SIXDEGREES
Finland’s ENGLISH
LANGUAGE MAGAZINE
FESTIVAL LIFE IN
KEKKOSLOVAKIA The 1970s is blamed for unsightly fashion and a
GUIDE
2009
troublesome political legacy. Was it really so horrible?
Page 14 THE SOCIAL GAMING REVOLUTION The nerds have emerged
Page 11 DJ ANONYMOUS Q&A with the club guru
Page 18 Issue 5/2009 www.6d.fi 29.5. - 22.6.2009
Lauri Rotko
EVENTS
IN
Jari Soini
HEL SINKI THIS SUMMER Wed 3 June Moscow - Paris - New York Music ranging from the romances of Rachmaninoff via Poulenc and Weill to the jazzy cabaret songs of Bolcom. Villa Aino Ackté, 19:00 Tullisaaren ulkoilupuisto Tickets €10/7 www.ainoacktenhuvila.fi 09 31088408 Sat 6 & Sun 7 June Old-style Picnic The anniversary feast of 120year-old Korkeasaari Zoo. Korkeasaari Zoo Mustikkamaanpolku 12 Mon - Sun 10:00–16:00 www.korkeasaari.fi 09 31037900 Tue 9 June Lime Hill Quartet Groovy jazz and Latino-spirited bossa nova. Espa Stage, 18:30 Esplanade Park Free entrance www.espanlava.fi 09 31036564 Tue 9 to Tue 16 June Les Lumières A cultural festival dating from the Age of Enlightenment which offers music and poetry in the spirit of the late 18th century under the
theme Revolutionary Ideas. Suomenlinna Free entrance www.lumieres.fi 040 7248584 Thu 11 June Clown Diving Show Cheerful and popular clown diving group entertains. Swimming Stadium, 19:00 Hammarskjöldintie Tickets €5/2 www.hel.fi 310 87854 Fri 12 June Kaustinen at Kaisaniemi The internationally renowned Finnish contemporary folk music bands Duo Kuunkuiskaajat, Polka Chicks and JPP will perform at the festival tent. Kaisaniemi Park, 15:00–22:00 Kaisaniemenkatu www.helsinkiviikko.fi 09 3102505 Fri 12 June Töölö Celebrates A lively programme includes games, story telling, music and discussions. Töölö Market, 9:00–20:00 Runeberginkatu 53 Free entrance www.helsinkiviikko.fi 09 3102505
Sat 13 June Samba Carnaval The grand parade of the 17th Helsinki Samba Carnaval. Senate Square, 15:00 Aleksanterinkatu 24 Free entrance www.samba.fi 0400 457303
At the beginning of June the celebration of Helsinki Week will bring out a huge variety of colourful events, transforming the city’s streets, squares and parks. Highlights of the week include the traditional Helsinki Day which kicks off summer in the capital, a Provincial Festival and the annual Helsinki Samba Carnival. In addition, the City of Helsinki will lay out a smorgasbord of cultural delights which is sure to offer something for everyone.
Tue 16 June Tunto Instrumental, nu-jazz and electronics with a touch of ambient and ethno. Villa Aino Ackté, 19:00 Tullisaaren ulkoilupuisto Tickets €8/5 www.ainoacktenhuvila.fi 09 31088408 Wed 17 June Paula Koivuniemi One of Finland’s most beloved pop singers performs. Espa Stage, 16:30 Esplanade Park Free entrance www.espanlava.fi 09 31036564 Thu 18 June Petri Krzywacki Trio feat. Thea Crudi Jazz terazz. Bio Rex, 17:00–20:00 Mannerheimintie 22-24 Free entrance www.lasipalatsi.fi 020 7424220
Until Sun 14 June Minna Heikinaho Sanonko Heikinaho’s solo exhibition. Kluuvi Gallery Unioninkatu 28 B Thu - Sat 11:00–17:00 Sun 12:00–16:00 Free entrance www.taidemuseo.hel.fi 09 31087039 Until Sun 30 Aug Public Stash Contemporary art from the Satakunta region. Virka Gallery Pohjoisesplanadi 11-13 Mon - Fri 9:00–19:00 Sat - Sun 11:00–17:00 Free entrance www.virka.fi 09 31011111 Until Sun 30 Aug 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
WELCOME TO THE INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL CENTRE CAISA! ExHIBITION 3.6.–17.6. at 10am tO 6pm
MN NTS IN AUTU E v E G IN M O C amples Ex
Woods in Many Minds – Art from Croatia. Free entrance!
WOMEN’S INTERNATIONAL LIvING ROOM Once in a mOnth. Living room is an informal meeting of immigrant and Finnish women where discussion and cultural programme take place.
URS OPENING HO ER TIME IN THE SUMM
until 18.6., Caisa is open10am-6pm. at weekdays er 19.6.–2.8. ring the Summ du ed os cl is Caisa n 3.8.! Welcome agai
www.caisa.fi
MExICAN CULTURAL WEEk 14.–19.9.2009
ALSO COMING:
Including art exhibition, work shop, dance theatre etc. Organised in co-operation with the Mexican Embassy.
Language courses, work shops, concerts etc. More information from www.caisa.fi. Welcome again to our events in Autumn!
www.ourvision.fi
THE INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL CENTRE CAISA Mikonkatu 17 C, 00100 Helsinki / tel. 09 - 310 37500 Open weekdays from 9 am to 6 pm.
www.infopankki.fi
SIXDegrees
3
Issue 5 2009
in this issue June 2009
Festival guide 2009 With several events packed into every single weekend of the summer, picking and choosing among the plentiful supply of rock festivals can seem like a daunting task. To make life easier for you, SixDegrees offers a comprehensive companion to navigating, surviving and having a good time in the land of a thousand festivals.
4
Starters
9
A hot cup of tea
17
Cultitude The Chef recommends: Restaurant Madal Q&A with DJ Anonymous
20
TV Guide and Previews Movie premieres, TV picks, latest DVD and book reviews
21
Out & See Where to go and what to see in Helsinki, Tampere, Turku, Jyväskylä and Oulu
26
Commentary How to cripple your business – in one easy lesson
6
11
Curt Richter Helsinki-based American freelance photographer Curt Richter has been taking pictures for a living since 1982. He has straddled the divide between art and commerce, working on projects from the most nondescript catalogues to high-profile magazine shoots and artistic work.
The Social gaming revolution The Wiis, Xbox 360s and PlayStation 3s are the latest in a long line of consoles stretching back to 1972. But today’s video games are a 22 billion dollar industry. Modern consoles aim at wider target audiences, resulting in wholesale transformation of gaming as we know it.
The SixDegrees Team Editor Alexis Kouros Managing Editor Laura Seppälä Editorial team Matti Koskinen Advertising & Marketing Bob Graham, Aiman Kaddoura
Take out our Festival Guide 2009 and save it for the summer.
Out & See Tampere outseetampere@6d.fi Out & See Turku outseeturku@6d.fi
Living in Kekkoslovakia In popular images of the 1970s Finland appears as a country of ugly concrete blocks, questionable Soviet relations, controversial political climate and countless fashion SNAFUs. Maybe it’s time to take a look at how things really were in the days of the perennial President Kekkonen.
Out & See Oulu outseeoulu@6d.fi Out & See Jyväskylä outseejkyla@6d.fi
Pearl, Pirjo Sohlo, James O’Sullivan, Miissa Rantanen, Tuula Ruskeeniemi, Anthony Shaw, Aleksi Teivainen, Jutta Vetter, Tomas Whitehouse
Layout & Graphic Design Kirby Wilson Moose Design&Photography
Proofreading David Agar, Matthew Parry, Michael Nagler
+358 9 689 67 420 info@6d.fi Emails in the form: firstname@6d.fi Out & See Helsinki and capital area outsee@6d.fi
14
Writers and other contributors in this issue Nick Barlow, David Brown, Carina Chela, Daisey Cheyney, Michael Collinson, Robin DeWan, Ksenia Glebova, Hans Eiskonen, Kati Hurme, Mikael Kivimäki, Sampo Korhonen, Matti Koskinen, Niina Mero, Kaisa Mäenpää, Leonard
Print house I-Print Seinäjoki Circulation 50,000 pieces
6° DreamCatcher Vilhonvuorenkatu 11B 00500 Helsinki tel. +358 9 689 67 420 fax. +358 9 689 67 421 info@6d.fi www.6d.fi ISSN 1459-5680
Publisher Dream Catcher Productions www.dreamcatcher.fi All articles, pictures and graphics are subject to copyright.
No reproduction or reprinting is allowed without permission from Dream Catcher Inc.© Dream Catcher Next issue is out on 22 June SixDegrees can also be read at www.lehtiluukku.fi
SixDegrees
Issue 5 2009
Ethnic
The silent elections
of the month
next step after legalised gay marriage would be for people to marry dogs has sparked a furore of complaints and anger firing up the campaigning. Elsewhere, the election functions as an effective way for parties to judge their popularity, if nothing else. This is likely to mean a fall in support for the Centre Party, who seem more intent on sending each other sexual texts and emails than actually developing policy, and a rise for the right wing National Coalition Party, whose quiet efficiency during the recession will have firmed up support. The Social Democrats, though now well led by the rapidly improving Jutta Urpilainen, seem to be struggling to capitalise on government failures to halt massive bonuses paid out to the leaders of state owned enterprises, but may again pick up support from the rudderless Left Alliance The Greens are also expected to poll well, though the party’s inability to break the 10 per cent ceiling may suggest that they have reached the high tide mark of popular support.
product
Instant noodles Matti Koskinen
NOWADAYS, instant noodles are about as ethnic as pizza is Italian. The junk food of choice for American college kids and Chinese teenagers alike, instant noodles or ramen in bricks or cups have become a global favourite – and a leading culprit for the poor dietary habits of modern youth. Noodle sales are used as an economic indicator in Southeast Asia and scientists have even developed a version for astronauts to take into space. The concept of instant noodles is simply genius. Pre-cooked, fused with oil and dried for better preservation, they are as easy to prepare as boiling water. The invention of the modern ramen is credited to Japanese Momofuku Ando, founder and chairman of Nissin Foods Co. He developed and launched the product during intense food shortages in Japan after WWII. The technique for preserving noodles dates back to China. During the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) the Chinese learned to deepfry noodles so they could be stored for long periods and quickly cooked when needed. The word ramen indicates an origin even further afield. In Chinese, ramen is lamian, or “pulled noodles” – thick noodles made by stretching the dough by hand, usually served in soup. Now a popular streetside snack across China, lamian originate from the western parts of the country, provinces such as Gansu and Xinjiang and the city of Lanzhou in particular. Shops all over China advertise that they sell “orthodox Lanzhoustyle pulled noodles.” The journey of noodles from Central Asia to college dorms all over the world has of course been a long one, and apart from the name the two dishes bare little resemblance. But still, can anyone claim that instant noodles don’t have an ethnic background?
David Brown
WITH the European elections almost upon us, the most startling aspect of the campaigning so far has been its low profile. Apart from the occasional poster on a bus, visitors to the country need never realise that Finland is only weeks away from what may be a pivotal moment in Finnish politics. Pivotal, because as things stand the highest polling candidate is likely to be the antiEU populist Timo Soini from the True Finns party. While the rapid rise of the populist party was already considered alarming, this week’s statement by True Finns MP Pentti Oinonen suggesting that the
The European elections take place on 7 June.
No more smoke
A summer break, in tradition James O’Sullivan
IF IT’S NOT enough that Finnish school children are fed and educated at the taxpayer’s expense, the future leaders of Finland are now standing at the doorstep of a long and drawn out summer holiday. It is time to pack away the government-sponsored textbooks and disappear into the far corners of the Finnish wilderness. The school year officially ends on Saturday 30 May, with cities drained of their local populations as students enjoy a long rest at summer cottages, lakes and saunas around the country. Now that the sun is finally here after months of hibernation, students have around two and a half months to soak up some valuable Vitamin D. Such is the presence of the sun in Finland that it is possible to enjoy daylight for some 18-19 hours in southern Finland and 24 hours straight in Lapland. Monday 18 August signals the start of the new school year with students returning fresh and sun-kissed for the new curriculum. But how does Finland’s summer break compare with other countries around the world? Six weeks is the amount of time that Indian and New Zealander schools are closed over summer. In contrast is the two month break in Pakistan and the Philippines, and the three months
enjoyed in Ireland and the USA. In fact, whilst students in some Asian countries are in school for 250 days a year, American students enjoy a meagre 180 days in the classroom. School children in Australia have one unusual celebration to enjoy during their six week summer holiday – Christmas. The arrival of Santa Claus down under, clad in sunglasses, is the highpoint of any December summer break. Depending on the source, Santa utilises a truck, a surf board, a kangaroo or sometimes a plain old sleigh in order to make his deliveries. Celebrations are predominantly outdoors involving either a barbeque or the beach – or both! A family cricket match is a fine way to further heighten family tensions around Christmas, with the mix of hot sun and alcohol being perfect for the loosening of tongues. Students in Uganda, however, don’t technically have a summer break. With its proximity to the equator, the seasons there are simply divided into rainy or dry. Ugandan schools close their doors for a two month period towards the end of the year in the dry. Students spend their holiday relaxing at the beautiful islands located in Lake Victoria, visiting their relatives and passionately watching the English Premier League.
Matti Koskinen
SOME dread it and some can’t wait for it, but starting 1 June it finally becomes a reality: no more smoking in bars, pubs or restaurants anywhere in Finland. Ok, in all honesty it was already practically true since summer 2007, when smoking in restaurants was banned to begin with, but a number of establishments applied for and received a permit for an extension period. And the smokers promptly flocked to these sanctuaries en masse. A night in Redrum, one of Helsinki’s premium club venues, for instance, has long resembled a smoke diving course (try Reggae Sundays for the truly thick experience). But soon, party people will be able to leave wearing nothing but sweat au naturel instead of the musty stench of death all the way home. The homely restaurant Raf la
in Helsinki’s Punavuori district has catered to customers who prefer to complement quality cooking with quality tobacco. Soon that will require some home cooking skills or eating take-out – or stepping outside to light one up between courses. The alternatives left for the restaurants are either building a smoking booth or ushering smokers outside. The latter might not be a problem as long as nights are nice and balmy, but even the non-smoker should pity the poor souls forced to cram themselves into the reeking smoking booths. Smokers themselves seem to be adapting to the changes in tacit obedience. In fact, according to a recent study 90 per cent of Finns and more than 50 per cent of smokers now see the tobacco-free restaurants as a good thing. Mind you, the study was commissioned by a national health organisation.
Starters
Issue 5 2009
Star lounge
Robin DeWan
Building your own coffin, DIY style
Carina Chela and Mikael Kivimäki
Cocktail masters Timo Siitonen and Jonathan Woodward prepare drinks. Robin DeWan
Chock up another top ranking for Finland. This time it’s not the educational system, the quality of the environment or even the most wireless nation. No, now we’re talking about something seriously significant: the world’s best bar. Helsinki’s A21 Cocktail Lounge recently had such a distinction bestowed upon it by the World’s Best Bars website which is said to receive over three and a half million visits a year. For owners Timo Siitonen and Niko Autti the news came as a “massive surprise.” Siitonen acknowledges that part of the reason A21 is so well known abroad has to do with the connections the two forged while learning their trade running some of the top bars in London, the cocktail capital of the world.
The two wanted to bring something of that culture to Finland and take it even one step further. They’ve managed to do just that by creating a stylish environment, designed by Ilmari Issakainen and Jukka Korpihete, a warm and friendly atmosphere, and state of the art cocktails, of course. On the menu are dozens of choices including Finnish specialties, traditional favorites and “True Classics” made from original recipes dating back over one hundred years. The drink masters are even pioneering the science of molecule mixology – originally experimented with in the world of fine dining – within the bar domain. But what makes a really exceptional cocktail, anyway? For Siitonen it boils down to creativity and always using the highest quality ingredients. The secret of a great cocktail,
however, is not the same as the secret of a successful business. Siitonen cites “passion for the industry, loads of work and really strong teamwork” as the keys to achieving that goal. The owners love what they do and even offer courses to teach people the art. But A21 is clearly no ordinary business venture. Although they got voted world’s best bar, Siitonen is quick to point out that they are a cocktail lounge complete with table service and even the novel feature of a doorbell one must ring in order to be properly greeted upon entry. “We wanted to make this place like an extension of our living room,” he explains. And what a sublime and world famous living room it is. A21 Annankatu 21 www.a21.fi
FOR MOST it might seem a bit morbid or bizarre, but for students taking courses on how to build your own coffin it is quite natural to be interested in designing your body’s final resting place. And for those who prefer to work at home (and thus avoid the trouble of transporting the finished item) the internet is full of coffin making instructions. In Ghana, for instance, creative coffin making is a good business. Coffins are customised to the deceased and it is not rare to see a banana-shaped coffin on its way to the bone yard, made for a banana vendor, or a chilli pepper-shaped one for a restaurant owner. In the Finnish South-Western province of Satakunta, at the Huittinen Adult Education Centre,
Walking the cat
A Finnish thing?
Items you can find in every self-respecting Finnish household
Carpet beater Michael Collinson
THE QUESTION mark in our regular feature is perhaps very appropriate here. Clearly carpet beating is not just a Finnish thing – an Eastern European phenomenon, more like – but it is certainly a Finnish mania. For who amongst us has not been woken all too early on a Saturday morning by the reverberations of loud thwacking noises coming from the courtyard as some middle-aged woman beats several kinds of hell out of her miserable-looking carpets? British back gardens all have their washing lines, and the Finnish piha never comes without an iron construction – something like the gymnast’s parallel-bars – for carrying out this ritual. And then we come to the
weapon itself. No Finnish home is without this badminton racket-type plastic or bamboo beater, with its ornate looking loops reminiscent of a photograph of fractals in a chaos theory textbook. (Why so fancy? A Brit charged with this task would probably pick up a broom-handle, cricket bat or piece of steel pipe!) The rest is quite straightforward. Working your way down from the top, you give every square metre two or three hard whacks, getting at the same time as much dust directly in your face as you do out of the carpet. Then you flip the carpet over and do the same to the other side, making quite sure that you advertise your domestic diligence to everybody in the apartment block. No wonder
many countries have by-laws against this ritual. If this whole ritual is being carried out in the depths of winter – and, amazingly, it often is – then the piece de resistance is that you leave your battered carpets hanging in the frigid -15˚C air for a good couple of hours. Surely, the pesky carpet beetle (Anthrenus scrophulariae) has no chance! It has to be said that this Finnish Saturday morning ritual could slowly be on the wane. The advent of superpowered vacuum cleaners and the popularity of mockwooden flooring, together with medical speculation that exposure to dust mites might not be such a bad thing, could mean quieter weekends for all of us.
courses on building coffins have proved to be very popular among healthy men and women with decent wood-chopping skills. Also at the Kyrönmaan institute, near the city of Vaasa, coffin courses have had quite a demand. Besides saving a bundle of money (or rather, your relatives’ money), the handcrafted coffin is made according to the size and personality of the owner, as a celebration of his life. It can even make a fantastic piece of home décor! It is not advisable that grandkids bump into grandpa’s or dad’s coffin in the garage, so place it openly in the guest room as an exotic bed, or buy a trendy flowerpot and turn the coffin into just another unorthodox coffee table – a sure-fire conversation piece. Of course, it is also a great Halloween prop. So be wild, dig out your sense of black humour and pick up a fun new hobby. Making your own coffin is a remarkable way to be reminded of the need to live well now!
The leash is for your own safety, Mr Whiskers.
David Brown
FINLAND may be one of the few countries in the world where it’s not unusual to see people taking their cat out for a stroll. While it may seem odd, it’s also logical considering that cats live in apartments without access to back gardens. This way they benefit from some sun and fresh air, not to mention exercise. There’s also the added bonus (for the owners) of not needing to change the sand box quite so regularly, and the added bonus (for the cat) of being able to check up on the locals birds and mice.
