchase or redeem internet access directly from the portal.
WHAT’S PLAYING THE FAVOUR I TE
FI R ST MAN
A bawdy, acerbic tale of royal intrigue.
The story behind the first manned mission to the moon, focusing on Neil Armstrong.
FANTASTI C B E ASTS: THE CR I ME S OF G R I ND E LWAL D
YOUNG SHE L D ON
A STAR I S B OR N
THI S I S US
Open the browser of your choice
4
LOOKING FOR A READ? Choose RE AD IN G to access all magazines available on the Nordic Sky portal.
Get boarding passes, book flights and travel extras, view your Finnair Plus balance, and much more with the Finnair app. The app supports your Finnair journey all the way from home to your destination and back!
The film opens in 1927, a few months after Newt helped capture the Gellert Grindelwald.
A fading country music star discovers a talented unknown that he guides to glory.
This single-camera comedy gives us the chance to meet Sheldon Cooper in childhood.
Sometimes life will surprise you.
MARCH 2019 BLUE WINGS 89
World of Finnair Staff tips
British Red Arrows at Kaivopuisto Airshow in Helsinki.
OH-LTR landing in wintry Helsinki. Norra ATR 72-500 taxiing.
In airplane mode Looking to get into plane spotting? Finnair cabin crew member Joona Haltia shares tips on getting that perfect shot.
is a great app for keeping up with the schedules of arrivals and departures. If you’re looking to take photos at Helsinki Airport, the best time (with the most traffic) FL IGH TRADAR 24
90 BLUE WINGS MARCH 2019
would be in the afternoon, starting around 2 pm. After photographing the landings move on to snap some shots of the takeoffs around 4 pm. D EPEN DI N G O N the airport, the distance to the plane may vary a lot. At certain airports like in Phuket and the Greek islands, a cellphone will do nicely whereas at Helsinki Airport you definitely need proper equipment.
and the amount of sunlight play a huge role in how the photos turn out. During winter the duration of daylight is really short, and the sun is low on the horizon. I actually like my winter snapshots as the snow makes light reflect off the plane. During the summer you can go film anytime, there’s pretty much enough light around the clock!
THE W E ATHE R
JOONA HALTI A is
a Finnair Cabin Crew member who has been a plane spotter for the past 4 years. He and his friend Otto Virtanen share their best shots on their shared Instagram account. hvspotting
PHOTOS JOONA HALTIA
P L ANE S P OTTING is a great way to spend time outdoors and make new friends around the world. During layovers I usually spend at least one day photographing.
World of Finnair Holiday sampler
Experience more with Finnair
TOP 3 BELLA ITALIA Soak up some Italian sun and choose your holiday package from aurinkomatkat.fi. (Available in Finnish only)
SI R MI ONE . This picturesque town is known for its thermal baths. Explore the lovely alleys dotted with cafĂŠs and boutiques or visit the coastal villages around Lake Garda by boat.
EXPLORE FINNAIR HOLIDAYS FINNAIR HOLIDAYS takes you straight to where the best
stories are born. Flights, hotel, experiences, and triple Finnair Plus points can now be found from one place. Finnair Holidays is available in Estonia, Finland, and Sweden. Find your story at finnair.com/holidays.
Over 100 destinations
Entire trip from one place
Triple Finnair Plus points
Finnair Holidays opens the door to the most intriguing places in the world. The story of a lifetime awaits!
Pick a set combination or tailor your own trip: flights, hotels, and experiences all in one place.
Every euro you use for your Finnair Holidays trip will gain you three Finnair Plus tier and award points.
Kilometres of  orgeous beach make this seaside town a g fan-favourite for sunbathers. Top off the day with delectable Emilia-Romagna cuisine.
MI L ANO MAR I TTI MA.
PE SCHI E RA D E L G AR DA. This familyfriendly town offers something for everyone. Stroll down the streets of the old town or spend the day relaxing at a water park.
MARCH 2019 BLUE WINGS 91
World of Finnair Sustainability
As part of a UN Women project, Deyanira Cordoba from Colombia has learned about her economic rights, bodily autonomy, and more.
