SIXDEGREES
Finland’s ENGLISH
LANGUAGE MAGAZINE
JANI TOIVOLA DANDY WITH A DIFFERENCE
8
I’M NOT EATING THAT: A MATTER OF TASTE INTERCULTURAL COUPLES 16 LUKAS MOODYSSON: FILM AS MEDITATION
13 22 Issue 4/2009 www.6d.fi 24.4. - 28.5.2009
ltonen Antero Aa
! N O E V O M GET A Jacek WalczakP
Helsinki offers a broad range of indoor and outdoor sports services throughout the year. The city’s 800 sports clubs cover 100 different activities.
Mari Kaislaniemi
THE SPORTS DEPARTMENT of the City of Helsinki turns 90 this year. In the spring of 1919 Finland’s first sports board was founded in order to organise sports services. The board only had control over a small number of municipal facilities, but its role as a pioneer was significant. The broad discussions that took place in the board about the principles involved in producing sports and exercise services served as a strong basis for the future. Thanks to the sports board, Helsinki applied for the 1940 Summer Olympics. The games were cancelled due to World War II, but the city went on to host the Summer Olympics in 1952. Sports facilities were built at a rapid speed prior to the Olympic Games. During the 1950s and 1960s Helsinki was expanding in area and population and the city had to ensure there were sports facilities avail-
able for all. In the 1960s facilities were built at a speed that made the preparations for the Olympics look like child’s play. The criteria for building facilities had changed and large sports parks saw the light of day during this decade. The 1990s and 2000s have been years of reconstruction. Since many facilities were completed for the 1952 Olympics, they required a full renovation. One such facility is the Kumpula outdoor swimming pool where renovation work was completed in 2005. Finland’s oldest swimming hall in Yrjönkatu was opened in 1928 and thoroughly renovated in the late 1990s. It is bound to be used for many more years. This year, along with other celebrations of the Sports Department’s 90th anniversary, Helsinki hosts major international competitions. The European Figure Skating Championships were held in January, and the UEFA European Women’s Championship football games will be held at the end of summer.
t in Finland. arathon even ggest half m bi e th is n City Ru The Helsinki Samuli Kuki
The Swimming Stadium is a popular place to spend a summer day in Helsinki.
UPCOMING SPORTING EVENTS Monday 4 May: The opening of the Swimming Stadium Saturday 9 May: Helsinki City Run, half marathon Saturday 16 May: Water Traffic Day, visit the islands off the coast of Helsinki at discount prices Monday 25 May: The opening of Kumpula outdoor swimming pool Sunday 31 May: Naisten Kymppi, Finland’s biggest sporting event for female runners and walkers over a ten kilometre course
OURVISION SINGING 2009 CONTEST EVENTS AT CAISA Thu 7.5. and Sat 9.5. 7-9 p.m. Theatre: Botox Every word is pretend. Shape. Shake. Botox. Realness is having treated oneself to the body repair programme. The psychological process is difficult. Saying it out loud probably makes it a cliché. Dialogue is pretending, multiculturality is a bubble. Truth mediocre. The cultured talk about naivism, the politicians about realism. The love remains, but its objects vary. I cannot help it, there is a wanderer inside me. Written and directed by Veijo Baltzar Duration approx. 2 h with intermission.Tickets: 8/10 €. Organised by the Drom Theatre and Caisa. mon 11.5. 4-6 p.m. Women’s International Living room Topic: Intercultural Dialogue in Working Life, the Organisational Field, and Elsewhere. The Living Room gives immigrant and Finnish women a chance to meet. Discussion and cultural programme are always included. Free entrance. Welcome! Registration: oge.eneh@hel.fi or (09) 310 37508.
GRANDE FINALE
HOSTED BY JANI TOIVOLA
FINLANDIA HALL
SAT 25.4.
from 8 P.m. To 11 P.m. The semifinals are over, and the brightest stars remain. The amazing Ourvision finale gathers together the most talented singers y from all the continents. Join us in an unforgettable musical journe around the globe! Expect glamour and great interpretations when the ten finalists, two from each continent, fight for the Ourvision 2009 victory. The winner gets a record deal and 7000 €.
NOW! BUY YOUR TICKET Location:: finlandia Hall, mannerheimintie 13 E, Helsinki Tickets: 20/17/15/10 €. Tickets at the door from 1 h before showtime or advance tickets from Lippupalvelu, 0600 10 800 (1,83 € / minute + local network charge) or www.lippupalvelu.fi.
WWW. N OURVISI IO .F EXHIBITIONS Gallery open weekdays 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Corridor Gallery open weekdays 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Free entrance to all exhibitions!
LoBBY 6.5. – 28.5. ”Aber n Toumast - The Traces of Toumast”, Art from Niger Artists: Almoustpha Tambo, aquarelles and Elhadji Koumama, silver jewellery
GALLErY AND CorrIDor GALLErY 13.5. – 27.5. ”Vietnam: Past and Present”, Art from Vietnam Artists: Nguyen Manh Phuc, Cao Quy, Ta Thanh Tam, Thieu and Thi Thu Ha Dung THE INTErNATIoNAL CULTUrAL CENTrE CAISA Mikonkatu 17 C, 00100 Helsinki / tel. 09 - 310 37500 Open weekdays from 9 am to 6 pm. www.caisa.fi
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44TH INTERNATIONAL PORI JAZZ FESTIVAL 11–19TH JULY 2009
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SixDegrees
Issue 4 2009
in this issue May 2009
8 JANI TOIVOLA
6
STARTERS
DANDY WITH A DIFFERENCE
15
NIGERIAN EATERY
Creative industries multitasker Jani Toivola has been a busy man this year. Toivola’s disarming smile is mostly familiar from stage and screen, though most recognise him as the dapper host of Idols. Toivola talked to SixDegrees about his new business adventure, his passion for green couture and the search for his Kenyan roots.
19 PRINCE OF PIRATES
Kimito Kitchen
21 CULTITUDE
The chef recommends: Bar Teos
Lukas Moodysson
24 TV GUIDE AND PREVIEWS
What’s on TV during May Movie premieres, latest DVD and CD reviews
25 OUT & SEE
Where to go and what to see in Helsinki, Tampere, Turku, Jyväskylä and Oulu
30 Commentary
11
THE ART OF THE BONSAI
13
You may remember this from watching The Karate Kid. Where should one begin with Bonsai growing when you don’t know your punzai from a banzai? SixDegrees stepped into the art of the Bonsai.
The SixDegrees Team Editor Alexis Kouros Managing Editor Laura Seppälä Editorial team Kati Hurme Advertising & Marketing Bob Graham, Kati Hurme, Aiman Kaddoura, Stephen O’Brien
A MATTER OF TASTE Some love their blue cheese, while others can’t stand it. Why is it so that people taste some things so drastically differently? The answers range from vegetarianism to foodrelated trauma.
Out & See Turku outseeturku@6d.fi Out & See Oulu outseeoulu@6d.fi Out & See Jyväskylä outseejkyla@6d.fi Layout & Graphic Design Kirby Wilson Moose Design&Photography
+358 9 689 67 420 info@6d.fi
Cover photo by Tomas Whitehouse. Read the interview with Jani Toivola on page 8.
Emails in the form: firstname@6d.fi Out & See Helsinki and capital area outsee@6d.fi Out & See Tampere outseetampere@6d.fi
Writers and other contributors in this issue Jan Ahlstedt, Marika Asikainen, Nick Barlow, David Brown, Robin DeWan, Amira Elbanna, Ksenia Glebova, Hans Eiskonen, Kati Hurme, Mari Kaislaniemi, Päivi Karppi, Anna-
16 DIVERSITY AT HOME
There are some 55,000 intercultural couples in Finland. How does the culture swapping and twisting tongues affect the relationships? SixDegrees had a chat with three international couples.
Riikka Kauppinen, Matti Koskinen, Mikko Laitamo, Elisa Lautala, Sami Makkonen, James Meek, Niina Mero, Dunja Myllylä, Kaisa Mäenpää, Aija Salovaara, Marina Sidyakina, Pirjo Sohlo, James O’Sullivan, Miissa Rantanen, Tuula Ruskeeniemi, Anthony Shaw, Aleksi Teivainen, Jutta Vetter, Ville Vuorinen, Tomas Whitehouse, Yasmine Zein Proofreading David Agar, Matthew Parry, Michael Nagler Print house I-Print Seinäjoki Circulation 50,000 pieces
Publisher Dream Catcher Productions www.dreamcatcher.fi
All articles, pictures and graphics are subject to copyright.
6° DreamCatcher Vilhonvuorenkatu 11B
No reproduction or reprinting is allowed without permission from Dream Catcher Inc.© Dream Catcher
00500 Helsinki tel. +358 9 689 67 420 fax. +358 9 689 67 421 info@6d.fi www.6d.fi ISSN 1459-5680
Next issue is out on 29 May SixDegrees can also be read at www.lehtiluukku.fi
SixDegrees
Issue 4 2009 Hans Eiskonen
Ethnic
product
of the month
Kati Hurme
THE FIRST FAIR trade coffee shipment arrived in Finland ten years ago. Fair Trade Finland celebrated the occasion at the end of March and this festive theme will continue throughout the year. Over the decade, the selection of fair trade products has grown steadily and now includes over a thousand name brand products, from sugars and chocolates to fabrics and sports balls. The most popular products in Finland are bananas, coffee, f lowers and wine.
Japanese natto Ksenia Glebova
MY encounter with natto in a Tokyo hotel was brief but memorable. This was the first, and the last, time I had tasted this smelly, sticky fermented soybean concoction. Several Japanese hosts were following my facial expressions with keen attention and I did not disappoint their expectations; I could not handle the odour let alone the stickiness. Natto can be described as the Japanese equivalent of mämmi, the Finnish Easter delicacy. It divides people into those who find it revolting and inedible and those who indeed consider it a culinary delight. Natto can add flavour to a variety of other dishes. Sushi natto, miso soup and natto ice cream are all results of such creativity. To say that natto tastes odd to a beginner is to say nothing. In does not help that it also looks odd. Natto’s composition is somewhat comparable to glue. It is very sticky and stretches easily over several metres. The health benefits of natto, however, are supposed to compensate for the taste. Natto has been known in Japan for over two thousand years and it is claimed to prevent a variety of conditions ranging from obesity to cancer, not to mention its cholesterol-lowering and antibiotic effects. You can buy a serving of natto now at Tokyokan in Helsinki. Hardcore addicts will, however, be relieved to know that natto can be made at home. That is, if you want to go through the trouble of cooking, steaming and wrapping the soybeans in boiled rice straw in order to naturally produce the natto bacteria that gives natto its infamous flavour. Natto can be bought at Tokyokan Annankatu 24, Helsinki www.tokyokan.fi
Changing the world, purchase by purchase According to Chief Executive Rob Cameron from the Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International, possible new products are constantly being sought and currently fish and furniture are within the sights of the organisation. Cameron thanked Fair Trade Finland for its exemplary work, ambition and openness. For example, Fair Trade Finland has assisted Estonia in founding their own fair trade organisation. For more info about Fair Trade Finland www.reilukauppa.fi and about FLO at www.fairtrade.net
Fairness in the media Elisa Lautala
Mayday! Mayday! It’s Vappu time again
A WORKING GROUP within the Union of Journalists in Finland is behind the recently launched ReiluMedia (Fair media) website, which aims at raising awareness on how matters related to immigrants and so-called new Finns are discussed in the Finnish media. According to Juhani Artto, a freelance journalist and a member of the working group, ReiluMedia operates with limited resources and is based on voluntary work. However, there have been some concrete attainments in addition to the website. “Next autumn the Union of Journalists will arrange a seminar dedicated to the topical issues on the subject of immigrants in the media. The seminar was proposed by the working group and the aim is
to invite spokespersons of different immigrant communities to meet media representatives,” says Artto. At present, the biggest problem according to Artto is that the media tends to portray immigrants in a negative light which doesn’t correspond to reality. This may fuel or even increase conflict between different ethnic groups. Media coverage is often limited to the authoritarian statements without the voice of the immigrants themselves being heard. “We have discussed within the working group that the quickest improvement to the situation would be so-called affirmative action,” states Artto. In other words, the Finnish media needs more journalists with a foreign background. www.reilumedia.fi
Naming and shaming David Brown
THERE IS A ubiquitous, and almost certainly untrue, story of a foreign visitor stumbling upon the vappu festivities one year. “Is it like this every weekend?” he spluttered, staggered by the sight of 50,000 Finns basking in the sun. “No, of course not,” a Finn answered, “some weekends there are lots of people.” In reality, though, Vappu comes only once a year. While it is a public holiday across Europe, only in Finland have the festivities exploded into a national carnival. Festivities begin in earnest on 30 April, when university faculties take turns “capping” the statue of Havis Amanda near Helsinki’s market square. This sparks a night of celebrations – but which only serve as the entrée for the main event the next day. People start uncorking bottles of champagne at Kaivopuisto park from 7:00. Children and those in charge of motor vehicles drink sima, a lemon-flavoured mead, and snack on tippaleipä, a pastry which tastes of nothing at all. By 11:00 the crowd numbers 50,000. Streets for miles in every direction are crowded with people waving balloons and consuming enough wine to irrigate the Sahara. The history of Vappu is lost in antiquity. “There is a pagan aspect to it, going back to the Medieval era and celebrating the beginning of spring,” explains Professor Jason Lavery, Research Fellow at the Helsinki Collegium for
Advanced Studies, “And a Central European tradition of celebrating St Bertha, an early Christian Martyr. More recently we have the rise of May Day as a day celebrating workers’ rights, which dates from the 1880s in the US. And there seems to have been a parallel development that it also became a day of celebration for students at the beginning of the 20th century right across Scandinavia.” One of the most startling features of Vappu is the attire. Almost everyone is wearing a white cap, signifying matriculation from upper secondary school. Students are likely to be wearing brightly coloured overalls adorned with badges. “Wearing the uniforms is fairly new,” says Lavery, “but the roots of that go back to the medieval era, where you’d have parades in major European cities where members of the guilds would dress up. Prior to the 1960s when universities were smaller, students were organised into unions representing certain regions, each with its own colour.” Professor Mika Ojakangas, Research Fellow in Political Sciences says, “There is a bacchanalian element to Vappu, but that is something which has a real cultural value for us. It’s about turning the social hierarchy upside down. In Italy, for instance, we don’t see this kind of celebration. And maybe it is because Italians are not as repressed as we Finns are. They live like this all year around – we only do this one day a year.”
Nick Barlow
ALL DECISIONS made by parents can have a long-lasting effect on their offspring, but the naming of the child(ren) probably has the most perdurable effect. After all, this is the moniker by which they will be known throughout their lives! The most popular names in Finland have been virtually unchanged for years, being the reliably dull Juhani, Johannes and Matias for boys, and Maria, Emilia and Sofia for girls. These are particularly popular as middle names. Considering first names only, Emma, Ella, Sara, Venla and Siiri were most popular for girls in 2008. For boys the favourites were Onni, Eetu, Veeti, Elias and Aleksi. Thanks to restrictive naming laws, Finnish parents are limited in the names they can give their brood. Since you can’t call them anything really stupid, they will hopefully be protected from the kind of ridicule heaped upon more unfortunate kids from other
countries with more liberal regulations. Apparently, there are six children in Britain with the name Gandalf. In New Zealand a couple wanted to give their infant the name 4Real. The authorities put a stop to that nonsense, but they did let them use the name Superman, to join the two Supermen with the same name from the UK. The very idea of being named Teräsmies in Finland is hilarious. As you can’t name your kids after comic books, fantasy characters or sports teams (“Hello, my name’s FC KooTeePee”), inspiration has to come from somewhere. Names in Finland tend to be either biblical or traditional, with some influences from Russia, other Nordic countries and central European areas. Some names are nice, like Onni, meaning happiness. Some are more unfortunate: Yrjö, the Finnish version of George, used to be more widespread until the it also came to mean vomit, at which point, bizarrely, it fell out of fashion.
SIXDegrees Starters
7
Issue 4 2009
St. Petersburg •
For those who dare!
Helsinki • St. Petersburg
Villivanilja
When you walk in Helsinki, you might see places that have played a scene in Hollywood movies, not as itself, but as St. Petersburg or Leningrad.
Päivi Karppi
C.L. ENGEL, who designed the Senate Square in Helsinki, studied the architecture of St. Petersburg closely. And he was not the only one who brought culture to Finland from this neighbouring city. Celebrities of the studio era of Finnish cinema like Teuvo Tulio and Ansa Ikonen were born there, as well as many writers and composers. But if we got so much from
St. Petersburg, what did we give? Well, at the very beginning, there was only a swamp until the city was founded in the year 1703. The city was to be made of stone, and not just any stone, but stone from Finland. Streets, buildings and the pillars of the cathedrals continue to remind us of this huge construction effort. One of the most photographed statues, Alexander’s Column, is a 47 metre long granite pillar
brought from Virolahti Bay in one piece. In 1809 Sweden did not only lose the war, but also Finland to Russia. Finland received autonomous status with its own parliament. St. Petersburg once again became closer and lots at Finnish people moved there in search of a better life. Finnish goods and Finnish workers crossed the border daily. A large part of the gold and silversmiths in the city were Finnish, as well as those who worked for the famous Fabergé. St. Petersburg was also a place to study or build a career, former Finnish president C.G. Mannerheim was one who exemplified this. Based on its Finnish population, St. Petersburg was the second biggest Finnish city in the 1800s. This year, 2009, is the jubilee year of the year 1809, and in St. Petersburg it is named as “Finland in St. Petersburg 200 years.” It will be celebrated throughout the year with many festivities and events: concerts, exhibitions and seminars. The aim is to highlight the shared history as well as its neighbouring relationship today. The jubilee year started in March in both cities, and will continue in many ways and places throughout the year. For more information on the history and jubilee year see: www.1809.fi and www.finland.org.ru
A Finnish thing?
Items you can find in every self-respecting Finnish household
Aapiskukko The school rooster
Ksenia Glebova
THE QUINTESSENTIAL Finnish term aapiskukko has no direct translation but evokes a very particular image in the minds of Finnish speakers. Aapiskukko is the most famous Finnish rooster. The Gummerus Dictionary
refers to aapiskukko as “the rooster pictured on some Finnish primers.” The rooster appears in the Finnish-language primers holding a pointing stick and acting as a teacher. One of the first words under A in any Finnish-English dictionary, in Finland the aapiskukko character traditionally accompanied every child’s early learning journey. Aapiskukko is an example of a compound noun that combines two separate words in one. It is a combination of the words “aapiskirja” – primer or ABC-book – and “kukko” – rooster. So why is the rooster a symbol of learning in Finland? Liisa Kotkaheimo of the University of Joensuu devoted her doctoral thesis in education to the study of the aapiskukko evolution in Finland. Entitled Five hundred years of the Finnish primer: The content and task
of primers in national education, Kotkaheimo locates the roots of the aapiskukko in the imagery of early Christianity. In her work Kotkaheimo discovered that in northern Europe the rooster of the house was considered an important morning messenger, fighter and domestic animal already several centuries ago. The rooster was perceived as a reliable warden protecting from evil and its image was often put on the top of the church tower symbolising spiritual light. Once a spiritual symbol, coming down from the church tower into the classrooms, the rooster became a teacher. Apart from the primers, aapiskukko also used to feature on the old coat of arms of the Pälkäne municipality. The municipal reform in 2007 replaced the rooster with a water lily. Today the word “aapiskukko” is used to refer to learning basic skills from scratch.