Cats do require a leash, if not by law, then at least by common sense. At this time of year every park in the country is full of people and dogs, and cats may experience the sudden need to rocket ten metres into a tree if unused to the latter. Others simply want to engage with the local bird life in a way their owners might find slightly embarrassing. Soili takes Saigon for a half hour walk once or twice a week at this time of the year, sometimes using the time to take photos of f lowers and trees while the cat writhes happily on the gravel paths of Helsinki’s Lenininpuisto. “She seems to really love it,” Soili says. “At least when she gets home she’s happy to sleep in the wardrobe for the rest of the day.” The only downside is the presence of mites in southern Finland, which can cause infections in cats, and for which preventative medicine is a must before letting the cat into long grass. Other than that, there is nothing more fun for cat and owner alike than an hour enjoying the glorious summer sun with a spot of tree climbing and hole digging.
I now pronounce you filthy rich
Nothing says “let’s spend the rest of our lives together” like a diamond the size of a baby’s fist. Nick Barlow
EVERYONE loves a good wedding, right? The problem for Finns wishing to tie the proverbial knot is that the climate precludes year-round nuptials. Although some people go for the idealistic winter wedding, with the bride arriving on a sled driven by reindeer, for many happy couples the temptation is to get married anytime between May and August, and hope for the best. If you’re lucky you get a cloudless sky and a beautiful sunset; the birds twitter and all nature proclaims its admiration for your love. If you’re unlucky you get caught in a thunderstorm, and lightning strikes the reception hall plunging it into darkness, thus rendering all celebration impossible. The weather is important because your wedding day is one of the most important days in your life, along with losing your virginity and buying your first flat-screen TV. Unfortunately, like being deflowered and buying a TV, it can be really expensive. Having undergone the experience myself I can attest to the fact that there are lots of small things whose cost really adds up, but that doesn’t explain the fact that some people pay crazy money for their big day. I know some people who reckon they spent 15,000 euros on theirs, which to me sounds bonkers; on the other hand, that paltry sum pales into insignificance next to the weddings of rich bastards. The one million dollars spent by Brad Pitt and Rachel from Friends works out at 200,000 dollars per year of marriage (R.I.P. Braniston 2000-2005). No-one does nauseating opulence like the Sheikhs, mind you. In 1981 the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, got married in a stadium built just for the occasion. It rather makes you think he’s making up for something. Price tag: over 100 million dollars in today’s money. Guests: 20,000. Size of Sheikh’s penis: tiny.
Curt Richter self portrait
Photos by Curt Richter. This page: Clouds and Substation near Druja from the Citibank portfolio, Manna Leaf, Back Scratch, Earl’s Pool. Portraits on next page: Robert Richardson, author; William Huckel, journalist.
Interview
7
Issue 5 2009
ART & CRAFT PHOTOGRAPHY
THE Matti Koskinen
WHAT is instantly clear about Curt Richter as we sit down to talk in the windy courtyard behind Gallery G18, where photos from his latest project Gravitation are shown, is that he is not going to be easily contained. As you would expect from the offspring of academic New Yorkers, he rambles and muses from one topic to another and from story to story, rarely sticking to the question at hand. The conversation could use auto-focus, but then again listening to him talk is just too much fun. Born and bred on Manhattan, Richter has lived and worked in Helsinki for 12 years. His love for the country and depth of knowledge about Finnish culture is impressive: he talks with equal passion about Hugo Simberg and Nadar, the early French photographer. His work of late shows little of a Finnish slant, however. Simply put, Gravitation documents NASA’s Space Shuttle programme, and the spirit of humanity. Richter’s CV is humbling. A freelance photographer since 1982, he has had exhibitions in museums and galleries on both sides of the Atlantic. His photos have graced the pages of numerous magazines (Newsweek, Fortune and Rolling Stone, just to name a few). He has taught in art schools in the US and in Finland, most recently at the University of Art and Design Helsinki. And aside from those ample career highlights, he has spent a lifetime taking pictures of things for a living. He is a person committed to his craft. Growing up with a camera Richter traces his involvement with photography back to his childhood. In particular, two seminal events, he says, that took place within a day of each other during Christmas of 1968. “I was 12 years old, and my older brother came back from boarding school. We walked across Central Park in a blizzard to a tiny revival house called Thalia, and we saw The Seven Samurai by Kurosawa. It had a profound effect on me,” Richter recalls. “Partly because I was dyslexic. I couldn’t read but I was hungry for stories.” That was the day before Christmas Eve. For Christmas his father had gotten him his first camera: a used Viewfinder. “I remember standing by the Christmas tree, holding the camera and looking at it, thinking: this is it, this is what I’m gonna do for the rest of my life. There were a lot of reasons why it
OF
Photographer Curt Richter is a seasoned veteran behind the lens. The Helsinki-based American has an abundant body of work from his long and checkered career as a freelance photographer. But how does he fit into the Finnish visual arts community?
appealed to me. One reason was that a camera could do what my eyes couldn’t – actually decipher an image.” Growing up within walking distance of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and dozens of other sanctums of civilization, Richter was interested in art and culture well beyond photography. He still likes to talk about the connections and differences between photography and other visual arts. “You know, with any art you have to have the opportunity to fail. That’s how you learn. I did painting and drawing, but it took too long to fail! I was a lazy TV baby, I wanted immediate results.” Upon graduating from SUNY Purchase College, Richter found himself looking for a means to make a living as a photographer. The college had an excellent art programme, and the talent that accumulated in the photography department was at the same time exciting and daunting. Reluctant to enter an academic career, Richter chose to do commercial work. To make a living purely as an artist, particularly as an art photographer, he says, is worse than being a professional athlete. “And I like doing commercial work. It has presented me with challenges I otherwise wouldn’t have faced myself.
Curt Richter
It’s also about working on my craft. Certainly a lot of what I’ve learned about lighting, for instance, was something that I refined through doing commercial work.” Art versus commerce Throughout his career, Richter has straddled the divide between art and commerce, engaging in projects from catalogue work to illustrations and magazine shoots on one side, and artistic ventures on the other. Yet he appears relatively untouched by the age-old debate between making a living and maintaining artistic integrity. Is there an unfair amount of animosity towards commercial work in the art community? “There certainly is here in Finland, and that’s a luxury they can afford here. There are a lot of state grants and a lot of support that we don’t have in the States. For every tax dollar a US citizen gives to the arts, a Finnish citizen gives 250. And I think it’s great, but there is a certain basic rule of nature: you don’t feed wild animals. It doesn’t hurt to be competitive.” Nowadays Richter hopes to find more of a crossover between the two realms. In fact, serendipitous happenstance has led him to some of his most important projects. His book A Portrait of Southern Writers, published in 2000, was a com-
mission. When Richter – “a dyslexic Yankee whose family adopted General Sherman” – was asked to photograph a number of Southern writers, the ironies were just too many to pass up, he says. Another case in point was a project he did for Citibank in 2000. Richter, then in Finland as a Fulbright scholar, was approached by the company’s managing director, who wanted to commission a portfolio from him. The subject matter: to commemorate a one and a half billion euro deal between Fortum and Stora Enso over a purchase of power plants in Sweden. “Now, I would never have gotten out of bed one day and thought to myself, ‘gosh, power plants, wouldn’t that be interesting.’ When in fact it was great! It was something I was hired to do commercially, but then I was able to apply my own vision as an artist to it.” Magazine shoots, on the other hand, are often a grey area. Richter takes the example of travel articles. On the one hand a photographer is hired for his artistic work, but at the same time he is required by the nature of the assignment to make the locations he shoots look like places people would want to travel to – a parameter few photographers would set themselves.
Birthdate: 24 August 1956 Place of residence: Helsinki Education: Dalton High School, Simon’s Rock and SUNY Purchase – Undergraduate Family: Wife Jaana and children Manna and Will
“My first big travel shoot was for the New York Times Magazine, David Plant was the writer. It was called Venice in the Winter, and we shot that in June, a week before the summer solstice. It was during a heat wave and a festival they have once every four years. The whole premise was supposed to be that it’s isolated, it’s lonely, it’s misty. There was brilliant sunshine every single day! People talk about the camera lying, but it doesn’t. It’s inanimate, it can’t lie! But nevertheless I did portray Venice at that time of year in a way that was quite contrary to what it actually was.” Even the more mundane work can provide valuable experience for a photographer keen on honing his craft, something Richter values greatly. Artistry is important, but it is equally important to have the discipline to learn you craft: “Anybody who’s competent can take a picture, and it will illustrate something. But if you want to communicate something, that takes a lot more craft, and a lot more preparation and training.” An outsider in the art community Richter moved to Finland in 1997 as the result of a fairly familiar chain of events: he married a Finn and they wanted to have children. Finland
appeared a more suitable community for raising children. “Finland, unlike the United States, sees its children the same way it sees its woods: as a really precious national resource that you should encourage. The States is a country of immigrants, you know. If you don’t like how things are, there’s a hundred more people waiting right behind you to give it a go.” But moving here turned out to be different than he had expected. Career-wise it seemed like a wrong turn. Finding work was very difficult for a foreigner trying to work in the domestic market. In a field as introverted as the visual arts it was practically impossible. Richter believes Finns still have a lot to learn about opening up. They seem to be embarrassed about being Finns, when they have nothing to be embarrassed about. They are apologetic for their recent rural past, when they should be proud of their recent surge into modernity. Finns don’t appreciate themselves enough, Richter says, and all too often that insecurity translates into withdrawal. “The thing about Finns is that they have a tremendous amount of pride but very little self-esteem. And it’s a pernicious combination, because part of learning is being able to recognise what you don’t know. I met a graphic designer who married a Finn. She was looking for work here, calling up companies, and they wouldn’t even see her for an interview. They wouldn’t even look at her work! She said to me, why the hell aren’t these people even curious? What are they afraid of? Why are they so threatened by it?” Finns, Richter says, should see their unique cultural features as a valuable resource, instead of a mark of some bygone rural parochialism. “I went with my wife to her father’s family cemetery just north of Riihimäki in the country. Her grandfather and great-grandfather were buried there, and I noticed they had different last names. I couldn’t understand how men on her father’s side of the family had different last names. She explained that back then you took your last name from the house where you lived. That just beautifully shows the Finns’ connection to the earth! You actually took your name from the earth upon which you live. That’s the kind of thing that Finns are apologetic for, when they shouldn’t be!”
As a child I wanted to be... James Bond and Jimi Hendrix. In five year’s time I will be... Five years older. The best part of my job is... The diversity of people and places I have the opportunity to meet and travel to. The worst part of my job is... The unpredictability of being a freelancer.
ENJOYING SUMMER
ä l y k s ä v in Jy
Jyväskylä will offer a host of seasonal delights and atmosphere-packed events this summer:
Jyväskylä Summer Jazz, 4-7 June Jyväskylä Summer Jazz will combine innovative international trends in contemporary jazz
Jyväskylä Festival, 7-12 July circus and physical theatre, as well as splendid concerts a special programme for children, free admission programme along the pedestrian street
11th International Alvar Aalto Symposium EDGE - Paracentric Architecture, 7-9 August The Alvar Aalto Symposium is an international architectural symposium that is held since 1979 every three years in Jyväskylä
Volvo Lake Päijänne Sailing Race, 17-19 July one of Europe’s biggest sailing saili events on inland waterways for cruising yachts
Neste Oil Rally Finland, 30 July-2 August ninth round of the FIA World Rally Championship largest annual spectator event in the Nordic countries with 300,000 spectators
Lifestyle
9
Issue 5 2009
How do you like yours?
a
HOT CUP
I don’t like the bitterness of tea so I usually add a dash of milk to take the bitterness away, and sometimes a little sugar. Emma
of tea
It’s got to be vanilla tea, with both milk and honey. Ville I like to drink tea either black with a bit of lemon or, if I am drinking it with milk, then I like it strong with lots of milk and a little (white) sugar. Linda I’m a milk and two sugars kind of guy, but I think the best tea is always the tea that is made by somebody else! Jack I like it the “English” way, with milk and sugar. Heidi
Coffee has long remained unrivalled in the hearts of the Finnish nation, but now a healthier obsession is beginning to challenge that position.
Daisey Cheyney
THINK of tea, the world’s second most consumed beverage, and you think of England. Think of coffee and you most probably think of Finland, for they drink more per capita than any other nation. Yet as sales of tea are on the rise, isn’t it time we give tea another thought? Throughout history and across cultures, tea has seldom been considered “just a drink.” With its own etiquette and its own rituals, it’s a lifestyle. Just what kind of lifestyle it is, depends not only on where, but also on how the tea is made and consumed. A happy accident The origins of tea can be traced back to the mythical Chinese Emperor Shen-Nung in 2737 BC, when legend says tealeaves landed into boiling water by chance. The appearance of tea outside China, however, can be attributed to Portuguese traders in the 16th century and their discovery of the sea route to the Far East. The first commercial imports began in the early 17th century, when Dutch merchants brought tea from China to Holland via their trading post on the island of Java. Initially, the pleasures of tea were limited to those in the upper echelons of Dutch society. But it swiftly went from being a luxury to being an integral part of the daily routine. By the end of the century tea was readily available to all.
Royalty or Royal Tea At this time in England. tea drinking was still quite a curiosity. The nation’s unparalleled reputation for tea drinking wasn’t acquired until after Charles II married the Portuguese Princess Catherine of Braganza in 1662. Catherine, a self-confessed tea addict, firmly established tea drinking in the English Royal Court. Fierce taxes on tea created demand for a huge black market. Thanks to widespread smuggling the popularity of tea quickly outstripped that of ale. At this time, milk was rarely added to tea. The English adopted the fashion of adding milk after the French Marquise de la Sabliere, as it was said to improve flavour. In Finland, coffee drinking was established first, but in the 18th and 19th centuries the popularity of tea was unsurpassed. It is probably safe to assume that Finns acquired their tea rituals from Russia, the source of their imports. Brewed strong, in heated metal containers (usually brass) called samovars, tea was served in a tall glass with sugar and lemon. Today, most Finns make tea in much the same way as the rest of Western Europe, preferring lighter blends such as Indian or Ceylon, with little or no milk, and honey or sugar for sweetening. Tea-a-holic Contrary to popular belief, the English do not always stick to their famous formal tea ceremony. Teapots and teacups are usually eschewed in favour
of a mug. It is generally brewed dark and strong and the resulting, rather tannic taste is made more palatable by the addition of lashings of milk. Whether with or without sugar, one thing in English tea is certain: a cuppa is never far away. “I probably drink about 12 mugs a day, something like that. And that’s a minimum. I’ve been known to judge a place or a person on how good their tea is. I drink ‘builders’ tea; I put the teabag and two sugars in first. Then the hot water, then give it a couple of seconds before squeezing the bag, taking it out and putting the milk in last!” reveals Naomi Drakeford, a particularly fastidious and heavy tea drinker from England. Whether drinking tea in India (with lots of milk and sugar) or in Turkey (where tea is served in tiny glasses), tea drinkers globally will agree on a few points. It is best to use freshly boiled water. The stronger the tea, the more likely it is to require milk and sugar. Most teas should not be steeped for longer than five minutes to avoid bitter and astringent over-steeped tea. Lighter tea blends such as Ceylon are best with a slice of lemon, as are herbal infusions or flavoured tea such as Earl Grey. Adding milk tends to overpower these flavours, and doesn’t make a very good combination. Tea everyday keeps the doctor away? Interest and popularity in specialist and flavoured teas is rising worldwide. Herbal infu-
It depends on what tea I’m drinking, but if it’s black tea or green tea, then I just add a little bit of milk Irena Black, English breakfast tea, with lots of lemon and honey! Minna
sions are no longer considered the reserve of the organic vegetable box brigade, thanks to the quest for a healthier lifestyle. In France, for example, coffee is increasingly viewed as part of a more hectic lifestyle, whereas the unhurried preparation and appreciation of tea compliments existing cultural and gastronomic values. According to statistics from the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), world consumption of black tea is projected to increase annually by 1.7 per cent, reaching 2.8 million tonnes in 2017. At present, data for world consumption of green tea was unsubstantial. However, its production is expected to grow by around 4.5 percent annually. The reason behind the rise in the world tea market, according to Pierre Antonios from the FAO’s media relations, is reportedly in response to “promotional efforts on the health benefits of tea consumption.” What you need is a good cup of tea Ask anyone from England and they will tell you, tea is the miracle cure. Whether the ailment is physical or mental, in any situation, there is nothing a cup of tea cannot fix. This may be nearer to the truth than you imagine. Recent research and media coverage is successfully promoting tea. Tea is said to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, count towards your daily fluid intake, help protect your body against free radicals or aid concentration with
moderate amounts of caffein. It is also claimed to improve alertness and performance. Storm in a coffee cup Although people may be personally preferring tea over coffee, coffee still remains the first choice of drink to offer a guest throughout most of the western world. As one Finn, Otto Virtanen, comments: “We wouldn’t think twice about inviting people in for coffee but we’d never invite people in for a cup of tea.” One enthusiastic Spanish tea drinker, Gabriella Dias, explains: “I drink tea more often now, but generally in
Spain it’s coffee for me. People don’t really drink tea. Actually, it’s quite hard to find kettles here!” It seems that tea still has quite a journey before it can compete with coffee in the hearts of Europeans, but it is undeniable that tea sales and consumption are growing. As tea becomes more fashionable among the health conscious and the sophisticates, I predict an exotic storm brewing in a coffee cup.
INFO • • • • • • •
A typical cup of tea contains less caffeine per cup than coffee The English nation consumes around 165 millions cups of tea per day The average Briton drinks 3 cups of tea a day 95% use tea bags 98% add milk 45% add sugar 3 cups of tea provides 8 times the amount of antioxidants found in one apple. (UK Tea Council)
According to numerous surveys, teabags are among the top items that holidaymakers pack in their suitcase. Imports of tea to Finland: • 1938 137 metric tonnes • 1949 434 metric tonnes • 1999 over 1000 metric tonnes (Tea & Coffee Trade Journal) In 2003 • Annual coffee consumption in Finland totalled 11.4kg per capita • Annual tea consumption in Finland totalled 0.3 kg per capita
International money transfer at approximately 180.000 agent locations across 190 countries and territories worldwide. Your money arrives in just 10 minutes.* *Subject to agent hours of operation and local regulations. Amount (EUR)
MoneyGram Fee
Amount (EUR)
MoneyGram Fee
Amount (EUR)
MoneyGram Fee
Lifestyle
11
Issue 5 2009
THE
SOCIAL GAMING
REVOLUTION Since their humble beginnings in the 70s videogames have evolved into one of the world’s largest entertainment industries. Nick Barlow
BACK in the 1980s, computer gaming was still in its infancy, although the first computer games using vector graphics appeared in the fifties. My first computer was the awesome ZX Spectrum which had a stunning 48 KB of RAM (the maximum was 128 KB). In those days, Manic Miner was the height of videogame development, and the idea of playing virtual tennis wirelessly across continents just didn’t cross our minds. If anyone had told us that in 20 years we’d be able to perform rock gigs in our living rooms playing computerised instruments, we’d either have been amazed or tried to drown our visitor from the future for being a witch. These days, of course, we gamers have more choice than we can shake a stick at, and the Wii consoles, Xbox 360s and PlayStation 3s are simply the latest in a long line of consoles stretching back to 1972. Following an industry collapse in 1983, it was the release of the fifth-generation
machines the Sega Saturn, Sony’s original PlayStation and the Nintendo 64 in the early 1990s that signalled the beginning of the popular trend that continues today, resulting in a 22 billion dollar entertainment industry. Of course, as the hardware has evolved it has become more powerful. Multi-functionality has become ever more important. In large part this is due to the fact that the target audience for consoles and computer gaming in general is no longer only hardcore gamers. “The PlayStation was originally targeted at young men, and providing them with an escape into a gaming world. Gaming was about masculine sports and shooters. Nowadays it is much more; it’s social, interactive, and addresses wide audiences,” explains Riina Hagman, communications director for PlayStation Finland. Part of this need to address a wider audience is manifested in the ability of consoles to be used for more than just
Game reviews May Killzone 2
Hans Eiskonen
gaming – playing music, movies, surfing the internet, contacting friends and so on. It is also shown in the huge increase of online gaming. Previously the preserve of PC gamers, such as the infamous World of Warcraft addicts, it is extremely rare these days to find a game with no online capability at all, and some games are aimed entirely at the online market. “The gamer nowadays can be anyone,” says Hagman, “and their needs must be addressed through innovative experiences both on- and offline.” The huge success of the Singstar, Rock Band and Guitar Hero games are a testament to this. It is not only Sony that has had to change their business model. Microsoft has also adjusted their strategy to take into account a new wave of consumers unlimited by age or gender. Jari Keskitalo, head of Microsoft Finland’s Entertainment and Devices Division, suggests that the 360 is no longer targeted at 15-35 year old males. “We have been categorised as the ‘shooter box’ for hardcore gamers in the past,” he says, “but during the last couple of years we have broadened our audience to cover basically everyone who is into gaming.” Of course, part of the problem for huge companies like Sony and Microsoft is appealing to all types of gamers without excluding anyone. This is why you find intense shooters like Killzone 2 and Gears of War 2 nestling next to family titles Buzz! and You’re In The Movies on the shelf. Nintendo’s Wii console is probably the biggest recent surprise on the console block. Since its launch in 2006 it has outsold
its competitors on a monthly basis. The company has targeted a much wider demographic than in previous years, which perhaps more than anything accounts for its success. Satoru Iwata, President of Nintendo, speaking at a press conference in 2006, said, “We’re not thinking about fighting Sony, but about how many people we can get to play games. The thing we’re thinking about most is not portable systems, consoles, and so forth, but that we want to get new people playing games.” With some success, it seems: The Sun newspaper in Britain reported a 103-year-old pensioner demanding a Wii in her care home. Apparently even the Queen of England, not known as a fan of Street Fighter II, has had a go. Despite its success, the Wii is derided by many serious gamers as being a toy, and it certainly doesn’t look much like a serious piece of hardware. Indeed, the power of the machine is less than that of the 360 or PS3, and it doesn’t play DVDs. But it is its accessibility that has made it so successful. For developers, taking account of such developments has been necessary. “The Wii console, for example, has taken a foothold in everyday families’ lives and homes,” Fredrik Moberg of Ubisoft explains, “I would say that we have had to adapt to this market, with a variety of genres for all ages: Action games, party games, health and training games, and several different ranges for the DS format like the Petz range have all recently been launched.” Microsoft’s Keskitalo agrees: “Social games have changed the whole games industry. They have created a huge boost to the whole business and have attracted massive amounts of new gamers who previously were not interested in game consoles at all. Everyone wants to be a rock star it seems!”
