I have only ever had one white Christmas as an adult, and it was truly magical. My family lived in a small country town in the eastern side of Finland, 60 kilometres from the Russian boarder, called Savitaipale. This is where my paternal grandfather’s side of the family is from. The town is so small,…
Category: Finland
Homesickness
I was struck by a feeling of homesickness this afternoon. Most of the time I go about my life without feeling it, yet every now and then it hits me full force. Being Finnish-Australian, I do add a touch of Finnish into my everyday life in any way I know how. I have moomins, Marimekko,…
Light Mind
Being originally from Finland, but living in Australia, I have often been asked what a Finnish sense of humour is like. If you are a Finn, you would understand just how challenging it is to explain it! Customs and beliefs are easy to explain but a sense of humour is not. A lot has been…
A Few Words
If I were to pick one characteristic of Finnish people, I would pick this: “Finns place great value on words”. The keys to Finnish character are peacefulness, calmness, and placidity. They value tranquillity, serenity, and silence. It is reflected in the way Finns choose their words carefully, how literally they take what is said and…
The Magic Word
To an English speaking person, Finnish language can sound a little blunt at times. Finns don’t beat around the bush. They don’t pretty things up. Finns appreciate honesty and straightforwardness. Finns are known for their dislike of small-talk. It’s totally debatable whether Finnish small talk even exists. On the other hand, there is a lot…
Wood-smoke and Cinnamon
The natural beauty of Finland is breathtaking, and autumn is no exception! Summer ends with an explosion of autumn colours. The forests turn to various shades of yellow, orange, red, and brown, or maybe I should describe them as amber, auburn, russet, and crimson. I am a lover of autumn, of earthy colours and golden…
Treasured Simplicity
Let me describe to you the simple pleasures of Finnish life. It’s an early autumn morning, there is a crispness in the air and a light drizzle but it is hardly noticeable. I arrive at the local Prisma supermarket store to collect some essentials to add to my already loaded car. I enter the store…
Everyday Moments
I have lived in Australia most of my life. We all get conditioned to the surroundings around us. It becomes everyday and something that becomes so ordinary that it becomes a part of our life’s fabric. What is interesting to me is that we become almost blinded to our surroundings, so much so that it…
Dancing Lights in the Sky
I come from the country of the midnight sun. I come from the country of thousands of crystal blue lakes, of untouched forests, abundance of wild berries and mushrooms, of reindeer and bears. I come from the country of clean air and where the lights dance in the sky. It’s the nation that loves tango,…
Apples of Gold 