Web Cam at West Harbor

Did you know that Port of Helsinki has installed web cameras in all its harbors - so anybody can have a look at the harbor view and which ships are entering and/or leaving? And since this blog concerns itself with Helsinki & Tallinn, we are mainly interested in the camera at the West Harbor, i.e. Länsisatama. Nevertheless, all the web cams are to be found in Port of Helsinki pages. You can download Port of Helsinki app from App Store or Google Play to view webcams and arrival times on your mobile device.

The West Harbor web cam link is on the blog right - this neat thing will be a permanent fixture on the front page. You can also have a look at - from different angles - the Länsisatama parking area. 

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary
joka tapauksessa = igal juhul = nevertheless
ladata = laadida = to download
pysäköintialue = parkimiskoht = parking area
saapumisaika = saabumisaeg = arrival time
webbikamera = veebikaamera = web camera

Helsinki Day 2013

It is June the 12th and Helsinki Day today! Like always, a lot of things to partake in and look at (check this link) all around the town! One of them, a drama walk at the city center takes you through Finnish history - a bit like the blog article Helsinki Statue Walk. You can rent a bicycle for free at Kamppi, watch Helsinki voluntary fire brigades competing at Hakaniemi, listen to music in many places around the town, and enjoy numerous other activities. Be sure to check that first link and enjoy your day! Hopefully it won't rain too much!

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary
Helsinki-päivä = Helsingi päev = Helsinki Day
musiikki = muusika = music
palokunta =  tuletõrjet  = fire brigade
polkupyörä = jalgratas = bicycle
sataa = sadada = to rain
vapaaehtoinen = vabatahtlik = voluntary

Estonian visitors in Finland

The distance between Tallinn and Helsinki is a mere 83 kilometers. This plus the fact that many Estonians work in Finland makes for lots of trips between the two cities by Estonians. Or as Postimees wrote on the subject the other day:

"Eesti elanikud käisid eelmisel aastal Soomes 758 000 korral, mis on seitse protsenti enam kui 2011. aastal ning moodustab kümnendiku kõikidest Soomes käivatest turistidest, teatas Soome statistikaamet. Kõige enam käis Soomes turiste Venemaalt (3,58 miljonit), teisel kohal on eestlased ja kolmandal kohal rootslased (0,7 miljonit turisti)."

Anything there you didn't understand?

Consult the vocabulary below :)

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary
eestiläiset/virolaiset = Eesti elanikud, eestlased = Estonian residents
etäisyys = distants = distance
ja = ning = and
kaikista Suomessa käyneistä turisteista = kõikidest Soomes käivatest turistidest = of all the tourists visiting Finland
kaikkein eniten = kõige enam = most (visitors)
kolmannella sijalla = kolmandal kohal = in third place
kymmenesosa = kümnendik = one tenth
käydä = käia/käima = to visit, go to
mikä on = mis on = which is
muodostaa = moodustab = makes (for)
ruotsalaiset = rootslased = the Swedes
seitsemän prosenttia enemmän kuin = seitse protsenti enam kui = seven percents more than
Suomen tilastokeskus = Soome statistikaamet = Statistics Finland
Suomessa = Soomes = in Finland
tiedottaa = teatada = to report
toisella sijalla = teisel kohal = in second place
turisti = turist = tourist
Venäjä = Venemaa = Russia
viime vuonna = eelmisel aastal = last year
vuosi = aasta = year

conjugation of "käydä = käia = to visit, go to"
Present tense: FIN: käyn, käyt, käy, käymme, käytte, käyvät =
                       EST: käin, käid, käib, käime, käite, käivad = I visit, you visit, etc
Past tense:      FIN: kävin, kävit, kävi, kävimme, kävitte, kävivät
                       EST: käisin, käisid, käis, käisime, käisite, käisid = I visited, you visited, etc

Icehockey in Helsinki

Helsinki. The IIHF Icehockey World Championships 2013. Now being played in Helsinki (and in Stockholm)! And although there are still tickets to buy, don't count on getting istumapaikka in the host country Finland's matches as this sports is extremely popular over here. There has been lots of upsets already , and more are likely to come. Mitaliottelut will be played in Stockholm - kultamitaliottelu on Sunday May 19th!