Nick Barlow
(PS3)
If Gears of War 2 is the superlative shooter on the 360, Killzone 2 is claiming that crown on the PS3. Killzone ups the ante, however, not only by providing an extremely engaging narrative storyline which fully absorbs the player; it is also (probably) the most realistic first-person shooter on the system. The only problem is that it’s almost too true to life. You might be nominally fighting the Helghast on their home planet, but familiar themes of rampant militarism and fascism run through the game. The action is non-stop, intensely hellish and all-immersive, which shows what an accomplishment this game is; on the other hand, you can’t play it for long without needing to have a break and a nice cuppa tea. 8/10
Empire: Total War (PC) It’s been a while since there’s been a standout PC-only title, but the latest Total War game has definitely given PC gamers something to boast about. The fifth in the Total War series takes place in the 18th century, as great powers were clashing for control of major international trade routes, and colonists were fighting for survival in hostile lands. Most of the good things have been kept from previous titles, and of course this time there are fully updated military units and building structures, plus a vastly expanded theatre of operations. The big new feature is the addition of controllable naval battles, which are a fun distraction and show off the game engine’s new graphics to top effect. On the negative side, there’s a fair few bugs present, and the installation process requires an internet connection and a Steam account. Nonetheless, it’s a lot of fun. 9/10
Tom Clancy’s HAWX
(PC, 360, PS3, Wii)
A word of warning for Tom Clancy fans: this game has naff-all to do with Mr. C, unless he wrote the throw-away plot. But let’s face it, you didn’t play Ace Combat for the storyline either. Ostensibly a flight “simulator,” there is absolutely nothing realistic about it except for some nice-looking aircraft skins. What you do get, however, is some nice graphics and arcade shooting business which, if you don’t take it too seriously or expect to feel like Tom Cruise in Top Gun, you’ll probably enjoy it, at least for a few hours. There are some nice toys which look nice but don’t add much to the mindless action. The game’s still interesting enough that you’ll want to finish the single-player campaign. However, online play isn’t up to much. 7/10
Guitar Hero: Metallica
(360, PS2, PS3, Wii)
When it comes to “social” gaming, Guitar Hero is pretty much the brand that started the phenomenon, and this year it’s Metallica’s turn to join the party. Happily, Activision has made a great tribute to one of the most influential metal bands of all time. The game looks good, the musicians are all as hideously ugly as they are in real life, and the track list contains almost every classic that fans will have hoped for. If you have the drum kit then it’s even better. A lot of content in the game is related to the band including behind-the-stage footage and so on. If you’re a Metallica fan you should definitely get this game, but if you want to get into plastic-guitar fiddling in general then you might want to pick up an earlier instalment of the series. 9/10
О демо озможкратии и но тяright х влtoиparticipate Includingсthe яния and have influence
Equality is for everyone! s .kan www
Участ в w.kan sanva lta
.
.fi a t l nva a s an
a.
уй!
lt anva
Right now in the EU member nations, including in Finland, an election campaign is going on which will culminate in early June with the European parliamentary elections. Regardless of how interested voters are in the European elections, it is important that the campaign be conducted with decorum and with a firm basis in fact to prevent needless excesses from occurring. The Non-Discrimination Act is now being revised, and there is reason to call to remembrance the slogan from a few years ago “All different – All equal.” Equality isn’t just about points of law. It is about recognising difference, caring for others, the inseparability of human dignity and human rights, as well as valuing the diversity of contemporary Finnish society. It must become a top priority at all levels of government. The European elections have also given rise to discussions about immigration policy. It is unfortunate to note that lately these discussions have taken on new features, at times even descending to outright nationalism. I am strongly in favour of open and constructive discussion, provided that it is based on facts and mutual respect. I would like to submit a number of ideas for the consideration of the party chairpersons. First, equal treatment and equality are inseparable parts of basic rights; it does not seem appropriate to me to play politics over them. Second, working against racism and discrimination is not some sort of card that you just take out every now and then when an appropriate opportunity presents itself. Opposition to racism and antidiscrimination are basic principles that must always be clearly visible. I would also like to suggest that all parties write into their basic set of regulations as permanent guiding principles opposition to racism, antidiscrimination, and the promotion of cross-cultural dialogue, as well as disavowing discrimination in all its forms. And, in like fashion, that all Finnish parties promote and support the candidacy of immigrants in all elections. Similarly, I hope that immigrants and representatives of different minorities will boldly step forward to participate in decision making for society and their own communities, being as active as possible in the political life of their new homeland too. In this way we will enrich, renew, and diversify not only Finnish culture but also Finnish political life.
a k a n Ad
! u t s i l l a s O ! o d a a q b y a q
Ahmed Akar Member of Southern Finland Advisory Board for Ethnic Relations (ETNO), Minority Rights Group (MRG) and Advisory Board on Human Rights (IONK), deputy member of National Discrimination Tribunal of Finland.
.k ww
Sinä -
Act upon your rights
How about taking a lea flet out of Ahmed Akar’ s book and acting on yo participate and influenc ur right to e? Thanks to the constit ution, we all have an op do so. Participatory rig portunity hts, such as those guara nteeing free civic activ to vote, are an integral ity and a right part of basic rights and at the same time form tion of democracy. With the foundaout those, promotion of any other rights would edly prove difficult. undoubtWhile you ponder, wh at is your method of ch oice of participating an cause you would like to d for what fight for, visit kansanva lta .fi. The democracy datab vides information on ank proFinnish democracy, cit izen’s rights, civil socie decision-making. ty and public
san yn b a a s a ku Warar iga iyo saam ad a da r q u dim ku yeelasha
sta ia t a r k o m e d a o t Tie ta ja vaikuttamises ans ww www .kanw sa.k nvalta.fi
anvalta.
This advert is part of YES - equality is priority campaign, which has received funding from the EU’s employment and social solidarity programme PROGRESS (2007-13)
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
VANTAAN KAUPUNKI CITY OF VANTAA
Reading for a better
start
WHERE TO GO
VANTAA
Currently, there are hundreds of illiterate people in Finland. Not only do they have problems with finding a job or
IN
reading magazines, they struggle with everyday tasks such as grocery shopping, paying bills, traveling – even washing
MUSIC
their laundry. Most of these people are women. Practically all of them are immigrants. UNIFEM Finland and Zonta
Sampo Korhonen
International District 20 recently came up with a new way of tackling the problem. enter a Finnish home. A safe study environment and encouraging atmosphere help reduce negative attitudes.
Problems arise at home
Immigrant women’s illiteracy often has a dark past. ”Women who arrive to Finland usually come from countries where women’s education is not considered important in any way,” Salonen says. ”Also, written language in Somalia, for instance, has only existed for a few decades. The war there has been ongoing for 20 years, which means most young people cannot attend school.” ”Being literate does not mean being able to spell words,” Toivanen adds. ”One needs to understand the meaning of the text. Right now, there are no authorities that would be able to estimate where people in need are located and how they are proceeding with the education they are attending.” According to Toivanen, there are still women out there who cannot speak Finnish and who, for one reason or another, will not attend any language training. ”It is a true challenge to think of the ways in which we can bring them to us,” she says.
Vantaa and cooperation
Ulla Salonen and Marja Liisa Toivanen (front) believe the first step in teaching is to befriend the students.
”Both organisations aim at improving women’s position and support one another,” Marja Liisa Toivanen of UNIFEM explains the reason for cooperation. UNIFEM and Zonta promote literacy and necessary language skills among immigrant women and have organised a campaign called Let’s Read Toghether! that started in Vantaa. The name of this campaign tells it all: during 2008 and 2009 it is meant to reach women who are fully illiterate or possess a low level of Finnish language skill. The campaign’s volunteers can found regional reading groups, which gather for two hours once a week. The meetings are only accessible to women. ”If victims of poverty, illiteracy, violence and human trade had a face, it would definitely be that of a woman,” says Head
of Campaign Ulla Salonen of Zonta international. ”Also, it can be difficult for these women to talk about issues and relax if there are men present. Some women cannot even be in the same room with other men besides their husbands,” she adds.
A helping hand
Ultimately, the goal of the campaign is to make people adjust better to their new home country, but there is more to it than that.”We need to find those women who have been left out of the official integration programmes, or who have quit them,” Toivanen says. ”For instance, old age or having small children at home can make it difficult to attend meetings regularly.” Approximately 100-120 women have attended these groups in Vantaa during the spring of 2009. Right
now, there are six reading groups in Vantaa and the seventh one will start soon. But are there going to be enough volunteers? Toivanen says there is a vast group of healthy retired women who are constantly encouraged to volunteer with the campaign and organise their own reading groups. Forming social contacts and getting to know each others’ cultures is significant for members of the group. ”The very first goal of our campaign is to become friends with our students,” Toivanen says. ”For most women, we are the first Finns they get familiar with. Many of them have never visited a Finnish home before visiting ours.” Preconceptions exist on both sides, she adds. Because of misunderstandings and wrong information, some women can even be afraid to
Monikulttuurinen Vantaa www.vantaa.fi
Toivanen reminds people that teachers do not get payed for what they do. ”All teachers work as volunteers, but the campaign covers all teaching expenses, textbooks etc. Because of this, new groups are constantly created. In my opinion, this shows that most Finns take the immigration issue seriously.” Recession often brings out racism, Salonen adds. The media can also give a one-sided impression on matters. However, she thinks that immigrant-related issues are taken seriously in Vantaa and that the city is eager to cooperate. ”For example, we have a positive connection with the city’s health services and we are also in touch with the employment office,” she says. ”It has been amazing to see how this project is moving on and how more groups are created.” This proves that most Finns as well as the city’s officials understand how difficult it is to live without being able to communicate properly, and that they are willing to do something concrete about it.
Wed 3 to Sat 6 June Backas Jazz A festival of Swing and Big Band music. Backas estate Tickets €12-60 www.velmu.net Fri 13 & Sat 14 June Myötätuulirock 2009 Apulanta, Pete Parkkonen, Anna Abreu, Stratovarius and more. Hakunila sports park Luotikuja Tickets €35/30 (1 day), €60/50 (2 days) www.mtr.fi
OTHER Mondays until 15 June Multicultural Arts & Crafts Club For girls aged 7-12. Make for example cards, jewellery, gifts, potting, sewing and so on. The club closes on 15 June. Silkin Portti, 15:00 - 17:00 Tikkurilantie 44 F, 2nd floor 040 8367599 Tuesdays Silkin Kahvila International café for meeting new people. Silkin Portti, 16:00 - 18:00 Tikkurilantie 44 F, 2nd floor 040 8367599 Sat 6 & Sun 7 June Free Wii Games As part of the ongoing Move and Play! exhibition, the latest Nintendo Wii games are free for all to try out and enjoy. Heureka Science Centre, 11:00 - 17:00 Tiedepuisto 1 Special prices & opening hours: see www.heureka.fi or call 09 85799 Until 20 September Sissit siivillä! Fascinating exhibition about Finnish patrol pilots during the Second World War. Finnish Aviation Museum Tietotie 3 Tickets €6/3 www.ilmailumuseo.fi Fri 19 June Midsummer’s festivities Celebrate traditional Midsummer’s Eve amid idyllic surroundings in an old riverside mill and restaurant. At 21:00 a bonfire will be set up by the banks of the river. Veininmylly, 18:00 - 24:00 Tikkurilantie 42 www.veininmylly.fi 09-857 33 44
n i g n i
v i L a i k a v o l
s o k k Ke
THE 1970S IS IDENTIFIED WITH UGLY CONCRETE BLOCKS, SYNTHETIC MATERIALS, QUESTIONABLE SOVIET RELATIONS AND, OF COURSE, AN EMBARRASSING DRESS SENSE. INSTEAD OF NOSTALGIA, THE DECADE TENDS TO RAISE A QUESTION:
”What on earth were people thinking?”
Photo: Puolustusvoimat
WORLD EVENTS Apollo 13
Idi Amin’s dictatorship in Uganda begins
Munich Summer Olympics: 11 Israeli athletes kidnapped and murdered by terrorists
Egypt launches the Yom Kippur War against Israel; Vietnam War draws to a close
Nixon resigns; Oil Crisis continues
1970
1971
1972
1973
1974
first Ruisrock festival
unemployment benefits
Finnish runner Lasse Virén wins two gold medals in Munich
free-trade agreement with EEC; first Finnish Lotto millionaire
Finnish government initiates campaign to conserve energy
FINNISH EVENTS
SUMMER FESTIVALS
2009 YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO GOOD TIMES
2009
FESTIVAL RULE #1 NO PAIN, NO GAIN Matti Koskinen
FESTIVAL GUIDE 2009 The offerings of the summer festivities in Finland may seem overwhelming. To help you decide, here is the 6D 2009 Festival Guide with all the essential information and a bit more.
JUNE JULY AUGUST
I HAVE TO admit, I’m not really a big rock festival person. I generally go for the bands, not the atmosphere, but for the hard core festivalgoer it’s not unusual for the latter to get the better of the former. Several reasons make seeing bands at festivals a lesser experience to seeing them on a show of their own. Not least having to share the experience with 20,000 others, 5,000 of whom are potentially enthusiasts of the band in question, while the other 15,000 are simply going with the festival spirit. All in all, festivals can be an ordeal – which is one of the reasons they will always remain a domain of the young and the reckless. There’s the uncomfortable camping life, the mile-long queues to the beer tent, to the bathroom, and back to the beer tent, the food poisonings, and common colds contracted by standing in a puddle in the middle of a rainswept field watching The Cardigans play their warm and fuzzy country-tinged pop. There are scheduling conflicts (who told the organisers to pit Testament and Slayer in competing timeslots!), whiny/overexcited friends, obnoxious security personnel and on and on. And of course there’s the most obvious pitfall of them all: too much beer-soaked fun. Cue lost mobiles, smashed Ray-Bans, stolen wallets and an assortment of war wounds. And yet I find myself year after year packing the trusty old backpack and trudging off to another remote corner of the world that is about to be turned into a seething pool of music, youth and hormones. After all, all those turn-offs pale in comparison to the sheer bliss of the collective musical experience. Never mind the snobbish voice in the back of the head – silence it and have a good time, that’s the key. And in the end, thinking back to past summers and past festivals, you seldom relive the times you felt bad. Instead, the misfortunes are turned into gilded tall tales, to be shared with the proud grin of a survivor. Because the Finnish summer is brief like youth itself, to be made the most of. And it’s that intensely ephemeral feeling that you get from going with the flow, encountering the elements, getting drunk and stupid or witnessing a unique live performance, that makes for lasting festival memories. And so it will be again this year: Hundreds of thousands of Finns will flock to the scores of rock festivals to see Maija Vilkkumaa, Zen Cafe or PMMP do that generation-defining song and give them yet another “best-summer-ever!” moment.
Key: N $ + ∫ [ Ø ≤
metal indie/alternative pop/rock hip-hop/R’n’B ethno/folk jazz/blues electronic
JUNE Sauna Open Air Festival
N
When: 5-7 June Where: Eteläpuisto, Tampere Who’s there: Mötley Crüe (USA), Nightwish, Apocalyptica, Meshuggah (SWE) Tickets: €43-56/92 Say what? Wash your sins away, or commit some fresh ones… www.sauna-open-air.fi Kivenlahti Rock
Ticket prices are advance prices, where available.
MAY Funky Elephant
[Ø
When: 28-30 May Where: Tavastia, Semifinal, mbar, Helsinki Who’s there: Alice Russell (UK), Bonobo (UK), DJ Food (UK) Tickets: €0/35/55 Say what? It is said to entice some unique dancing. www.funk.fi/15/ Naantalin Musiikkijuhlat
[
When: 31 May-12 June Where: Several locations in and around Naantali Who’s there: Krzysztof Pendereck (POL), Emma Salokoski Ensemble, Cho-Liang Lin (CHI) Tickets: €0-78 Say what? The picturesque town of Naantali is always worth a look - why not during the festival’s 30th anniversary? www.naantalinmusiikkijuhlat.fi
+ $N
When: 5-7 June Where: Kivenlahti, Espoo Who’s there: Cradle Of Filth (UK), D-A-D (DK), Backyard Babies (SWE), Von Hertzen Brothers Tickets: €32-35/55/68 Say what? If Cradle Of Filth makes your skin crawl, check out the kiddie version of the festival, Pikkukivirock. www.kivenlahtirock.com Basso Festival
≤ ∫ When: 5-6 June Where: Helsinki Who’s there: Chairman MAO (USA), Annie (NOR), Kavinsky (FRA), Holy Ghost! (USA), Tickets: €0-25 Say what? Sneakers, trucker hats, skinny jeans, skateboards… www.basso.fi
Bad Seeds (AUS), Placebo (UK), Opeth (SWE), Emiliana Torrini (IS), Editors (UK), Raised Fist (SWE) Tickets: €55/75/95 Say what? ‘The party of people’ – a little something for everyone. This year’s line-up is looking less heavy on the metal section for a change. www.provinssirock.fi Myötätuulirock
+ When: 12-13 June Where: Hakunilan urheilupuisto, Vantaa Who’s there: Apulanta, Popeda, Stratovarius, Anna Abreu Tickets: €30/50 Say what? A chance to see all the bands you probably choose to miss in other festivals. www.mtr.fi Lumo Jazz
Ø When: 12-13 June Where: Restaurant Wanha Satama, Kuopio Who’s there: The Five Corners Quintet, Eero Koivistoinen Music Society Tickets: €20 Say what? Cool Nordic Jazz in a charming environment. How grown up! www.lumojazz.fi RMJ Party Camp
+ ≤ ∫ Provinssirock
+ $N
When: 12-14 June Where: Törnävä, Seinäjoki Who’s there: Nick Cave and the
When: 18-20 June Where: Kirjurinluoto, Pori Who’s there: Nightwish, Damn Seagull, Lapko, Matti Nykänen, Yölintu
13.–16 13 16.8 8. H ELSINKI
FRI 14.8. YANN TIERSEN. ROOTS MANUVA. LADYHAWKE. +MORE. www.flowfestival.com
THU 13.8. KRAFTWERK.