Woollen socks Anthony Shaw
DO YOU have an old pair of “willies” (rubber boots to some, nokialaiset to many Finns), stacked in the back of the shoe rack with a pair of old grey socks bunched up in the bottom, maybe even handknitted by your grandmother? Or are you the proud owner of a pair of low-cut, slim-line, ankle-hugging multi-coloured in-house padders? Whichever your type you should feel at home using both, living in Finland. It was my great embarrassment while at school in England that my sports socks had been knitted by my mother. Even today I still have two pairs of socks that she knitted, which I treasure as a keepsake. But I really needn’t worry about replacing them since Finland is surely one country where hand made socks are readily available. Just look what they are selling almost every day on the southern-most corner stall of the Hakaniemi market; or any market in any city, for that matter. Maybe the guardians of propriety in Finland have
recently been concerned that demand for this essential product is in decline, since the Marttaliitto (pretty much the Finnish equivalent of the Women’s Institute) has been running a campaign this year to provide every single baby born in Finland with their first pair of hand-knitted socks. Consignments of pink and blue socklets traverse the country to meet the demands of the newly-borns, and guarantee their appreciation of warm toes. But there is surely little chance that the taste for pure wool on the foot will be lost in a country where most schoolchildren are still obliged to show their proficiency in knitting (either socks or mittens). As many drafted-in parental assistant knitters know, few can escape the requirement. I would have liked to boast that woollen socks are even a cure-all for insomnia (the trick is a thin WET cotton inner pair with outer woollens put on before falling asleep), but I woke up with hot (and dry) feet in the early hours. You just can’t have it both ways I suppose.
Making sense of the world of things Anna-Riikka Kauppinen
ORANGE plantations give work to thousands of Brazilians, one of whom is 39-year-old Antonio Leandro who says “I like this job because I earn more money.” His story is an illuminating fragment of a particular commodity chain, which strives to discover the hidden actors, processes and diverse realities associated with the production and consumption of different marketed products and commodities. Understanding the logic of commodity chains can be truly informative and helps to make conscious choices between apparently similar products. In this matter, the internet provides global, interactive and easily accessible venues in order to facilitate efficient sharing of knowledge. The free flow of information, without leading ideological principles, is the
founding idea of Wikichains. com, a wiki-format website seeking to promote ethical consumption and transparency in rapidly globalising commodity chains. In Finland Tuotewiki, established in 2007 by the civil organisation Dodo, renders information on the ecological consequences of different products. Wikichains has just been released and is now looking for volunteers. One can contribute in various ways: creating and completing articles, uploading pictures and videos, technical assistance, finding donators, making publicity and recruiting other contributors. Even the smallest bits of information from the different stages of commodity chains is appreciated. The service seeks to gain a wider audience and welcomes participation from everyone. www.wikichains.com www.tuotewiki.fi
Marina Sidyakina
HELSINKI is ever surprising. A few months ago in Kamppi the first ever Finnish alternative beauty salon opened its doors. VilliVanilja was launched by the professional makeup artist Julius Sepponen and his fellow hairstylists Mareena Vainio and Laura Latvala. Together they have an official and qualified range of services to create that anti-mainstream look your granny might describe as unorthodox. Hair extensions and dreadlocks in all possible colours, textures, lengths and braiding techniques are offered. Experienced hairstylists Vainio and Latvala will skilfully turn anyone into a cyber rasta-man or a mohawked punker, or do different styles of shaving, back-combing and curling. The salon is also a reseller of professional hair care and make-up supplies, applicable to those with special demands. The acidic colours of glowing in the dark eye shadows and adhesive eye-lashes in luxurious long pink feathers are a regular sight here. The artists are glad to discuss any of their customer’s ideas and visions to make them a reality. “We are especially busy during the festival season, when people come here right before the concerts to have their hair and makeup done to rock the party,” Sepponen explains. Upon request it is possible to arrange makeup workshops, as he also has experience in special effects for films, such as horror, or endless other unusual looks and styles, including nail care and manicures. “We are very busy and our appointments are made for some weeks in advance. It seems like there are more and more people here who dare to look different and have the courage to experiment with something more colourful and vivid,” says Sepponen, who also did makeup artwork for some of the groups in the Eurovision song contest in Helsinki in 2007. www.villivanilja.fi
SixDegrees
Issue 4 2009
Tomas Whitehouse
y d n a D iitthh aa w w
e c n e r e f f di
Interview
Issue 4 2009
The year has started with some serious changes for creative industries multi-tasker Jani Toivola: he has launched his own company, opened a clothing store and reconnected with his Kenyan roots. Matti Koskinen
JANI Toivola’s disarming smile is familiar from both stage and screen, though most people probably recognise him as the dapper host of TV’s Idols. The son of a Finnish mother and an absent Kenyan father, he grew up in a Helsinki suburb as a dark-skinned Finnish kid full of creative and expressive passion. Career choices took him to New York for acting studies and eventually back to Finland as a freelance actor, dancer and presenter. Now he is also an entrepreneur. Together with designer Elina Järnefelt Toivola has set up a creative development company called Elämäntila. As their main products they develop concepts for television programmes and provide lecture and education services on multicultural communication and encountering diversity; topics of which Toivola, an openly gay black man amid white heterosexual Finland, has plenty of experience. As a showcase project for the company, the duo recently opened The Green Dress, a store specialising in ethical designer products. SixDegrees popped by the store in Helsinki’s fashionable Five Corners district and sat down with Toivola to get his take on green couture and cultural roots. Tell us about the idea behind The Green Dress? We sell new, old and ethical fashion. We want to foster stories and individualism, and to encourage people to be imaginative in the way they dress. We promote recycling, not conspicuous consumption. You can bring in your old designer clothes and maybe pick up something new while you’re at it instead of buying piles upon piles of clothes. But we’re learning the steps of being ethical and ecological as we go along, we certainly don’t presume to tell other people how to do things. Where did you get the initial inspiration? I ran into some ethical brands in New York and I was captivated by their stories. There’s a brand called Afghan Hands that was set up by an Afghan man called Matin (Maulawizada), who works as a make-up artist
T
o an extent I suppose I am an egoist, but I’m also a person with a heart. for the stars. He wanted to give something back to his country and founded the Afghan Hands organisation. They hire women in Afghanistan to make embroidered scarves, ponchos, handbags, what have you. The proceeds pay for the workers’ wages, who are required to attend school during the day, become literate and learn about health, women’s rights etc. I think the great part about all this is the notion that being ethical doesn’t mean just giving things up. In Finland being thrifty is a traditional virtue. How do you combine ethics with fashion, which often connotes luxury and egoism? Well, to an extent I suppose I am an egoist, but I’m also a person with a heart. I see the world around me changing and I want to do my part to make things better. But that doesn’t erase the person in me who loves beautiful things and appreciates handicrafts. I don’t necessarily condone excessive consumption, but the coalescence of luxury and ethics is a sign of the times. I’ve noticed as I become more aware of the state of the world, I can’t go on consuming the way I have. Part of your work is giving lectures and workshops on encountering diversity. What kind of things do you talk about? One of the biggest themes that keeps coming up is how timid and afraid people can be. In an unfamiliar situation we would rather withdraw and keep quiet, afraid of doing or saying the wrong thing, and hope nobody notices our insecurity. But in the eyes of the other that silence translates into rejection and, worst case scenario, racism. Much of the lecture is me opening up my own story and answering questions, letting the audience connect with their own experiences of being different or outcasts. It’s not about converting some utter racists, it’s more letting people
know there are no right or wrong things you can say or ask, at least I don’t think so. It’s much better to approach people than withdraw from them. I won’t get upset if someone starts talking to me in English for the umpteenth time. The alternative that people just look through me is much more unbearable. You also recently visited Kenya, your late father’s home country. Tell us about that trip, how did it feel to get back to your roots? When we first landed in Nairobi it was just bewildering. Here I’m seen as the black person, but when I got there I felt like I was seeking out the white folks just to be around something familiar. From Nairobi we travelled to the village of Webuje, where I met a lot of my relatives. They told me stories about my father whom I’ve never met. For six full days we visited different family members, and still there were several left insulted that we didn’t have time for them! At times it was like being in a movie or a documentary, at others it just felt really touching. Thinking about whether I felt a connection to Kenya, I did find some things – like a way of talking full of passion, communicating with the hands and the body – that I recognised in myself. Many of my family members possess a sort of preacher-like quality. They love to talk and they have an infinite belief in spiritual growth, in helping others and making the world a better place. I like to think that’s something that’s been passed on to me. On a side note, what do people traditionally serve to visiting relatives in Kenya? Oh man, it’s always a full meal. White bread, rice cakes, meat sauce and vegetable stew, with sugar cake for dessert. Pretty heavy on carbs from a European point of view. Of
course, most of my family lives in the countryside and they’re very poor, so the food is made from very basic ingredients. They all drink coke, though! Even when we got to the deepest jungle to meet my poorest relatives, some cousin would snap to it and run out a case of coke. How does the culture there deal with homosexuality? In my experience not too well. You often hear people say “there are no gays in Africa.” I’ve sat in a panel discussion where I brought this theme up and it led to a terrible row. It is a big taboo, stemming from traditional male roles, the whole macho status system. It’s quite sad. Of course there are gays in Africa, but living in such a culture of denial easily results in unseen subcultures, where people might engage in unprotected sex and extramarital relationships. In Nairobi I led a weeklong theatre workshop, and the scenes we did somehow ended up having several girlgirl or boy-boy couples, which the locals always found really funny. I talked to some of them afterwards, and they told me it’s a topic that is only now slowly opening up for discussion. In a way they regressed to teenagers, that was their way of dealing with it. How big a part of your identity has Africa been in your life? Not very big, actually. It has
always been something that has come from outside. I sometimes pondered if Africa is something I have a connection to or that defines me, but I never really grasped it, I never dealt with my father or any part of my African background. More often I just felt like there were things in me that didn’t quite match the surrounding Finnish culture, but until now I’ve never had a place to go to find out where they come from and what they mean. Of course, that doesn’t mean I didn’t look for role models that were more like me in appearance when I was growing up. More and more we have generations of children growing up, who look different from the traditional Finnish appearance. It’s important that they have those role models. For me it was a big deal when
I moved to the States and all of a sudden saw black people everywhere in society: rich people, poor people, reading the news on TV and so forth. How have things changed since your visit to Africa? In Finland I’ve always been quite detached from the reality of other Africans here. It always felt quite foreign to me. But now I’ve been asking around to find other Kenyans in Finland. It would be nice to spend some time with them and learn more about the country and its culture.
The Green Dress Laivurinkatu 41 Open: Mon – Fri 11:00-19:00 Sat 11:00-16:00 www.thegreendress.fi
Jani Toivola Birthplace and date: Vaasa, 27 November 1977 Place of residence: Helsinki Education: Actor Family: Single Today I’m wearing a shirt bought at a Masai market in Kenya, Levi’s jeans, Adidas sneakers and a Diesel wristwatch. As a child I wanted to be a cook, a diplomat or a flight attendant. The best part of my job is meeting a lot of wonderful people. The worst part of my job is the irregular working hours.
VANTAAN KAUPUNKI CITY OF VANTAA
School is for everyone at Uomarinne Aila Keturi has worked at Vantaa’s Uomarinne primary school for more than 30 years. In the beginning of 2009 her work paid off: the Finnish Teachers’ Union gave her the title of teacher of the year. Jan Ahlstedt
Aila Keturi works at Uomarinne school in Vantaa which has 130 immigrant children of 17 different nationalities.
Kaisa Mäenpää
ALONG with the rest of the staff, Ai-
la Keturi has worked hard to make the school become even more approachable for those who have more than one national background. For her, the acknowledgement was not just a personal reward, but one for the whole school. Currently, Uomarinne’s students come from different backgrounds. There are 130 immigrant children of as many as 17 different nationalities. “It feels unbelievable to receive this kind of recognition!” admits Keturi. “Being a teacher is a true calling for me and I have put more effort into it with each passing year. But without my amazing colleagues, I would not have been chosen.” The reasons behind Keturi’s selection were clear: she has cooperated with the Vantaa Museum of Art, arranged funding for innovative school projects, and actively organised events for the school. Uomarinne has been visited by authors, dramaturges, magicians, lecturers and many others. Since 1992, Keturi herself has taught classes in which at least one
third of the children have had a foreign background. In addition to children, she has a positive impression of immigrants as workers. Uomarinne has several language and theology teachers, teaching assistants, interns and janitors who do not speak Finnish as their first language.
Problems at home and elsewhere
Keturi has witnessed racist behaviour among schoolchildren. “Of course, children reflect attitudes that they learn at home,” Keturi emphasises. “Fortunately, such behaviour is rare and only surfaces in difficult situations, such as in schoolyard disputes. Children recognise racism and usually report it to teachers. After that, the matter is solved by talking, apologising and sometimes hugging. If the problem continues, we invite children’s parents in and solve it that way.” According to Keturi, children who have experienced violence, insecurity or upbringing without boundaries are the ones who have the most problems within their social environments, including that of school. Good behaviour and learn-
“Children in a multicultural class learn to become more tolerant towards differences of all kinds.” ing can be difficult for a child whose thoughts are elsewhere. “Obviously, this applies to children of all nationalities,” Keturi declares. “This is why young children should be given time to grow into their schooling years. Empathy is something that everyone should practice.”
One teacher, too many kids
Keturi points out that the relationship between school and home life is essential when it comes to eliminating problems. But it’s not easy to focus on one individual child when classes are getting bigger. “I myself have 27 pupils, ten of whom have an immigrant background. The number of children in the class is far too large. Luckily, at our school students get to study in small groups
Monikulttuurinen Vantaa www.vantaa.fi
WHERE TO GO IN
VANTAA
MUSIC
for four hours per week. In addition, those who take lessons in their first language learn Finnish as their second.” This, however, does not solve all problems. “Children have a need to be heard, and when there are academic goals to be reached, you can imagine how little time a teacher can spend with an individual child,” Keturi admits. Multiculturalism has had its effect on how things are run at Uomarinne. Because many classes are actually multicultural, it is much easier to deal with diversity. “In our class, we have heard Somalian poetry, tales recounted by an Algerian mother and had many other visitors from around the world. Children in a multicultural class learn to become more tolerant towards differences of all kinds. And they need these social skills when they encounter others. We share this planet together, so we must learn to live together peacefully. And we need to help and understand those who have nothing,” Keturi states.
Sat 9 May Louhela Jam pre-party My First Band and The 80/20 Rule (SWE) perform. Vernissa, 20:00 – 02:00 Tikkurilantie 36 Tickets €7/5 www.velmu.net
The future of Uomarinne
Tuesdays Silkin Kahvila International café for meeting new people. Silkin Portti, 16:00 - 18:00 Tikkurilantie 44 F, 2nd floor 040 8367599
Keturi thinks there will be more international children attending her school in the future, as there will be more work-related immigration from the EU and eastern Europe. Also, reunited families will increase the amount of immigrants in Finland. “We need to support these people from the very start,” she says. ”Especially the children, who need all the support they can get.” “People tend to treat others the way they themselves are treated,” Keturi continues. “For example, in some cases it is difficult for an immigrant child to become socially accepted. But I have noticed that those who are positive, balanced and goodhumoured will be accepted much quicker. Acceptance is much more difficult for those who do not possess the required social skills. It is the teacher’s task to make the school environment more inclusive.” Keturi is of the opinion that attitudes towards immigrants in Vantaa have generally become more positive. Uomarinne primary school is currently scattered in five different locations. But the organisation will change when construction of the new larger building is complete. “In terms of location, Uomarinne is ideal,” Keturi says. “It’s within walking distance from Toteemi, the Art Museum, Martinus, the church and the library. The swimming hall, sports centre and nature areas are also close by. Our schoolyard is just big enough at present. At least, it should never be made smaller!”
Wed 20 May Club Hela Joose Keskitalo & Kolmas Maailmanpalo, Second hand Hasselhoffs and Snipe Drive perform. Vernissa, 20:00 – 01:00 Tikkurilantie 36 Tickets €7/6 www.velmu.net
OTHER Mondays Multicultural Arts & Crafts Club For girls aged 7-12. We make for example cards, jewellery, gifts, potting, sewing etc. Silkin Portti, 15:00 - 17:00 Tikkurilantie 44 F, 2nd floor 040 8367599
Until 30 April Heureka 20 Years Science Centre Heureka celebrates its 20th anniversary with a week of daily special events including: workshops, shows, exhibitions and special guests. The main celebrations are on Tuesday 28 April. Science Centre Heureka Tiedepuisto 1 Special prices & opening hours: see www.heureka.fi or call 09 85799 Until 20 Sep 2009 Sissit siivillä! A fascinating exhibition about Finnish patrol pilots during the second World War. Finnish Aviation Museum Tietotie 3 Tickets €6/3 www.ilmailumuseo.fi Sat 2 & Sun 3 May Myyrmäki Country Market Traditional market place atmosphere. Paalutori Liesitori 1 Fri 15 May Vantaa Day www.vantaa.fi
Lifestyle
11
Issue 4 2009
To pot a piece of
NATURE
BONSAI, literally “tray planting” and more commonly “tree in a pot”, is an ancient art of dwarfing plants and shaping them to aesthetically pleasing forms. A bonsai can outlive its grower and provide intriguing insight to life, man and nature. Niina Mero
CONTRARY to popular belief, the art of bonsai originated in China over a thousand years ago and immigrated to Japan alongside Buddhism in the 12th century. From then on it began an evolution of its own, growing separate from the Chinese tradition and branching into one of its own. Despite becoming a global trend, today the art of growing miniature trees in pots is primarily associated with Japan and traditional Japanese culture. In Finland the art has gathered a small but devoted following and finally, in the late 1990s, the Helsinki Bonsai Society was formed. In 2001 the society changed it’s name to the Finnish Bonsai Society Kitabi to unite bonsai enthusiasts all over Finland. The name also suggests the idea to bring together the Finnish habitat of growing bonsai and the traditional Japanese roots of the art. Teemu Oja, the chairman of Kitabi, has been growing bonsai for almost 13 years. The way of the bonsai has taken him to study Japanese and eventually become a teacher himself. “Bonsai is a life long hobby, or rather a way of life,” he says. The way of the bonsai weaves together man and nature. “You need to be able to listen to the bonsai and estimate the effects of the given care. Growing a bonsai is a path of eternal learning, and overestimat-
ing one’s own skills is sure to backfire,” Oja says. What a bonsai grower needs most is patience. That is a forgotten virtue in a world where everything needs to happen at once. With a bonsai tree, a year is no more than a blink of an eye and long-term planning is necessary to achieve any goal. Tending a bonsai does not require a great investment of time, but it will take time to see some results. “The bonsai is never really finished, even if the desired basic form is eventually achieved,” says Oja. When a tree is planted into a pot, it is already a bonsai. It will evolve and change along the way to become what it is in its core, and this constant change is what makes growing a bonsai tree intriguing. The idea of the tree lies dormant in the seed and the branch, and to realise this idea is to grow a beautiful bonsai. The bonsai represents the idea of the tree in its purest form. Even though a bonsai is grown in a pot, separate and apart from nature, it is still undeniably a part of nature. Man, attaining to impress his own aesthetic view on nature and to capture it at its purest, does a humble work. The path of perpetual learning Seeing The Karate Kid does not a bonsai master make, but it’s a start. Even Oja admits the film has had an effect on his interest in bonsai. You have been inspired, and that’s
S
eeing The Karate Kid does not a bonsai master make, but it’s a start. what matters. As Mr. Miyagi would say, just like the bonsai chooses its own way to grow, because its roots are strong, you should find your own way to grow one. But where should you begin when you don’t know your punzai from your banzai? According to Oja, the best way to get started is getting a basic guidebook, from the
library for example, and start working with that. After getting a basic understanding of the subject it is wise to find a more practical guide. It is advisable to begin with several bonsai in many different ways, for example from a plant and a seed, because it’s bound to be frustrating to simply wait for one plant to die. Because it will. Everyone is sure to kill their first bonsai, it is a fact of life, so no need to get too depressed; learn from your mistakes, respect the tree, and it will live. You can even begin by getting a readymade bonsai and concentrate on keeping it alive. However, store-bought bonsai are often in the autumn of their lives, and the care instructions are sometimes quite vague, so you need to do your homework. Find out the
The Bonsai challenge ”I bought myself a Bonsai tree at one of Stockmann’s Crazy Days campaigns. The verdant plant looked gorgeous in its delicate porcelain pot. I tried to care for it according to each of the instructions that came with it, but soon enough it began to lose its leaves. I pruned, watered and fertilised the thing. I surfed Bonsairelated message boards online in a desperate bid for advice to save my dying beauty, all in vain. Within a fortnight of my purchase, I found myself having to throw the tree away. One friend of mine had a similar experience when she bought a Bonsai. She didn’t understand that the tree had died, and instead just went on caring for it, assuming its nudity would pass with the winter. The spring brought disappointment, for her Bonsai had died long ago. Later I read somewhere that caring for a Bonsai tree is actually quite demanding, and that it’s not meant for your average hardy ‘green thumb’ like me.” Female, 32
type of tree and what sort of care it demands. Results don’t come quickly so give it time. You might be dying to prune a few more branches off your tree just to feel like you’re doing something, but sometimes it’s best to do nothing and let the plant rest. Working alone with a book can feel like fumbling around in the dark so you might like
to join the bonsai society. It’s a good place to share your experiences or ask for advice from those who have been trimming their trees for years. To find like-minded company, a good place to start would be www. kitabi.fi. And finally, enjoy the whole process and the insight it will provide. Whilst shaping the tree you are shaping your view of the world.