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary 
istumapaikka = istekoht = seat
isäntämaa = host country
joukkue = meeskond = team
jääkiekko,"lätkä" = jäähoki, hoki = icehockey, hockey
Kansainvälinen jääkiekkoliitto = Rahvusvaheline Jäähokiliit = International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF)
kulta = kuld = gold
kultamitaliottelu = kuldmedalimäng = gold medal match
maailmanmestaruuskisat = maailmameistrivõistlused = world championships
mitaliottelut = pronksimäng + finaal = medal matches
ottelu = võistlus = match
peli = mäng = game
pääsylippu = sissepääsupilet = entrance ticket
semifinaalit = poolfinaalid = semifinals
sunnuntaina = pühapäeval = on Sunday
toukokuu = mai = May
Tukholma = Stockholm = Stockholm
yllätys = üllatus, ootamatus = upset, surprising turnout

May Day in Finland

May Day is known in Finland as Vappu. It used to be celebrated as the International Working Day, a bit like today's Labor Day in the United States. But not so anymore. These days, especially on May Day Eve, it is a carnival-style festivity where people merely have fun and at the same time - weather permitting - have a fine opportunity to welcome the summer in city parks. In Helsinki perhaps the most prominent part of this celebration is the 'crowning' of Havis Amanda by students with a white student cap. And most everyone who owns one - regardless of age - crowns his or her own head with it. The white student cap used to be the mark of the working class people about to improve their social status. 

Vappu is also a day of special treats. Many Finns brew a drink called sima - made from lemons, brown sugar and yeast (and containing just a little alcohol so that even children are allowed to drink it). Sold in stores as well. We also make munkkeja and - to a lesser degree - tippaleipiä - crispy pastries fried in oil made from liquid doughnut dough. So if you wish to take part in the celebration, just get yourself a nice ilmapallo, wrap yourself in serpentiini and holler

            Hauskaa vappua!

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary 
ikään katsomatta = vanusest sättumusest = regardless of age
ilmapallo = õhupall = balloon
kesä = suvi = summer
munkki = sõõrik = doughnut
nykyään = praegusel ajal, tänapäeval = these days, nowadays
serpentiini = a kind of confetti, strings of colorful paper packed in rolls
sima = drink made from lemons, brown sugar and yeast
tippaleipä = crispy pastry made from liquid doughnut dough and fried in oil 
Vappu = volbripäev = May Day
vappuaatto = May Day Eve
vastaanottaa kesä = to welcome summer
vähemmässä määrin = vähemal määral = to a lesser degree
Yhdysvallat = Ameerika ühendriigid = The United States
ylioppilas = üliõpilane = student
ylioppilaslakki = student cap

All about Helsinki

Here is a list with links of all the articles that have appeared in this blog that concern the city of Helsinki. The list is continually updated. There is also a similar page about Tallinn. You can always get here by clicking Helsinki on the front page under Teretulemast. Latest update: 5.3.2013

Arriving in Helsinki - Finnkino in Helsinki - Helsinki Central Railway Station - Helsinki Day 2013 -  Helsinki Ice Park - Helsinki Senate Square - Helsinki Statue Walk  - Independence Day - Kampintori Meeting Place - Martin markkinat - Verkkokauppa -

Kampintori Meeting Place

Have you ever wondered what the peculiar structure at Kampintori is all about? Is it perhaps a remnant of the past, left behind due to its neat features? No. Instead it is quite a modern taideteos, by the Swedish sculptor Ernst Billgren, unveiled  in November 1998. It is actually a two-piece work (the other half is a short distance away on Malminkatu) and the suurempi piece (see picture) is called Suuri kohtauspaikka. So together they form Major and Minor Meeting places.

Meeting Places was part of an idea of transforming the former parking lot into a well-functioning city space, and now with the new Kamppi Mall nearby, it is a welcome addition to the area. Summertime also a favorite spot for skateboarders.
So if you are coming to Helsinki from Tallinn by ferry, and take the tram 9 and get off at Kampintori, why not go and have a closer look at this piece of art? And the city center? Just minutes away towards Ma-nnerheim-intie (see map).