SAT 15.8. GRACE JONES. SEUN KUTI & EGYPT80. WHITE LIES. +MORE.
TICK E TS: www.tiketti.fi / 0600 11616, www.lippu.fi / 0600 900 900
IMMORTAL VOLBEAT SUICIDAL TENDENCIES
NEUROSIS AMORPHIS MY DYING BRIDE THE FACELESS PESTILENCE ENSIFERUM STAM1NA GOJIRA BLACK DAHLIA MURDER PARKWAY DRIVE LEGION OF THE DAMNED ALL THAT REMAINS MUCC GIRUGÄMESH AMORAL DEATHCHAIN JON OLIVA´S PAIN ELUVEITIE ROTTEN SOUND SABATON FIREWIND GAMA BOMB PROFANE OMEN CALLISTO EVILE MEDEIA DAUNTLESS TUKKANUOTTA KORPIKLAANI BUY TICKETS:
SU 16.8. LILY ALLEN. NITIN SAWHNEY. COLLIE BUDDZ. +MORE.
26.-28.6.2009 HELSINKI KAISANIEMI WWW.TUSKA-FESTIVAL.FI TICKETS: 3 DAYS 85,50€ / 1 DAY 42,50€ TICKET PRESALE: WWW.TIKETTI.FI / WWW.LIPPUPALVELU.FI
SixDegrees Festival Guide 09 Nick Cave / Provinssirock
Tickets: €45/82/89 Say what? This beer-soaked ’party spectacle’ is said to be a concept of its own: Not just bands, but theme-parties, outdoor discos and karaoke bars. (Shudder) www.partycamp.fi The Voice Juhannus Himos Festival
+ When: 18-20 June Where: Himos, Jämsä Who’s there: Eppu Normaali, Disco Ensemble, Rubik, Don Johnson Big Band, Tehosekoitin Tickets: €45-50/77/85 Say what? Expect indie-minded 30-something Finns to go crazy over the comeback of legendary rockers Tehosekoitin. www.himosfestival.com Nummirock
N
When: 18-20 June Where: Nummijärvi, Kauhajoki Who’s there: Arch Enemy (SWE), Hatebreed (USA), Napalm Death (UK), Rytmihäiriö Tickets: €50/€85 Say what? The impressive selection of Finnish bands
Nightwish / RMJ Party Camp
makes this the perfect choice for fans of Finnish metal. www.nummirock.fi Puistoblues
Ø When: 24-28 June Where: Järvenpää Who’s there: Gov’t Mule (USA), James Hunter (UK), Ellis Hooks (USA), Hoedown Tickets: Main event €57 Say what? Arguably the best blues-festival in Finland. www.puistoblues.fi Haapavesi Folk Music Festival
[
When: 25-28 June Where: Haapavesi Who’s there: Frigg, Bruce Molsky (USA), Kornog (FRA), Liana, 22 Pistepirkko Tickets: €10-27/60 Say what? Bring the young’uns! Special tickets and programme for children. www.haapavesifolk.com Tuska Open Air Metal Festival
N
When: 26-28 June
Summer highlights Robin DeWan
Festival organisers in Finland are once again serving up a whole lotta heavy this summer. Fortunately there are enough uncommon acts on the programmes of the main festivals to balance things out somewhat. Ruisrock gets top honours for this year’s most inspiring line-up featuring Denmark’s progressive popsters Mew, hyper-hyped Glasvegas, gypsy punks Gogol Bordello and the triumphant return of Arizona’s
Emiliana Torrini / Provinssirock
Where: Kaisaniemi, Helsinki Who’s there: Neurosis (USA), Immortal (NOR), Volbeat (DK), The Black Dahlia Murder (USA), Rotten Sound Tickets: €42.5/85.5 Say what? Try to avoid getting tangled with chained people. www.tuska-festival.fi Summer in the City
$
When: 26-27 June Where: Klubi, Turku Who’s there: Rubik, Last Days of April (SWE), Traffic Island, Frivolvol Tickets: tba Say what? An indoor indie festival in one of Turku’s hippest live venues? Sounds too cool to be true. www.heippa.com/summerinthecity/ Pitkä kuuma kesä
$∫
When: 27-28 June Where: Suvilahti, Helsinki Who’s there: Mogwai (UK), The Flaming Lips (USA), Social Distortion (USA), The Sounds (SWE), The Melvins (USA) Tickets: €56/90 Say what? The rookie festival
PMMP / Aitoon Kirkastusjuhlat
surprises with an excellent lineup. It’s like Flow for people who like rock music too. www.pitkakuumakesa.fi
JULY Lumous Gothic Festival The name says it all. When: 2-5 July Where: Tampere Who’s there: Project Pitchfork (GER), Inkubus Sukkubus (UK), Vendemmian (UK), Deviant UK (UK) Tickets: €16-19 Say what? The biggest gothic festival in Finland – where else but Tampere. www.lumous.net Konemetsä
≤ When: 2-5 July Where: Ollila, Marttila Who’s there: Legowelt (HOL), Arne Weinberg (UK), Oli (Far Too Loud) (UK), Deadmau5 (CAN), Eternal Erection Tickets: €55/65 Say what? The surroundings are awesome but remote. See the website for useful information on how to get there and what to bring. www.konemetsa.net
musical hybrid Calexico. And when it comes to fine settings, it’s hard to beat Ruissalo seaside park in Turku on a warm summer’s day. Provinssirock also prevails with some excellent performers on the bill such as the ever invincible Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Placebo and the Editors. The other heavyweight on the rock festival circuit, Ilosaarirock, is presenting Norway’s electro duo Röyksopp and post-punk pioneers Killing Joke as well as an eclectic variety of Finnish groups. Serious folk and world music fans will not want to miss the long running annual Kaustinen Folk Music Festival – not this year, not any year. Likewise, serious electronic music freaks would never pass on partaking of the vibe at Konemetsä, this year featuring Eat Static and trance masters Vibrasphere. Another alternative favorite on the circuit is the multi-faceted Faces ethno festival in Billnäs, this year stretching out over a
Wilco / Helsinki Festival
Baltic Jazz
Mastodon / Sonisphere Festival
Kihaus Folk Music Festival
Ø
[
When: 3-5 July Where: Taalintehdas, near Turku Who’s there: Jazz Society Big Band, Blues Mama Sugar Dixon (USA), Alvi’s Dixie Stompers Tickets: €0-90 Say what? Try something called Jazzgolf. www.balticjazz.com
When: 3-5 July Where: Rääkkylä Who’s there: Eläkeläiset, Club for Five, Blatentsaine, Ancient Bear Cult, Tickets: €50/75 Say what? Old school Finnish folk music: a lot of fiddling about. www.kihaus.fi Aitoon Kirkastusjuhlat
Ruisrock
+ $N When: 3-5 July Where: Ruissalo, Turku Who’s there: Gogol Bordello (USA), Mew (DK), Slipknot (USA), The Gaslight Anthem (USA), !!! (USA), Neurosis (USA), Ladytron (UK) Tickets: €60-65/90/105 Say what? Queue up for the second oldest music festival in Europe. www.ruisrock.fi
+ When: 4-6 July Where: Aitoo Who’s there: Yö, Frederik, Maija Vilkkumaa, Kari Tapio, PMMP Tickets: €22-27/66 Say what? The middle-aged-or-older who’s who of Finnish pop/rock. www.aitoo.fi/kirkastus/
full five days. For those Helsinki dwellers who can’t be bothered venturing out around the country, you are in luck this year. Pitkä Kuuma Kesä festival, held in Suvilahti, is bringing Scotland’s finest, Mogwai, back to town along with Social Distortion and the extravagant psychedelic show of The Flaming Lips. Be sure not to miss the chance to get shouted at by Henry Rollins as he delivers a flaming Spoken Word performance. For those who really don’t mind going the distance for a superb festival experience, neighbouring Sweden’s Way Out West festival is worth considering. The organisers of this event in Gothenburg have once again managed to scale the heights of the possible in order to deliver a first-class programme including back-fromthe-grave My Bloody Valentine, Antony and the Johnsons with the Gothenburg symphony orchestra, Arctic Monkeys and Wilco. Roger wilco, over and out.
faces etnofestival ®
Multicultural festival 6th of June in Espoo Center
29/7–2/8/09 billnäs
Roots Village, children’s Small Faces, workshops, dance, theatre, circus, art, poetry, films, bazaars... Paprika Korps (PL) Puppa J ja Punky Reggae Band, Faso Kan (BF/FIN) Dobranotch (RUS) Pelle Miljoona ja Unabomber, Kaikukasti, Aurora Borealis (RUS) Transkaakko, Kuukumina, Underwater Sleeping Society etc. tickets: 5–120 € (Lippupalvelu, Tiketti) www.faces.fi | office@faces.fi RasePoriJazz 17–18.7.09 Tammisaari | Sixties Revival 5.9.09 Billnäs | Carelian Faces 18–20.9.09 Petrozavodsk
6.6.2009 klo 11-17 Espoon keskus Esiintymässä mm. - Suora Lähetys - Kassandra-kuoro - Klovni Wayan Sutisna - Teatteri Helmi www.espoomove.fi
Festival SixDegrees Guide 09
Tangomarkkinat (Finnish) Tango When: 8-12 July Where: Seinäjoki Who’s there: Finalists of the Tango Singing Contest Say what? A chance to relive scenes from Finnish cinema amid a sea of drunken middle-aged dancers. www.tangomarkkinat.fi Tammerfest
+ When: 8-11 July Where: Various locations in Tampere Who’s there: CMX, Tehosekoitin, Scandinavian Music Group, Martti Servo and Napander Tickets: €0Say what? Again, only in Tampere… www.tammerfest.fi Summer Up
∫ When: 10-11 July Where: Mukkulan ranta, Lahti Who’s there: Ceebrolistics, Ruudolf, Redrama, Fintelligens, Cheek Tickets: €15/25 Say what? It’s Summer Up so live it up and get the Rockstar VIP -ticket. It’ll be €10 extra. www.summerup.fi Simerock
+ When: 10-12 July Where: Rovaniemi Who’s there: I Walk The Line, Stam1na, Egotrippi, Maj Karma Tickets: €35-40/60/70 Say what? No use for lasers or pyrotechnics: at the world’s northernmost festival, the sun never sets. www.simerock.fi Pori Jazz
Ø∫ When: 11-19 July Where: Pori Who’s there: Erykah Badu (USA), The Brian Setzer Orchestra (USA), Raphael Saadiq (USA), Duffy (UK) Tickets: €0-68 Say what? Get your superstars, megastars and hyperstars all in one pricey week. www.porijazz.fi Kaustinen Folk Music Festival
[
When: 11-19 July Where: Kaustinen Who’s there: Mafalda Arnauth (PT), Toumani Diabete’s Symmetric Orchestra (ML) Tickets: €30-32 Say what? The 2009 melting pot offers Fado, Turkish dance, Beatles arrangements, Chinese traditions and a lot more. www.kaustinen.net Rockperry
+ When: 17-18 July Where: Vaasa Who’s there: Lordi, Apocalyptica, Ismo Alanko Teholla, Turbonegro (NOR) Tickets: €37/70 Say what? Who the hell is that guy holding a guitar in all the Rockperry posters from 2000 until today? www.rockperry.fi Ilosaarirock
$N
When: 17-19 July Where: Laulurinne, Joensuu Who’s there: Isis (USA), Dizzee Rascal (UK), The Dillinger Escape Plan (USA), Röyksopp (NOR), Killing Joke (UK), Femi Kuti (NGA) Tickets: €70
Say what? The friendliest rock festival in Finland has sold out annually since 1998. Legend has it that it never rains in Ilosaari… www.ilosaarirock.fi Qstock
+ When: 24-25 July Where: Kuusisaari, Oulu Who’s there: Heaven and Hell (USA), Elephant9 (NOR), Pain (SWE) Tickets: €39-43/69 Say what? The little man who could, Ronnie James Dio reunited with his old Black Sabbath buddies. www.qstock.org
Rock festival packing guide
Sonisphere Festival
N
When: 25 July Where: Kirjurinluoto, Pori Who’s there: Metallica (USA), Linkin Park (USA), Machine Head (USA), Anthrax (USA), Lamb Of God (USA), Mastodon (USA) Tickets: €89 Say what? Eardrums bleed… fi.sonispherefestival.net
What
a weekend of music, mud wrestling and moshpits.
Down By The Laituri (DBTL)
+ When: 28 July-2 August Where: Turku Who’s there: Paula Koivuniemi, Kari Tapio, Tapani Kansa Tickets: tba Say what? The Turku city festival has devoted its Friday to schlagers! Yay! Faces Etnofestival
[
When: 29 July-2 August Where: Billnäs, Karjaa Who’s there: Paprika Korps (POL), Pintandwefall, Pelle Miljoona Unabomber Tickets: €5-108 Say what? Bring earplugs. Not because the music is loud, but to drown out the incessant bongodrumming that goes on all day long. www.faces.fi
AUGUST Miljoonarock
+ When: 31 July-1 August Where: Tuuri Who’s there: Europe (SWE), Scorpions (GER), Popeda Tickets: €50/80 Say what? Buy the appropriate rhinestone-studded denim vest and travel back in time. www.tuuri.fi/tapahtumat/tapahtumat/ miljoona_rock_2009.html Ankkarock
+ $N When: 1-2 August Where: Korso, Vantaa Who’s there: TV on the Radio (USA), Testament (USA), The National (USA), Fucked Up (CAN) Tickets: €45/80 Say what? The closest thing to a rural festival near Helsinki celebrates its 20th anniversary. www.ankkarock.fi Jurassic Rock
+$
When: 7-8 August Where: Visulahti, Mikkeli Who’s there: Danko Jones (CAN), Sonic Syndicate (SWE), Riverside (POL), Asa & Jätkäjätkät, Tickets: tba Say what? The resurrected Dinosaurock is back for the second successive year. www.jurassicrock.fi
you need to survive
Niina Mero
YOU have already packed the obvious stuff, you’ve got your tent, a raincoat, painkillers and toilet paper. But what do you really need to survive a rock festival? Gauze A weekend of headbanging will make you bleed, and bandaids are for amateurs. Bring your own gauze. That way, even if you manage without injuries, you can always use it as a trendy headscarf. Condoms This one should be obvious. Even if you’re not planning on meeting anyone, let alone sharing your tent with someone, you never know what’s gonna happen. A guy stomps on your toes in the pit, apologizes and your eyes meet. The next thing you know, your sleeping bag is getting crowded. Be prepared. Duct tape A classic. In fact, people should always have duct tape on them. It repairs anything and everything, from shoes to tents to cars. And you’re going to need something to tape Corey Taylor’s mouth when you’re trying to kidnap him, because he looks like a screamer. A tall friend with broad shoulders Maybe you were standing in line for a kebab when the rush to the front happened. Maybe you were somewhere else, but there’s no way you’re going to get to the front of the stage
Helsinki Festival
[$+
When: 13-30 August Where: Helsinki Who’s there: Wilco (USA), Laurie Anderson & Lou Reed (USA), Oumou Sangare (ML), Sierra Maestra (CU), Ane Brun (NOR) Tickets: €0Say what? Since all the fantastic programmes couldn’t fit into the Flow weekend... Jalometalli Metal Music Festival
N
When: 14-15 August Where: Club Teatria, Oulu Who’s there: Solstafir (IS), Rotten Sound, Rage (GER), Death Angel (USA) Tickets: €60 Say what? The relatively young metal festival has established itself quickly among fans of the genre. www.jalometalli.net Flow 09
≤ $[ When: 13-16 August
Where: Suvilahti, Helsinki Who’s there: Kraftwerk (GER), Lily Allen (UK), Handsome Furs (CAN), Grace Jones (JAM), Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 (NGR), White Lies (UK), Final Fantasy (CAN) Tickets: €54/77/94 Say what? The coolest festival with a friendly atmosphere. Don’t expect anyone to sing along to Hanoi Rocks tunes. www.flowfestival.com
with the ‘scuse me, coming through’s. Mike Patton is on stage but you can’t even see the stage. This is where your tall, broad-shouldered friend comes in. Use him as a ladder and get ready to be dazzled by Mr. Patton. Camera You’ll need proof if your going to claim that you got to go backstage with Placebo or that you drove Nick Cave back to his hotel when he got lost, because no-one is going to believe you unless you’ve got pictures. Also, handy in case you need help remembering what happened, should you wake up somewhere you’re not supposed to. An ID In case you get lost, suffer a concussion and forget your name, or the security guys want it when they catch you lurking around Slipknot’s tour bus with a duct tape roll in your hand.