Let’s build a genderbalanced world
Finnair’s sustainability strategy is built on three principles – cleaner, caring, and collaborative.
DO GOOD Finnair Plus members can make point donations via finnairshop.com to
women and girls in nearly 100 countries. For its own part, the Finnair Group monitors its equality at work performance by including questions in its annual We Together@Finnair employee survey on equality and non-discrimination. “Finnair has been recognised for its work towards equality and women’s empowerment,” says Kati Ihamäki, Director of Corporate Sustainability, who was a speaker at the Global Engagement & Empowerment Forum on Sustainable Development 2019 in Seoul, Korea. “One of the best ways to develop societies is to empower women.”
• The Finnish Association for Nature Conservation • Crisis Management Initiative (CMI) • The Association of Friends of the University Children’s Hospitals • The Cancer Society of Finland • Finnish Red Cross • UNICEF Finland • Hope • UN Women
90+ YEARS AND COUNTING 1 92 3
1 924
Finnair, known as Aero, is founded
Finnair receives its first aircraft: Junkers F 13
92 BLUE WINGS MARCH 2019
1 9 47
1952
1968
1969
1980
1992
Finnair air hostesses take to the skies
Helsinki irport opens A
Finnair reveals its new logo and name change
First Finnair trans-Atlantic flight to New York City
Blue Wings launches
The Finnair Plus program is introduced
PHOTOS UN WOMEN / RYAN BROWN, FINNAIR
IN TE RNATIO NAL Women’s Day is marked annually on March 8, focusing this year on innovative ways in which we can advance gender equality and the empowerment of women. The event comes as Finnair Plus highlights cooperation with the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, or UN Women. Finnair remains committed to its own equality and non-discrimination plan. For customers, this means that Finnair Plus members can choose to donate their points to UN Women, with a minimum of 1,000 points. The organisation delivers programmes and transforms policy to improve the lives of
BETTER PLANET
World of Finnair Fleet
AIRB U S A35 0- 9 0 0
Number 13 + 6 on order Seating capacity 297-336 Length 66.8 m Wingspan 64.75 m Cruising speed 903 km/h Maximum cruising altitude 13,000 m AIRB U S A330-3 0 0
Number 8 Seating capacity 289/263 Length 63.6 m Wingspan 60.3 m Cruising speed 870 km/h Maximum cruising altitude 12,600 m AIRB U S A32 1
Number 19 Seating capacity 196–209 Length 44.5 m Wingspan 34.1 m Cruising speed 840 km/h Maximum cruising altitude 11,900 m
* gradual roll-out by 2019
AIRB U S A32 0
Number 10 Seating capacity 165 Length 37.6 m Wingspan 34.1 m Cruising speed 840 km/h Maximum cruising altitude 11,900 m
* gradual roll-out by 2019
AIRB U S A31 9
Number 8 Seating capacity 138 Length 33.8 m Wingspan 34.1 m Cruising speed 840 km/h Maximum cruising altitude 11,900 m
* gradual roll-out by 2019
E M B RAE R 1 9 0
Operated by Norra Number 12 Seating capacity 100 Length 36.2 m Wingspan 28.7 m Cruising speed 850 km/h Maximum cruising altitude 12,300 m
ATR 72
Operated by Norra Number 12 Seating capacity 68/72 Length 27 m Wingspan 27 m Cruising speed 463 km/h Maximum cruising altitude 7,620 m
1 995
Finnair’s website launches
1 999
1 999
2 004
Finnair joins oneworld alliance
Arrival of irbus A320 A
Online check-in opens
2 013
Launch of Marimekko for Finnair collection
2 014
2 015
2018
Finnair celebrates its 90th anniversary
Arrival of irbus A350 A
Finnair celebrates its 95th anniversary
MARCH 2019 BLUE WINGS 93
World of Finnair Airport info
1st floor 2nd floor
55
54
HAPPY LANDINGS
WEST PIER MAY 2019
2019 terminal expansions
AUKIO
53 52 TRANSFER SERVICE 3 BUS GATES 51 A–D
T2
34
NONSCHENGEN AREA
FINNAIR LOUNGE, FINNAIR PREMIUM LOUNGE
33 GROUND FLOOR
Security check BUS GATES 50 A–M
NONSCHENGEN AREA
32 32a
Welcome to Helsinki Airport
TRANSFER SERVICE 2 Passport control
31A-E 30
CHECK YOUR GATE and departure time on the airport monitors. All Finnair and Nordic Regional Airlines (Norra) departures are located in the same terminal. If you do not have a boarding pass for your connecting flight, please contact the transfer service desks in T2.