Grow your own Bonsai Even if your gardening skills have been a kiss of death to your plants, it is possible to make your thumb turn green. Bonsai is a challenging way to begin, but a highly rewarding one as well. 1. Get informed Read and study, then get a good guidebook to start working with. 2. Start planting Begin with several plants in many different ways so you won’t get bored. 3. Grow some nerves Everybody hates waiting, but unfortunately it is unavoidable when growing a bonsai tree. The process is all about learning patience and respect for the way of the plant and the natural speed of growing. You can’t rush it or make shortcuts, you have to adapt to the plant. 4. Shape, bend, prune and re-pot Just be sure you know what you’re doing before running for the scissors. You’ll learn the proper care by experimenting and that often results in a few casualties. 5. Express yourself When you know what you’re doing, let the bonsai represent your own aesthetic views.
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Back and neck massage €27 (€39) 30 min Relaxing foot massage €41 (€59) 50 min Meridian massage €48 (€69) 50 min and many other treatments tourist ticket is a convenient way to see and enjoy the Helsinki region. It entitles you to an unlimited number of trips in Helsinki or the Helsinki region for 1, 3 or 5 days. You can use the tourist ticket on trams, the metro, local buses, commuter trains and the Suomenlinna ferry. Get your ticket from HKL customer service points at the Rautatientori M (Central Railway Station) and Itäkeskus M metro stations, Helsinki City Tourist & Convention Bureau, Stockmann-City Centre and key R-kiosks. Drivers and conductors sell 1-day tourist tickets and 1-, 3- and 5-day tourist tickets are available from ticket machines.
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14.4.2009 14:35:58
Lifestyle
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Issue 4 2009
A MATTER OF TASTE I love blue cheese, I think it’s called blue because it’s the royalty of cheeses. But my friend nearly faints from the smell of it. To me, blue cheese is a savoury treat, to her a toxic waste. Why is it that people taste some things so drastically differently?
Niina Mero
TASTING, and deciding whether we like the taste or not, is a little more complicated than forking a baby carrot in our mouths and chewing. “Our taste preferences result from a combination of smell, taste, texture and the appearance of the food. In addition to the sensory factors, the eating situation, the surrounding culture, other people around us and our hopes and expectations also contribute to the experience we have of a certain food,” explains Mari Sandell, a senior scientist in the Functional Foods Forum at the University of Turku. So in the case of a baby carrot, the vegetable itself only holds a little of the final call whether we like it or not. The same carrot is likely to taste differently if served as a delicacy in an expensive restaurant or as a mandatory piece of veggie on a child’s plate. Taste is also a personal matter. “We smell and taste things very differently from each other and live inside a unique, individual world of tastes and flavours,” says Sandell. Some people have a tendency to be more sensitive to bitter taste, and for them this could mean their experience of an unappetizing food is stronger. There are also differences with the attitudes and expectations towards certain foods and even cultural differences in what’s delicious. Escargots, anyone? Food terror People are genetically inclined to like sweet and hate bitter and sour tastes.
Vegetarians often find meat disgusting because of their compassion for animals. Blood and intestines feel icky because we find their origins unappetizing. We don’t want to eat foods that look foul. So much is obvious, but what about the weird loathings, the foods that are generally thought to be delicious? Behind those quirks often lies a food-related trauma. The most common explanation of a food-terror is having got sick after eating something. If you stuff your face with rancid chicken by mistake, it’s going to put you off poultry for a long time. This usually doesn’t apply with minor cases of sickness such as getting an allergic reaction from the food, because you might still like the food even if you know you can’t eat it. But vomiting after eating will do the trick. There are also differences in the way we taste, so if your brother says that asparagus tastes like compost, it could be that it really tastes that way to him. Or maybe he’s been traumatised by an asparagus-related sickness. Or he just doesn’t want to eat his vegetables. What if there really isn’t a reason behind your inexplicable hatred of say, pineapple? Can you be cured? It is possible to desensitise yourself to a food that pitches bile up your throat, if you simply eat it more. The surroundings should be as calm and pleasant as possible for the new way of experiencing the food to sink in. Tastes do change, but if you really, really hate pineapple, there’s always dozens of other fruit you might like. So get tasting!
Sami Makkonen
“ “I HAVE always had a loathing for pineapple. I can smell a Piña Colada all the way across the room. There have been a few unfortunate events when pineapple has wormed its way into my food without me knowing about it. I’m generally suspicious of all foods with chicken because the risk of hidden pineapple is greater than normally. I remember that my mother used to eat pineapple out of a can when I was little, and I hated it even then.” Female, 27 ”I CANNOT stand spinach soup. That spotty green gunk with half a boiled egg floating in it leaves me with goose bumps. As a child I never got any sympathy from mum. She always said “you don’t need to like it, you just have to eat it.” Female, 30
I was sure a skunk was hidden somewhere but it was the bowl of guavas.”
“THERE’S REALLY nothing strange about the foods I hate, it’s the people who like them that are strange! This includes pretty much everything my husband likes, for example sour milk, herring, pickles, roe paste, and liver sausage. Sour milk looks and tastes like milk gone bad. There is no way pickled cucumber gets anywhere near my hamburger, and the same goes for ketchup and mustard. Celery is the devil’s plot to ruin any and every food it touches. I don’t like gum either, because you can’t swallow it and feel sort of betrayed not getting anything in your stomach after all the chewing. Besides, most chewing gums taste like toothpaste.” Female, 27
“I HAVE SAID no to all kinds of fruit already as a child. It was me staying three hours at the table not eating the apple. I like vegetables though, and I don’t know how my brain distinguishes between fruit and vegetable, but it does. Once me and some mates had entered a friend’s apartment, and the smell inside was just horrible. I was sure a skunk was hidden somewhere; I even thought I saw one. In the end I realised that the smell came from guavas that my friend’s mum had left on the table. I honestly thought something had died and rotted, the smell was so awful. The “top five” of fruit I can’t stand are guava, mango, papaya, banana and watermelon.” Male, 37
“AT THE AGE of four, I told my mum that I no longer wanted to eat meat. At some point I had found out that meat comes from dead animals. As an animal-loving kid I decided that I would have to renounce minced meat, frankfurters, and any other meat-derived products typically dished up to kids. My mum tried to coax me back into eating meat with the help of bribes, but I refused to give in. I was even promised my own dog if I would so much as eat fish. I wasn’t having it. As a vegetarian in a Finnish primary school in the 1980s, I was a bit of a freak. For school lunches I was served potato, potato and more potato, as well as loads of revolting pickled beetroot. In those days tofu, soy and other non-meat sources of protein were not much heard of in Finland. As a result, I was pretty much permanently hungry when growing up. Today, almost 30 years later, the decision I made as a stubborn little girl is something I’ve stuck with. I’m still a vegetarian, but I also still absolutely loathe pickled beetroot.” Female, 33 “I HEAR THIS is pretty common, but the yellow orange soft drink Jaffa reminds me of vomit. I have been traumatised by a series of childhood stomach flues causing puking and fever, when your parents try to get you to drink enough fluids and ingest some sugar on the side. When tasting that soda, I can almost feel the cold porcelain of a toilet bowl and mum holding my hair.” Female, 30
1 – 18 MARCH 009
HELSINKI TIMES
“Helsinki, here we come!” This spring EnterpriseHelsinki has offered an entrepreneurship course for immigrants in English. The course aims to provide immigrants with the basic knowledge of starting up a business and information about Finnish business culture. Russian Natalia Smirnova, Italian Valentini Luca and Libyan Husein Turbi all had similar reasons for taking part in the course. “Starting up your own business is challenging and this course gives confidence and support,” says Turbi. Luca says his main reason for taking part at 9.30 am on 2 June 2009 for autumn start is because “this course teaches important things about Finland like laws and taxes.” Spanning the period of seven weeks, the course is quite an intense programme. Despite its short length, the course covers a wide range of topics. In addition to lectures on such topics as marketing, sales, taxation and calculations, the course includes group projects and discussions as well as oral and written exercises. The course also teaches Finnish corporate Husein Turbi vocabulary. “The teachers are excellent, they are professionals from the business world and they are very encouraging,” Smirnova states. In connection to the course, EnterpriseHelsinki appoints each student with a personal Natalia Smirnova adviser. “It’s great to have personal support and someone to discuss your ideas with. Even after we complete the course we can come back and sit down with our advisor, again and Upper secondary courses in English again, if we need consultation,” Luca explains excitedly. Information session in English Smirnova, Luca and Turbi are all very keen on starting up their own businesses. “It will while learning Finnish 14 May at 16:15 A 3-4 year program leading to the be a new experience being my own boss, but the way I see it is that if you’re going to work Information Certificate hard, you might as well be working for yourself,” Luca says. “I want to actualise my dreams Finnish Matriculation session in Russian of offering customers experience they can’t get elsewhere,” Turbi explains. “This course (ylioppilastutkinto) 28 May at 16:15 helps in the realisation of one’s own business idea. Without this course it would take much TheInformation program is for: longer for me to start up my own business, since I’d have to learn everything the hard way,” • Adults without high school diploma sessionsain Finnish Smirnova laughs. Tuesdays at 13:00-16:00 recognized in Finland untilwithout 16 Junea suitable high • Young people All three are optimistic about their own businesses and, looking out over the rooftops of 7 Mayschool at 16:15-19:00 offer central Helsinki, Luca exclaims “Helsinki, here I come!”
Entrance test for 2009-2010
FIRST STEPS IN FINLAND – LUKIO Getting people into Finnish education
Valentini Luca
• Intensive Finnish prepares students for Matriculation Exam • Opportunities for University of Cambridge International AS levels in English
Start your business in the Helsinki Region!
Eiran aikuislukio • Eira High School for Adults Laivurinkatu 3, 00150 Helsinki E-mail: high.school@eiraedu.com Tel: 09 4542 270 www.eiraedu.com
Kaisaniemenkatu 6A, 6th floor P.O. Box 37, 00099 City of Helsinki tel:. +358 9 310 36360, fax. +358 9 310 36369 www.yrityshelsinki.fi
Text: Mari Kaislaniemi Photos: Mauricio Roa
Entrance test for 2009-2010 at 9.30 am on 2 June 2009 for autumn start
First steps in Finland – lukio Getting people into Finnish education Upper secondary courses in English while learning Finnish A 3-4 year program leading to the Finnish Matriculation Certificate (ylioppilastutkinto)
The program is for: • Adults without a high school diploma recognized in Finland • Young people without a suitable high school offer • Intensive Finnish prepares students for Matriculation Exam • Opportunities for University of Cambridge International AS levels in English Eiran aikuislukio • Eira High School for Adults Laivurinkatu 3, 00150 Helsinki E-mail: high.school@eiraedu.com Tel: 09 4542 270 www.eiraedu.com
Society
15
Issue 4 2009
Weaving Nigerian culture into the Finnish palate SixDegrees caught up with Marina Lindström, fashion designer and the owner of the Nigerian eatery Kimito Kitchen in Sörnäinen.
A sunny disposition Using humour in a difficult situation is not always easy. “If A and B doesn’t work, I choose to see what I can do with C,” Lindström acknowledges with a smile.
Alone again, unnaturally David Brown
TUULA LIVES alone in a 30 square-metre apartment she bought last year in Vuosaari. After two failed long term relationships, she still dates, but at 35 privately admits that she just may not find a man. Across town, Jussi is in a similar situation at 42; living alone with a cat and fading hopes of ever meeting that special someone. Not only are these stories not unusual – they are increasingly the norm. While most people date avidly and enthusiastically during their twenties, Finnish cities are increasingly full of attractive, intelligent and perfectly normal 35+ singles. A million Finns now live alone, a figure which has doubled in the past generation, and one that means some 40 per cent of Finnish dwellings are home to only one person. While the situation is much the same in Norway and Denmark, Finns are far more likely to live alone than the British, and almost twice as likely as Americans. Perhaps unsurprisingly, living alone is also an urban phenomenon, with far more single people in Helsinki than anywhere else. There is something rather sad about this. A friend I was having dinner with a couple of weeks ago peppered her speech with phrases like “I’m doing ok by myself.” Which is fine, of course, but then “ok” is not what most of us dream of as children.
James O’Sullivan
SITUATED in the Turku Archipelago, the island of Kemiö represents many things to Marina Lindström. A renowned fashion designer and owner of Helsinki’s new Nigerian eatery Kimito Kitchen, Lindström wears her passion for her home town proudly on her sleeve. Known in Swedish as Kimito, it was the place where her ancestors settled from Belgium in the 17th century and also to where this vibrant Finn returned ten years ago when she left behind a successful fashion career in Stockholm. Today, seated in the cosy far corner of her new establishment, Lindström reflects upon the road that has eventually led her to Sörnäinen. “I was tired of creating unnecessary needs for people,” she sighs, when asked why she chose to walk away from the profession that had taken her to all corners of the globe. “In the ten years after my career, I have tried to live as ethically and ecologically as possible; with ethnic thinking etched into it.” Arriving back at Kemiö in 1999, she quickly established Café Ma’Cirque with the purpose of providing a meeting space where ideas, creativity and good food could be shared in a friendly environment. Lindström also enjoyed the opportunity to further cultivate her love for fashion on a smaller scale by incorporating a fashion boutique. Here she was able to design clothes for women that bypassed current trends. “You should and have to enjoy your femininity. It really doesn’t matter what size you are!” Emerging from this success another retail outlet for her designs was established, this time in Helsinki. Whilst initially successful, the business soon wrestled with the diminishing economy and the decision was made to close its doors.
SOCIETY Column
L
iving alone is “ok”, but “ok” is not what most of us dream of as children.
“Nigerian food is simple but down to earth,” says Marina Lindström in her Nigerian eatery in Sörnäinen.
It was on one of her many earlier business trips that she first encountered Nigerian food at the annual Diwali festival in India. “It was very down to earth. A very simple meal, yet it stayed in my mind.” It was also in India a few years ago that she met Nigerians Esther Ademosy and Florence Awoyemi, and it was upon this friendship she would draw to help establish a new dining experience in Helsinki. “When I returned to Helsinki I realised that cafés here look and taste the same,” she recalls. “I thought: why can’t one build an inexpensive lunch place using real food? Why could I not repeat the success of Kemiö Island?” Collaborating with the culinary expertise of her friends Esther and Florence, Kimito Kitchen opened its doors in September 2008. Together, these three ladies employ a “why not!” attitude welcoming people from all walks of life to their casual and relaxed eatery. Seizing this new opportunity to display her love of fashion, an impressive array of Lindström’s own clothing designs can also be found for sale in the eatery.
Not just a flash in the pan The choice of Sörnäinen was carefully considered. “After the glamour of travelling wears off, the personality of the city shows itself. It was around my 40th visit to Florence that I found a small restaurant just out of the city centre, far away from the tourist attractions, that served the best food in town. There was always a queue of locals waiting for a seat in a family-run atmosphere with personality. This is what I want with Kimito Kitchen.”
Passionately involved with representing underaged asylum seekers here in Finland and assisting foreigners with integrating into society, Lindström hopes to build a bridge between cultural divides and help reshape skewered misconceptions on both sides. “I know how much potential there is with foreigners and how hard it is to integrate,” she adds. Kimito Kitchen Kulmavuorenkatu 2 Sörnäinen, Helsinki www.kimkit.com
What disturbed me most were comments such as “Perhaps I’m just too independent for most men.” Since when is independence an impediment to a relationship? We should all be independent; able to cook and clean and iron and hopefully even tolerate our own company. I couldn’t help thinking that “independent” was a nice way of saying she had decided not to trust men in future. If my friend had sounded happy and positive, I’d have been delighted for her. But she didn’t. She sounded more like someone reacting to the hurt of the past rather than embracing the dreams of her future. As is probably obvious, I am not a person who believes the natural state of the human being is alone. Straight, gay or just weird, I think the happiest solution for most people is to share their life with someone they care about. Certainly I’d rather see my friends alone and doing fine than with someone and miserable, but in modern society there is little to stop us leaving the wrong person in the hope of eventually finding someone better. Being in a relationship is not always pretty. It means having to communicate on issues one would sometimes rather just ignore. It means having to face up to things one would sometimes rather not see. And sometimes it means being genuinely selfless, because we hope for selflessness in return. It’s a challenge. Which is why I think it is the state through which most of us become better people. I don’t think it is at all easy to find someone to love and live with, and some people really are just unlucky in love. Others find the right person, only for luck or fate or someone a size slimmer to snatch that person away. Others still may genuinely feel happier alone than with anyone at all, but most, I suspect, do not.
Florence Awoyemi (left) and Esther Ademosy.
A look at Nigerian cuisine Characterised by its rich blend of variety and flavours, Nigerian cuisine ranges from soups and stews to puddings, pastes and porridges. Pounded yams, fried plantains, mashed beans and potatoes also accompany grilled meat and poultry creating colourful and lavish dishes. Seafood is also widely eaten, with crab and shrimp featuring prominently. Rice is the staple carbohydrate in Nigerian food, with palm oil used commonly in food preparation. Although cutlery can be found at Kimito Kitchen, it is customary to enjoy a meal with your hands in Nigeria. The wide array of dishes reflects the great number of ethnic groups living in Nigeria with some 510 different languages spoken. Although a local proverb states that “pepper is the staff of life,” at Kimito Kitchen one can safely find a bowl of chilli served as an optional garnish next to the meal. The prices at Kimito Kitchen are modest – you can have a lunch for as low as 4 euros.
I fear we have become too accepting of solitude, and too used to loneliness. We are too ready to settle for a life of being “ok” and learning the strength required to live alone, without learning the courage to trust and love another person. David Brown runs Word Of Mouth Ltd, a language consultancy working with politicians and the media. He also works as a journalist, recently covering stories in Azerbaijan and Georgia. He has lived in Finland for seven years.
SixDegrees
16
Issue 4 2009
Culture swapping
swapping
and twisting tongues Diversity at home Finland is home to some 55,000 intercultural couples. How do cultural differences and language affect their relationships? Or do they at all? SixDegrees had a chat with three intercultural couples.