INFO Nick Cave and Placebo in Provinssirock Seinäjoki 12 to 14 June 2009 Slipknot and Faith No More in Ruisrock Turku 3 to 5 July 2009
Lutakko Liekeissä
N$
When: 22 August Where: Lutakko, Jyväskylä Who’s there: Protest The Hero (CAN), God Given Ass, Misery Index (USA), Pelle Miljoona Unabomber Tickets: €18 Say what? A great excuse to visit one of Finland’s top gig venues. www.jelmu.net
Viapori Jazz Ø When: 26-29 August Where: Suomenlinna, Helsinki Who’s there: Timo Kiiskinen & The Verneri Pohjola Quintet, Kimmo Pohjonen & Sami Kuoppamäki feat. Timo Kämäräinen Tickets: €20-26 Say what? Enjoy the impressive Sami Kuoppamäki in UNESCO’s World Heritage site. www.viapori.fi/jazz
SIXDegrees
15
Issue 5 2009
The good, the bad and the ugly
Tuula Ruskeeniemi
THE POOR SEVENTIES. For some reason the 1960s is generally thought of as cuddly and innocent, the 80s a bit silly but harmless, yet the 70s are blamed for deep scars in both the mental and physical landscape of Finland. The decade is held accountable for the horrid suburbs and for tearing down beautiful old buildings in towns and rural communities. Its idealism and stormy political climate have been called damaging. The entire 70s living sounds like cruel and unusual punishment: decoration of easily breakable chipboard and aggressively bright colours, topped off with the tight and sweaty fibres worn by its suburban inmates. Indeed, the whole decade sounds uninhabitable. And yet there is evidence to the contrary. There were improvements in social security and gender equality, the new elementary school system was designed to offer equal opportunities to all children, and class distinctions were fading. Prosperity increased, as did leisure: by the early 70s, working hours had been limited to 40 hours per week. Despite economic fluctuations, many people think that the employment situation was much better than today, and that people were happier. Summers were warm, fishing was good, the president was bald and you knew where a person was when he answered the phone. Perhaps the decade deserves a reassessment. Concrete comforts There was a green fitted carpet, horrible green walls and a mustard coloured sofa in the living-room. The kitchen had yellow cupboards and red drawers. There was a psychedelic wallpaper with huge patterns in one room and big flowers on curtains. Contrary to many beliefs,
1970s architecture was not inspired by sheer malice. The much maligned suburbs rose as a response to massive migration from the countryside to towns. To put it in cold numbers, in 1950 only a quarter of the population lived in towns. About 200,000 people migrated to urban centres each year between 1965 and 1975, and by the end of that period, 65 per cent of Finns were town dwellers. Urban families in particular were living better than ever before. In the new suburbs they got bigger apartments and at least older children could even get a room of their own. You had running water, central heating and flush toilets – comforts that had not been self-evident in the 60s countryside, although they were becoming more common. Inexpensive new materials meant that almost everyone could afford fashionable decoration and furniture and change it as the fashion changed or as the family could afford it. Bright colours and huge patterns in decoration, fabrics and tableware were ways of saying goodbye to the old rural values and hello to the modern, more optimistic age. Admittedly, they were saying it quite loud. Along with television, the sofa became more common in the late 60s. Previously, chipboard and foam was a luxury item, now everyone could afford it. Sofas were often red, green or brown, but television was black and white with a limited offering of programmes. There were but two television channels, and the commercial broadcaster MTV rented time from YLE. Because of this, TV gave a sense of community – practically everyone watched the same Finnish favourites, great sports events and popular foreign series such as Little House on the Prairie, Happy Days, Charlie’s Angels and Battlestar Galactica. In child-
”
Summers were warm, fishing was good, the president was bald and you knew where a person was when he answered the phone.”
hood memories, Lassie was always on. Then again, since the family dog was often a collie, or “lassie”, as the breed was generally called, it is easy to mix things up. The Invisible Man and The Six Million Dollar Man were on TV. It was terrible when you missed an episode because of the energy crisis. That was when they cut the power for a while, district by district, to save energy! Then again it was times like these when we all went out to play in the darkness. Television news also brought real war and terrorism into the living-room, but they did not seem to give kids nightmares (public service announcements or the scary clown in the children’s programme did, though). Fresh air and synthetic dreams Kids today… they sit indoors and chat on IRC. They don’t have a childhood anymore. I was lucky to get a 70s childhood. Packing recently uprooted people into the same residential areas gave rise to social problems, but for children it meant that there were always lots of playmates of suitable age around. Suburb environs offered an interesting playground with woods, rocks and sledge hills in winter. 70s children like to stress the wholesomeness of their childhood activities. They would spend a lot of time outdoors playing various games, do sports and wage blowpipe wars with the kids from neighbouring houses. Both boys and girls remember fondly the bicycles of the age: a cheerfully coloured Jopo,
a Tunturi-Poni or a Kombi with flower stickers. Jopo was the king of bikes, which “won all the races” or “took you anywhere, even where you should not have gone.” It is generally agreed that bikes had character in the 1970s. They were more fun to begin with, and could be tuned according to your personal liking. Childhood was considered safe and easy and not yet burdened with consumerism. Pocket money was small and you did not get everything you wanted, but you’d count your blessings – ice-cream cones cost less than a mark and sweets a penny. Although some would be happier if cameras had not existed in the 1970s, many kids and youngsters of the age remember how cool the various items of clothing were – at the time, at least. Ready-made clothing in cheap, durable and easy-to care synthetic materials made fashionable items much more affordable than in previous decades, but they were not self-evident. Sometimes clothes were still self-made and recycled from one sibling to another. Synthetic fibre was often quite uncomfortable, but when you got a coveted item of clothing, you had better love it even if it killed you. In the beginning of the decade shiny nylon jackets were the height of fashion: It was real cool! But also fantastically sweaty if it was warm and it was ice-cold once there was any wind – it didn’t hold water at all. The thing was also dangerous, because any tiny spark or hot cigarette ash would melt a hole in the fabric.
1970s THE 1970S had its fair share of problems, such as the oil crisis, economic fluctuations, unemployment, pollution and the nuclear threat. It is also seen as an age of idealism and activism. The environmental movement rose and took centre stage towards the end of the decade, but it is the abrasive 70s politics that still raises heated debates. There was nothing vague about it: East and West, Left and Right were clearly defined. The radical leftist movement has been accused of not only dominating but bullying cultural life in general and YLE – the Finnish Broadcasting Corporation – in particular. The term taistolaisuus originally referred to a section inside the Finnish Communist Party, but has become an invective that is more or less accurately applied in attacking any leftist political figures of the 1970s. What makes taistolaisuus a particularly poisonous weapon is that it is tied up with Soviet relations, a particularly sore topic in Finnish history. The term is used to imply Soviet sympathies, even treason. Who did and who didn’t belong to the movement, who’s denying it, what kind of damage was done and whether apologies should be issued are frequently raised topics. It is agreed that the Soviet Union endeavoured to meddle in Finnish affairs, under claims of friendship between nations. Differences arise from the behaviour of Finnish leaders, who are accused of bending over backwards to please the overly friendly neighbour. The counterargument is
that it is easy to be snotty about it today – back then a politician had to perform acrobatic acts so that bowing to the West would not mean mooning the East, and vice versa. The head gymnast was President Urho Kekkonen, who came from the predecessor of the current Centre Party. Whether he cunningly made himself seem a necessity, or if he really was the only one capable of dealing with the Big Bear and keeping Finland safe is still debated, but the fact remains that he stayed in power for over 25 years. He was often presented as a popular man of the people, but his powerful grip on Finnish politics raised objections as well. His long tenure in office later caused embarrassment among Finns, nicknaming the era “Kekkoslovakia.” On the other hand, relative prosperity and increased democracy characterise the 1970s. The building of the Finnish welfare state had begun and several social improvements were made. It has been said that the children of the 70s had everything handed to them on a platter – they’re a generation that is used to making demands and taking everything for granted. This claim is interesting, considering that it is the generation that is now taking leading positions in society. Three of the current party leaders were born in the 1970s: the National Coalition leader and Finance Minister Jyrki Katainen; Jutta Urpilainen of the Social Democrats, the main opposition party; and most recently, Anni Sinnemäki of the Green party.
>Continues on page 16.
Star Wars opens in cinemas
South African anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko dies
Soviet - Afghan war; the Iranian Revolution; Margaret Thatcher rises to power in the UK
1976
1977
1978
1979
Lasse Virén renews his Olympic victories in Montreal
first nuclear power plant begins operation in Loviisa
Urho Kekkonen begins his 5th term as president
the Koijärvi movement, which later leads to the Green party
Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) in Helsinki
Mao Zedong dies
1975 Miss Finland Anne Pohtamo is crowned Miss Universe in San Salvador
SixDegrees
16
Issue 5 2009
The danger of bursting into flames was not the only teenage problem. Because pocket money could buy only so many records, cassette recorders and tapes were essential. To catch the latest hits on the radio required special alertness, since before the time of commercial radio stations there was all of seven hours of pop music on the radio, weekly. You had to be at the ready, finger on the record button, and hope that the DJ did not babble over the end of the song. Grown-ups were also at a loss with new youth phenomena and society was keen to protect their young. Many teenagers fought bitterly with their parents about the right to go to rock festivals. The first Finnish festival, Ruisrock, was found par ticu larly da ngerous. Authorities cancelled the 1978 gig of the Sex Pistols because it was “damaging to future generations.”
Politics and pantyhose My memories of Finland in the 1970s are two-fold. On the one hand I remember Finland as a closed place where everything that wasn’t expressly permitted was forbidden. On the other hand there were good things, too, like the safety and predictability of society, permanent employment relationships, inflation took care of debts, and so on. In many ways, the 1970s was a two-fold experience. Life was better, more prosperous, more fun. But then there were the problems: the nuclear threat, the wars, pollution. For many, the highly politicised age left a bad taste in the mouth, especially the extreme leftist movement called “taistolaisuus.” I wonder how many people’s lives they made into a living hell? They were so naïve and stupid and so narrow-minded and aggressive, that you cannot describe in words. Yet many others state that the influence of the extreme leftists has been greatly exaggerated. There was a lot that was valuable in the idealism of
the age – there was solidarity, optimism, and a sincere wish to make the world a better place. In truth, the everyday life of most Finns was not much shaken by politics, and most children did not seem to be aware of any political tension. The continued presidency of Urho Kekkonen, embarrassing for some, was natural: “It took quite long before I realised that you actually could vote for someone else other than Kekkonen in presidential elections,” said one 70s child. Those with communistic ideals would travel to the Soviet Union in carefully guided “friendship tours,” but on the typical bus trip to Leningrad (St Petersburg) the tone was different. Some of the travellers were genuinely interested in the cultural offering of the great city, but as many participants had, at best, rather hazy recollections of the sights, the Leningrad trips are generally known as “vodka tourism.” If there was any idealism onboard these merry travels to the great socialist state, it was capitalistic in nature; everyone carried extra bubblegum, pantyhose and plastic bags, which were known to be the best currency across the border. Judging by the presents
brought back to Finland, kids probably had a hazy idea that the Soviet Union was a special country that mainly produced Matuska Dolls and floral scarves. Camping with Lassie I remember the beach and camping with the family and my lovely terrycloth daisy bikinis! And the tent was a kind of an orange cupola. East was by no means the only direction to travel. Going abroad on Interrail or flying to the warmth of the south on a package tour was becoming more available to the majority of Finns. A typical 1970s holiday, however, meant squeezing three kids, the resident lassie and a tent into a Toyota Corolla and hitting the road. Most families stayed in Finland, some ventured further in Scandinavia. On summer holidays, if we wanted to go on a trip, we always went to Lapland. We didn’t go further than that. If we could afford it, we’d take the ferry to Sweden and that was wild… a trip abroad, wow! Against all odds, both memories and the fading, reddish photographs speak of smiling families bathing in sunshine and lakes, enjoying picnic meals out of cheerfullycoloured plastic dishes. Even if
people looked like polyesterclad, sideburned and trumpettrousered aliens, this was no life on Mars – just pretty good living in Kekkoslovakia.
Some facts Reference: Sarantola–Weiss: Reilusti ruskeaa (2008) and discussions with 70s children. Quotes have been retrieved from various internet discussion boards.
HARD TO STAY COOL? Cool places to chill out >> www.helsinki.fi/en
Cultitude
17
Issue 5 2009
Chef recommends APPETIZER Column
Restaurant Madal Fresh Nepalese cuisine in the heart of Helsinki’s Sörnäinen. Photos Matti Koskinen
Slow food The secret to all good cooking is time, and this applies even more with Nepalese cuisine. My Piro Khukuro was done from chicken Tikka. It is made by marinating the chicken breast overnight with herbs, spices and yogurt and then it is prepared in a strong, spicy Nepalese sauce. The dish is accompanied by lentil pancake, basmati rice, raita or yogurt-based sauce, naan bread and fresh tomatocoriander pickle. The second secret of this Nepalese kitchen is still secret – the mix of the pickle is every Nepalese cook’s prerogative, but I can reveal some details. The most essential ingredients are fresh coriander, tomatoes which have been slightly softened in the tandoor oven, and lastly the liquid from mango pickle which again has been aged for a few weeks. This is anything but fast food.
Behold the barbecue beast Nick Barlow can’t grill at all, but that doesn’t stop him from trying. If, like me, you’ve been spending the last few months scrabbling in the frozen earth for rotten, crushed potatoes to gnaw on in a desperate attempt to gain sustenance, then you are also surely overjoyed by the arrival of summer. It means we are now able to enjoy the best food-related thing ever: the barbecue, or grilli. In my completely unprofessional opinion, nothing smells quite like the heady aroma of chicken breast, gently marinated in garlic, chilli and lime juice, and then scorched to a crisp by an over-zealous “chef”. This is more than likely the man of the house, who believes that a 12-pack of beer and a few shots of kossu are no obstacle to the creation of fine food. There is definitely a science to the creation of good barbecue grub. It used to be much harder in the old days. In fact it still is, if all you have is one of those small flying saucer-like instruments resting precariously at a 55-degree angle on two wheels and a crippled stump. What you really want, and absolutely should have if you want to be known as a real BBQ connoisseur, is something like the $35,000 Talos Outdoor Cooking Suite. This is a behemoth with a list of features as long as your arm, which include, but are not limited to: a more than one metre long grill with separate searing station and infrared rotisserie; complete food prep station; integrated warming draw and optional bartender suite, etc. Apparently next year they’re bringing out a model which draws heat directly from the heart of the sun and sucks you off while you’re cooking your sausages.
T The pair behind Madal: Bipin Shrestra and Amardeep Singh. Madal’s low-key décor creates a delightful homely atmosphere Anthony Shaw
Forgive me for not making the connection, but a local Indian-style eatery is not quite the norm in Helsinki, especially Sörnäinen, that most boisterous corner of the city next to Kallio. So write this name in bold in your memory bank, in case you walk past the demure window, as I did twice! Maybe the main cause for my oversight was the dissimilarity with everything one normally assumes to be Nepalese – no dragons or snowy mountain peak décor, only some rather discreet statues of the Buddha as one enters the plain beige front door. (As well as a beaming dancing Shiva statue in the window if you are looking!) This is a far cry from the Chinese emporium style restaurant too – more beige
in the interior, maximum 24 diners, and little spare space for dancing. This is a very new venture, having opened only in late April, the first project of partners Bipin Shrestha from Nepal and Amardeep Singh Bassi from nearby Punjab. They took the name from the cigar-shaped, double-ended hand drum, a traditional instrument of Nepal, wellknown to Bollywood fans, and available for dining enthusiasts. The intention is to create a class ethnic dinery just a hop and a skip from the tram, bus and metro stops at the top of their road. The main menu runs to 26 dishes, covering the full gamut of dishes typical of the genre and nearly all in the 10-15 euro range. These include a number of tandoor oven-cooked casseroles, chicken and lamb dishes (Tikka, Korma, Palak
and more), and a full range of slightly cheaper vegetarian meals. Spicing is generally not heavy, and most dishes include a flavoursome pickle made with fresh herbs, (often coriander) and, in addition to rice, a separate regional filler! This can be either Bara pancakes (a kind of chapatti made from black-eyed lentils) or Naan bread (a light, wheat-based flat bread). The lunch time buffet from 11:00 to 15:00 is generous and reasonable, and the food is excellent. The set price is 8.50 euros and you will leave the premises with your appetite well-sated. Or you can take it with you and sate yourself elsewhere! Beer is available (even 2 Nepalese brands), but the emphasis is very much on the select if short wine list, which includes only classic European wines and none of them availa-
ble in Alko! The whites include a special Grüner Veltliner at 6.50 euros a glass, and the reds a Flor de Crasto 06 at 4.50. Most wines are sold by the bottle and are more demanding of palate and purse than the usual table wine. Another speciality for the adventurous customers is the dessert wine produced in Kalkkinen – Pihamaa’s Tilaviini made from raspberries grown 35 kilometres north of Lahti. This makes dessert expensive and extensive if paired with one of the ice-cream based dishes. But, in true Nepalese tradition, weren’t you planning to trek home anyway? Restaurant Madal Kulmavuorenkatu 4, Sörnäinen www.ravintolamadal.com Intro in Finnish, but menu in English
here is definitely a science to the creation of good barbecue grub.
So much for the equipment, what about the food? Well, there’re your staples, obviously: meat chops, bits of chicken, vegetables, all marinated in various sauces. Needless to say, pre-marinated food should be avoided like the plague unless you are terminally lazy or a really crap cook. The aforementioned mixture of shed-loads of garlic, chilli and lime juice is more than enough to give the meal a bit of a kick. A few years ago a company produced some salmiakki (salt liquorice) marinated pork, which was possibly the most revolting thing ever. I’d rather eat pork marinated in tar. (Sounds delish! –ed.) Some food tastes brilliant when grilled but is prone to mishap. I once lovingly prepared some halloumi cheese, which when grilled and served with a sprinkle of lemon juice and crushed black pepper is the food of the heavens. Unfortunately, it can also get rather liquid when it’s cooking, especially if it’s not chunky enough. I know this because my wafer-thin slices of cheese melted through the gaps and dripped onto the hot coals beneath, resulting in no food, a bad temper, and a cloud of acrid smoke that could be seen in Mikkeli. Finally, sausages: don’t be too snobbish. The cheap and cheerful HK Sininen is not only Finland’s national vegetable due to its extremely high non-meat content, but it is also the best-tasting banger in the country. Get yourself one or two of those, some potato salad and a pint of cider and you’ll be one happy bunny, let me tell you.
SIXDegrees
18
Issue 5 2009
AL S P E C IEST U R E Q 2 0 -2 2
Tomas Whitehouse
on ) s y h a d M .6 z es We d n elsinki (8 8 H io R ad TS
What in the World Column
DJ SE
drum V @ Re rum 2 lub d e I R e HK C 12 Jun Top Billin @ drum e e R n u @ 13 J Billin neTop
2 6 Ju
Cross channel shopping Robin DeWan
WITH ONE of the strongest economies in the EU you would think the shopping in Finland, at least in Helsinki, would be on par with other European countries. The fact of the matter is that by most measures Helsinki is somewhat lagging. Partly this is due to its low population but I suspect something else is at play here. Some speculate that it has to do with Finns not creating enough demand or an inbuilt conservativeness in the retail industry, but the underlying factors are not entirely clear. WHILE trying to figure out the whys and wherefores and waiting for entrepreneurs in this country to catch up, here’s a tip: Hop over to Tallinn where a much better selection of products at much better prices can be found. No longer just about “booze cruises,” a day trip across the Baltic Sea harvests a boon of goodies you just can’t find in this country. Long gone are the days when the Estonian capital was a quaint, post-Soviet outpost with poor restaurants and empty store shelves.
Mixing STYLES with DJ Anonymous Sampo Axelsson prefers to remain Anonymous. Matti Koskinen
SAMPO AXELSSON, or DJ Anonymous, is a veritable pillar of the club community, a common sight behind turntables in and out of Finland and part of the massively popular Top Billin DJ collective. Spinning records in clubs since 1992 and on the radio since 1997, he is one of Finland’s leading connoisseurs and most prolific purveyors of dance music from hip hop to house, disco and beyond. He’s also a partner in Lifesaver, famed record store and vinyl-hunter hangout in Helsinki’s Five Corners. Anticipating another Finnish summer best spent indoors in dimly lit, sweaty clubs, Six Degrees sat down to pick the club music institution’s brain. What are you up to these days? Apart from playing the clubs I do a show called Special Request for Radio Helsinki. In fact I just switched my timeslot to Wednesday night. I used to do Saturdays, but it was tricky to fit it in with all my travels. I also organise events here and do some promotion for festivals, Flow for example. We have a new one coming up in Turku, called Turku Modern. It’ll be an urban festival centred around Turun Klubi and the restaurant ship Donna. For the folks from Helsinki it’s fun to party on a boat. Here nothing ever happens on a boat. Do you listen to dance music at home? Not really, not when I’m on my own time and not doing the
groundwork for sets. I listen to a variety of stuff, but I really like the more mellow music. From old soul to reggae and even some light pop stuff. How many records do you own? I haven’t counted them in so many years. I’d say somewhere between 5,000 and 10,000. I’ve had more but I’ve cut down on some stuff that’s piled up over the years that hasn’t exactly stood the test of time that well. How will a DJ work in the future, when all music is digital? I personally don’t think all music will ever go digital. The CD will certainly disappear, but the sales of vinyl are constantly growing nowadays. Mind you, a lot of that growth comes from reissues of classic rock albums. They sell better than new music on vinyl. But I think as a niche product vinyl will retain its position. It’ll remain a specialty item for enthusiasts and in professional use. You’ve been awarded a bunch of “best DJ” awards. What makes a good DJ, then? On one level the most important characteristic is just good taste in music. If you have a chance to bring it out often enough, there’s a kind of authority that comes with it. But it’s also about playing the right tracks at the right time. In Helsinki I play all the time to largely the same people, so I can’t always play the same sure-fire set. I guess
I’ve always been quite versatile, I’ve had diverse taste and I’ve wanted to play all kinds of music. What’s the next big thing in club music? I think instead of the full-on shameless crazy party music that’s been going around lately a more traditional, and even a bit more serious, dance music will return. The kind of “free for all, anything goes” thing is on its way out. What I mean is that making dance music will be taken more seriously and done with more ambition than just slamming two recent hits on top of each other. How did you come up with your stage name? I don’t know. When you’re a teenager you come up with all kinds of weird things, and it has just stuck with me. I guess there was some idea behind it, I probably wanted to say
something with it back then but I can’t remember what it was anymore. If you were booked to play the True Finns’ EU election party, what would you play? It would be so easy to say “I wouldn’t do it.” I’m generally more picky than most people about where I play. I’ve always tried to distance myself from a sort of coldly professional attitude, meaning a DJ who can go anywhere and take it as a job, play the records and send a bill after. I always want to be excited about the event myself, and I expect to get some kind of inspiration from the performance situation itself. But I think that event would be every bit as trashy as any election party, so something along the lines of (The White Stripes’) Seven Nation Army would kick about as much ass there as it would anywhere else.
info Date and place of birth: September 1976. My passport says Vantaa. Place of residence: Five corners, Helsinki. Education: College dropout. Family: Live-in girlfriend. As a child I wanted to be... You’ll have to ask my mother that. She probably has that stuff written down somewhere. The first album I bought was... like most Finnish people of my age, either a Kiss or W.A.S.P. record. I think it was probably the Animalize or Lick it Up LP by Kiss. The best part about my job is... that I get paid to travel. The lamest part about my job is... the occasional short night’s sleep.