SCHENGEN AREA
29 Security check
28 CHECK-IN 240–270
FINNAIR CHECK-IN +SERVICE DESKS 201–229
T2 T1 TERMINAL 1 EXPANSION APRIL 2019
CHECK IN 101–114
TRANSFER SERVICE 1
12
14
13
BAGGAGE STORAGE
15
GROUND FLOOR
16 17 18 19
27
26
THE RING RAIL LINE
25
20
21
22
FINNAIR LOUNGE
3RD FLOOR
23
THE FINNAIR CITY BUS
to the Helsinki Railway Station leaves from platform 10 at T2 every 20 minutes. Travel time is approx. 30 minutes. €6.90
Security check
Security check
11
31x 31
HE L SI NKI AI R POR T has 35 automated border control gates for travellers flying to or from destinations outside of the Schengen area. Fifteen are located in the departure hall; 15 are located in the upstairs arrival hall; another five are available in the downstairs arrival hall (for EU/ EEA/CH citizens only). Passengers from the EU, EEA, CH, Japan, and South Korea with biometric passports can use the automated border control gates. Australian, Canadian, New Zealand, and U.S. citizens with biometric passports may use the automated border control upon departure only. All other nationalities must use the manned border control booths in the departure and arrival halls. Those passengers travelling with infants, baggage trolleys, or wheelchairs must use the manual control lane.
connects Helsinki Airport to downtown Helsinki via train. There is direct access from the corridor between T1 and T2.
24 WIRELESS INTERNET
Helsinki Airport offers free Wi-Fi throughout the airport. PLAYROOM
Children’s playrooms offer toys, videos, and baby care facilities.
94 BLUE WINGS MARCH 2019
World of Finnair The Nordic way
Fly the short northern route FLY VIA HELSINKI and take the most direct route between Europe and Asia. Thanks to Helsinki’s location, Finnair’s northern route is a geographically convenient way between Europe and Asia. The northern route also offers competitive travel times to destinations in the US from many European cities. The Helsinki Airport is efficient, compact, and easy to navigate, making it ideal for transferring between Europe, Asia, and the US with short transfer times.
MARCH 2019 BLUE WINGS 95
World of Finnair
Domestic and European destinations
Tromsø Reykjavík
From Helsinki
Ivalo
Iceland Kittilä Rovaniemi
Finnair Destinations New Finnair Destinations 2019/20120
Umeå
Norway Oslo Bergen
Manchester United Kingdom
Visby
Gdansk
Madrid
Lisbon
Ibiza Menorca Palma de Mallorca
Malaga
Belarus
Bulgaria
Varna
Turkey
Greece Skiathos Mytilene Preveza Athens Kos Zakynthos Santorini
Corfu
Antalya Dalaman Alanya Cyprus Rhodes
Catania Malta
Madeira Funchal
Chania
Heraklion
Canary Arrecife Islands Tenerife Norte Fuerteventura Tenerife Sur Las Palmas From Helsinki
Great Circle Estimated distances / km flight times
Alanya/Gazipasa 2722 03:45 Alicante 3034 04:25 Amsterdam 1525 02:35 Antalya 2638 03:50 Arrecife 4518 05:55 Athens 2490 03:40 Barcelona 2632 03:55 Bergen 1112 03:30 Berlin 1123 02:00 Billund 1060 01:50 Bologna 1976 03:00 Bordeaux 2417 03:30 Brussels 1651 02:40 Budapest 1481 02:20 Catania 2636 03:45 Chania 2756 03:50 Copenhagen 895 01:40 Corfu 2329 03:25 Dalaman 2639 03:40 Dublin 2030 03:10 Dubrovnik 2027 03:00 Düsseldorf 1512 02:25 Edinburgh 1717 02:40 Eilat 3457 04:45