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary 
jäänne = jäänus = remnant
jäänne menneisyydestä = mineviku igand = remnant of the past
kaksiosainen = kaheosaline, kahest osast koosneva = two-piece, consisting of two parts
kohtauspaikka = kohtumispaik = meeting place
kuvanveistäjä = skulptor = sculptor
paljastaa, julkistaa = pidulikult avada =  to unveil
pysäköintialue, parkkipaikka = parkimisplats, parkla = parking lot
rakenne = struktuur, ehitus = structure
rullalauta, skeittilauta = rula, skeit = skateboard
rullalautailija, skeittaaja = rulataja, rulasõitja = skateboarder
suurempi = suurem = bigger, larger
taideteos = kunstiteos = piece of art, work of art
tori = väljak, plats = square
vähän matkan päässä = läheduses = a short distance away

Helsinki Statue Walk

Alexander II

One way to see Helsinki and at the same time learn some facts about the city as well as the country is to take a walk from one statue to another - a statue walk! This is preferably done kesäaikaan. The names of the statues are here intentionally simplified/personified, and any additional information is found by clicking at the links - as else this article would become far too long.

You could start your statue walk at the Senate Square with Alexander II. Walk from there toward the market square Kauppatori to see the Keisarinnankivi and Charinna Alexandra - the oldest statue in Helsinki. Then turn right, and you have the Helsinki park avenue Esplanaadi in front of you. The first statue here is Havis Amanda - a central point of celebration for students every May Day. Puiston keskellä you will meet the national poet Runeberg, and if you walk a little further, the author Eino Leino.

Havis Amanda Inaugural in 1908

From Esplanaadi take right, and walk the Helsinki Main Street, i.e. Mannerheimintie till you reach the Kolmen Sepän patsas, the Three Smith statue. From there straight on to Mannerheim, the 6th president of Finland. Before seeing some more presidents, you could take a detour towards right, and go and see Kivimiehet at the Railway station, and then Finland's national author Aleksis Kivi at the Railway square. Or just continue on the main street, and go and say hello to presidents #3 Svinhuvfud and #1 Ståhlberg in front of the Parliament building. A little further in his own little park you will find #4, Kyösti Kallio.

Cross the street again and have a nice walk in a slightly larger park, Hesperianpuisto - but before that check the UKK momunent. Keep on walking towards the Opera House, and then cross the street facing the Olympic Stadium. There you will find the great long-distance runner Paavo Nurmi.
Hope you enjoyed the walk - as much as he enjoyed the running!
 

FROM  ALEXANDER  II  TO  PAAVO  NURMI
1. Aleksanteri II:n patsas (Senaatintori, 1894) Senate Square
2. Keisarinnankivi (Kauppatori, 1835) Market Square
3. Havis Amanda (Esplanaadi, 1908) Esplanaadi
4. Runebergin patsas (Esplanaadi, 1885) Esplanaadi
5. Eino Leinon patsas (Esplanaadi, 1953) Esplanaadi
6. Kolmen sepän patsas (Aleksanterinkatu, 1932) Mannerheimintie
7. Ratsastajapatsas (Kiasma, 1960) Mannerheimintie
8. Kivimiehet (Rautatieasema, 1914) Railway station
9. Aleksis Kiven muistopatsas (Rautatientori, 1939) Railway station
10. P.E.Svinhufvud (Eduskuntatalo, 1961) Mannerheimintie
11. K.J.Ståhlberg  (Eduskuntatalo,1959) Mannerheimintie
12. Kyösti Kallio (Eduskuntatalo, 1962) Mannerheimintie
13. Urho Kekkosen muistomerkki (Hakasalmen puisto, 2000) Mannerheimintie
14. Paavo Nurmen patsas (Olympiastadion, 1925) Mannerheimintie

Here you can find more Helsinki statues and monuments. Check also this interesting statue tour (with pictures).

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary
aivan liian pitkä = liiga pikk = far too long
eduskuntatalo = riigikogu = the parliament house
keisari, tsaari = tsaar = czar, tsar
keisarinna = czarina, tsaritsa
kestävyysjuoksija = pikamaajooksja = long-distance runner
kesäaikaan = suveperioodil = summertime
kiertotie = kõrvaltee = detour
kirjailija = kirjanik, autor = author, writer
kävely = käik, jalutuskäik = walk
käänny oikealle = pööra paremale = turn right
mieluiten = meelsamini = preferably
patsas = kuju, monument = statue
presidentti = president = president
puisto = park = park
puiston keskellä, keskellä puistoa = keset parki = in the middle of the park
seppä = sepp = smith
tarkoituksella = sihilikult = intentionally, on purpose 
vappu = volbripäev = May Day
ylittää katu = teed ületada,  üle tee minna = to cross a street

Hockey tickets for sale

The eagerly awaited single tickets for the 2013 Ice Hockey World Championship games in Helsinki will go on sale next Monday, February 4th. Ticket prices for adults start at 10 euros. 16 joukkuetta will be playing in Stockholm and Helsinki, and all the semi-finals and medal matches take place in Stockholm. Whether there at the stadium or at home in front of a television set - let's play hockey!