FOR ONE, Tallinn has seen a burgeoning in the retail fashion industry. Flashy new mall spaces are appearing and designer brand boutiques are setting up shop. The
I
n Tallinn the store buyers are going bold and stocking their outlets with funky gear and blingbling a’plenty. store buyers are going bold and stocking their outlets with funky gear and bling-bling a’plenty. The recent opening of a Crumpler shop near Rotermann is just one example of how cutting edge brands are pinpointing the Estonian capital to open new franchises. Oh, and in case you have been contemplating how cool it would be to scoot around town on a Segway, Tallinn’s got them. TURNING to food, where are the munchies in Helsinki? This subject came up a few weeks ago while chatting with a friend and we were both scratching our heads trying to grasp why the top-tier grocery stores are so much better in Tallinn. Wander the isles of the Tallinna Kaubamaja and see if somehow a load of gourmet treats don’t find their way into your shopping basket. In the same shopping complex is a wonderful organic food store that puts Tallinn firmly in league with the best that Europe has to offer on that front. Stockmann’s grocery store is Helsinki’s finest but when it comes to exotic delicacies and organic options, it still has some catching up to do. CONCERNING restaurants, Tallinn has seen incredible developments in recent years. Helsinki also has some choice eateries but the ambiance and variety (not to mention the wallet-friendly prices) of what Tallinn offers comes out on top again. Granted, it’s hard to compete with the atmosphere of the city’s medieval Old Town but it’s what the restaurateurs have done within their walls that creates the real magic. WHETHER it comes down to relaxed business regulations, easy access to capital, a burst of post-USSR pent-up creativity or what-have-you, Tallinn has got the edge on delivering the goods. The commute is a bit long, but the bounty kicks booty. Robin DeWan is a musician, writer and conceptual artist living on Suomenlinna. He holds a degree in literature from the University of California.
Cultitude
19
Issue 5 2009 Robin DeWan
The writing on the wall
Long hot summer Robin DeWan
THIS SUMMER will start off with a bang in Helsinki, as Pitkä kuuma kesä gets underway at Suvilahti on the weekend of 27-28 June. Although the festival has been held for the past four years, this is the first time international big-name acts will hit the open-air stages. The organisers have chosen the performers with great care. “We wanted to organise a festival in Helsinki where the programme would include all kinds of alternative music: punk, indie, electro, garage, hiphop and so forth,” says Johannes Kinnunen of Fullsteam agency. Indeed, the impressive line-up of around 20 bands is a romp across genres. Highlights on Saturday include two of Sweden’s indie favorites: The Soundtrack of our Lives and The Sounds (sorry, no more room for
Swedish bands with the word “sound” in their name). As night falls, longtime hardcore favorites Social Distortion are sure to electrify the mosh pit. On Sunday we move from moshing to mashup when Girl Talk (actually it’s just one guy) dispense a whole lot of samples. Then it gets all intellectual, as Henry Rollins delivers a shouting spoken word performance. Prepare for soaring epic soundscapes from Mogwai, who are stopping by on their eternal world tour to demonstrate why music still matters. Their tunes may start off calmly but have your ear protection handy. Capping off the festival will be Oklahoma’s finest, The Flaming Lips. Expect cannon shots of confetti, a psychedelic light show, and possibly the lead singer strutting across the audience inside a transparent plastic ball. Now that’s entertainment! www.pitkakuumakesa.fi
Some years ago this would have been a police matter.
Robin DeWan
ALTHOUGH it was never in danger of dying, graffiti just got a new lease on life. Suvilahti, long abandoned as a power station and now an up and coming cultural complex, recently contributed a 100 metre wall available to any and all to paint as they see fit. This freeing up of the city’s zero tolerance laws concerning graffiti and tagging was the result of a decade-long struggle
by those who feel graffiti is a vital part of street culture. MP Paavo Arhinmäki proposed the idea for a legal space to do graffiti long ago and after years of resistance by the city council, the tide finally turned and a suitable site was settled on. The plywood wall has limited space and thus will constantly be “refreshed,” but photos and video of the works can be sent to Suvilahti’s website and stored for posterity. Arhinmäki is optimistic that this initiative will lead
Robin DeWan
to a “more humane, cultural perspective” toward graffiti art. Stuba Nikula, CEO of Kaapelitalo which administers Suvilahti is also hopeful. “Everything in our country and city is based on what is forbidden,” he states. By providing a legal alternative for graffiti artists, he hopes that less control and legislation will be needed. However, he does acknowledge that this is an experiment, the results of which only time will tell. Suvilahti power station
is celebrating its 100-year anniversary this year and the graffiti wall is not the only thing happening on the premises. The popular grass roots café Aaltopelti will open daily again in June. In addition there are a string of awesome music events scheduled this summer, including Pitkä kuuma kesä and Flow festivals. It seems the old power plant is generating a new kind of welcome energy. www.suvilahti.fi
Drama, trauma and trash talk Live Nation Matti Koskinen
AFTER four years, the stars of World Wrestling Entertainment return to Finland, this time with a roster drawn from the WWE show Raw. Come 10 June, WWE stars from Rey Mysterio to Chris Jericho and Triple H. will face off in Helsinki Ice Hall. In one of the main events John Cena (also known as the star of Renny Harlin’s latest effort) will battle The Big Show for the World Heavyweight Championship. Stakes are high indeed. Part of the holy trinity of uniquely American family entertainment (along with Nascar and Jerry Springer), pro wrestling strikes most Europeans as an astounding phenomenon: Big men and shapely women in skimpy tights and resplendent rhinestones pulling off acrobatic stunts in simulation of atrocious violence? Bring the kids, make a day of it! Aside from the sheer physical artistry of bouncing off the ropes and creating the (sometimes ridiculously
Get ready for gravity-defying stunts and good old-fashioned fake violence.
transparent) illusion of bashing each others’ heads in, what attracts people to the “sport” of show wrestling is
the ongoing drama, which extends beyond the ring. Instead of just lunging at each other at the sound of a
gong, the wrestlers engage in prolonged bouts of trash talk, which weave into whole dramatic arcs of soap-operatic proportions. Those of you who may be on your way to the event are probably familiar with the latest plot twists, but here’s a brief recap anyway. John Cena took down The Big Show at Judgement Day, another wrestling event. This did not sit too well with the behemoth know as the World’s Largest Athlete. The Show pulled strings with his business associate, the general manager of Raw, to stage a rematch (the umpteenth edition) 7 June, three days before the twosome face off in Finland. Cena, meanwhile, may still be suffering from the injuries The Show inflicted on him earlier by smashing him through a 7,000-watt searchlight. There will be no love lost between these two titans when they meet again in Helsinki. Wed 10 June WWE Raw Helsinki Ice Hall, 19:30 Tickets €89/79/59/49
Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips.
j Ä Ë jÍÁ ¬ Í? Ë Áj?Ë-jÖÄjË j ÍÁj Ä^ËW Í jÄ^ËÄ jÄ^ËwÖÁ ÍÖÁj^Ëa Ä jÄ^ËWaÄ^Ë ÁjW ÁaÄËjÍW± j Ä ]Ë Á Í ?ÍÖË|yËÊË ß CÄ??Áj ?ÍÖËo Ĭ ]Ë ?Í ¬ÖÁ Í jËo 7? Í??]Ë ÁÄ ? Ö ?ËÉ
"«i \ `>Þ À `>ÞÊ£ä £n] ->ÌÕÀ`>ÞÊ£ä £x
Íj Ë®å ¯ËϤåËooȤåËÝÝݱ jÁÁ?ÍßÄ jÄ Öıx
TVGuide
Previews
20
Issue 5 2009
Movie premieres
What to watch this month
Freaks
Charlotte Gainsbourg won Best Actress in Cannes for her roles as the home-surgery-performing wife.
Antichrist
Drag Me To Hell
THE CHARMING Charlotte Gainsbourg and explosive Willem Defoe play a married couple in mourning, who retreat to a remote woodland cabin to mend their marriage and their shattered lives. Of course, nature has other plans and the opposite happens. Soon enough the troubled couple are plunged deeper into the throes of emotional collapse. This latest piece by Denmark’s lauded director eccentric Lars von Trier has been creating controversy for its egregious violence and shocking contents, but was nevertheless selected to compete in the Cannes Film Festival. PREMIERE 5 JUNE.
AFTER a steady decline in quality in the three Spiderman movies, director Sam Raimi finally returns to his roots, that is, supernatural horror. The man who brought us Evil Dead, Evil Dead 2 and Army of Darkness now tackles the “creepy-old-lady” genre. Christine (Alison Lohman) is a straight-laced bank official, who declines a loan application and sends an elderly woman packing from her foreclosed house. The lady exacts a horrible vengeance, placing a lethal curse on Christine. Haunted by demons, Christine seeks help from a psychic – but getting rid of a curse is no picnic. PREMIERE 12 JUNE.
What to read
By Kati Hurme
Vastuullisen matkailijan käsikirja (Mondo
Eden Lake
2009)
Kalmari, Heidi & Kelola, Kati To travel or not to travel: Does travelling cost us the earth? So you are aware of the global environmental crisis and want to save the planet. Yet you want to see the world you want to save. You also know that travel destroys the environment and accelerates global warming. Here is the basic dilemma and ingredients for disaster in one. Is staying at home the only solution? Authors of ”A responsible traveller’s guide book,” Heidi Kalmari and Kati Kelola say: ”Do not quit travelling, do it more responsibly!” The pair, who work for the successful Finnish travel magazine Mondo, co-authored the book in March 2009. It was quickly nominated the best ecotourism guide book by the Green Party weekly Vihreä Lanka. The book is full of well-meaning practical advice. Let’s take a common Finnish summer weekend pastime such as a cruise to Stockholm or Tallinn. For example, WWF Finland recommends going from Helsinki to Stockholm by flight rather than by ferry since spending much longer time in the floating hotel cum entertainment centre also produces a lot more waste. Kelola and Kalmari say that a responsible traveller is an enlightened one who does background research and engages in thorough preparation and planning. Travel slowly, out of season and less often. Stay longer and make ethical choices. This way you can get much more out of travel, the authors advise, but they also remind you to stay critical and not take green emblems at face value. The guide book’s advice boils down to ”think global, act local.” Could your next holiday destination be only a train ride away? Have a responsible trip!
Mon 1 June I Am Trying to Break Your Heart Teema at 20:00 A documentary by Sam Jones, chronicling the recording process of American band Wilco. The creative process behind the album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot was a complicated one, resulting in one of the most interesting blends of Americana and electronics in recent years. Wed 3 June Smack the Pony TV1 at 00:15 The two-time Emmy-awarded sketch comedy by young comedians Doon MacKichan, Sally Phillips and Fiona Allen starts its round of reruns. First season, episode 1/24. Mon 8 June The Secret Lives of Hockey Wives Nelonen at 21:00 SERIES BEGINS. A new Canadian drama series exposes, er, the lives of the wives of professional
Steve wants to take his bride Jenny camping to the distant lake side, before the place is turned into a posh residential district. A peaceful weekend takes an ugly turn, however, when Steve gets into a clash with local redneck youth. Before long, the couple is fighting for their lives, escaping the meanest adolescents seen on the silver screen this decade. James Watkins’ film is both aware of the genre tradition and full of fresh elements. It loans features from such classics as The Hills Have Eyes and Friday the 13th, but in the end the viewer is offered a unique combination of truly chilling slasher and gritty portrayal of social reality, which makes viewing this film a very uneasy experience.
Filth and Wisdom Madonna’s acting career may have been a bumpy road, but her debut direction is certainly promising. Portraying three ambitious slackers living as roommates in London, this edgy drama comedy shows us both sides of the coin, and proves that there’s no one without the other. So what if you are a ballet dancer working as a stripper, or a talented musician doing S/M for living? Punk band Gogol Bordello’s front man Eugene Hütz plays pretty much himself in this film and takes care of the music, too. Vicky McClure and Holly Weston star as his sassy roommates. What the film misses plot-wise is certainly paid back in the energy and visual groove.
ice hockey players. Expect a bitches’ brew of love, lust and mind games similar to the UK version about Footballers’ Wives.
abilities of real life midgets and contortionists, creating an eerie and disturbing imagery worthy of the film’s cult following. (CERT 15)
Wed 10 June Robert Mapplethorpe & Sam Wagstaff Nelonen at 22:00 A dramatic documentary about the torrid love affair between photographer Robert Mapplethorpe and curator Sam Wagstaff in New York in the 1970s and 80s. Bohemian Mapplethorpe initiated the dry, academic and wealthy Wagstaff into SM clubs and subcultures.
Thu 18 June Starsky & Hutch Nelonen at 22:00 Comedians Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson star as the titular pair in this remake of the classic 1970s cop series. The leading duo are bested by rapper Snoop Dogg, though, who steals the show as the snitch Huggy Bear.
Tue 16 June Freaks Teema at 23:40 This legendary horror classic by director Tod Browning was caught in censorship in 1932. It is the story of a group of circus freaks who decide to exact a terrifying revenge on their tormenters. Browning employed the acting
Thu 25 May Cheech And Chong’s Next Movie MTV3 at 23:30 Everybody’s favourite potheads Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong are at it again. No plot, no direction, no clue – the necessary elements of a rowdy marijuana-fuelled road movie are all there. Hot chicks, fast cars and mysterious strangers await the lethargic duo on their various misadventures.
TV column
New on DVD
By Ksenia Glebova
Cheech And Chong’s Next Movie
Back in the Cone-Zone Matti Koskinen
AFTER a one-month hiatus, Finland’s favourite IrishAmerican talk show host returns to work on 1 June, taking over from retiring Jay Leno as the new host of The
Tonight Show. After 13 years as the titular host of Late Night with Conan O’Brien, the gangly comedian is finally moving up on the talk show ladder. Heavy on self-deprecation, Conan’s humour has had an immediate place in the hearts of Finns, a nation of proud self-loathers. This love affair between a nation and a comedian was sparked with a casual exchange of insults, only to be aggravated by the discovery that O’Brien is the spitting image of our incumbent president! Some snowballing later, a full episode documenting Conan’s visit to the bizarre North was broadcast, complete with loony fans and an audience with the prez.
Now Conan’s trademark coif will be under more scrutiny than ever: An hour earlier timeslot means more viewers, more dollars, and less freedom to be silly and unprofessional. Despite repeated promises that the step up will not dilute the random, downright surreal humour of Late Night, only time will tell if characters such as Masturbating Bear or the ever-unpopular FedEx Pope ever grace the screen again. And more importantly, will there ever be another Finland Friday? The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien premieres 4 June on SUB at 01:00
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 5 2009
Free entrance www.mascot.fi (09) 753 5878
Music_Clubs Fri 29 May Kiki Pau, The Bad Ceasars Club Panic presents two indie pop bands. Bar Lepakkomies, 22:00 Helsinginkatu 1 Tickets €4 www.lepakkomies.fi 09 713455 Fri 29 & Sat 30 May Funky Elephant A festival dedicated to rhythm music. Tavastia Club, 21:00 Urho Kekkosen katu 4-6 Semifinal, 21:00 Urho Kekkosen katu 6 Tickets €30/28.5 www.funk.fi
Fri 5 June The Over Attacks, The Testicals, Need for Treatment Three punk inspired bands. Semifinal, 21:00 Urho Kekkosen katu 6 Tickets €5/6.5 www.semifinal.fi
Robin DeWan
TV OFF
Sun 7 June Method Man & Redman (USA) A double team of rap superstars. Nosturi, 20:00 Telakkakatu 8 Tickets €44 www.elmu.fi 09 6811880 Aavikko
Wed 3 June Viola 10th annual Viola’s day fest for pop enthusiasts. Semifinal, 20:00 Urho Kekkosen katu 6 Tickets €7/6.5 www.semifinal.fi Wed 3 June The Gaslight Anthem (USA) The band mixes punk and folk rock. Tavastia Club Urho Kekkosen katu 4-6 Tickets €17/15.5 www.tavastiaklubi.fi 09 77467423
Maritta Kuula
Wed 3 to Sat 6 June Backas Jazz Swing music festival in Vantaa. Mansion Backas Ylästöntie 28 Tickets €12-60 www.backasjazz.fi 050 67384
Fri 5 June Robin DeWan Record release party plus didgeridoo performance Café Mascot Neljäs linja 2
Mon 8 June Rajaton & The Real Group (SWE) A cappella music. Savoy Theatre, 18:00, 20:30 Kasarmikatu 46-48 Tickets €35/25 www.savoyteatteri.fi 09 31012000 Tue 9 June Grupo Choramba String music based on Brazilian choro, samba and bossa nova styles. Villa Aino Ackté, 19:00 Tullisaaren ulkoilupuisto Tickets €10 www.ainoacktenhuvila.fi 09 31088408
Wed 3 June Johnny Winter (USA) Blues guitar playing from America. Finlandia Hall, 20:00 Mannerheimintie 13 E Tickets €59/54 www.finlandiatalo.fi 09 4024211
Thu 4 June Wooden Shjips (USA) A quartet from San Francisco playing loud rock’n’roll in a style heavily influenced by experimentalism, psychedelia, classical minimalism and garage rock excess. Tavastia Club Urho Kekkosen katu 4-6 Tickets €17/15.5 www.tavastiaklubi.fi 09 77467423
Sat 6 June I’m Gonna Tell Ya Mum A club involving hip music and lots of dancing. Bar Loop Fredrikinkatu 42 Free entrance www.loop.fi Sat 6 June Intohimo (SWE), Saving Joshua (SWE) Emocore music from Sweden. Semifinal, 21:00 Urho Kekkosen katu 6 Tickets €8/7.5 www.semifinal.fi
Tue 2 June Deerhunter (USA) A fusion of minimalist ambient music and garage rock. Tavastia Club Urho Kekkosen katu 4-6 Tickets €22/20.5 www.tavastiaklubi.fi 09 77467423 Tue 2 June Zion Train (UK) This reggae club will have a British guest. Virgin Oil Co., 21:00 Mannerheimintie 5 Tickets €10 www.virginoil.fi 010 7664000
Fri 5 to Sun 7 June Kivenlahti Rock A middle-sized rock festival in Espoo. Kivenlahti Marinsatamantie 1 Tickets €32-68 www.kivenlahtirock.com 040 5031319 Sat 6 June My First Band, TV Off Two colourful pop bands. Virgin Oil Co., 22:00 Mannerheimintie 5 Tickets €10 www.virginoil.fi 010 7664000
Sat 30 May Taxi Taxi! (SWE) Two talented twins write brilliant songs and sing them with mesmerizing sweetness. Korjaamo Culture Factory, 22:00 Töölönkatu 51 Tickets €8.5 www.korjaamo.fi 0207417000 Mon 1 June Duo Meteliza Slavic folk music. Espa Stage, 18:30 Esplanade Park Free entrance www.espanlava.fi 09 31036564
21
On Ice & Exposition
Wed 10 June Maritta Kuula Tenderly rough songs, in which joy and sorrow go hand in hand like light and shadow. Villa Aino Ackté, 19:00 Tullisaaren ulkoilupuisto Tickets €8/5 www.ainoacktenhuvila.fi 09 31088408 Wed 10 June P.O.S. (USA), Giant Räbät feat. Laineen Kasperi & Rauha Täti A popular rapper from Minneapolis and an enjoyable supporting act. Gloria Cultural Arena, 21:00 Pieni Roobertinkatu 12 Tickets €10 www.nk.hel.fi/gloria 09 31045812 Thu 11 June Aavikko A synth organ beat band. Kuudes linja, 21:00 Kaikukatu 4 Tickets €7 www.kuudeslinja.com Fri 12 & Sat 13 June On the Street Festival A two-day outdoor event offers the finest selection of rhythm based music from Finland and abroad. Hakunila Sports Park Luotikuja 2 Tickets €39/22 www.otsfest.net 044 5838313
Kalevala
Sat 13 June Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti (USA) The king of Lo-Fi-pop and his band. Korjaamo Culture Factory, 21:00 Töölönkatu 51 Tickets €18/16.50 www.korjaamo.fi 0207417000
THIS
MONTH’S PICK Petri Virtanen
Sat 13 June Kaisafest The festival line-up includes Eva Dahlgren, Kolmas nainen, Egotrippi, Yö ja Maija Vilkkumaa. Kaisaniemi Park, 12:00 Tickets €50/45.7 www.eastway.fi 0600 414505 Sun 14 & Mon 15 June Metallica (USA) The heavy metal band. Hartwall Arena, 19:00 Areenankuja 1 Tickets €69/59 www.hartwall-areena.com 02041997 Wed 17 June The Pretenders (UK) A rock band who came to prominence during the punk and new wave movement of the late 1970s. Helsinki Hall of Culture, 20:00 Sturenkatu 4 Tickets €54 www.kulttuuritalo.fi 09 7740274 Wed 17 June Romance Oubliée Compositions for viola and piano. Villa Aino Ackté, 19:00 Tullisaaren ulkoilupuisto Tickets €10 www.ainoacktenhuvila.fi 09 31088408 Wed 17 & Thu 18 June Metro Station (USA) Energetic powerpop. Nosturi, 21:00 Telakkakatu 8 Tickets €25 www.elmu.fi 09 6811880 Fri 19 June Guitar Slingers (UK), The Surf Rats (UK/FRA) Hellbilly Party presents two psychobilly bands. Bar Loose, 22:00 Annankatu 21 Tickets €18/15.5 www.barloose.com 09 5861819
Walking on the Water is directed by Eero Tapio Vuori and choreographed by Helena Ratinen.