Samara
Moscow
Naples
Alicante
Yekateringburg Kazan
Minsk
Amsterdam Poland Hannover Berlin Netherlands Warsaw Brussels Germany Düsseldorf Belgium Kraków Prague Frankfurt Czech Republic Paris Stuttgart Vienna Salzburg Munich Zurich France Geneva Innsbruck Austria Budapest Hungary Switzerland Slovenia Bordeaux Venice Ljubljana Verona Lyon Milan Croatia Pula Bologne Nice Pisa Rimini Split Italy Dubrovnik Rome Barcelona
Spain
Portugal
Great Circle Estimated distances / km flight times
Ivalo 931 01:35 Joensuu 360 01:00 Jyväskylä 235 00:50 Kajaani 464 01:20 Kemi/Tornio 609 01:35 Kittilä 823 01:25 Kokkola/Pietarsaari 391 01:10 Kuopio 335 01:00 Kuusamo 667 01:15 Mariehamn 282 00:55 Oulu 514 01:05 Rovaniemi 697 01:20 Tampere 143 00:35 Turku 150 00:35 Vaasa 348 00:55
Lithuania
Copenhagen Hamburg
London
Porto
Kajaani
Saint Petersburg Tallinn Tartu Estonia Latvia Riga
Stockholm
Denmark Billund
Dublin Ireland
Kuusamo
Finland Kokkola Kuopio Joensuu Sweden Vaasa Jyväskylä Tampere Turku Helsinki Mariehamn
Gothenburg
Edinburgh
Kemi Oulu
Russia
Paphos Israel Tel Aviv-Yafo
Eilat From Helsinki
Great Circle Estimated distances / km flight times
Frankfurt 1543 02:35 Fuerteventura 4578 06:05 Funchal 4310 05:45 Gdansk 768 02:00 Geneva 1994 03:00 Gothenburg 785 01:25 Hamburg 1 172 02:00 Hannover 1278 2:15 Heraklion 2777 03:55 Ibiza 2897 04:00 Innsbruck 1701 02:35 Kazan 1521 02:30 Kos 2620 03:45 Kraków 1 186 02:00 Las Palmas 4700 06:10 Lisbon 3369 04:50 Ljubljana 1713 02:40 London 1863 03:10 Lyon 2081 03:10 Madrid 2950 04:25 Malaga 3357 04:35 Malta 2822 04:15 Manchester 1817 03:00 Menorca 2688 04:05
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From Helsinki
Great Circle Estimated distances / km flight times
Milan 1953 03:05 Minsk 734 01:15 Moscow 876 01:40 Munich 1577 02:30 Mytilene 1471 03:35 Naples 2283 03:25 Nice 2202 03:25 Oslo 766 01:30 Palma de Mallorca 2777 04:00 Paphos 2898 04:00 Paris 1900 03:05 Pisa 2093 03:20 Porto 3117 04:20 Prague 1322 02:10 Preveza 2397 03:25 Pula 1865 02:55 Reykjavik 2429 03:50 Rhodes 2668 03:45 Riga 382 00:55 Rimini 1993 03:00 Rome 2235 03:25 Saint Petersburg 301 01:00 Salzburg 1592 02:30 Samara 1698 02:35
From Helsinki
Great Circle Estimated distances / km flight times
Santorini 2660 03:40 Skiathos 2353 03:30 Split 1956 02:55 Stockholm 400 01:00 Stuttgart 1637 02:45 Tallinn 101 00:30 Tartu 245 00:50 Tel Aviv-Yafo 3230 04:25 Tenerife Norte 4691 06:10 Tenerife Sur 4745 06:10 Tromsø 1078 01:55 Umeå 459 01:20 Varna 1911 02:55 Venice 1847 02:55 Verona 1903 02:55 Vienna 1462 02:30 Vilnius 633 01:15 Visby 481 01:25 Warsaw 940 01:40 Yekaterinburg 2098 03:05 Zakynthos 2526 03:55 Zurich 1781 02:45
Winter season 2018–2019 Finnair adds flights to popular winter destinations in Lapland, including new non-stop flights from London, Paris, Tallinn, and Zurich London Gatwick – Ivalo 2 weekly flights London Gatwick – Kittilä 1 weekly flight Paris – Kittilä 1 weekly flight Tallinn – Kittilä 1 weekly flight Zurich – Kittilä 1 weekly flight