The Jains >> Culture swap Ksenia Glebova
MARIA, 28, and Mayank Jain, 30, have been married for six weeks. Three days after their wedding Maria left Helsinki for New York, where she works as a Programme Analyst for the UN. Mayank joined Maria in New York at the beginning of April. Originally from Järvenpää and Mumbai, the couple remember in great detail the day they first met in Helsinki. “We met during the third week of September 2007. It was a
Saturday night. We were at a mutual friend’s farewell party,” remembers Mayank. Maria, who has previously lived and studied in India, made quite an impression on her future husband. “She came up to me and started speaking in Hindi. I was so surprised! It was a good ice breaker. I think she asked me if I was from India in Hindi. We talked about Indian politics and the UN Security Council.” As Maria was leaving, Mayank asked her out for coffee. She said that she would rather drink tea and Mayank, himself a tea drinker, thought that was even better. ”It took him two months to get back to me with the excuse that he had lost his phone,” smiles Maria. After two tea meetings, they knew something was going on. Wedding by surprise This something culminated in a small wedding within a close circle of family and friends in February. Their wedding was quite sudden for the people who knew them and the Jains got to experience reactions ranging from supportive to critical. “We did not have a c o nve nt i o n a l live-in relationship as most Finnish couples do. But it was enough, in fact more than enough, for us to realise that we want to be
“
Once Maria decides on something she will not discuss it, and this is a Finnish thing!”
together,” say the newlyweds. “We had to answer a lot of questions coming from some members of my family,” says Maria. By now things have settled a bit even though Mayank’s parents in Mumbai are taking their time in accepting their new daughter-in-law. “My parents are very ethnocentric, closed and old-fashioned and in the beginning they overreacted. But now they seem to be warming up.” Culture: hiccups or harmony? Mayank says it is difficult to specify which issues stem from so-called cultural differences and what can be attributed to personal traits. “It’s a very big question talking about cultural differences. We are both very different from our own culture. She would be more Indian than Finnish and I would be more Finnish than Indian. I am totally different from my family, an outcast, too liberal thinking. This goes hand in hand with Finnishness. That’s why we don’t have any serious conflicts but more like: should we buy cups or do we have too many cups?” However, Mayank says that in terms of decision-making Maria behaves in a very Finnish way. “She escapes confrontations. Once she decides on something she will not
discuss it, and this is a Finnish thing! The Indian way is argumentative and the Finnish way means always looking for a solution.” Communication triangle Maria and Mayank can communicate with each other in three languages – English, Finnish and Hindi – even though they mostly use English in daily life. According to Mayank, complete communication takes places in all three languages as each language functionally complements the other. Maria agrees. “We speak Finnish mainly before Mayank’s Finnish exams and we use Hindi to crack jokes or make comments that we do not want anyone in Finland to understand.” Mayank uses Finnish in his everyday life in Helsinki as a language of administration, “to get things done” and at work. Their first conversation was about the UN and now the UN is part of their lives. “We are moving to New York because of Maria’s job. We are moving to a completely new place, where we do not really know anyone apart from each other.” Maria adds: “It’s like you said this morning – feeling at once unsettled about the move and settled together.”
Feature
17
Issue 4 2009
Duo supports intercultural couples The Duo Project, an independent part of the Multicultural Association Familia Club, is Finland's first to provide early support for intercultural couples and families.
Aleksi Teivainen
The Trnkas >> Twisting tongues Ksenia Glebova
THE marriage of Riikka Nisonen-Trnka, 31, and JanPeter Trnka, 31, two PhD scholars at the University of Helsinki, was facilitated by the Erasmus exchange student programme. The couple met in Prague in 2000 and lived together in the Czech Republic and Germany before finally moving to Finland in 2006. Their daughter Olga was born in Helsinki and is now three years old. Before her fateful stay in Prague, Riikka studied history at the University of Tampere and Jan studied law in Germany. In Prague Riikka and her flatmates threw a house-warming party when Riikka moved from a student dormitory to a private shared flat. The couple first met at that party. After living in Germany and the Czech Republic, Jan and Riikka decided to move to Helsinki for practical reasons. “Jan was accepted at a graduate school at the University of Helsinki. Furthermore, we were expecting our daughter at that time and thought Finland would be a good place to combine work and family compared to Germany, where it is difficult to find day care.” The Czech connection Riikka is writing her PhD on Czechoslovak history at the University of Helsinki and Jan is working on his PhD at the Institute of International Economic Law of the University of Helsinki. The family communicates in Czech in their daily life not only because of their common stint in Prague but because Jan is bilingual in Czech and German. He was brought up in a Czech family in Germany. The fact that Riikka and Jan combine three different cultural backgrounds does not necessarily play a decisive influence in their daily life.
Riikka points out that their worldviews, values and sense of humour are surprisingly similar. “We are different characters but it is hard to say whether this has anything to do with culture. I am more talkative and extrovert than Jan and this does not correspond with the common stereotype.” Language struggles On the other hand, both agree that language clearly does influence their daily life. “It is easier if the one who commands the language of the environment more perfectly takes care of some practical things, especially with people who are not fluent in English. The better Jan learns Finnish, the less impact this has but it is still more often me who
all day long.” The family’s linguistic solutions vary according to their country of residence. In Finland, Czech is spoken at home but in Germany it was German. Riikka speaks Finnish with Olga while Jan uses only Czech. Multicultural families need more support Living in Finland as a multicultural family has its own challenges. Riikka believes that finding jobs and making a career is still difficult for foreigners in Finland. “The number of foreigners is relatively low here, therefore it might be more difficult to find other families in a similar situation. In kindergartens the personnel might not have the adequate education or
O
ften problems do not stem from an “open” clash of cultures but from a lack of realisation of culturally different approaches and solutions for daily situations.
“DUO was born in the living rooms of intercultural couples and then developed in various seminars, until finally it was granted RAY’s (Finland’s Slot Machine Association) funding in 2008,” briefs Hanna Kinnunen, the Project Manager of Duo. “The services are directed primarily at ‘normal couples’ although Duo organises support groups for the recently divorced, for example. As such, the project does not focus on the integration of foreigners into Finnish society,” Kinnunen clarifies. “In fact, the whole term seems unfitting – after all, we are talking about couples here.” However, she admits that the project can be seen as an influential factor with regards to integration. “In a way, we aim to provide the Finnish spouse with means to support the partner’s integration.” Currently, the Duo Project offers family training, relationship coaching, discussion groups and advice service, all available in English.
experience to deal with what it means to have a bi- or trilingual family with a mix of different cultures.” For Jan, one of the key challenges for multicultural families is the ability to recognise and understand cultural deviations. “I assume that most often the problems do not stem from an ‘open’ clash of cultures but from a lack of realisation of culturally different approaches and solutions for daily situations. In part, this can only be resolved with more mutual respect for each other.”
in fact, problems of integration.” In some cases, couples’ problems may stem from a clash of religions, which may not surface until children enter the picture. “One of our underlying goals is to improve communication in relationships and thereby to increase understanding,” Kinnunen continues. “Meanwhile, intercultural families naturally know how to deal with diversity. The children are bilingual and natural cultural interpreters.” If the project can secure its funding, services will also be directed at children of intercultural couples. “At the end of the day, we consider children to be the main beneficiaries,” explains Kinnunen. “Developing your identity in a family where parents are both culturally and ethnically different may be extremely challenging. Making Duo Project services available nationwide is another priority for the future.” The writer is a fourth-year student of English language and translation.
Some facts • •
•
attends the parent-teacher meetings and so on.” Jan agrees that their temperaments rather than cultures make the biggest difference. “Language is the only obvious cultural aspect that has a more significant impact. My Finnish skills are still rather basic, and at work I am struggling with another foreign language. Moreover, I have the wish to introduce my own two home languages to our daughter, for which I do not have much ‘support’ in our living environment. Consequently, I fight for, or respectively against, languages
“I believe we have not had any native English speakers. Even so, because English is the common language for many of the couples that participate, it is the natural choice of language,” says Kinnunen. Laura Temmes-Shava praises the unity of her group that, like many others, has continued its meetings even after the scheduled sessions. “At times, all you had to do was open your mouth, and everyone would instantly understand what you were going through. The focus of the discussion group was, perhaps surprisingly, everyday situations. For example, only once did we briefly discuss racism.” The premise of the project is not that intercultural couples need more support than other couples. “What sets these couples apart from the rest is the need for integration,” Kinnunen starts. “Sometimes, couples may be surprised at just how difficult it is to integrate into Finnish society. Often, these problems are falsely interpreted as problems in the relationship, when they are,
•
•
•
Currently there are about 55,000 intercultural couples in Finland. 26% of all new marriages in Helsinki in 2007 included at least one foreign citizen. 14% of all new marriages in Helsinki in 2007 were between a Finnish and a foreign citizen. 53% of intercultural marriages are between a Finnish man and a foreign woman. Divorce rates among intercultural married couples are higher than those of monocultural couples. The divorce rate among married couples of which the country of birth of both spouses is Finland was 1.3% in 2006. The divorce rate among intercultural couples was 3.5% in 2006. Divorce rates vary significantly according to the nationality combination of the couple.
Sources: Statistcs Finland, Duo Project
Duo Project Duo organises family training for intercultural couples in June. The family training group is for expecting couples and parents of a newborn baby. The group is confidential and free of charge. The group will be in English. Time Tuesday 2 June at 16:45-18:15 Thursday 4 June at 16:45-18:15 Tuesday 9 June at 16:45-18:15 Place Familia Club ry Vilhonkatu 4 b 15 (3rd floor) Helsinki For more information and to register in advance contact Hanna Süral by telephone 050 571 3976 or email duo@familiaclub www.familiaclub.fi/duo_homepage tel. 044 543 8972
SixDegrees
18
Issue 4 2009
Aleksi Teivainen
Eva and Vasistha >> MIXING LANGUAGES Aleksi Teivainen
SURROUNDED by traditional farm land, the Sukula village school, built at the beginning of the 20th century and now a yoga studio, is home to Eva Poulsen, 57, and Vasistha, 53, respectively. The couple share the facilities with their ‘offspring’ of three horses, five cats, a sheep, a ram and two rabbits. Eva, a Dane from Copenhagen, and Vasistha, a Finn from Tampere, first met in Sweden during the early 1980s. The location was, perhaps not surprisingly, an old village school where both attended yoga teacher training. “Apparently, due to the similarities in the Finnish and Swedish school systems, old village schools have the tendency to become yoga studios – especially in the agrarian areas,” Vasistha speculates. Village school as home Between 1987 and 1988, having found the suitable location, the couple moved to Sukula due to Vasistha’s desire to return to Finland. And over 20 years later, the renovations still keep him busy.
“
It is close to impossible to determine whether a feature in a person is cultural or personal.”
For Eva the move from Copenhagen to Sukula, a district of sparsely populated Tammela, was a definite change of pace. The whole of Tammela has only 6,000 residents. “I had little language training, so it was difficult to understand what people were saying if they weren’t speaking directly to me,” Eva recalls and turns her attention to the family sheep as it set its eyes on the table’s offerings. Luckily, the demand for yoga instruction in the Swedishspeaking coastal regions was sufficient to keep her busy and on the road several days a week. “Still, we were so poor – ‘no cheese, no snacks’ Vasistha would say,” she remembers. Business operations have, however, expanded since those days; Eva opened a veterinary clinic in the school building in 1993, and more recently Vasistha’s neti-pot business took off after a slow start in 1999. “People often say that it sounds wonderful to spend every day with your partner, but the truth is that Vasistha has his own things to keep him busy,” Eva explains. “Most of the time, when I get a call from Eva, it’s about the computer or some other machine malfunctioning,” Vasistha confirms. Scandinavian language mix The couple started by communicating in English but quickly switched to Swedish as they realised that Vasistha could understand the language. Since then, their home language has developed into a unique mix of
Scandinavian languages. “Although, I now speak remarkable Danish,” Vasistha grins. Whatever the language, the couple shows impressive communication skills, often completing each other’s thoughts. “I want to learn better Finnish, but...” Eva sighs. “It’s not going to happen,” Vasistha continues before Eva can sound the words, “Because you don’t have the patience.” Nevertheless, Eva has learned the language well enough to report that it is now notably easier to make acquaintances in Finland. “Finns are clearly more willing to communicate in their mother tongue and generally like to keep to themselves.” “Especially in a bilingual country like Finland, the dif-
ferences can be regional and quite polarised. On one end of the scale, the Swedish-speaking minority may be more ‘continental’ whereas for others, achieving a certain flow of communication may be a struggle,” Vasistha suggests. “This is because the Scandinavian countries have a longer tradition of more international cities, whereas regions like Kainuu or Kuusamo have only recently come into contact with foreigners via tourism. Maybe the extremely introverted attitudes derive from something like ‘Darn, I heard a rustle, where’s my axe?’” International offspring The couple agree though that it is close to impossible to determine whether a feature is cultural or personal. “Most
of the arguments we have are probably common in any other relationship. We agree on a number of things, and then there are times your partner reacts in a totally incomprehensible way,” Eva points out. “And in any case, our offspring doesn’t mind,” she smiles and strokes the sheep that has stationed itself next to her. In fact, the animal inhabitants add to the international flavour of the old village school. “We have a horse from Norway and another from Denmark,” Vasistha lists. “And naturally, we speak Danish to all the animals.” “Well, I use Finnish when speaking to Romeo, one of the horses, because he’s used to it,” Eva adds.
HARD TO STAY COOL? Cool places to chill out >> www.helsinki.fi/en
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Society
Issue 4 2009
d o o H RobinPrince of Pirates
The ancient plane headed unsteadily towards the Somalian runway as the pilot chewed on yet another Khat leaf, a plant that contains an amphetamine-like stimulant. It was only after the Finnish passengers were safe on solid ground that they noticed the pilot staggering. He was not only high on drugs, but drunk as well.
James Meek
SIX MONTHS ago, a group of guys were sitting around in Helsinki, when Abdi Jama broached the subject of organising a trip to Somalia to shoot a documentary telling the story of the pirates, from the pirates’ point of view. Half a year later and three of the group have just returned after their first trip to the African country, where they spoke to pirate chiefs, gun dealers, clan leaders, pirate veterans and the former and current president of Somalia. They were shot at by bandits, had an entourage of ten security guards wherever they went, suffered sickness and were in constant fear of the tapes they had shot being stolen or confiscated. Risky business The group would always travel in convoy, never at night, with their escorts armed with AK-47s and constantly on the lookout for anything or anyone suspicious. In a country where kidnapping is common, westerners are pay dirt. “When you are moving that many people you are an easy target, but without the security, you’re an even easier one,” says Jama. “Roadside bombs were always a big worry,” says Director of Photography Jussi Arhinmäki, whose white face was a constant amusement to the young girls who were bemused how he could be so pale. On the day before they were meant to leave Somalia, they got news that the plane that was meant to take them
home, supposedly piloted by the same drunk and drugged guy, had crashed. They knew that every day they stayed in the area the chance of something happening to them or their tapes increased. By this time they were getting the feeling that their movements had become interesting to a few too many people. “Fortunately a replacement plane arrived the next day. It was older than the first one, like something out of an Indiana Jones movie, and piloted by another drunk. I was more scared of being in the air than being on the ground with all the guys with guns,” Arhinmäki says. Toxic waters Abdi Jama was born in Somalia, but his family moved to Finland when he was young. Jama’s grandfather still lives near Puntland, where most of the pirates have their base, and it was he who helped the crew get in touch with many of the high-ranking ones. The pirates’ story is indeed interesting. Far from seeing themselves as criminals, many see themselves as victims. And so unfolds a story that has largely been untold by the western media. For years the lucrative fishing grounds off the coast of Somalia have been pillaged by international fishermen after the collapse of the central government. Many fishermen say they have only turned to piracy to protect the remaining fishing stocks, or out of necessity after their
From left to right: • Jussi Arhinmäki, the documentary’s Director of Photography. • Abdi Jama’s grandfather helped the group in contacting many of the high-ranking pirates. • The entire team with local advisors and security guards posing for the photographer. Photos: Jussi Arhinmäki and Abdi Jama
F
ar from seeing themselves as criminals, many pirates see themselves as victims. fishing grounds were all but depleted. More disturbingly, organised crime has been dumping toxic and nuclear waste off the Somalia coast for the last 15 years, and the United Nations reported in 2005 that many of these barrels washed-up smashed on the beaches after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Many of the population are now experiencing new diseases and illnesses which have not been seen before, believed to be contracted from eating infected fish from the dumped waste. What makes them angry is that even though western governments knew about this, nothing was ever done. When a precious trade route was threatened, these same governments, where much of the waste comes from, sent warships to stop them. The pirate chief told the documentary crew that unlike what the media was reporting, they had no links to organised crime or with extremist groups. Many of the interviewed pirates said they would stop once there was stability and something was done to address the illegal fishing and dumping of their coast. “The pirates have no political motives; they’re not terrorists and they are not harming hostages,” Arhinmäki states. He believes they are being careful
not to give the West anymore reason to send more warships to the area. Humble criminals One of the more interesting themes of the documentary is that far from the swashbuckling rich and famous lifestyles that pirates are meant to lead, in Puntland it is very subdued. No one advertises being a pirate. If it is known in the area you received money after a successful operation, then you become a target to those on the ground. Just as there are pirates on the water, there are also some fairly desperate people on land who will go to any means necessary to get money. It wasn’t until a week before they left for the third world, war-torn country that it struck Jussi Arhinmäki what it was he was about to do. He said he kept the trip fairly quiet as he didn’t want to worry people. However, he admits that some friends came over and said goodbye as they didn’t think he would return alive. Arhinmäki says that there has been a lot of interest in the documentary since he got back, especially in how they managed to speak to some of the people they interviewed. They are now looking for further funding and sponsors to go back and complete a second
trip to get further interviews and images. According to Arhinmäki, the trip was a success as they got the story behind the story, and saw the issue from a different perspective. He believes that the western media, for whatever reasons, has largely ignored the pirates’ viewpoint. However, Arhinmäki admits that it is a complicated issue. “When you speak to the pirates they feel they are the victims, but when you speak to people on the other side of the world, they tell you they are the victims. It is a bit of a Robin Hood story, the money is coming back to the people. They are
19
criminals, but they are also good criminals, if there is such a thing. It is pretty hard to justify what they are doing, but then again it’s pretty hard to justify what the West is doing by stealing fish and dumping toxic waste, so it’s a tough one,” Arhinmäki concludes.
Some basic facts SOMALIA Capital: Mogadishu Official languages: Somali, Arabic Population: 9,558,666
SOMALIA
• The Republic of Somalia is located in the horn of Africa. Although officially governed by the Transitional Federal Government (TFG), much of the country is controlled by clans and the TFG has limited power. • Large parts of the country have declared themselves independent, although no new state has been recognised by the TFG or by international governments. • Puntland does recognise the TFG, however it still remains autonomous.
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SCultitude ixDegrees
21
Issue 4 2009
Chef recommends APPETIZER Column
Tapas in Teos Creating a Mediterranean atmosphere, piece by piece in
Bar Teos.
Eating humble pie Photos Tomas Whitehouse
James O’Sullivan
SO, HERE I AM. The neon hue of the grilli kiosk illuminates the evening air as we each await our turn in the queue. The man in front of me sways gently as his level of alcohol threatens to spill over and onto the footpath. Occasionally an altercation breaks out as appetising odours drift over from the sizzling grill. Every city has one - a favourite fast food in which intoxicated patrons of bars, clubs and pubs can find solace to soak up the extravagances of their partying. New York has its hot dogs; Brussels serves up mountains of fries; London offers a curry; and Helsinki boasts the meat pie, or lihis. Essentially a savoury donut wrapped around a smattering of minced meat, the lihis holds a special place in every Finn’s heart. Garnished with a couple of frankfurters swimming in a variety of colourful sauces, these culinary oddities sell by the truckload - predominantly from grilli kiosks between the hours of midnight and 5:00 Friday and Saturday nights. Tonight I am here at Helsinki’s famous Ykkös Jaskan Grilli to try my first lihis. Juha Niemivuo in his restaurant Bar Teos. James O’Sullivan
THE CULTURAL stereotype has Finnish people appreciating a dining experience that is over in the blink of an eye. The jacket of a Finn arriving to a restaurant has barely been placed on a coat hook before it is snatched away and put back on again, accompanying a full belly and complaints of tardy service. The tapas experience, however, has another thing in mind. Maintaining the simple philosophy that “we want to serve food that people want to eat,” Bar Teos offers a range of Mediterranean food, the tapas way. Its uncomplicated recipe of good service and affordable food has created a loyal customer base that is happy to let time pass whilst enjoying a menu that has barely changed throughout its seven year existence. With its name evoking images of a maritime city in Ancient Greece, the interior of the bar is dressed with references to both Greek mythology and Mediterranean landscapes. Sitting in the elaborately decorated dining area with each wall depicting the view from an Italian balcony, owner Juha Niemivuo reminisces about the origins of his establishment. As an eager 24-year- old, he had originally launched himself into the Helsinki dining scene with an up-market fine dining à la carte restaurant. With a plethora of similarly-themed enterprises competing for the same customers, Niemivuo soon searched for a way to diversify. “Back then in 2001 there were bars and restau-
rants in Helsinki, but nothing in between,” he recalls. Deciding upon the perfect idea to fill the gap in customers’ needs, he developed the concept of Bar Teos. With a diverse menu of modestly priced tapas (2.50 euros each), Niemivuo utilised word of mouth as a primary means of attracting customers. “People were not ready to pay 8 euros for tapas in the city,” he continues. “The customer must be happy when leaving so they’ll come back. It’s not enough to come just once.” With this in mind, he set about further embellishing his tapas concept that would persuade customers to return again and again. When asked what is the longest time a customer has spent at Bar Teos, Niemivuo smiles and replies, “Nine and a half hours!” A 13 euro bottle of house red or white certainly goes a long way to ensuring return customers. “The price is for everybody,” he laughs, acknowledging the very reasonable price. Simple and uncomplicated, both the house white and red complement the assortment of fresh tastes prepared inhouse. Adding to its success is that, aside from Niemivuo, all service is provided to customers in English with waiters and chefs hailing from Spain, Egypt and France. Presenting a wide selection of house specialties, the menu ranges from tender pieces of fried squid to goat’s cheese draped over eggplant and red pepper and a slice of chorizo sausage with mushroom and artichoke. The most popular choice for customers is a superb aioli drizzled over
roasted potato wedges. The accompanying house wines further enrich the flavours and massage the palate. There are four key aspects that Niemivuo believes to be fundamental in creating a memorable experience for his customers: service, atmosphere, affordable price and quality. “The most important thing for me is creating a good feeling – then money,” he concludes. With gentle Spanish music playing in the background, Bar Teos regularly prepares between 600-700 different tapas on a busy night. Although this is a time of tighter purse strings, the bar boasts a packed house most evenings and bookings are highly recommended on the weekends. Bar Teos Runeberginkatu 61 Helsinki 09 4543591 www.barteos.fi Opening hours Sun - Thu 15-01 Fri - Sat 15-02
What are tapas, exactly? Originating in Spain, these small appetisers offer a wide variety of different flavours to appreciate whilst enjoying good wine and company. Not to be confused with a starter, tapas are to be enjoyed over the course of an afternoon or evening until one has had sufficiently. No specific ingredients classify these tasty morsels, thus tapas can range from a Spanish omelette of eggs, potatoes and onions, to stuffed mussels or a mouthful of ham croquettes. For Bar Teos, the “Mediterranean trilogy” of salt, vinegar and oil is strictly utilised when preparing tapas. Each of these components creates a different balance with the flavours of the ingredients, revealing the secret of a positive tapas experience.