Walking on the Water In the beginning of June a few dancers moving in a wooden pool of water will be spotted near Kiasma. The occasion in question is the art work Walking on the Water by Eero Tapio Vuori and Helena Ratinen, which can be described as an environmental performance or a bodily installation. The dancers in the pool are in a state of bodily meditation and their movements create a silent, almost imperceptibly changing dance performance. The pool is surrounded by benches for the audience to sit on and perceive the movement for as long as they like. The performance changes its location daily: the first and last performances will take place in the lobby of Kiasma, the others outdoors around the museum. 31 May & 2/3/4/5/6 June Kiasma, 10:00–15:00 Mannerheiminaukio 2 www.operafin.fi 09 40302211 5/6/7/9/10/12/13 June Moonlight & A Slight Ache The Finn-Brit Players present two plays by Harold Pinter. Q-Theatre, 19:00 Tunturikatu 16 Tickets €10 www.finnbritplayers.com 09 45421333
Theatre_Dance 29 & 30 May Entre Tierras A dance work investigating cultural liminality. Zodiak, 18:00 Tallberginkatu 1 Tickets €12/8 www.zodiak.fi 09 6944948 29/30 May & 3/4/5/6/10/11/13/17 High School Musical 2 Helsinki City Theater’s mega hit from last summer, High School Musical, will have its sequel. Savoy Theatre Kasarmikatu 46-48 Tickets €41 www.savoyteatteri.fi 09 31012000 Sun 31 May Shoebox Tour World-class contemporary circus show for the whole family. Circus Helsinki, 19:00 Aleksis Kiven katu 17 A Tickets €10/6 www.circushelsinki.fi 0400 881204 2/4/5/7 June On Ice & Exposition A double-bill evening of contemporary dance. Zodiak, 19:00 Tallberginkatu 1 Tickets €17/10 www.zodiak.fi 09 6944948 2/3/4/6/7/9/10/11 June International Ballet Competition Young talented dancers from all over the world. Finnish National Ballet Helsinginkatu 58 Tickets €6-85
Exhibitions Until Sun 31 May Jenni Rope Happy 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 Until Sun 7 June Kuvan kevät The Degree Show of the Finnish Academy of Fine Arts offers art at its freshest Academy of Fine Arts Kaikukatu 4 Mon - Sun 11:00–18:00 Free entrance www.kuvankevat.fi 09 68033285 Until Sun 7 June Joseph James In-between Young American artist Joseph James’ art is about being open minded and aware of the possibilities that unfold from the act of creating a work of art. Korjaamo Gallery Töölönkatu 51 Mon - Fri 11:00–18:00
Free entrance www.kiasma.fi 09 17336501 Sat - Sun 11:00–17:00 Free entrance www.korjaamo.fi 0400 499396 Until 27 July Worth Painting The Finnish Painters’ Union 80th anniversary exhibition. 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 31 July Åsa Grennvall Jag ger dig ett finger, gissa vilket? Cross-stitch comics and comic originals. Arabianranta Library Hämeentie 135 A Mon - Thu 10:00–20:00 Fri, Sat 10:00–16:00 Free entrance www.aralis.fi Until 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. Kiasma 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 09 17336401
Out&See Greater Helsinki
22 Until Sun 30 August (Un)Naturally A perspective on what it means to be a man in the 2000s through contemporary art. Kiasma 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
THIS
MONTH’S PICK Rauno Tärskelin
Until Sun 30 August Works, Acts Photographic works by top Finnish artists. The Finnish Museum of Photography Tallberginkatu 1 G Tue - Sun 11:00–18:00 Tickets €6/4/0 www.fmp.fi 09 68663622 Until Sun 30 August Defiance & Melancholy The exhibition in Meilahti presents German masterpieces covering a period 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 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 Thu 11 June to Sun 30 August Expose Yourself to Art The highlights of the extensive Hallwyl Old Master collection, featuring works by Dutch artists. Sinebrychoff Art Museum Tue, Fri 10:00–18:00 Wed - Thu 10:00–20:00 Sat - Sun 11:00–17:00 Tickets €7.5/6/0 www.sinebrychoffintaidemuseo.fi 09 173361 Until Sun 31 May The Decades of Finnish Architecture Finnish architecture is presented by decades from the beginning of the 20th century to the end of the 1980s. 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 Until Sun 10 January 2010 Barbie – Still Going Strong The 50th anniversary 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 www.leikkilinna.fi 09 81631833 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
Tourist ticket A rug named Inspiration II by Jukka Vesterinen.
Ryijy Rug The new exhibition at Design Museum will present the Finnish ryijy rug, from old woven folk textiles to the latest contemporary works of art. Telling the story of the ryijy, the exhibition includes works by leading professional weavers and amateurs alike. The ryijy rug is an integral part of Finnish identity. Originally a thickly piled substitute for furs used as covers in boats and sleighs, it has become a beloved art textile enhancing the special events and everyday lives of Finns. Ryijy rugs reflect different periods, styles and orientations in art. They have been made by skilled women of the people following old traditions and they have also been created by Finland’s leading artists and designers from Akseli Gallen-Kallela, Eliel Saarinen and Helen Schjerfbeck to Timo Sarpaneva and Vuokko Nurmesniemi.
Sat 5 June to Sun 27 Sep Design Museum Korkeavuorenkatu 23 Tue 11:00–20:00
Wed - Sun 11:00–18:00 Tickets €8/6/3/0 www.designmuseum.fi 09 6220540
Sat 6 June International Record Fair Tavastia Club,11:00–16:00 Urho Kekkosen katu 4-6 Tickets €2 www.levymessut.com
Sat - Sun 11:00–18:00 Tickets €8-20 www.heureka.fi
Sports Sun 31 May Naisten Kymppi Ten kilometres long run for female participants only. Olympic Stadium, 13:00 Paavo Nurmen tie 1 www.naistenkymppi.fi 09 6840090
A
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.
Adults
Children
1 day 3 days 5 days
6,80 € 13,60 € 20,40 €
3,40 € 6,80 € 10,20 €
Others Sat 6 June Move Festival A multicultural festival offering puppet shows, circus and dance among other delights. Forum of Espoo Kamreerintie 3, 11:00–17:00 Free entrance www.espoomove.fi 046 6322851
Sat 6 June World Championship Eliminations in Football Finland-Liechtenstein. Olympic Stadium, 19:00 Paavo Nurmen tie 1 Tickets €33-280 www.stadion.fi
Sat 6 & Sun 7 June Ofelia Second Hand Market The style market will be held under the themes of vintage, gothic, burlesque, lolita and rock’n’roll. Gloria Cultural Arena, 12:00–18:00 Pieni Roobertinkatu 12 Tickets €2 www.nk.hel.fi/gloria 09 31045812
Wed 10 June WWE RAW Show wrestling. The Helsinki Ice Hall, 19:30 Nordenskiöldinkatu 11-13 Tickets €89/79/59/49 www.helsinginjaahalli.fi
1, 1A 3B 3T 4, 4T 6 7A, 7B 8 9 10
Budget Accommodation in HELSINKI prices from
058/2009
17,50 e/person e Right in th STADI U M OLYM PIC
Validity
tel. +3 +358-9-477 8480 www.stadionhostel.fi www.s info@stadionhostel.fi info@s
ce to Great plat other travellers! mee Helsinkitimes123x345.indd 1
21.4.2009 18:55:30
Out&See Tampere where to go what to see
Music_Clubs
THIS
by Jutta Vetter
MONTH’S PICK
Sat 30 May Tuomari Nurmio Tuomari Nurmio live on stage. Vastavirta Pispalan valtatie 39 Tickets â‚Ź8 www.vastavirta.net
Spy Museum
Sat 30 May Dj music Bigpop DJ’s Sami & Riku play music at Yo-talo. Yo-talo Kauppakatu 10 Tickets ₏5/2 (student discount with a valid student card) www.yo-talo.com
City of Tampere TAMPERE
VOCAL
MUSIC
FESTIVAL
Sun 31 May Piano Music Sunday evening piano music at the Paapan Kapakka jazz club right in the heart of the city centre. Paapan Kapakka Koskikatu 3 Free entrance www.paapankapakka.fi (03) 211 0037 Sun 31 May Ultimate Jam Session Open stage starting from 21:00. Age-limit 20 years. Amadeus Music Bar, 21:00 Tammelan puistokatu 34 www.amadeusbar.fi (03) 2145 053 Mon 1 June Guitar Hero tour Try and show your real Guitar Hero skills – maybe you can make it to the finals! Klubi, 18:00 Tullikamarin aukio 2 Free entrance www.klubi.net www.rockhero.fi Wed 3 to Sun 14 June Tampere Vocal Music Festival Five days filled with vocal music from all around the world! Different venues. For programme, prices and festival map, see www.tampere. fi/musicfestivals/savel/en Fri 5 to Sun 7 June Sauna Open Air Metal Festival A metalhead must! This year’s performers are: MÜtley Crße, Nightwish, Stratovarius, Thor, Apocalyptica, Hammerfall, Soilwork, Amorphis, Bullet, Kotiteollisuus, Viikate, and many more. Eteläpuisto Park and other venues Tickets ₏92/56/45/43 (depending on the concert) www.sauna-open-air.fi For tickets, contact Lippupalvelu at www.lippupalvelu.fi or call 0600 10 800; or Tiketti at www.tiketti.fi or call 0600 11 616. Sun 14 June Summer night organ concert An organ concert at the Tampere Cathedral, Aitor Olea Juaristi, Basque Country (Spain). Tampere Cathedral, 19:30 Tuomiokirkonkatu 3 Free entrance, programme leaflet ₏10 www.tampereenseurakunnat. fi/english (03) 219 0111, 050 469 1818 Sun 21 June Summer night organ concert An organ concert at the Tampere Cathedral, Minna Raassina (Finland). Tampere Cathedral, 19:30 Tuomiokirkonkatu 3 Free entrance, programme leaflet ₏10 www.tampereenseurakunnat. fi/english (03) 219 0111, 050 469 1818 Fri 26 June to Sat 4 July Tammerkosken Sillalla A pop music festival in the city center. This year’s line-up includes Semmarit, Jean S., Popeda, Maija Vilkkumaa, Jorma Kääriäinen & Riku Niemi Orchestra and Ismo Alanko. Different venues, most concerts on the central square Keskustori. For further details and prices, see www.sillalla.net For tickets, contact Lippupalvelu at www.lippupalvelu.fi or call 0600 10 800
A spy, me?
The Spy Museum “Knowledge is power. Secrets are hegemony.� With these lines
the Spy Museum describes itself. Now is the perfect chance to visit the first spy museum in the world! Located right in the heart of the city centre in the old Finlayson cotton factory, the Spy Museum is one of the most intriguing, and without doubt, one of the most mysterious museums in Tampere. You can explore the museum on your own, or if your current career bores you, why don’t you try your agent skills in the agent test? In this test, you have to solve eight tasks that measure your readiness to handle ultra demanding tasks in the world of James Bond. For groups, the museum also offers lie detector tests as well as VIP visits to the world of espionage with your private guide to meet the mysterious character Mata Harinen. If you have a bachelor party coming, the museum also offers “Marry a Spy� bachelor parties.
The Spy Museum, summer opening hours (June to Aug): Mon - Sat 10:00–18:00 Sun 11:00–17:00 Satakunnankatu 18
Sun 21 June Summer night organ concert An organ concert at the Tampere Cathedral, Jari Lehtola (Finland). Tampere Cathedral, 19:30 Tuomiokirkonkatu 3 Free entrance, programme leaflet â‚Ź10 www.tampereenseurakunnat. fi/english (03) 219 0111, 050 469 1818
Theatre_Dance Every Tuesday (starting from June 2) Summer Salsa Salsa dancing right in the city centre. The park of the Old Library, next to the Central Square Keskustori, 20:00–22:00 Free entrance www.tampereensalsa. fi/index_en.html
Sports Every Tuesday Trotting races Trotting races at the Teivo track. Teivo trotting track, 18:00 Free entrance
Tickets â‚Ź7/5.5 (agent test â‚Ź5) www.vakoilumuseo. fi/englanti/index.htm (03) 2123 007
For further details and exact location, see www.teivonravit.fi (03) 315 481 Fri 5 to Sun 14 June The 11th TUL Federation Festivities A major Finnish sports and culture review. 30,000 sportsmen and women, and 150,000 spectators expected. Different venues. For further details and exact programme, see www.tule2009.fi/sivu/english Sun 7 June Pirkka Cycling The biggest cycling event in Finland, this year’s event is the 32nd Pirkka Cycling. The event consists of four different series. Pirkka cycling is also an event of the Skandinavialoppet. For further information on the route, the series, participation fees and registration, see www.pirkankierros.fi/indexpy1.html 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.
x XXX UBNQFSF GJ WPDBM 5JDLFUT 5BNQFSF )BMM #PY 0GGJDF UFM ĂŚ NJO MPDBM DBMM -JQQVQJTUF UFM ĂŚ NJO MPDBM DBMM " TFSWJDF DIBSHF PG BU MFBTU ĂŚ XJMM CF BEEFE UP UIF QSJDF PG BMM UJDLFUT CPVHIU UISPVHI -JQQVQJTUF *ORVJSJFT 5BNQFSF .VTJD 'FTUJWBMT UFM PS NVTJD!UBNQFSF GJ
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.
Out&See Turku
24
Out&See Jyväskylä
where to go what to see By Leonard Pearl
Music_Clubs
THIS
where to go what to see
MONTH’S PICK
Sat 30 May Anna Puu The runner up of Finnish Idol 2008 performing at one of the hottest and most popular nightspots in town. Klubi, 23:00 Humalistonkatu 8a Tickets €12 www.klubi.net
Music_Clubs Petri Vilén
Fri 5 June Mikko Heino, Coffee Cup Trio Live music at the bohemian-style and only true coffee house in Turku. Turun Kirjakahvila, 19:00 Vanha Suurtori 3 Free entrance www.kirjakahvila.org Sat 6 June Monotonix (IL) Exciting and wild rock trio from Tel Aviv, Israel performing at Turku’s best alternative club. Dynamo, 20:00 Linnankatu 7 Tickets €6 www.dynamoklubi.com Sun 7 June Saving Joshua (SWE), Intohimo (SWE) Two Swedish emocore bands rock the joint. Klubi Humalistonkatu 8a Tickets €7.5/7 www.klubi.net Fri 12 & Sat 13 June Rock & Roll Sensation The boys from Helsinki are back playing classic and modern rock covers with their own style at the newly established club for live music (formerly Giggling Marlin). Apollo Live Club, 22:00 Humalistonkatu 6 www.apolloliveclub.fi/turku Fri 26 & Sat 27 June Summer in the City Indoor music festival presents two days of great bands at Klubi. The line-up includes Rubik, Last Days of April (SWE), Traffic Island, My Autumn (RUS), Medeia, Frivolvol and Polar Ends. Klubi Humalistonkatu 8a Tickets tba www.klubi.net www.heippa.com/summerinthecity
The lineup of Turku Soundcheck includes up and coming hip hop act The Gambit.
Turku Soundcheck Turku is host to several art, culture and music events and festivals during the summer, among them Turku Soundcheck 2009. If you lean towards an urban beat, you won’t want to miss this! The very first Turku Soundcheck hip hop and reggae festival was a smash success in June 2008 and now, for its second year, it is coming to you again with both Finnish and international performers and DJs. There have been no obvious choices when searching for a selection of performers. Quality as opposed to glitz is on the programme with, for example, Millon Stylez from Sweden, Dj Flip from Ireland, Marc Stretch a.k.a. Yay-Z from the US and Finnish acts Kaikukasti, DJ Leijonamieli, The Gambit and Graffiti Workshop as well as a horde of other DJs and acts from both Finland and abroad. Turku Soundcheck will take place at Klubi, a Turku nightspot favourite, on all of its three floors: Koko, Live and Ilta. Koko will open at 14:00 and Ilta will open at 21:00. So, if you want to experience the freshest hip hop beats and reggae rhythms Finland has to offer, don’t miss out on this event that will blow you away!
Fri 5 & Sat 6 June Turku Soundcheck Klubi, 14:00–04:00 Humalistonkatu 8a
Tickets €30/27 (2 days) €22/20 (1 day) www.turkusoundcheck.com www.klubi.net
Theatre_Dance 18 June to 10 August All Shook Up The European premiere of the Broadway musical inspired by the music of the King himself, Elvis Presley! This romantic comedy was based on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night and will have new Finnish arrangements of the King’s classics such as Love Me Tender, Jailhouse Rock, Don’t Be Cruel and Hound Dog. Even with Elvis in Finnish you are sure to be all shook up with music and dance! Samppalinna Summer Theatre, 19:00 Paavo Nurmen puistotie 3 Tickets €28/24/12 www.samppalinnanteatteri.fi
Exhibitions 5 June to 6 September Futile Matters: Turku Artists’ Association 85th Anniversary Exhibition This exhibition asks what futile things in life are important. In a time when the language of business is all-pervasive, it’s good to contemplate what is ultimately important. The importance of pointlessness can also be examined in relation to culture. Each artist in the exhibition has their own personal point of view on the subject. Free entrance on Fridays 16:00–19:00 Turku Art Museum Aurakatu 26 Tue - Fri, 11:00–19:00 Sat - Sun, 11:00–17:00 Tickets €7/4/0 www.turuntaidemuseo.fi
Until 7 June Benjamin Orlow Winner of last year’s Premio Arteingenua Art Competition, sculptor Benjamin Orlow’s first full exhibition deals with the growth, development, and organisation of both the industrialised world and organic form, representing interactions of forces controlling the world. The entity of the three separate works takes the viewer close to the mechanisms that govern life and laws. Wäinö Aaltonen Museum of Art Itäinen Rantakatu 38 Tue - Sun, 11:00–19:00 Tickets €7/4.4/0, family ticket €15.50 www.benjaminorlow.com
Sports Until 6 September Samppalinna outdoor swimming pool Located on Samppalinna hill, this popular site has a regular pool (50 metres) with a 1 metre springboard and diving platforms (5, 7.5 and 10 metres) and a kiddie pool with a slide. Perfect for the whole family! Mon -Thu, 6:00–20:00 Fri 6:00–19:00 Sat & Sun 10:00–19:00 Tickets €4/2.5/2/0, family pass €9
Family Until 31 May The New Kaboom A comics exhibition from Tartu Art School, Estonia, in the young adults’ section Stoori (Story) of the library.