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary 
aikuisille = täiskasvanutel = for adults
ensi maanantaina =järgmisel esmaspäeval = next Monday
helmikuun 4., 4. helmikuuta = 4. veebruar = February 4th 
joukkue = meeskond = team
jääkiekko,"lätkä" = jäähoki, hoki = icehockey, hockey
Kansainvälinen jääkiekkoliitto = Rahvusvaheline Jäähokiliit = International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF)
kuusitoista = kuusteist = sixteen
kuusitoista joukkuetta = kuusteist meeskonda = sixteen teams
lippujen hinnat = piletihinnad = ticket prices
maailmanmestaruuskisat = maailmameistrivõistlused = world championships
mitaliottelut = pronksimäng+finaal = medal matches
myynnissä, myytävänä = müüdav = on sale, for sale
neljäs = neljas = fourth
semifinaalit = poolfinaalid = semifinals
stadionilla = staadionil = at the stadium
Tukholma = Stockholm = Stockholm
tulla myyntiin = saada müügiks = to go on sale
yksittäisliput = üksikpiletid = single tickets

IIHF World Champions 2012: Russia

Finnkino in Helsinki

Finnkino Kaisaniemi

Finnkino is a Finnish  film distributor and  the biggest  movie theater chain in Finland. It has e.g.  a 14 theater multiplex at Tennispalatsi (situated opposite Kauppakeskus Kamppi), and the biggest screen there is among the largest in Europe. Joka perjantai you have a chance to catch a  new movie. It is always a hea mõte to book tickets in advance -  remember that tickets are cheaper for daytime shows. Also worth mentioning is the fact that - except for children's films - foreign films are not dubbed, but have subtitles (in Finnish and Swedish). The popular Finnish word for movie - leffa - comes by the way from the archaic Swedish "lefvande bilder" which means living pictures. The same idea is in the Finnish elokuva which is short for elävä kuva (living picture). So, let's liven up and lähdetään leffaan!

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary 
dubattu = dubleeritud = dubbed
elokuva, filmi, leffa = film, kinopilt = movie, film
elokuvateatteri = kino = movie theater, cinema
elokuvissakävijä = kinokülastaja = moviegoer, cinemagoer
elävöityä, piristyä = elustuda = to liven up, cheer up
hyvä idea = hea mõte = a good idea
joka perjantai, perjantaisin = iga reede, reedeti = every Friday, on Fridays
leffalippu = kinopilet = movie ticket
Lähdetään leffaan! = Lähme kinno! = Let's go to the movies!
päivänäytös = päeva etendus = daytime show
suurin Euroopassa = suurim Euroopas = the largest in Europe
tekstitys = subtiitrid = subtitles
ulkomaiset elokuvat = välismaised filmid = foreign films
valkokangas = ekraan = projection screen
varata liput = pileteid broneerida = to book tickets
vastapäätä = vastas = opposite

Helsinki-Tallinn by ferry

There are four ferry companies that operate the Helsinki-Tallinn line (click at the links below to check their online pages):

                     Helsingin satama  Tallinna sadam
Eckerö Line - Länsiterminaali ......... A-terminal
Linda Line   - Makasiiniterminaali - Patarei sadam
Tallink         - Länsiterminaali ......... D-terminal
Viking Line  - Katajanokka ...............A-terminal

Each have their pros and cons, and the competition between the companies can be quite intense. But competition is of course a good thing from the customer's point of view, and the several alternatives to combine trips to and from the two cities makes for a more flexible aikataulu for the individual customer. Then as a passenger you just need to remember which sadam to leave from as there are the three harbors in both Helsinki and Tallinn. Noteworthy also is that Linda Line's traffic depends heavily on weather. The distance between the two cities? 84 kilometers, i.e. 52 miles. Hyvää matkaa!