But I don’t want any regular frankfurter-embellished halfbaked effort; I’m here to tackle the famous Kannibal! A stunning combination of ground beef nestled amongst ham steak, beef patties, sausage, slices of ham and 14 different condiments, the Kannibal dares to test the endurance and waistline of any lover of lihis. Oh, a fried egg is tossed in for good measure, ensuring that customers’ protein levels are well-stocked. Back in the queue, the time of reckoning is nigh. Although recently my doctor gave my cholesterol levels the all-clear, I still fumble about for my mobile phone in case of an emergency call to the paramedics. As I make my way up to the window to order, I bask in awe at the menu plastered across the face of the kiosk. A panorama of fried flesh bears down upon me. Out of the corner of my eye I notice a group of men standing silently next to the kiosk, chewing slowly. My jaw drops as I notice the remains of a Kannibal lodged in one of their hands. I draw a sharp intake of breath as I take my first real look at this behemoth and I begin to panic. It’s truly overwhelming. Mountainous layers of meat and sauce and lihis melded together. Oh no! I can’t do this! Help!! What was I thinking?! As my enthusiasm rapidly fades I realise I’m holding up the queue. An impatient voice behind me tells me to hurry up. What should I do? I’m relieved to see that small containers of milk are for sale, even at a grilli. This is Finland after all, the country with the world’s highest consumption of milk per capita. I hurriedly order a lactose-free, 200ml container of Finn-friendly goodness. The attendant raises an eyebrow and asks if I would like something else. Two giant udders of ketchup and mustard hang from the ceiling next to her, swinging ominously. Soon I’m standing next to the grilli sipping my milk and sheepishly munching on a veggie burger, defeated by the allconquering Kannibal without even taking a bite. I feel a tinge of regret. Maybe tomorrow night…
From Elvis’ favourite fried peanut butter and banana sandwich in Memphis; to a kosher hot dog in New York; to a deep fried Mars Bar in Edinburgh, James has made tasting cultural fast food an integral part of his travels. The lihis, however, still evades him. The tapas in Bar Teos are affordably priced.
SixDegrees
22
Issue 4 2009 Memfis Films
What in the World Column Take the money and run Director Lukas Moodysson’s latest film is a provocative reflection on the human costs of global migration and family breakdown. But as he tells SixDegrees while on a visit to Helsinki, he does not see his films as ”political”. Kati Hurme
SWEDE Lukas Moodysson gained international fame with his feature debut, the critically acclaimed drama comedy Fucking Åmål. His reputation was strengthened with Lilja 4-ever, the story of a teenage Russian girl who is lured to Sweden only to find herself forced to work as a prostitute. After two rather experimental and fragmentary films, Ett hål i mitt hjärta and Container, Moodysson has now returned to the more solid narration and visual style of his earlier work. His new film Mammoth portrays a wealthy New York couple, Leo (Gael Garcia Bernal) and Ellen (Michelle Williams), who are so tied to their work that their 8-yearold daughter becomes attached to their Filipino maid Gloria. Gloria has two little sons back in the Philippines who also suffer from the absence of their mother. Leo’s business trip to Thailand triggers a series of events that ends in revelation for each of the film’s characters. Moodysson denies feeling any pressure to make a less experimental film this time round, insisting that the narrative style of Mammoth came naturally. “Everything I write is like a discussion inside my head, so in that sense all my films are experimental. But Mammoth tells stories in a simple way, and that was my intention. I didn’t knowingly make a film for a large mainstream audience, though,” he says. Filmed on three continents with a prestigious cast and a budget of 10 million dollars, Mammoth is Moodysson’s
Robin DeWan
AN ASTUTE comment on the nature of greed was made by the Finnish rock band Black Audio on their debut album when they sang, “a million bucks… wasn’t enough (no, never enough).” However, for the chiefs of the state-owned energy utility Fortum, two million bucks does in fact seem to be enough. Fortum CEO Mikael Lilius received a share bonus recently of around 2.2 million euros and promptly announced his retirement after the news was made public and he became embroiled in controversy surrounding the extraordinary amount of his compensation. His partner in arms, Chairman of the Board Peter Fagernäs, who staunchly defended the bonus, also decided to resign due to the uproar. It looks like they figured now is as good a time as any to jump ship.
Lukas Moodysson film intended as meditation, not polemic biggest production so far. “Working with international film stars doesn’t really differ that much from working with Swedish amateur actors,“ the director notes. “What was different from shooting my previous films was that everything took much more time, and there was less room for spontaneity. For example, I wanted to take my digital camcorder and go looking for amateur actors in Thailand and the Philippines, but that was not possible, so we had it casted.” He adds that even though he appreciates the visual grandeur enabled by a bigger budget, his next film is likely to be a smaller production. Global understanding The name Mammoth refers to a business gift that Leo receives from his colleague: an expensive pencil crafted from mammoth ivory. Another distinct symbol in the film is a basketball, made in the Philippines, that Gloria buys in New York and sends to her son back home. Are we to detect a political overtone in the film, even a critique of globalisation? “Well, I don’t think of Mammoth as a political film. Actually, the older I get, the less sure I am of my political opinions,” Moodysson starts. “But of course people see different things in the film; some may see it as a deeply political and critical film. To other people it’s more like a mirror; they identify themselves with the characters.” The director himself seems to be leaning towards the latter. He finds that film is closer to meditation than clear social state-
ment. “I’m not so interested in big social issues as much as the human aspects and how the larger social and economical structures affect people’s lives.” The father of three says that he would prefer to work from his own kitchen if it were possible, admitting that the time away from his own family is difficult. The initial idea for Mammoth also found its origin in the director’s own home. “I think it all started from cleaning. At some point our house got so messy that we actually had to have someone cleaning it for us. I felt really embarrassed about this and started to think about people who do this for a living. So Gloria was the first character I came up with,“ Moodysson explains, smiling. “At least I think this is how it all started. But perhaps I’ve told this story too many times and begun to believe it myself.”
Questions instead of answers Reviews of Mammoth have been many and mixed. Moodysson admits to some surprise at this, but he doesn’t see it as a bad thing. “I used to be more concerned about the unanimous experience and sense of community of the audience, but nowadays I’m more interested in provoking people to react. I heard that in one screening of Mammoth there were some people booing while next to them sat others who were crying out of affection. I find this intriguing; I hope they at least got into a conversation with each other.” When asked about his upcoming projects, Moodysson refuses to reveal anything specific but hints that he has a number of ideas cooking. “I write all the time. I see myself as a writer even more than as a director. But sometimes my works are incomplete and I have to channel them into films.”
info Lukas Moodysson Born in 1969 in Malmö, Sweden. In addition to his film career, Moodysson has published poetry and a novel. Selected filmography Fucking Åmål (Show Me Love), 1998 Tilsammans (Together), 2000 Lilja 4-ever, 2002 Terrorister - en film om dom dömda, 2003 (documentary) Ett hål i mitt hjärta (A Hole in My Heart), 2004 Container, 2006 Mammoth, 2009 Mammoth is currently in cinemas across Finland. A retrospective of Moodysson’s work in Cinema Orion continues until 2 May. See: www.kava.fi
These kinds of huge sums paid to executives in both the public and private sector are not as unusual as one might think. It’s when the media picks up on the operation that the clamour ensues, forcing politicians to address the issue. The Fortum episode caused the Prime Minister’s Office to name a working group to look into the incentive and pension arrangements of state-owned companies. But as history has demonstrated, these “working groups”
O
f course, we all know that a million bucks doesn’t buy as much as it used to. In today’s world it costs more than ever to be rich. are often just a means to deflect public outcry. After all, something must be done, right? Apparently the bonus was technically in line with government guidelines. Politicians have since criticized the large amount as not being consistent with what the state owners had in mind when they drafted instructions on the limits of bonus payouts. The Fortum fiasco is oddly reminiscent of the widely publicized drama that ensued in the US over the bonuses paid out by American International Group. AIG, generally regarded as the biggest corporate failure in history, was bailed out by the government to the tune of $182.5 billion in federal money. Management then went on to pay individual bonuses of more than one million dollars to 73 employees, with five of them receiving more than four million each. As Richard Blumenthal, the attorney general of the state of Connecticut put it, bonuses were “showered like confetti” on AIG employees. After the media once again exposed the hush-hush maneuver, AIG CEO Edward Liddy said that he found some of the bonuses “distasteful.” Oh paaalease, sir, spare us the overstatement! Of course, we all know that a million bucks doesn’t buy as much as it used to. In today’s world it costs more than ever to be rich. Sure, it’s expensive being poor, but just try being wealthy for chrissake. With inflation eroding buying power by leaps and bounds, it’s hard to keep up. Fortunately a new model of government sponsored capitalism is emerging to sustain the world economy. Just don’t be lured into believing that this economic downturn is working to reduce the gap between the haves and the have-nots. At least in Finland the concept of gated communities has yet to arrive. After all, who would want to live behind bars? Robin DeWan is a musician, writer and conceptual artist living on Suomenlinna. He holds a degree in literature from the University of California.
Cultitude
23
Issue 4 2009
The world visits Helsinki
Hiplife group Obour from Ghana will perform at the World Village Festival on Saturday 23 May. Elisa Lautala
THE ANNUAL World Village Festival is held for the 10th time on 23–24 May in Kaisaniemi Park and Railway Square in Helsinki. The main theme of this year’s festival is the climate. According to the promoter of the festival, Johanna Eurakoski, the climate is on the agenda of many organisations that operate under the Service Centre for Development Cooperation which is the main organiser of the festival.
“Climate change hits developing countries the hardest, and we want to raise awareness of this. We also want to provide the public with information on how they can participate in the battle against climate change,” Eurakoski says. The climate theme can be seen especially in the programme of the festival in the form of various panel discussions and other events. In the festival area there is also a climate village where different organisations present their campaigns. The theme
is approached from the viewpoint of art in the installations of an artist group Temperatura 14° T from Cuba. In addition to the climate theme, the festival offers music, theatre and dance from all over the world. The festival is also the place to shop in bazaars, sample ethnic foods and get to know how different NGOs operate. According to Eurakoski, this year’s 10th anniversary festival programme is particularly impressive. There are shows on six stages, and
note-worthy performers include the Colombian salsa orchestra La-33, Terakaft which represents Malian Tuareg culture, and the AfroPeruvian Novalima. The programme does not end when the main venues close in the evening; the fun continues until the wee hours on both nights: on Saturday at Virgin Oil in cooperation with the Funky Elephant festival and on Sunday with Clube Brasil at the Gloria Cultural Arena. www.maailmakylassa.fi/english.
Hamlet plays the fool Aija Salovaara
A few years ago a group of students of the Helsinki Theatre Academy participated in a clown theatre course taught by the French master Philip Boulay. These actors were so fascinated by Boulay’s lessons that in 2007 they invited him to come back and work with them. The results of this collaboration were seen in public for the first time in spring 2008 when RedNoseClub staged its premiere performance at Helsinki’s Alexander Theater. Since then the group has performed in various theaters and festivals around Finland. The work of the RedNoseClub’s clowns is based on improvisation. It is not about circus or children’s theatre, but rather about clownery. The clown mask obscures the actor behind it, but at the same time it reveals everything. Deprived of the conventional forms of expression when hidden behind a mask and red nose, the actor is forced to communicate a particular character or emotion through other means. The clowns bring on stage all of those elements and emotions that they, as well as the audience, tend to hide in everyday life. The actors must trust their audience and interact with it. On stage the
Yasmine Zein
NO, we’re not talking about glittery silver pants here. Future Shorts is an event that brings short film to bars and nightclubs. The idea is to compile both underground pieces and award-winners, pack up the show and send it to bars to be enjoyed with a cold beer. “The shows have attracted big crowds,” says Juha Siirtola, one of Finland’s Future Shorts organisers. “Even though we have only been around for six months, several cities have been joining in from the beginning.” Now events are held in Tampere, Helsinki, Joensuu and Rovaniemi. Why then is short film so popular at the moment? “Websites like YouTube have brought short film closer to people,” Siirtola answers. “It’s an easy way to consume culture, an iPhone during a bus ride to the city is enough.” For those who are not keen on going out to the bars, the films can also be enjoyed in the comfort of your own sofa on the Future Shorts channel on YouTube. All films are in English or have English subtitles.
www.futureshorts.fi http://www.youtube. com/futureshorts Upcoming Future Shorts Events: Tampere KOTIbaari, every third Friday of the month Niagara, every fourth Friday of the month Helsinki Café Mascot, date not yet been set Ville Salminen
Future Shorts brings cinema to bars and nightclubs.
Hamlet in Helsinki: Friday 24 April at 19:00, Q-teatteri Sunday 26 May at 19:00, Q-teatteri Sunday 3 May at 19:00, Q-teatteri Wednesday 6 May at 19:00, Q-teatteri Thursday 14 May at 19:00, Teatteri Vantaa Friday 15 May at 19:00, Teatteri Vantaa For more info see: www.rednoseclub.fi
Amateur theatre in English Ville Vuorinen
Shorts with a beer
clowns talk about the most ridiculous, the most dramatic, the saddest and the happiest things in life and society. Each play is unique. No one knows what can and will happen. At the moment the RedNoseClub is continuing to collaborate with its grand master, Monsieur Boulay, as well as with Soile Mäkilä, another promising director. This time the actors have turned their imagination and noses to one of the classics: Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The clowns are currently hard at work identifying the comically profound essence of the Bard’s enduring tragedy, and in April the results will be seen first at Q-teatteri in EtuTöölö, and then at Teatteri Vantaa. All of RedNoseClub’s performances are in English.
ONCE a week, a group of Finns and foreigners come together at the Cultural Center Caisa to practice theatre and get to know other foreigners in and around Helsinki. This semester’s play Not Now Darling is quickly approaching, and we caught up with the International Theatre Group’s organiser Dorota Gozdecka to learn more about how it all began. What gave you the idea to form the group? I participated in a similar English-speaking group as an actress in Tampere after moving to Finland in 2004. When I moved from Tampere to Helsinki a few years ago I couldn’t find anything similar in the Helsinki region, so I thought I would test my abilities as a leader and try directing a group of my own. For anyone interested in joining your group, when does the new semester start? The classes start in September. It’s best to join the group in the autumn, but you can always contact us during the spring term should you miss autumn enrollment. Preparing a play involves a lot of people so there may be something extra to do. Information about the group is available on Caisa’s website.
Do you need to have any experience in theatre in order to join the group? No – the autumn part of the course offers a variety of exercises to improve acting skills. Besides, quite a few of the people who join us come without any experience in theatre whatsoever. What sort of reaction do you get from people who join the group? People who join the group are very happy to be able to participate in a hobby activity in English. In general participants do find that there is a lack of hobby activities in English in the Helsinki region. Tell us something about this year’s play. This year’s play is a comedy called Not Now Darling which is set in an elegant fur salon where one of the managers is organising a date behind his wife’s back. The hilarious entanglements and mutual mendacity reach a point of hysteria before everyone gets what they desire.
Not Now Darling 4 May 17:30 at Caisa Stage 12 May 17:30 at Caisa Stage Free entrance In English
TVGuide
Previews
24
Issue 4 2009
By Kati Hurme
Movie premieres
By Marika Asikainen
What to watch this month
Riku Rantala and Tunna Milonoff.
Jennifer Aniston and Ben Affleck.
He’s just not that into you
Duplicity
BASED on the bestselling novel from the writers of TV-series Sex and the City comes yet another film that plays on the complete mismatch between men’s and women’s expectations when it comes to dating, spending time together and commitment. This episodic film tells stories where these expectations clash in various stages of a relationship, and offers some “idiot-proof” instructions for women who still cannot bring themselves to give up hope entirely. The film features an all-star cast including Scarlett Johansson, Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Connelly, Drew Barrymore and Ben Affleck. Although the film avoids the most annoying chick flick clichés, it really cannot be recommended as a first date movie, for obvious reasons. PREMIERE 8 MAY.
OCEAN’S 11 meets Sneakers in this slick secret agent flick, starring Julia Roberts and Clive Owen. Set in the world of industrial spying and the international jet set, the film portrays two seasoned agents who decide to abandon their federal duties to commit the coup of a lifetime and then retire. The mission proves to be harder than expected, and their mutual trust is repeatedly put to the test. This film has enough twists and turns, including romantic ones, to keep the viewer busy trying to figure out who’s playing whom, and who’s really the bad guy. The leading couple enjoy an obvious chemistry while Paul Giamatti puts in a nice turn as a greedy industrial tycoon. PREMIERE 29 MAY.
New on CD Matti Koskinen
Rubik – Dada Bandits Quirky and disjointed as ever, the artful indie pop of Rubik is back. After scoring a huge critical victory with their début a couple of years ago, the Helsinki-based squad now returns with more of the same: anthemic and convoluted pop music with more twists and turns than an episode of Lost. Once again the band’s fondness for experimentation and studio work is audible in all the layering and knob-fiddling. While synthheavy is still the word, a profusion of brass and woodwinds has much of the album sounding like a high school marching band facing off with a new wave art-school pop group. Still, Rubik have a knack for finding silver linings, and the overall mood is one of hope rather than melancholy. Very refreshing for a Finnish pop record.
Sun 26 April What Women Want Nelonen at 21:00 Playboy and advertising hot shot Nick Marshall believes he is God’s gift to women until he has a little accident and discovers that he can hear what women think. He then starts planning how to use his ability against new team member Darcy, who received the promotion he was aiming for. Everything goes according to plan until he finds himself falling in love. A romantic comedy directed by Nancy Meyers. Sun 3 May Who’s That Girl MTV3 at 15:00 Uptight New York tax lawyer Louden has his life turned upside down when he is asked to escort ex-convict Nikki Finn out of town. Nikki is not so easily led and plans to use Louden to help her discover who actually killed her friend Johnny. A romantic comedy directed by James Foley.
Lars von Trier’s Dogville is on TV1 on 14 May.