World of Finnair
Intercontinental destinations
Sapporo
Beijing Seoul South Korea
Xian
China
Nanjing
Nagoya Osaka
Japan Tokyo
Fukuoka
Shanghai
Chongqing Delhi Dubai United Arab Emirates
Guangzhou
India
Hong Kong
Thailand Bangkok
Goa
Vietnam Ho Chi Minh City Phuket
Krabi
Singapore
Chicago San Francisco
From Helsinki
Great Circle Estimated distances / km flight times
Bangkok 7912 09:45 Beijing 6325 07:55 Chongqing 6736 08:40 Delhi 5229 06:50 Dubai 4537 05:55 Fukuoka 8060 09:30 Goa 6328 08:50 Guangzhou 7693 09:30 Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) 8510 10:50 Hong Kong 7821 09:35 Krabi 8350 10:20 Nagoya 7780 09:40 Nanjing 7165 09:35 Osaka 7751 09:30 Phuket 8312 10:05 Sapporo 8013 09:35 Seoul 7050 08:40 Shanghai 7410 09:05 Singapore 9272 11:30 Tokyo 7849 09:45 Xian 6421 07:50
New York
United States From Helsinki
Los Angeles
Miami Mexico Puerto Vallarta
Havana
Great Circle Estimated distances / km flight times
Chicago Havana Los Angeles Miami New York Puerto Plata Puerto Vallarta Punta Cana San Francisco
7139 09:15 8703 11:15 9016 10:35 8342 11:10 6626 08:45 8410 11:15 9960 12:30 8404 11:05 8724 10:45
Cuba Puerto Plata Punta Cana Dominican Republic
MARCH 2019 BLUE WINGS 97
FINLAND FACTS Nature
188,000 lakes
75%
land covered by forests
Government
1917
Sovereign parliamentary republic
1995 area
390,909 km2*
Monthly avg. temperatures in Helsinki (2018):
Member of EU since January 1995
200 members
elected for four-year terms
Parliament *includes water area
whooper swan
land used for agriculture
Population
5.5
million
Languages SÁ
President
SE
Economy
Education
GDP
(2017*)
€224
FI
billion
the annual change in volume 2.7% *preliminary
88% speak Finnish 5.2% speak Swedish 0.04% speak Sámi
elected every six years; current president is Sauli N iinistö, who was re-elected to a second term in January 2018
Currency
EURO
Fun facts
72%
14
Universities *incl National Defence University
of students have studied beyond basic education
25
Universities of applied sciences
Consumption of coffee per capita
9.6kg*
12.3 l*
*per year
National food: rye bread
Ice cream consumed per capita *per year
98 BLUE WINGS MARCH 2019
2,300,000* saunas *estimate
(December 2018)
*preliminary
788,000*
overnight stays by foreign travellers
SOURCE: STATISTICS FINLAND ILLUSTRATION: ANGELINA LUZHINA
7%
National bird
HELSINKI
LOS ANGELES
TO LIVE LIFE THE LA WAY Finnair’s non-stop route from Helsinki to Los Angeles opens March 31st. So, get ready to surf in the sea, roll in the sand, shop in style, stroll the boardwalk and see stars – to live life the LA way. Book your flights at finnair.com
#REASONSTOFLY
THE FUSION COLLECTION DESIGNED BY NINA KOPPEL
WAT C H E S & J E W E L L E RY Oy Osk. Lindroos Ab Helsinki Airport Schengen, gate 27 HELSINKI AIRPORT, Helsinki Airport Non-Schengen, gate 33 www.lindroos.fi
SCHENGEN GATE 27 & NON-SCHENGEN GATE 33 LINDROOS.FI