Turku City Library Linnankatu 2 Mon - Fri 10:00–20:00 Sat 10:00–16:00 Sun 12:00–18:00 http://art.tartu.ee/kaboom 17 June to 13 August The Three Musketeers The classic Alexandre Dumas story, in Finnish, is coming to the outdoor theatre on the well-known Vartiovuori hill in Turku. Adventure, sword fighting and blunders in this adventure comedy will be sure to please the entire family. So come along with Athos, Porthos and Aramis and join in the adventure! Turku Summer Theatre, 19:00 Vartiovuori hill Tickets €20/18/14 www.turunkesateatteri.fi
Others Sat 6 & Sun 7 June Street art event On the first weekend of June the street outside the Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova museum will be turned into an art street. A communal art work will be carried out, using coloured sand to draw on the surface of the street. A temporary gallery will also be set up for local artists to show their work. The event is part of the Turku Energia Biennial. Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova museum Itäinen rautatienkatu 4-6 Free entrance www.turkubiennaali.fi
THIS
By Pirjo Sohlo
MONTH’S PICK
Fri 29 May Rock festival Naamat 10 years - birthday tour Kari Peitsamo, Foto and Kotoisat Sävyt take the stage. Naamat is a legendary rock festival in Muurame, originally just a camping party with a group of friends. Tanssisali Lutakko Schaumaninkatu 3 Tickets €5/0 http://naamat.rauha.net Wed 3 June M. Pokora This French pop superstar throws a club tour and will stop also in Jyväskylä! Expect a floor full of R’n’B people once the hit single Dangerous rings out. Kharma Väinönkatu 32 Tickets €18, pre-tickets €15 from R-kioski www.clubdeluxe.fi/mpokora Wed 10 to Sun 13 June Sataman yö Four days of Finnish pop/rock concerts in the beautiful Jyväskylä summer scene! Maija Vilkkumaa, Apulanta and even the legendary ex ski jumper Matti Nykänen and his band will perform. Jyväskylä harbour Tickets €12-23 Pre-tickets from Nikolainkulman Lipunmyynti, Asemakatu 6 www.satamanyo.fi/index.php Fri 12 June Pape Cisse 30 years – concert 30 years of West African drumming and dancing will be celebrated in this concert full of life and sunshine. University of Jyväskylä main building, 18:00 Tickets €5-10 Seminaarinkatu 15 Sun 14 June Anna Abreu – youth concert No age limit Tiny lady, grand voice. This Pop Idol runner-up is now a mature musician, heating up the dance floor with her Latin vibes and soulful ballads. Juhlatalo Juurikkasaari, 18:00 Tickets €13 Juurikantie, Säynätsalo www.juhlatalojuurikkasaari.fi
Theatre_Dance Fri 12 June to Sun 9 August Pirä ittes miehenä – musical Musical comedy about youths who want to participate in The Finnish idols contest at any cost. The jury are rude in their comments, even dishing out the fatherly advice, “Be a man.” Laajavuoren kesäteatteri, 19:00 Laajavuorentie 15 Tickets €13-20 www.te4.fi/portaali Wed 17 June Finnish social dance – lavatanssit Legendary Finnish dance tradition amid romantic scenery in the countryside, where our mothers and fathers quite probably met each other. Bus connection from Jyväskylä centre. Kuikan Lava, 20:00–00:45 Kuikantie 536, Jyväskylä (Tikkakoski) Tickets €7-11 www.tanssi.net/fi/paikat/Kuikka.html
Exhibitions Fri 5 to Sun 7 June Luonto & Erä 2009 National exhibition of outdoor activities, fishing and hunting. Jyväskylän Paviljonki Fri - Sat 10:00–18:00 Sun 10:00–17:00 Messukatu 10 Tickets €5-12 Wed 10 June to Sun 28 June Päivi Hintsanen: Poissa (upstairs) Timo Sälekivi, paintings (downstairs) Art exhibition with an interesting combination of media art and paintings. One of the most beautiful places in Jyväskylä to visit in summertime. Wanha Woimala, 12:00–18:00 Vaajakoski, Naissaari Free entrance
Issue 5 2009
Maarit Kytöharju
Jazz ensemble Kvalda comes home.
Kvalda goes
Summer Jazz The 14th Jyväskylä Summer Jazz puts the city in a groove. The
concept of summer jazz is wide open: it can be either club jazz, Argentine tango, drum solo or vocal ensemble. Concert places vary from shady jazz club Poppari to the classical concert milieu of Aalto-Sali (Väinönkatu 6) and Wanha Woimala in Vaajakoski idyll. The ‘must-sees’ of the programme are the famous Finnish vocal ensemble Club for Five performing together in Aalto-Sali with German beatbox artist Indra. Tango Orkestret from Denmark will present their taste for tango nuevo. The jazziest and longest drum solo will be heard in Wanha Woimala by drummer Mika Kallio. And of course, also this year Summer Jazz brings Jyväskylä native musicians back to their roots: one of the most anticipated visitors of this category is the lyrical and forest-fresh jazz ensemble Kvalda. For those who think jazz and the concert format are too ‘artistic’ there are club parties, the primary aim of which is to get people to dance like crazy. Thu 4 to Sun 7 June Jyväskylä Summer Jazz Various concert places Tickets €5-25 www.summerjazz.net
www.coloria.net/dig.art www.coloria.net/salekivi/index.htm www.jyvaskyla.fi/ kulttuuripalvelukeskuspalvelut/ naissaari Thu 11 June to Sun 13 September Arabia 135 – Ceramics – Art – Industry Exhibition of popular Finnish crockery and household decoration design. Info as well about the manufacturing and decoration methods as the materials used, and the more spectacular value is brought by artworks of artist from Arabia art department. Suomen käsityön museo Tue - Sun 11:00–18:00 Tickets €5, Fridays free Kauppakatu 25 www.craftmuseum.fi/index.htm Fri 12 June to Sun 27 September Graphica Creativa at Art museum The 12th version of this famous event collecting projects from all over the world. Graphics will be exhibited together with dance, music, photography, video art and literature. Jyväskylän taidemuseo Kauppakatu 23 Tue - Sun 11:00–18:00 Tickets €5, Fridays free www.jyvaskyla.fi/taidemuseo/ nayttelyt/2009/h0609
Sports Fri 12 June to Wed 17 June Rollot – Finnish championships in swimming and a swim camp for children Finnish championships for 10 to 13-year-olds. Great atmosphere
and lots of side events, such as the water polo tournament. Aalto Alvari and nearby, 18:00 Pitkäkatu 2 Free entrance www.swim.fi/100
Family Sun 13 June Sataman yö – family day Something for everyone: karaoke, children’s music, a magician and jumping bouncers, and a lot more. Jyväskylä harbour, 13:00–17:00 Free entrance www.satamanyo.fi/perhepaiva.php
Others Mon 1 to Fri 5 June Art camp for adults Techniques from painting to graphics. Suitable also for beginners. Jyväskylä Art Museum Holvi, 10:00 Kauppakatu 23 Tickets €36-90 www.jyvaskyla.fi/taidemuseo/ museokasvatus/tyopajat/ yleisotyopajat Wed 3 & Thu 4 June 4th Cultural days of Lutakko neighbourhood This ‘Lutakon kulttuuripäivät’ event will put the Lutakko neighbourhood into action by means of theatre, traditional dance, group singing, music performances, mölkky and barbecue. Lutakko neighbourhood Free entrance www.lutakko.fi
Out&See Oulu where to go what to see
Issue 5 2009
Music_Clubs
THIS
Heikki Toivanen
Fri 5 June Rubik Another album release gig worth seeing. 80’s-style progressive art pop that makes anyone happy. 45 Special, 22:00 Tickets €8 www.45special.com
Theatre_Dance Until Sat 30 May Myöhästynyt hääyö A balance between comedy and farce is struck in this classic Mika Waltari comedy, which is bound to have the whole family excited: will there be a wedding or not? Teatteri Rio, 14:00/19:00 Hallituskatu 11 Tickets €29/26 www.teatteririo.fi
Exhibitions Until Sun 31 May Nina Rantala - “True Romance” Photos of sailors’ tattoos, which tend to be romantic ideas and memories of overseas ports. Kummigalleria Mon - Sun 10:00–20:00 Hallituskatu 7 Free entrance www.pohjoinenvalokuvakeskus.fi Until Sun 31 May Riener Riedler - “Fake Holidays” Photos of environment-destroying holidays like skiing in Dubai or a tropical beach in Berlin. Rantagalleria Mon - Sun 10:00–20:00 Hallituskatu 7 Free entrance www.pohjoinenvalokuvakeskus.fi Fri 5 June to Sun 6 September Heikki Orvola Design, retrospective exhibition Orvola’s 40-year career as a craftsman has left its mark on the history of design. He used such materials as glass, metal, textiles and ceramics in the service of brands like Marimekko, Iittala and Arabia. Pohjois-Pohjanmaan museo Ainolan puisto (Ainola park) Free entrance Mon 1 June to Thu 18 June Jukka Itkonen: In a poet’s house A visualised exhibition of poetry, songs and word art in themes of natural phenomena, caring, city beat and any theme a song can have. Valvegalleria Daily 10:00–20:00 Free entrance Sat 12 June to Sun 2 Aug Lighthess of the nights, darkness of the days Exhibition tour in which you can experience lightness and darkness through Nordic mythology, time-honoured traditions and scientific observations. Oulun taidemuseo Tue - Sun 10:00–17:00 Kasarmintie 7 Tickets €3/1, Fridays free
By Pirjo Sohlo
MONTH’S PICK
Thu 4 June Duff McCagan’s Loaded New songs from album Sick to be played. For those who have never heard the name Duff McCagan, Guns’n’Roses and Velvet Revolver will surely ring a bell! Same guy, different band. Teatria Härkätie 1 Tickets €30/25 www.teatria.com
Sat 12 to Sun 13 June Terwarock The first edition of the event, offering 14 more or less alternative Finnish rock bands. Enjoy the wonderful summer milieu of Kuusisaari island, right next to the city centre. Kuusisaaren Paviljonki, 18:30 Tickets €14/9/7 www.terwarock.page.fi
25
Watti Walopää will be seen at the City theatre.
Try the Helsinki Times Subscribe today and stay informed
Taikaoulu TAIKAOULU is a new urban festival that turns Oulu into a magic
city. The City Theatre will present a multi-artist programme and the pedestrian zone of Rotuaari with transform into a magicians’ zone where people will be deceived and amazed by magicians. Magic can be found anywhere: on a stage or just walking down Rotuaari. The biggest shows will be seen in the city theatre. The main show will exhibit new techniques of illusion and modern dance. Tatu Tyni’s Multimagiga will make the performer fade like glitter, just like in the movies, or detach his arm and make it wander on the stage. IRU1 is a Finnish-Japanese story about a lonely woman who, by seeing hallucinations in her facial expressions, finally HELSINKI TIMES turns into a hallucination herself. In another show, Watti Walopää ja kadonnut hehku, the protagonist Watti relaxes too much and ends up levitating in the air and makes himself so small that the audience will hardly be able to see him.
Helsinki Times is Finland’s only weekly English-language newspaper. Pulished every Thursday, it include domestic news, international news, business, culture, a roundup of the Finnish press, a look at Finland in the world press, TV listings and much more. See the website for more information at www.helsinkitimes.fi To subscribe now call 03-424 65 340 or send your details (name, address, postcode, city and telephone number) by e-mail to subscribe@helsinkitimes.fi quoting ‘HT trial offer in SixDegrees’ in the subject field. Subscription includes access to the Helsinki Times website, which is updated daily and features full searchable articles and pdf documents of all past issues. Special offer runs until 18.6.2009 and is valid for new subscriptions only. Existing subscriptions cannot be changed to this special rate. Offer applies to subscriptions within Finland only. For inquiries on subscriptions outside Finland, please e-mail: subscribe@helsinkitimes.fi
DOMESTIC NEWS
On top of it all, there will be a camp for 10-14-year-old young magicians!
You'll love the way we print it
Fri 5 & Sat 6 June City theatre and Rotuaari Events in Rotuaari free, theatre tickets €20/17/10 www.taikaoulu.fi
Thu 18 June to Sun 26 July Ilona Kivijärvi: Intuition. Open every day Galleria 5 Wed - Fri 12:00–18:00 Sat - Sun 12:00–16:00 Hallituskatu 5 Free entrance Thu 18 to Sun 26 July Pirjo Sillanpää: Green tea, dozo Garden pictures from Kyushu Valvegalleria Daily 10:00–20:00 Free entrance Until 6 Sep Season of Frost The photo exhibition of the jubilee year of Finnish photography. Oulu Museum of Art Tue - Sun 10:00-17:00 Kasarmikatu 7 Tickets €3/1/0
Sports Sat 12 to Sun 13 June 25th Tervasoutu Participants row their big wooden boats over two days from Oulu lake to Oulu, 100 km in total. Check the schedule from the web page or participate as a athlete. Route via Oulu river from Vaala to Oulu www.tervasoutu.fi
Others Mon 1 to Thu 4 June The curious case of Benjamin Button USA 2008. Brad Pitt, Cate
Blanchett, Julia Ormond, Tilda Swinton. 166 min, age limit 11. Indie-cinema Studio shows as its last film of the spring season this story of a man who is old when he is born and an infant when he dies. Kulttuuritalo Valve, 17:00/18:00 Hallituskatu 7 Tickets €6 www.ouka.fi
The bigger printing house gives you more possibllities
Sat 6 June Pet show and official class for guinea pigs A contest of who takes best care of his or her pet (anything from a rabbit to a mouse), and whose guinea pig is the most beautiful. Maikkulan nuorisotalo, 10:00 Kangaskontiontie 3 Free entrance www.osjh.net Sat 13 & Sun 14 June Yöttömän yön kirjamessut – book exhibition A market and meeting place for writers and readers. This year also music will have its own department. Ouluhalli Sat 10:00–19:00 Sun 10:00–17:00 Ylioppilaantie 4 Tickets €4-10 www.pohjois-suomenmessut. fi/kirjamessut09
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.
www.iprint.fi
27
SIXDegrees
26
Both Indoors and Out
Issue 5 2009
COMMENTARY Column How to cripple your business in one easy lesson David Brown
WHEN TIMES are good, it is often difficult to evaluate the skills of the management. But in these hard times it is often quite obvious which companies are led by real leaders, and which are not.
Throughout the Year
BUT intelligent managers will always minimise losses, treat staff with dignity, and thus demonstrate why they deserve our loyalty and respect. They will not rely on the fear of redundancy to motivate staff, but will use communication and leadership skills. In doing so, they establish a foundation for future success.
Indoor and Outdoor Sports Facilities Recreation Areas and Routes Camping Boating and Waterborne Traffic Fishing Supervised Sports Sports Clubs
LESS far-sighted leaders have reacted to the recession with blind hysteria, crippling successful operations by firing key staff, alienating the workforce as a whole and virtually ensuring the company will not achieve growth for years to come. A slash-and-burn policy of cutting good staff is not only unethical, it’s bad business.
First on the Move www.hel.fi/sport
Tel. *+358 9 310 8771
News from Finland Subscribe today and stay informed. www.helsinkitimes.fi
FIRSTLY, we have to accept that firms exist to make money, not to provide an interesting alternative to welfare. It is not only the right of managers to cut jobs or close departments, it is often their responsibility to do so.
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 kaupungin matkailuneuvonta, Helsingin luonnontiedelukio, Helsingin Pääkirjasto, Helsingin tekniikanalan oppilaitos, Helsingin yliopisto/Kielikeskus, Helsingin yliopisto/Opiskelijakirjasto, Helsinki Business College, Henry’s Pub, Herttoniemen Kirjasto, HKL/Kauppatori, Holiday Inn/Pasila, Hotelli Artturi, Hotelli Finnapartments Fenno, Hotelli GLO, Hotelli Helka, Hotelli Rivoli Jardin, Hotelli Scandic Simonkenttä, Itäkeskuksen kirjasto, Jakomäen Kirjasto, Kaapelitehdas, Kaisla ravintola, Kallion kirjasto, Kampin Anttila, Kampin parkkihalli P-Kamppi, Kannelmäen kirjasto, Kanneltalo, Kappeli, Kauppakeskus Malmin Nova, Kauppakeskus Ruoholahti, KEPA, Kieliavain, Kirjasto 10, Kontulan Kirjasto, Kulosaaren Kirjasto, Kulttuuritehdas Korjaamo, Kuvataideakatemia, Kämp Galleria, Käpylän Kirjasto, Laajasalon Kirjasto, Lauttasaaren Kirjasto, Learnwell Oy, Look Salon/Hämeentie, Luckan/Simonkatu, Maahanmuuttoyksikkö, Makuuni/Kamppi, Malmin Kirjasto, Malminkartanon Kirjasto, Malmitalo, Mandarin Court, 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, Haaga-Helia Porvoon yksikkö
Do you know a good distribution point for
SixDegrees? Send us a tip! info@6d.fi
AS an example, I heard recently of a company who offered their staff a 30 per cent cut in salary. The staff walked out en masse, forcing the company to back down. Unfortunately, several of the staff had already found other jobs, and others decided they didn’t want to work for a company whose managers did not value them. As a result, the company lost contracts, and will now struggle to compete with the companies who poached their staff. ACROSS town, another company chose to lay off some senior sales staff on the basis that junior staff cost less. Loyalty and experience not only counted for nothing, they were liabilities. Better to be cheap and semi-productive than highly skilled and appropriately rewarded, it seems. BUT one key aspect of lay offs is not what happens to those who leave, but the message sent to those who stay. As workers, are we respected? Does the management actually have integrity, or just cute slideshows and rhetoric? And is the word “team” one which actually means we are all on the same side, or is it merely a mechanism through which workers can be distracted with empty promises while managers reap the rewards? It’s a simple enough message – if staff are not rewarded in the boom times, why should they make sacrifices when times are tough? WHILE companies spend millions on branding, team building exercises and feedback, what they often overlook is Business Logic 101. Namely that motivated staff work harder, sell more, and generate customer loyalty through enthusiasm. And the cheapest way of motivating staff is to respect them. WHAT all managers need to ask themselves is not what dividend shareholders will receive in 2009, but whether the company will survive to 2019. Has a foundation for growth been maintained, or has the obsession with costs meant that no one is thinking about future sales. THE recession would always have cost thousands of Finnish jobs. But hundreds of those jobs could have been protected through more competent management. Meaning the best some workers can hope for this year is that poor managers, like captains, will go down with their ships. 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.
SUPER CHEAP 99599 INTERNATIONAL CALLS! Works now with PREPAID SIM-cards! I go to R-kioski
I buy a Sonera, Telefinland, Saunalahti or Dna operator prepaid SIM-card. Sale places: R-kioski, ABC, Neste, Prisma, Siwa, Alepa, Valintatalo. I insert a prepaid SIM-card to the phone
I activate the discount by calling (24h) normal charge number 010-80-5555*
I dial: 99599 / country code / area code / phone number
01 80 0 55 55
99
46
59
8*
9
**
Example: Sweden, Stockholm 99599 46 8
***
For more information call to number 09 7703 8443
Price list: prepaid.99599.net
*call price is 8,21 cnt/call + pvm/mpm