Thu 7 May Jackie Brown Nelonen at 22:00 Flight attendant Jackie Brown is caught smuggling gun dealer Ordell Robbie’s money. To get the ATF off her back, she agrees to help them catch the arms dealer. However, Jackie also plans to get off scott free with Ordell’s half a million dollars. Quentin Tarantino directs this crime thriller. Thu 14 May Dogville TV1 at 23:30 Beautiful fugitive Grace is on the run from a team of gangsters when she arrives in an isolated town called Dogville. With the encouragement of town spokesman Tom, the little community agrees to hide her and Grace agrees to work for them. But soon the people of Dogville start demanding more of Grace and Grace herself is hiding a dangerous secret. This mystery thriller is directed by Lars von Trier. (CERT15)
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays Madventures III SUB at 22:00 This Finnish popular series follows two back-packer journalists, Riku Rantala and Tuomas “Tunna” Milonoff, as they go off on adventures around the globe with a very small budget and explore places that are generally not visited. In this third season of Madventures the dialogue is now in English. (CERT15) Wed 20 May Miracle of the Hudson Plane Crash MTV3 at 20:00 On Thursday 15 January 2009, 155 people on board US Airways flight 1549 faced death and survived in the sky over New York City. This documentary tells the story of Captain “Sully” Sullenberger and how his actions saved the lives of everyone on board. The documentary was produced by Channel 4 and the Discovery Channel (2009).
TV column
New on DVD
OMG! She’s back!
By Kati Hurme
A Complete History of My Sexual Failures
Matti Koskinen
THESE DAYS, when you can get away with anything under the guise of irony, the whole concept of “guilty pleasure” has lost its meaning. Yet, I feel guilty for getting excited at the return of Gossip Girl. Not because it’s a girlie series sponsored mainly by makeup brands, but because of the bloodlust it evokes. What’s so interesting in the exploits of a bunch of prissy teenagers in multi-million-dollar Manhattan lofts? They’re just self-indulgent toffs spreading the epistle of luxury brands
Chris Waitt is a shabby looking fellow who, after getting dumped by his umpteenth girlfriend in a row, decides to find out why he’s such a disaster in the relationship field. And while at it, why not make a documentary about it? Trying to figure out what went wrong takes Chris to situations that are both absurd, embarrassing and painfully funny. This is one of those films that make the viewer question the limits of documentary genre and wonder how spontaneous the things in film really are. It’s hard to think of a reason why someone would make up something as crazy as this. Maybe truth and love are stranger than fiction.
and a Machiavellian cynicism. To love is to control, and any amount of cruelty, backstabbing and manipulation is fair in the great game of personal gain. Dangerous Liaisons has nothing on Gossip Girl! Even the titular narrator, whose spying eye turns the characters’ moral lapses and fleeting moments of humanity into public humiliations, is blind to justice, poetic or otherwise. And in the apparent lack of moral judgement lies the unsettling attraction. Following the wealthy teens’ Byzantine plots and schemes is like watching convicts in a cage fight. When the knife hits the back you not only want to see it go in, you want to twist it too.
SECOND HAND TREASURES for a better future
FIDA LÄHETYSTORIT
30 VUOTTA
Available in Helsinki I Espoo I Joensuu I Jyväskylä I Järvenpää I Kerava I Kotka I Lahti I Mikkeli I Tampere I Turku I Vaasa I Vantaa and in many more places www.lahetystorit.fi
FIDA – MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE.
Out&See Greater Helsinki where to go what to see By Miissa Rantanen
Issue 4 2009
Säästöpankinranta 6 Free entrance www.myspace.com/rytmihairioklubi 020 7424240
Music_Clubs Fri 24 & Mon 27 April Skaala Opera A Madrigal Opera Skaala Opera Helsinki’s latest production brings together Philip Glass’ rarely performed chamber work A Madrigal Opera and poet Lauri Otonkoski’s symphonic poem Cameo. Astoria Ball Room, 19:30 Iso Roobertinkatu 14 Tickets €16/11 www.oopperaskaala.fi Sat 25 April Ourvision The grand finale of the multicultural singing contest. Finlandia Hall, 20:00 Mannerheimintie 13 E Tickets €20/17/15/10 www.ourvision.fi 09 4024211
Thu 7 May The Slackers (USA) The Capital Beat will support one of New York’s most notable ska bands. Tavastia Club, 20:00 Urho Kekkosen katu 4-6 Tickets €20 www.tavastiaklubi.fi 09 77467423
Jenny Wilson (SWE)
Vermillion Lies
Damn Seagulls
Rubik
Sat 2 May Tom Russell with Michael Martin (USA) Russell is a famous country musician. Gloria Cultural Arena, 20:30 Pieni Roobertinkatu 12 Tickets €35/29 www.nk.hel.fi/gloria 09 31045812 Mon 4 May The Bellamy Brothers (USA) The brothers Howard and David have been playing together successfully for 30 years. Savoy Theatre, 19:30 Kasarmikatu 46-48 Tickets €54.50 www.savoyteatteri.fi 09 31012000
Fri 15 May The Crash The Finnish pop band embarks on a final round of gigs before calling it quits. Tavastia Club, 21:00 Urho Kekkosen katu 4-6 Tickets €17 www.tavastiaklubi.fi 09 77467423 Fri 15 May Vermillion Lies The Vermillion sisters have earned a reputation for amazing live performances with songs ranging from lyrical folk ballads to raucous circus marches. Korjaamo Culture Factory, 22:00 Töölönkatu 51 Tickets €8 www.korjaamo.fi 0207417000
Ervi Siren
Tue 5 May Au Revoir Simone (USA) Warm and organic electronic music. Tavastia Club, 20:00 Urho Kekkosen katu 4-6 Tickets €22 www.tavastiaklubi.fi 09 77467423 Wed 6 May Äkräs feat. Verneri Pohjola The weekly jazz club at Juttutupa. Restaurant Juttutupa, 21:00
Tue 12 May Mi Ami (USA), My Disco (AUS) Two topical alternative bands. Kuudes linja Kaikukatu 4 Tickets €10 www.kuudeslinja.com Thu 14 May Jenny Wilson (SWE) Swede Jenny Wilson makes elegant and sophisticated pop music with hints of synthpop. Tavastia Club, 20:00 Urho Kekkosen katu 4-6 Tickets €18 www.tavastiaklubi.fi 09 77467423
Thu 30 April PMMP A tough and tight gang of five playing energetic pop rock music. Nosturi, 21:00 Telakkakatu 8 Tickets €15 www.elmu.fi 09 6811880 Fri 1 May Hero Dishonest, The Enemy Pilot, Polemarch An evening with three punk bands. Semifinal, 21:00 Urho Kekkosen katu 6 Tickets €8 www.semifinal.fi
Sat 9 May Silent Scream Club Kalma presents gloomy pop rock band Silent Scream. Dubrovnik, 22:00 Eerikinkatu 11 Tickets €5 www.andorra.fi Mon 11 May Joe Bonamassa (USA) Virtuosic blues rock guitarist visits Finland for the first time. Savoy Theatre, 19:30 Kasarmikatu 46-48 Tickets €44 www.savoyteatteri.fi 09 31012000
Tue 28 April Nine Eleven (FRA) Lighthouse Project and Eye for All will support the French hard rock band Nine Eleven. Semifinal, 20:00 Urho Kekkosen katu 6 Tickets €7/6 www.semifinal.fi Wed 29 April Handsome Furs (CAN) A Canadian indie pop band returns to Finland. Kuudes linja, 21:00 Kaikukatu 4 Tickets €10 www.kuudeslinja.com
Thu 7 May Tapiola Sinfonietta The orchestra plays works of Haydn and MacMillan. Tapiola Hall, 14:00 Kulttuuriaukio 2 Tickets €15 www.tapiolasinfonietta.fi 09 8165051 Fri 8 May The Time of the Wolf 5th anniversary concert of the folk music group The Time of the Wolf. Sibelius Academy’s Chamber Music Hall, 19:00 Pohjoinen Rautatiekatu 9 Tickets €7/4 www.siba.fi 040 7104319
Sun 26 April UMO & Satu Sopanen A high-quality, groovy children’s concert. Tavastia Club, 13:00 & 16:00 Urho Kekkosen katu 4-6 Tickets €10.50 www.tavastiaklubi.fi 09 77467423 Mon 27 April Pat Martino Trio (USA) Pat Martino is a fascinating and virtuosic jazz guitarist. Korjaamo Culture Factory, 19:00 Töölönkatu 51 Tickets €25/18 www.korjaamo.fi 0207417000
25
Horror Vacui
Tue 19 May Don Johnson Big Band Energetic combination of hip-hop, electronic, jazz, soul, rock and pop. Tavastia Club, 20:00 Urho Kekkosen katu 4-6 Tickets €16 www.tavastiaklubi.fi 09 77467423
THIS
MONTH’S PICK
Tue 19 May Tiibet, Läski Jazz oriented Club MauMau presents two experimental bands. ClubLiberté, 21:00 Kolmas linja 34 Tickets €7 www.clubliberte.fi Wed 20 May Joose Keskitalo, Snipe Drive, Second Hand Hasselhoffs The evening at Vernissa has no age limits. Vernissa, 21:30 Tikkurilantie 36 Tickets €7/6 www.velmu.net 09 8736264 Thu 21 May On Volcano A four-piece indie pop band from Tampere. Henry’s Pub, 23:00 Simonkatu 3 Free entrance www.henryspub.fi 09 6121401 Fri 22 May Damn Seagulls, Joensuu 1685 Two distinctive rock bands on stage on the same night. Virgin Oil Co., 22:00 Mannerheimintie 5 Tickets €10 www.virginoil.fi 010 7664000 Sat 23 May Rubik Combining hysterically screeching guitars with ambient soundscapes, Rubik’s live act is truly remarkable. Tavastia Club, 21:00 Urho Kekkosen katu 4-6 Tickets €12 www.tavastiaklubi.fi 09 77467423 Sat 23 to Sun 24 May World Village Festival The event offers new perspectives on multiculturalism, development cooperation, global issues and expanding one’s possibilities for affecting everyday life. Kaisaniemi Park Sat 11:00–20:00 Sun 11:00–18:00 Free entrance www.maailmakylassa.fi 09 58423270 Sun 24 May Cecilia Bartoli (ITA) A world-famous Italian mezzosoprano opera singer and recitalist gives a concert. Finlandia Hall, 20:00 Mannerheimintie 13 E Tickets €169/149/119 www.finlandiatalo.fi 09 4024211 Mon 25 May Eeppi Ursin Ursin mixes elements from jazz, pop and rock in her recently released second solo album. Kom Theatre, 20:00 Kapteeninkatu 26 Tickets €12 www.kom-teatteri.fi 09 6841841
Sat 16 May The King’s Singers (UK) The King’s Singers maintain the highest calibre of a cappella performance. Finlandia Hall, 18:30 Mannerheimintie 13 E Tickets €49/39 www.finlandiatalo.fi 09 4024211
Wed 27 May Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra The repertoire of the orchestra is related to Henrik Ibsen’s classic drama Peer Gynt. Finlandia Hall, 19:00 Mannerheimintie 13 E Tickets €20/13/6 www.hel.fi/filharmonia 09 4024211
Mon 18 May Music from Harry Potter Films Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra performs music from three of the Harry Potter movies. Finlandia Hall, 19:00 Mannerheimintie 13 E Tickets €20/13/6 www.hel.fi/filharmonia 09 4024211
Thu 28 May Anna Järvinen (SWE) Finnish-speaking Swede Anna Järvinen sings beautifully and tours Finland often. Tavastia Club, 20:00 Urho Kekkosen katu 4-6 Tickets €17 www.tavastiaklubi.fi 09 77467423
Emil Svanängen is the artist behind the name Loney Dear.
Loney Dear Swedish singer and songwriter Loney Dear comes to Tavastia in May to perform a gig. The multi-instrumentalist artist is currently topical thanks to his recently released and much-applauded album Dear John. Hailing from the small city of Jönköping, Loney Dear’s primary member Emil Svanängen first began recording homemade, overdubbed tapes of delicate, folkish indie pop in the early 2000s. Svanängen self-released three homemade CD-Rs through his website, and as buzz developed through the internet’s channels of new media, he was discovered by the superb recording company Sub Pop. Enjoying cult popularity, especially in North America, Loney Dear has spent several years touring abroad with his four backing musicians. Now it’s Helsinki’s turn to play host to this fine artist. Fri 22 May Tavastia Club, 21:00 Urho Kekkosen katu 4-6 Tickets €€17
Theatre_Dance Fri 24 & Sat 25 April Kylián – Ek A long-awaited revival of Mats Ek’s and Jirí Kylián’s memorable works. Finnish National Ballet Helsinginkatu 58 Tickets €18-42 www.operafin.fi 09 40302211 24/25/28/29 April Karttunen Kollektiv My Imaginary Friend Is with Me This disarming performance is laid out like a gala, hosted, and comprised of ten chapters that examine human nature and reflect on the meaning of making art. Studio Krunikka, 19:00 Meritullinkatu 33 A Tickets €17/10 www.studiokrunikka.fi 050 4065010 26 Apr & 3/9/17/24 May Beats! A barnstorming contemporary circus performance for the whole family. Circus Helsinki Aleksis Kiven katu 17 A Tickets €10/6 www.circushelsinki.fi 040 0881204 5/6/7/8/9 Apr Hotel Paradiso This theatre piece is a darkly comic, wildly funny dramatic nightmare that is performed by endearing masked artists. Espoo Cultural Centre Kaupinkalliontie 10 Tickets €28/25/15 www.espoonteatteri.fi 09 4393388 8/9/11/13/15/19/23 May The Taming of the Shrew A popular interpretation by John Cranko of one of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies. Finnish National Ballet Helsinginkatu 58 Tickets €14-62 www.operafin.fi 09 40302211
www.tavastiaklubi.fi 09 77467423
14/15/17/20/22/24 May Ervi Siren The Rose Window The most important aspect of Siren’s dance work is the essence and quality of movement. Mannerheiminaukio 2 Tickets €12/8 www.kiasma.fi 09 17336501 26/27/28 May High School Musical 2 Helsinki City Theater’s last summer mega hit High School Musical will have its sequel. Savoy Theatre, 18:30 Kasarmikatu 46-48 Tickets €41 www.savoyteatteri.fi 09 31012000
Exhibitions Until Sun 26 April Egs The exhibition presents simplified graffiti art. Napa Gallery Eerikinkatu 18 Thu - Fri 12:00–18:00 Sat - Sun 12:00–16:00 Free entrance www.napagalleria.com Until Mon 4 May Jani and Riiko’s Free World Jani Leinonen and Riiko Sakkinen want to move the audience with the glory of the Free World. Amos Anderson Art Museum Yrjönkatu 27 Mon, Thu, Fri 10:00–18:00 Wed 10:00–20:00 Sat - Sun 11:00–17:00 Tickets €8/6/4 www.amosanderson.fi 09 68444634 Until Sun 17 May Enzo Cucchi The work of Enzo Cucchi, considered one of Italy’s most important contemporary artists, is rich in symbolic and metaphoric allusions. Espoo Museum of Modern Art Ahertajantie 5 Tue 11:00–18:00 Wed - Thu 11:00–20:00 Fri - Sun 11:00–18:00 Tickets €10/8/0 www.emma.museum
26
Out&See Greater Helsinki
Until Sun 17 May Head First The exhibition explores design and culture related to the human head. Design Museum of Finland Korkeavuorenkatu 23 Tue 11:00–20:00 Wed - Sun 11:00–18:00 Tickets €7/6/3/0 www.designmuseo.fi 09 6220540 Until Sun 24 May Tensions of Space Mohamed Bourouissa’s, Sini Pelkki’s, Carrie Schneider’s and Sauli Sirviö’s solo exhibitions. The Finnish Museum of Photography Tallberginkatu 1 G Tue - Sun 11:00–18:00 Tickets €6/4/0 www.fmp.fi 09 68663622 Sat 2 to Sun 24 May Nelli Palomäki I, Daughter The exhibition consists of portraits of young women and children. Photographic Gallery Hippolyte Kalevankatu 18 B Tue - Fri 12:00–17:00 Sat - Sun 12:00–16:00 Free entrance www.hippolyte.fi 09 6123344 Wed 13 to Sun 31 May Jenni Rope Joyful Factory and Climbing Tree Paintings and an animation. Gallery Jangva Uudenmaankatu 4-6 Tue - Fri 11:00–19:00 Sat - Sun 11:00–17:00 Free entrance www.jangva.fi 09 6123743 Until Sun 31 May Walt Disney and European Art The exhibition portrays the European roots of the animation movie classics Tennis Palace Art Museum Salomonkatu 15 Tue - Sun 11:00–20:30 Tickets €8/6/0 www. taidemuseo.hel.fi 09 31087001
Fri 15 May to Sun 30 August (Un)Naturally A perspective on what it means to be a man in the 2000s through contemporary art. Mannerheiminaukio 2 Tue 10:00–17:00 Wed - Fri 10:00–20:30 Sat - Sun 10:00–18:00 Tickets €7/5/0 www.kiasma.fi 09 17336501
www.leikkilinna.fi 09 81631833
Sports Until Sun 28 March 2010 Move and Play! Heureka’s new exhibition is intended to inspire visitors to move, play and have fun together through shared activities. Science Centre Heureka Tiedepuisto 1 Mon - Fri 10:00–17:00 Sat - Sun 11:00–18:00 Tickets €8-20 www.heureka.fi
Wed 29 Apr to Sun 30 August Defiance & Melancholy The exhibition in Meilahti presents German masterpieces covering a period of about 200 years, from Romanticism to the present. Meilahti Art Museum Tamminiementie 6 Tue - Sun 11:00–18:30 Tickets €7/5/0 www.hpf.fi 09 31087031
Sat 9 May Helsinki City Run The yearly Helsinki City Run half marathon is suitable both for first timers and for enthusiasts. Olympic Stadium, 15:00 Paavo Nurmen tie 1 www.helsinkicityrun.fi
Until Sun 30 August Watch Out, Gypsies! The History of a Misunderstanding A guest exhibition about the history and culture of the European Roma. Hakasalmi Villa Mannerheimintie 13 D Wed - Sun 11:00–17:00 Thu 11:00–19:00 Free entrance www.helsinginkaupunginmuseo.fi 09 31078519
Sat 23 May Finnish Championships in Billiards Helsinki Hall of Culture, 9:30 Sturenkatu 4 Tickets €5/0 www.kulttuuritalo.fi 09 7740274
Others
Until Sun 10 Jan 2010 Barbie – Still Going Strong 50th anniversary exhibition exhibition boasts a comprehensive collection of Barbie’s early outfits and other Barbie items from 1959 to 1965. Finnish Toy Museum Ahertajantie 5 Tue 11:00–18:00 Wed - Thu 11:00–20:00 Fri - Sun 11:00–18:00 Tickets €10/8/0
Wed 6 to Wed 13 May Cirko – The Helsinki Contemporary Circus Festival The festival extends to Kiasma, Lasipalatsi, Malmitalo, Savoy Theatre and Stoa featuring productions from the cutting edge of contemporary international circus. Tickets €0-22 www.sirkusfestivaali.fi 050 3057513
Fri 15 May to Sun 9 August Horror Vacui Three major Finnish artists, Markus Copper, Jari Haanperä and Kimmo Schroderus, concentrate on spatial issues in the Kiasma summer exhibition. Mannerheiminaukio 2 Tue 10:00–17:00 Wed - Fri 10:00–20:30 Sat - Sun 10:00–18:00 Tickets €7/5/0 www.kiasma.fi 09 17336501 Until Sun 9 August Kalevala To celebrate 160 years of the Finnish national epic Kalevala, Ateneum Art Museum presents the most extensive show of Kalevala art seen in decades. Ateneum Art Museum Kaivokatu 2 Tue, Fri 10:00–18:00 Wed - Thu 10:00–20:00 Sat - Sun 11:00–17:00 Tickets €7/5/0 www.ateneum.fi
malmiTalo
kannelTalo
Wed 6.5. 7 pm
Tue 5.5. 7 pm
z
z
Trio Balkan STringS
(Serbia)
World-famous group brings music from the Balkans with elements of classical music, oriental and jazz. Zoran Starcevic - guitar Nikola Starcevic - guitar Zeljko Starcevic - guitar
Tickets € 10/8
Reservations tel. (09) 310 12000 or www.lippupalvelu.fi
Malmitalo, Ala-Malmin tori 1 www.malmitalo.fi Kanneltalo, Klaneettitie 5 www.kanneltalo.fi
Budget Accommodation in HELSINKI prices from
17,50 e/person e Right in th STADI U M OLYM PIC
tel. +3 +358-9-477 8480 www.stadionhostel.fi www.s info@stadionhostel.fi info@s
ce to Great plat other travellers! mee
E.Cucchi, Fini Mondo, 2004. Galerie Bruno Bischofberger, Zürich
Until Sun 31 May Sense of Architecture Some sixty cinematic narratives can be experienced in an exhibition of contemporary architecture originating from the Austrian state of Styria. Museum of Finnish Architecture Kasarmikatu 24 Tue & Thu - Fri 10:00–16:00 Wed 10:00–20:00 Sat - Sun 11:00–16:00 Tickets €3.50/1.70 www.mfa.fi 09 85675100
28.2.-17.5.2009 ENZO CUCCHI SANTERI TUORI: FOREST Tue, Fri-Sun 11-18, Wed-Thurs 11-20 Ahertajantie 5, Tapiola, Espoo, Tel: 09-8165 7512 Busses from Kamppi, Helsinki: 106, 110 www.emma.museum
Out&See Tampere where to go what to see
Music_Clubs
THIS
by Jutta Vetter
MONTH’S PICK
Fri 1 May, Sat 2 May The Lord of the Rings Symphony 2009 Howard Shore: The Lord of the Rings Symphony - Six Movements for Orchestra, Chorus and Soloists. Performed by the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra. Conducted by Markus Huber. As the soprano, Ann de Renais. The choirs: Tampere Philharmonic Choir and the Boys’ Choir Pirkanpojat. Based on the film trilogy music. Tampere Hall, 19:00 Yliopistonkatu 55 Tickets €45/40/35/25 For tickets, call 0600 94 500 (Tampere Hall Ticket Office) www.tampere-talo.fi www.tampere.fi/english/ philharmonic/index.html Sat 2 May Teflon Brothers Music by Teflon Brothers (Pyhimys, Heikku Kuula, Voli, Wety), Juju, Joustava Moraali and Dj Dub-A-Delic. Yo-Talo Kauppakatu 10 Tickets €7 www.yotalo.com Sun 17 May Laura Pausini Having released her new album, “Primavera in anticipo” last year, this Italian pop-singer will be performing in Tampere during her “Laura Pausini World Tour 2009”. Tampere Hall (Main Auditorium), 19:00 Yliopistonkatu 55 Tickets €75/65/55 For tickets, call 0600 94 500 (Tampere Hall Ticket Office) www.tampere-talo.fi www.laurapausini.com Sat 23 May Soul Captain Band Reggae music from Helsinki. Age limit 18. Tullikamari Pakkahuone (Old Customs Hall) Tullikamarinaukio 2 Tickets €16/14 For tickets, see www.tiketti.fi www.tullikamari.net
Theatre_Dance 2/3/14/16/17 May Dumb Show Dumb Show is a comedy without a language. Everybody is speaking every language and no language - all at the same time. You are in a strange culture; nobody understands what you are saying. Everybody is trying to help you but that only leads to chaos. No language skills needed, all you need is a sense of humour. Tampere Student Theatre, 19:00 Itsenäisyydenkatu 12-14 Tickets €13/6 www.tampereenylioppilasteatteri.net Sun 17 May Spring Show of Dance Different dance performances. Tampere Conservatoire (Pyynikki Hall), 13:00 & 15:00 F.E. Sillanpäänkatu 9 Free entrance www.tampereenkonservatorio.fi
Sports Tue 5 May Trotting races Horse trotting races at the Teivo track. Teivo trotting track, 18:00 Free entrance For further information and exact location, see www.teivonravit.fi (03) 315 481 Sat 16 & Sun 17 May Pirkka Tournament in boxing The Tampere Boxing Association organises this international tournament for junior boxers, competition series both for girls and boys. Hervanta Sports Centre Lindforsinkatu 5 For exact schedule and further information, see www.boxing-tvs. fi or email bctvs@boxing-tvs.fi
Duke Bardwell
City of Tampere A musical journey into the realm of Middle Earth featuring over 200 musicians and singers.
The Original Elvis Tribute 2009 Several individuals with very different backgrounds brought
together by their admiration for The King stage a show that defies the traditional clichés surrounding Elvis tributes. Lead singer Tedd Roddy’s powerful baritone voice and strong stage presence have convinced even the harshest critics, and he will be supported on stage by people who actually worked with or for Elvis. This includes bass player Duke Bardwell, who did 181 shows together with Elvis and who also worked with him in the studio before ending his association in April 1975. On keyboards is Michael Jarrett, who wrote the Elvis hits “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and “I’m Leavin”. Other performers in the show are Marc Singer, Michelle Jarrett, Vikki Lee and Thierry Le Coz. Come and see what event organiser Arjan Deelen bills as “a healthy dose of good ol’ Americana.” Fri 15 May Klubi Tullikamarin aukio 2
Sat 23 May Likkojen Lenkki – Ladies’ jogging event Spend a whole day outside: Live music, dance, warm-up exercises, an action-packed programme – and of course jogging, walking and Nordic walking in the Pyynikki nature area. This event is only for the ladies! This year’s music performers: RNO Dance Band & Jorma Kääriäinen, Laura Voutilainen, Virve Rosti & Menneisyyden Vangit. Pyynikki Sports Field, 12:00 F.E. Sillanpäänkatu For the exact schedule, programme and participation fees, see www.likkojenlenkki.fi 0207 482 637
Others Fri 24 to Thu 30 April French Film Week Contemporary French films in the traditional Art House Cinema Cinema Niagara Kehräsaari Tickets €3 www.elokuvakeskus.com
Tickets €27 For tickets, see www.tiketti.fi www.elvisnews.dk
Wed 29 April Pub Quiz Come and see if you can outsmart your fellow competitors at O’Connell‘s Wednesday night pub quiz! Battle your brain with quizmaster Jay’s twenty questions on various topics. Prizes for the three best teams! Daniel O’Connell’s Irish Bar, 19:00 Rautatienkatu 24 Quiz participation free of charge www.oconnells.fi Mon 25 May Women’s sauna evening Come and try the original, woodheated Finnish Sauna. Enjoy peat treatments, massage, reiki and Tarot card reading. Bring your own towel. Telakka Tullikamarinaukio 3 Prices Sauna €6, peat-sauna €14-20, treatments and Tarot reading €10-20. www.telakka.eu/ravintola/naistenillat/ The event listings in the Out&See section are based on the available information at the time of printing the issue. SixDegrees is not responsible for possible changes, mistakes, cancellations or lack of information concerning the events mentioned.
SARA HILDÉN ART MUSEUM
ALEX KATZ
Ticket prices 45/40/35/25 EUR Tampere Hall Ticket Office lipputoimisto@tampere-talo.fi Tel. +358 600 9 4500. Tickets also from www.lippu.fi. www.tampere.fi/filharmonia
Immigrant advice service Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri
11:30-13:30 13:30-15:30 12:30-14:30 14:30-15:30 12:30-13:30 13:30-15:30 11:00-13:00 13:30-15:30 10:00-12:00 13:30-15:30
English, Estonian, Russian Polish Arabic, Kurdish English English Russian Bulgarian, French, Spanish Persian, Kurdish Dari, Pashto, Urdu, Hindi Somali
Municipal Councelling Information Desk Puutarhakatu 6, Tampere Tel. 03 5656 6100 E-mail: info@tampereenkaupunki.com
At the information desk you can ask in your own language about any issue of your daily life or about unclear documents. The counsellors can also help in filling different forms or for example book an appointment to a doctor by phone. All counsellors give guidance also in Finnish.
An American Way of Seeing 21.2.– 31.5.2009 Särkänniemi, Tampere, tel. +358 (0)3 5654 3500 www.tampere.fi/sarahilden
Blue Coat, 1990
Out&See Turku
28
Out&See Jyväskylä
where to go what to see By Dunja Myllylä
Music_Clubs
THIS
where to go what to see
MONTH’S PICK
Wed 29 April Eagle Boston (FIN/GER), Kim Ki O (ISTANBUL) & Thulebasen (DK) An intriguing electro-rock night with noted performers. Dynamo Linnankatu 7 www.dynamoklubi.com
Music_Clubs Matti Kivekäs
Thu 30 April Egotrippi Egotrippi has been described as the personification of Finnish poprock. A band with loads of hit songs and positive attitude. Kooma Nightclub, 21:00 Aurakatu 6 www.koomanightclub.fi Thu 30 April VAP-PU-TRI-FOO 5 !!! Pikku-Torre’s May Day Club claims to start your celebrations with “the best dance music and coolest atmosphere in town”. Pikku-Torre, 21:00 Yliopistonkatu 30 Free entrance www.pikkutorre.fi Fri 8 & Sat 9 May Soul Captain Band The original members of reggae band Soul Captain Band reunite for five shows in May. This peculiar reggae sung in Finnish is bound to make you dance! Klubi, 23:00 Humalistonkatu 8 Tickets €16/14 www.klubi.net Sun 17 May Concert Series of the Art Chapel Hannikainen, Grieg, Zemlinsky and Sibelius played in the beautiful Art Chapel at Hirvensalo island within a 20-minute busride of Turku. St. Henry’s Ecumenical Art Chapel, 18:00 Seiskarinkatu 35 Tickets €10/5 www.turku.fi/tapahtumat Fri 22 May Performance and Clotheslines The TVO club’s annual event presents you with performance art and the unique Finnish band Cleaning Women, who play selfmade instruments made from such household objects as a drying rack and large tin cans. TVO, 22:00 Rehtoripellonkatu 6 Tickets €4 02 233 0255
Theatre_Dance Sat 25 April to Thu 7 May Fanatik Figuras Puppet Theatre Festival Fanatik Figuras graduation festival consists of puppet theatre pieces made by students of Turku Arts Academy. The programme includes 16 different plays from love stories to horror and murder mysteries, fairytales, world literature classics and Finnish drama. Turku Arts Academy Linnankatu 54 Tickets €6/3 For venues and further information visit www.nukkis.net/ff Tue 28 April to Sat 12 December Ronia The Robber’s Daughter Ronia is a fearless girl growing up in a castle in the woods in a clan of robbers. Swedish children’s author Astrid Lindgren’s actionpacked story about friendship is performed here in Finnish, under the direction of Maiju Sallas. Turku City Theatre Itäinen Rantakatu 14 Tickets €20/15 www.teatteriturku.fi Wed 20 May Tomatoes! Tomatoes! Linnateatteri organises the opening night of the biggest stand up festival in Scandinavia. Finnish and international comics on stage. Linnateatteri, 19:00 Linnankatu 31 Tickets €15 www.linnateatteri.fi
THIS
By Pirjo Sohlo
Issue 4 2009
MONTH’S PICK
Wed 29 April Jyväskylä Sinfonia: French shades Patrick Gallois directs violinists Fanny Clamagirand, Jacques Desbriére and Camille Sant-Saëns in performances of such pieces as Beethoven’s Symphony nr. 5 “Destiny”, and Variations sur un theme classique. Jyväskylä City Theatre, 19:00 Vapaudenkatu 36 Tickets can be purchased from Jyväskylä City Theatre Ticket Office 014 624 200 Tickets €18/15/10 www.jyvaskylasinfonia.fi 014 624211
Myles Boisen
Thu 30 April Draq May Day by Club Kaappi Draq king and queen competition. Ilokivi, 22:00–04:00 Keskussairaalantie 2 Tickets €3-6 jklsetainfo@gmail.com 014 3100660
Beninese drum virtuoso Noel Saizonou and Finnish dancerchoreographer Tiina Lindfors perform in Baila Afrika.
Baila Afrika - African village fest The hugely successful African village fest returns to Dance
Theatre ERI. Exotic colours and tastes, drums, rhythms and dancing! The Beninese multi-instrumentalist and drum virtuoso Noel Saizonou and percussionist Mikko Väärälä create ecstatic music in which the audience can join in. Singer Judith Sodji adds up to this hypnotic equation. The festivities end in joint celebration of performers and spectators. Before that ERI shows its rhythmical talents of dancing to the African beats. The evening is highlighted by an African buffet complemented with drinks. Author-editor Vivi-Ann Sjögren tells the stories behind the setting. Tip: reserve your tickets in advance. Baila Afrika 14/15/21/23/27/30 May, 19:00 Studio ERI Yliopistonkatu 7
Exhibitions Until Sun 3 May Stardust Filmstars from the golden age of the Finnish movie. Unique clips from old films and photos of actors from the silent movies of the 1920’s to the stars of the 1960’s. Photographic Centre Peri Uudenmaankatu 1 Tue - Fri 12:00–18:00 Sat - Sun 12:00–17:00 Free entrance www.peri.fi Fri 24 April to Sun 7 June Benjamin Orlow This young sculptor/painter from Turku has been rewarded internationally for his work. Wäinö Aaltonen Museum of Art, Studio Itäinen Rantakatu 38 Tue - Fri 11:00–19:00 Tickets €4.5/7 www.wam.fi www.benjaminorlow.com Until Sun 4 October Alexander I – A Charmer and an Emperor Historical clothing, portraits and objects as well as paintings of the epoch of Emperor Alexander I of Russia are on display. Turku Castle Linnankatu 80 Tue 10:00–18:00 Wed 10:00–20:00 Thu - Sun 10:00–18:00 Tickets €7.50/4.50 www.turku.fi/turunlinna
Tickets €28/20/18 (incl. the buffet and drinks) www.eridance.net
Family Wed 6 to Wed 27 May The Girl and the Iron Man A story adapted from the Fellini film “La Strada”. Gelsomina and Zampano escort five-yearold children on a journey of circus tricks and adventures. Adventure Park, 10:00 Kupittaankatu 2 6/7/8/11/12/13/14/27 May Tickets €3 www.seikkailupuisto.turku.fi
Others Fri 1 May Vappu picnic May 1st is celebrated by a massive picnic in Vartiovuorenmäki. Brass band, blankets, white student caps, food and beverages to be expected as elsewhere in Finland. Vartiovuorenmäki Park Ongoing Naphouse Naphouse is the project of a small non-profit organisation called Hauska perhe ry (engl. fun[-ny] family). The main themes of the project are promoting the nap and a more relaxed lifestyle, Fair Trade, and local culture. In Naphouse you really can take a nap! Humalistonkatu 14 Open for napping 12-18 (Closed on Mondays) Free entrance www.naphouse.org
Sat 9 May Sinä Olet Kakkapylly – club tour Risto, Digitaalimiehet, Mikko Torvinen, Moppi ja Aivokurkiaiset, Cosmo Jones Beat Machine + NS.DJs The most popular club among students who love to dance to an alternative beat and get to the middle of urban style à la Jyväskylä. Ilokivi, 21:00–03:00 Keskussairaalantie 2 Tickets €5 (in advance from Levykauppa Äx, Väinönkatu 7), €10 at the door Sat 16 May Johanna and Mikko Iivanainen & Petrescus One of the leading jazz vocalists of Finland with a band of masters. Poppari, 19:00 Puistokatu 2-4 Tickets €15/10 www.jazz-bar.com 014 621065
Theatre_Dance Sat 2 & Sat 9 May In JOO:s kitchen – improvisational theatre JOO cooks with whatever ingredients the audience gives it. The result can be a short scene, a song or a surprising salsa. Studio Juomatehdas, 20:00 Vapaudenkatu 25 Tickets €8, reservations 044 0283570 www.joo.fi Thu 21 & Fri 22 May Gazpacho Andaluz – spring show by flamenco association of Jyväskylä Every dancer brings his or her own spice to this Andalucian summer soup. Huoneteatteri, 19:00 Sammonkatu 4 Tickets €10 an hour beforehand from the door, pre-tickets from Kampus Kirja, Gummeruksenkatu 6, from 20 April on http://flamenco.ohoi.net
Exhibitions Until Sun 24 May Magic of flight A series of exhibitions in six Jyväskylä museums creatively tackling mysterious questions. Museum of Central Finland and Alvar Aalto Museum, 12:00–17:00 Alvar Aallon katu 7 Tickets €6/2/0 www.avoinmuseo.fi/lentamisenihme/ magicofflight.htm Until Sun 31 May Etelän katseita – Miradas del Sur, Bartolomé Roca Paintings by a Spanish artist, who creates exciting nuances with the complexity of his imaginative landscapes both for the history and art of Spain and for the tales immortalised in 1001 nights. Taidemuseo Holvi, Kauppakatu 23 Tickets €4, Fridays free www.jkl.fi/taidemuseo 014 626856
Zoe and Kim Boekbinder’s burlesque show can be seen at Yläkaupungin yö.
Yläkaupungin yö The legendary city festival Yläkaupungin Yö is celebrating
its 17th birthday on Saturday 16 May. This year’s theme brings new colours to the Jyväskylä city scene by celebrating the dress culture of today and yesterday. The exposition considers different meanings for clothes and the ways in which they can be used, which can be quite imaginative and humorous. The theme, free style, provides Jyväskylä with a vintage market and Flashback Saloon with make up and hairstyles from different epochs, a style guide center and a fashion show entitled “No Dresscode”. In addition to the theme programme, this year the neighbourhood of Yläkaupunki will once again be full of cultural activity - music, dance, theatre, poetry, expositions and sports - and people enjoying it. A family programme will also be organised in the family park of Mäki-Matti. SixDegrees has the privilege of revealing that the burlesque and cabaret fusion band Vermilion Lies from California will visit Yläkaupungin Yö as a part of their Finnish tour! Sat 16 May Yläkaupunki, the neighbourhood near the campus of Seminaarinmäki All events are free
Sports Thu 30 April Amazing Race Jyväskylä Students running through the city in fancy costumes, some of them seriously trying to win the cup and some just having fun. Starting from Seminaarinmäki Campus field at 10:30 No more chance for enrollment, but it’s worthwhile seeing!
of charge Programme will be published on 29 April www.ylakaupunginyo.fi 014 624970
in Cannes last summer. The final film of the season of Kampus Kino. Ilokivi, 19:00 Keskussairaalantie 2 Tickets €4/5 www.jyy.fi/ilokivi/kampus_kino Thu 30 April Minna Canth gets a cap! A student tradition where all college students meet for a park picnic that lasts the next 24 hours. Kirkkopuisto, Statue of Minna Canth, 12:00–13:00 No charge
Sat 9 & Sun 10 May Aesthetic group gymnastics – Finland Championships The top teams of Finland face off, presenting their shiny and beautifully crafted choreography. Jyväskylän Monitoimitalo, 12:00–17:00 Kuntoportti 3 Tickets €10-20
Sun 3 May Mörri-Möykyn Suvi – opera Opera for children Jyväskylän kansalaisopisto, 15:00–15:45 Vapaudenkatu 39-41 Tickets €2 050 5237723 www.jyvaskylanseutu. fi/kansalaisopisto
Tue 19 May Finnish baseball: Kirittäret-Lapua The first match of the season of the most popular summer sport in Finland. Hippoksen pesäpallostadion, 18:00 Rautpohjankatu 6 Tickets €5/10 www.superpesis.fi/fi/ kirittaret-jyvaskyla
Thu 7 May Finnish Language Club A discussion group hosted by students. Play games, watch movies, bake, enjoy good company, and above all get a chance to practice speaking Finnish in a fun way. Building D (9th floor), Kortepohja Student village, 18:00–19:00 Taitoniekantie 9 D Vilja Raatikainen, 040 7732852 or Mari Kroger, 050 3585194
Others Tue 28 April Class – entre les murs Laurent Cantet (France 2008, language: French, 131 min., no age limit) Realistic film about a school class which was awarded the Golden Palm
The event listings in the Out&See section are based on the available information at the time of printing the issue. SixDegrees is not responsible for possible changes, mistakes, cancellations or lack of information concerning the events mentioned.
HELP!
Out&See Oulu Issue 4 2009
where to go what to see
Music_Clubs
THIS
By Mari Kaislaniemi
MONTH’S PICK
Sat 25 April Satyricon (NOR) Norwegian black metal band on tour in support of their latest album The Age of Nero. Club Teatria Härkätie 1 Tickets €34/30 www.teatria.com 08 3115035
Matt Hennem
why do fInnIsh people behave lIke that? how can I fInd a job In fInland?
Thu 7 May International Youth Choir Festival Opening Concert The International Youth Choir Festival comes to Oulu. Oulu Cathedral, 19:00 Kirkkokatu Sat 9 May International Youth Choirs As part of the International Youth Choir Festival choirs perform for a wide audience. Rotuaari pedestrian street, 10:30-12:00 Sun 10 May Oulu All Star Big Band The Oulu All Star Big Band is joined by the pop and jazz singers from the Oulu Conservatoire. Oulun työväen näyttämö, 18:00 Upseerinkatu 4 www.oasbb.fi Thu 21 May An Evening with the King’s Singers World famous British a cappella group serves up an entertaining evening. Madetoja Concert Hall, 18:30 Lintulammentie 1-3 Tickets €39 www.oulusinfonia.fi 044 7037221 Fri 22 May The Kuusisto brothers Jaakko Kuusisto conducts his brother Pekka Kuusisto on violin and the Oulu Symphony Orchestra at this season finale concert dealing with the sounds of sea. Madetoja Concert Hall, 19:00 Lintulammentie 1-3 Tickets €39 www.oulusinfonia.fi 044 7037221 Thu 28 May Whitesnake (UK) A legendary British hard rock band that just keeps on rocking. Lead singer David Coverdale is the only remaining member of the original line up from 1977. Oulun Energia Arena, 20:00 Teuvo Pakkalan katu 11 Tickets €54/49 www.qstock.org/2009
Theatre_Dance Sat 25 & Sun 26 April Enchantment An oriental dance show by the Oulu Oriental Dance Association Yasmine. Valvesali Hallituskatu 7 Sat 15:00 & 19:00 Sun 15:00 Tickets €16/9 www.yasmine.fi 13/14/15/16/17/19/20/21/2 2/23/24/26/27/28 May Peter Pan puppet show Puppet theatre Akseli Klonk performs Peter Pan. Cultural Centre Valve, various times Hallituskatu 7 Tickets €5/7/23 (family ticket) www.akseliklonk.fi 08 558 47542 Sat 16 & Sun 17 May Nightingale Ballet school Sinikello puts on their spring show. Pohjankartano Suvantokatu 1 Sat - Sun 13:00 & 15:30 Tickets €9/8 www.balettikoulusinikello.fi 18/19/20/21 May Ballet performance Oulu ballet school’s students put on a show. Kulttuuripesula hall 2
I don’t understand!
I’m depressed! where can I get help? Ilona Jäntti and Natalie Reckert connect their movements with language.
Double Dutch THIS PLAYFUL performance combines acrobatics and modern
dance with electronic music. The performance is based on language and communication and how they interact with movement. Double Dutch is choreographed and performed by two circus artists – Finn Ilona Jäntti and German Natalie Reckert. While Jäntti specialises in air acrobatics, Reckert’s strengths are hand stands and floor acrobatics. The combination of these two acrobatic styles is intriguing. Pirjo Yli-Maunula has directed and produced the performance. A freelance dance artist from Oulu, Yli-Maunula has served as director of the Oulu Dance Studio, the JoJo Oulu Dance Centre and the Full Moon Dance Festival.
HELSINKI TIMES
The music for Double Dutch was created by Antye Greie alias AGF. She was born and bred in East Germany and is a composer, producer, performer, poet and media artist.
I’m tryIng to fInd InformatIon but everythIng Is In fInnIsh!
visit www.infopankki.fi we have answers to all sorts of questIons, In fIfteen dIfferent languages.
Finnish, Swedish, English, Estonian, French, Russian, Somali, Serb Croat, Turkish, Spanish, Albanian, Arabic, Persian, Chinese, Kurdish
DOMESTIC NEWS
Your guide to Finnish life, culture and customs.
This multinational group has come together to produce Double Dutch. The performance is akin to a conversation of language and movement. 8/9/10/14/15/16 May Kulttuuripesula Kasarmintie 28 Thu – Sat 19:00 Sun 15:00
Kurkelantie 2 Mon - Wed 18:30 Thu 13:00 & 15:00 Tickets €8/6 www.oulunbalettiopisto. fi/naytokset.html
Exhibitions Until Sun 10 May Eija-Liisa Löyttyniemi Calm paintings mainly of landscapes. Neliö-Galleria Asemakatu 37 Tue - Fri 11:00–17:00 Sat 11:00–15:00 Sun 12:00–16:00 Free entrance www.neliogalleria.com 040 5108680 Until Sun 6 September Season of Frost This photography exhibition is part of the Year of Photography 2009 exhibition series. These photos focus on the beauty of the North. Oulu Museum of Art Kasarmintie 7 Tue - Sun 10:00–17:00 Tickets €3/1/0 www.oulu.ouka.fi/taidemuseo 08 55847450
Sports Sat 9 May East of Eden A Nordic walking event suitable for all ages. Try the 10 km or half marathon course. Holiday Club Oulun Eden, 12:00 Holstinsalmentie 29 To register €10 www.tyopaikkaliikunta.fi/tervasauva
www.flowprod.fi/pirjoylimaunula/double-dutch/ www.jojo.fi/esitys-dd.html
Sat 23 May Terwamarathon and jog The 21st Terwamarathon and jog will take place in late May. There will be a 10 km course for joggers and courses for the half marathon and marathon. There will also be a 500 metre minimarathon for kids. Register online by 16 May or at the race office at Holiday Club Oulun Eden on 22 or 23 May. Holiday Club Oulun Eden, starting at 11:00 Holstinsalmentie 29 To register €55/50/45/40/30/10/0 www.terwamaraton.fi/english/
You'll love the way we print it The bigger printing house gives you more possibllities
Others Sun 26 April Goldilocks and the Witch from Lapland Oulu skating club’s 60th anniversary show tells a variation of the tale of Goldilocks. Over 300 skaters will be seen on ice, among them top Finnish competing skaters Susanna Pöykiö and Ari-Pekka Nurmenkari. Ice Hall, 15:00 Teuvo Pakkalan katu 11 Tickets €10/7/5 www.oulunluistelukerho.fi Fri 1 & Sat 2 May American Car Show The 30th anniversary show presents American cars from all over Northern Finland. Ouluhalli Ylioppilaantie 4 Fri 18:00–24:00 Sat 10:00–18:00 Tickets €15/5/0 www.accoulu.fi
www.iprint.fi
27
Where to find SixDegrees Helsinki: Aasialainen ruokakauppa/Kolmas linja, Amarillo, Amiedu/Valimotie, Arabianrannan kirjasto, Arbis Hfors Kansalaisopisto, Arcada, Arnolds/ Kaisaniemi, Aussie Bar, Bar Loop, Belge bar&bistro/ Kluuvi, Berlitz-kielikeskus, Bruuveri Panimoravintola/ Kampin keskus, Cafe Antell, Café Bulevardin Kahvisalonki, Café Engel, Café Esplanade, Café Luft, Café Mascot, Café Picnic/Kluuvi, Cafe Strinberg, Café Tin Tin Tango, Café Ursula, CAISA Kulttuurikeskus, Cantina West, Chico`s/ Mannerheimintie, Corona Bar, Cubio/Itäkeskus, Diakonissalaitoksen Opiskelijakirjasto, Dream Catcher Oy, East Club/Itäkeskus, Elmo Sports Bar, Espoon työvoiman palvelukeskus, Espresso Edge, Etelä-Haagan kirjasto, Eurohostel, Filmtown/ Hämeentie, Finn Britt Society, Forex/ Pohjoisesplanadi, Stockmann/parkkihalli, Grande Grill, Haaga Helia Haagan yksikkö, Haaga Helia Pasilan yksikkö, Hakaniemen metroasema/Jasmin food, Halal-liha, Hanken, Heinon Pikatukku, Helsingin Aikuisopisto, Helsingin 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Maunulan Kirjasto, M-Bar, Metsälän vastaanottokeskus, Molly Malone’s, Mr.Pickwick/Kaivokatu, Munkkiniemen Kirjasto, Namaskaar/Bulevardi, Namaskaar/ Railwaystation, Next Century Fashion/Hämeentie, Norisushi Bar, Nosturi, Oulunkylän Kirjasto, Paloheinän Kirjasto, Pitäjänmäen Kirjasto, PohjoisHaagan Kirjasto, Pub O’Malleys, Public Corner/ Mikonkatu, puistolan Kirjasto, Pukinmäen Kirjasto, Pääkirjasto/Pasila, Radisson SAS Plaza Hotel, Radisson SAS Seaside Hotel, Raffaello, Ravintola Grecia, Ravintola Lasipalatsi, Ravintola Lappi, Ravintola Nolla, Ravintola Singapore, Ravintola Virgin Oil, Rikhardinkadun Kirjasto, Robert´s Coffee/ Citykäytävä, Roihuvuoren Kirjasto, Southern Fried Chicken, Sport Pub Chelsea, Stadia, Stadin Kebab/ Yliopistonkatu, Stadion Hostel, Stoa Itä-Helsingin Kulttuurikeskus, Suutarilan Kirjasto, Tapanilan Kirjasto, Tapulikaupungin Kirjasto, Teatterikorkeakoulu, Texas Outback Grill, Työvoimatoimisto/Kluuvi, Töölön Kirjasto, Vallilan Kirjasto, Vanhan Kuppila, Vastaanottokeskus, Wayne’s Coffee/Aleksi, Wayne´s Coffee/Kaisaniemi, Wayne´s Coffee/Kampin keskus, Viikin Kirjasto, WTC Plaza, Vuorikello/Itäkeskus, Vuosaaren Kirjasto Espoo: Bar Fennia/Sellokeskus, Espoon keskuksen keskuslähettämö, Espoon Keskuksen Työvoimatoimisto, Espoon Kulttuurikeskus, Kauppakeskus Iso Omena, Maahanmuuttajatyön Palveluyksikkö, Otaniemi Marketing, Tapiolan Työvoimatoimisto, Teknillinen korkeakoulu/ Kansainvälinen kiltahuone, Teknillinen korkeakoulu/ Maarintalo, Teknillinen Korkeakoulu/Elektroniikan, tietoliikenteen ja automaation tiedekunta Vantaa: Hakunilan Kansainvälinen Yhdistys, Heinon Pikatukku, Järjestörinki, Keskuslähettämö, Kulttuuripalvelut, Monikulttuurisuusasian yksikkö, Ramada Airport, Tikkurilan Työvoimatoimisto, Vantaan Aikuisopisto, Verotoimisto Tampere: Ammattikorkeakoulu, Amnesty-talo, Antikvariaatti Lukulaari, Anttila, Asematunneli/Rautatieasema, Elokuvakeskus Niagara, Galaxie Center, Galleria Rajatila, Grand Star Café, Hervannan kirjasto, Hotelli Ramada, Kahvila Valo, Klubi, Lenin-museo, Maailmankauppa Tasajako, Makuuni/Asematunneli, Messukylän kirjasto, Punnitse ja Säästä/Tullintori, Pyynikin Näkötornin Kahvila, Pääkirjasto Metso, Ravintola Artturi, Ravintola El Toro, Ravintola Katupoika, Runsaudensarvi, Sara Hildénin Taidemuseo, Taidekeskus Mältinranta, TAMK Taide ja Viestintä, Tampereen Ammattioppilaitos, Tampereen Kansainvälinen Naisten Tapaamispaikka, Tampereen Teknillinen Yliopisto, Tampereen Ulkomaalaistoimisto, Tampereen vastaanottokeskus, Tampere-Pirkkalan lentokenttä, Tampere-talo, Tamy/Kv-toimisto, Telakka, Toimintakeskus Vuoltsu/ Nuorten palvelu- ja tiedotuspiste, Työväen Keskusmuseo, Työväenopisto Sampola, Unipoint, Vanha Vanilja, Vapriikki, Wayne’s Coffee/Siperia, Pinni B aula, Yliopisto Pääaula, Yo-talo Turku: Akateeminen Kirjakauppa, Assarin Ullakko, Aurinkotehdas, Bar Bristol, Blanko, Blue Cow, Cantina Azteca, Galleria Titanik, Hotelli Holiday Inn Turku, Ilpoisten kirjasto, Itäkeskus, Juhana Herttuan lukio, Kahvila Fontana, Kauppakeskus Forum, Kirjakahvila, Konservatorio kirjasto, Konservatorio Sigyn-sali, Levypörssi, Maailmankauppa Aamutähti, Macciavelli, Makuuni/ Kaskenkatu, Makuuni/ Kristiinankatu, Myssy ja Silinteri, Nummen kirjasto, Panini ravintola, Pappagallo, Proffan Kellari, Ravintola Bar Cafe Erik-29, Ravintola Laituri, Ravintola Uusi Apteekki, SPR, Taideakatemia, Tehdas Teatteri, Turku Daisy Ladies ry, Turku Labour Force Service Center, Turun AMK, Turun AMK kielikeskus, Turun Kansainvälinen Kohtauspaikka, Turun kauppahalli, Turun kaupungin kirjaamo, Turun kaupungin matkailutoimisto, Turun kaupungin musiikkikirjasto, Turun kaupungin pääkirjasto, Turun lentoasema, Turun Taidemuseo, Turun ulkomaalaistoimisto, Valokuvakeskus PERI, Wäino Aaltosen Museo, Yliopiston päärakennus Oulu: 1st Bar, Amarillo, Bar&Cafe Milou, Coffee House, Cumulus Hotel Oulu, Galleria Harmaja, Hemingways/ Kirkkokatu, Hemingways/Kajaaninkatu, Hesburger/ Isokatu 32, Holiday Club Oulun Eden, Holiday Inn Hotelli, Kahvila Humus, Maailmankauppa Juuttipukki, Makuuni/Hallituskatu, Makuuni/ Torikatu, Neliö-Galleria, Nuku-Nuorisokeskus, Nuorten tieto- ja neuvontakeskus Nappi, Nuortenkeskus Walda, Oulun ammattikorkeakoulun osakunta/OSAKO, Oulun elokuvakeskus, Oulun kaupungin matkailupalvelut, Oulun kaupunginkirjasto, Oulun lyseon lukio, Oulun vastaanottokeskus, Oulun yliopiston keskusaula, Linnanmaa, Oulu-opisto, Pohjois-Pohjanmaa-museo, Radisson SAS Oulu, Ravintola Amica, Ravintola Torero, Robert’s coffee, Rockpolis – Musiikin tiedotus- ja neuvontakeskus, Tiedekeskus Tietomaa, Subway, Uusi seurahuone Jyväskylä: Agora, Anttila/Forum, Anttila/Sammontie, Bar 68, Cafe Libri, Coffee House/Kauppakatu, Elosen Konditoria/Jyväskeskus, Hemingways, Hennes & Mauritz, Ilokivi-baari, Intersport Megastore/Tourula, Jyväskylän AMK/Mankolan kampus, Jyväskylän kaupunki/hallintokeskus, Jyväskylän taidemuseo, Kahvila Eeden/Viherlandia, Kasvisravintola Katriina, Kaupungin kirjasto, Kulttuuriravintola Ylä-Ruth, Kumppanuustalo, Kuntokeskus Elixia, Kuokkalan Messi, Lozzi, Luontaiskeskus Torikeskus, Luontopuoti Kurjenkello, Matkailuneuvonta, McDonald’s/Jyväkeskus, McDonald’s/Keljon keskus, McDonald’s/Tourula, Memphis, Monikulttuurisuuskeskus Gloria, Nuorisoasiainkeskus, Old Corner, Parnell`s/ Gummeruksenkatu, Parnell`s/Väinönkatu, Piato/ Mattilanniemi, Pizza best/Lutakko, Ravintola Idea, Ravintola Rentukka, Sohwi, Tanssisali Lutakko, The Old Brick’s Inn, Vakiopaine, Wilhelmiina, Yliopiston pääkirjasto, Yliopiston päärakennus, Ylistö, YTHS, Muu Suomi: Etelä-Karjalan ammattikorkeakoulu, Kainuun monikuttuurinen toimintakeskus/Kajaani, Kuopion kirjasto, Lahden Multi-Culti, Mikkelin Monikulttuurikeskus Mimosa, Mikkelin AMK Kasarmin kampus, Helsinki Business School / Mikkeli Business Campus, Etelä-Savon Ammattiopiston aikuiskoulutuskeskus/Mikkeli, Työväen akatemian kirjasto/Kauniainen, Vaasan yliopisto/Kansainväliset Asiat, Hanken/Vaasa, Joensuun Carelicum, Hyvinkään Kirjasto, Kotkan vastaanottokeskus, HAMK Hämeen ammattikorkeakoulu / Riihimäki, Kokkolan koulutuskirjasto, Diakonia AMK:n kirjasto/Järvenpää, Lappeenrannan kaupunki Maahanmuuttajat/ Kirkkokatu, Seinäjoen AMK Kampustalo, HaagaHelia Porvoon yksikkö
30
SIXDegrees Issue 4 2009
COMMENTARY Column Civil liberties take a back seat to national pride Nick Barlow
UNLESS you’ve just been born or are over 60, you’ll probably know about Google Street View. Street View is the latest in Google’s long list of services, and allows web or mobile phone users to see a 360-degree view of selected cities in countries including the US, France, Japan, the Netherlands, UK, and soon Finland. Cars with large, complicated-looking photographic apparatus on top drove around these cities, constantly taking pics of everything. Thus, when the service was launched, you could see people puking up outside pubs, walking into strip clubs, sunbathing, or breaking into other people’s houses. IN OTHER countries debates have sprung up over the privacy implications of the service: A man smoking a fag was recognised by his partner, who didn’t know he smoked; a woman who had been in hiding from her violent husband for five years was photographed outside her house. Google say they are concerned with privacy, and car number plates are automatically blurred. Since the photos were taken from the road, they say, there’s no intrusion of privacy. You can also ask Google to blur your face or remove your house from the images.
H
ere the problem is that the Google car is photographing Finland in April, when it looks like God has taken a dump over the whole country. THESE arguments, naturally, don’t wash with the service’s opponents. The blurring technology is not 100% effective. If any information could be collected with the promise to later delete or modify it upon request, the entire basis of legal controls over data collection would be fatally circumvented. In any case, one could be identified even if one’s face is blurred. Street View is a systematic photographic record – it’s not the same as a random snap on a mobile phone, nor can it be compared to CCTV which is allowed on the basis of crime detection and prevention. In fact, Street View can make it much easier to commit crimes, since a burglar can sit at home and scan prospective targets. I was amazed when I looked at my sister’s house in London and could see her family’s wellies in the front porch, and the TV in their sitting room. Another argument is that people’s photos are being taken without their consent for what is, in effect, commercial purposes. ALL OF this is interesting, and worthy or serious discussion. Here in Finland, however, in a turn of events which says much about the Finnish national character, debate has been of different things. The problem is that the Google car – seen a while ago in Espoo – is photographing Finland in April, when it looks like God has taken a dump over the whole country. Finns are angry that they didn’t come in the summer or autumn, or even in the nice snowy winter. If people see photos of Finland when it’s cloudy and grey, who’ll want to come here? So it’s a tourism issue, you see. This ‘debate’ would be hilarious if it weren’t so depressing. My fellow citizens are so concerned with looking good in the eyes of internet surfers that they couldn’t give a monkey’s about possible suppression of their civil liberties. I DON’T know what it is about this country that makes her nationals so concerned with what other people think. Surely it’s a mixture of historical, geographical and cultural aspects which have created the weird insular yet paranoid mindset. Perhaps, in this case, it’s because we’ve been so used to having things so good that talk of eroding your right to privacy just doesn’t seem relevant. Law experts have suggested that taking some photographs could be illegal in Finland. For anyone with a dash of civil disobedience in them, don’t forget that blocking the progress of the car is legal, but smashing the camera on top probably isn’t. Nick Barlow is a half-English half-Finn who has lived in Finland for 12 years.
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