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary 
aikataulu = sõiduplaan = timetable
asiakkaan näkökulmasta = kliendi jaoks = from the customer's point of view
hyvät ja huonot puolet = argumendid poolt ja vastu = pros and cons
kilpailu = konkurents = competition
laivat liikennöivät säävarauksella = laevade väljumised sõltuvad ilmastikust = traffic depends on weather
Länsiterminaali = Lääneterminal = West Harbor
satama = sadam = harbor
säävarauksella = soodsa ilma puhul = weather permitting
useita vaihtoehtoja = mitu võimalust = several alternatives
välimatka, etäisyys = kaugus, distants = distance

Silja Europa to Helsinki-Tallinn route

Muutama viikko after the entrance of Eckerö Line's M/S Finlandia, a new ferry enters the Helsinki West Harbor as Silja Europa and Baltic Princess swap routes at Tallink Silja. With the bigger Silja Europa the Tallink cruise passengers are in for a new experience! It is bigger, but is it better? Some will definitely say so. But as you know, there is no accounting for taste. 

So what will you say - try and see for yourself! The ship sails out like always daily at 6.30 p.m. and takes you back to Helsinki at 4.30 p.m. the following day. And as always, you have a few hours to spend in Tallinn as well. Head reisi!

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary 
elämys = elamus = experience
Hyvää matkaa! = Head reisi! = Have a pleasant journey!
kuten aina = nagu alati = as always, like always
kuten tiedät = nagu sa tead = as you know
laiva = laev = ship, ferry
makuasioista ei sovi kiistellä = maitse üle ei vaielda = there is no accounting for taste
muutama viikko = mõned nädalat = a few weeks
Onko se parempi? = Kas see on rohkem? = Is it better?
päivittäin, joka päivä = iga päev = daily
reitti = marsruut = route
risteily = ristlus = cruise
risteilyalus, risteilijä = ristluslaev, ristleja = cruise ship, cruiser
risteilymatkustaja, risteilijä = ristlusreisija = cruise passenger
Se on suurempi/isompi = See on suurem =  It is bigger
vaihtaa = vahetada = to swap

Copterline

You have three major options to get from Helsinki to Tallinn and vice versa: on board one of the ferries, by plane or by - helicopter! Copterline is the only company that offers that option, not all the time though. Next available lento won't probably be before this summer. Anyway, the flight itself takes usually only 18 minutes. The company operates a brand new Agusta Westland 139. And what about the cost? The fares (2012 prices) start from 129 euros for a ühe suuna sõit, and a round trip from 258 euros. For flexible departures you need to rohkem maksma.

So if you really want to treat yourself and others to something special, kenties Copterline is something to think about. At least one way. The Helsinki heliport  is  at Hernesaari (bus 14 from Kamppi), and in Tallinn the choppers land and take off at Linnahall heliport.

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary 
ainakin = vähemalt = at least
ainoa yritys = ainuke ettevõte = the only company
ennen kesää = enne suve = before the summer
helikopteri = helikopter, kopter = helicopter, chopper
joustava = järeleandlik = flexible
kenties = võib-olla = perhaps
lento = lend = flight
lentokone = lennuk = plane, airplane
luultavasti, todennäköisesti = arvatavasti, tõenäoliselt = probably
lähtö = väljumine = departure
maksaa enemmän = rohkem maksta (maksma=another form) = to pay more
menopaluumatka, edestakainen matka = edasi-tagasi sõit = a round trip
päinvastoin = ümberpöördult, vastupidi = vice versa
vaihtoehto = valik, optsioon = option
yhdensuuntainen matka = ühe suuna sõit = a one way trip

Helsinki Central railway station

 

The Finnish Railway system - known as VR (short for Valtion Rautatiet, i.e. State Railways) turned 150 years this year. This you can easily see now if you enter the Helsingin päärautatieasema (designed by Eliel Saarinen in 1904) from the Eliel Square. The station is indeed very central, with easy transfer to buses, trams and subway. The edifice is marked by the big kellotorni and by the four statues called "Lyhdynkantajat", added in 1914. They are well-known among the natives, especially since being utilized in numerous advertisements and TV-commercials under the name "Kivimiehet". These imaginative award winning commercials are fun to watch, and have also added to VR's popularity (which talvisin always declines due to delays caused by abundant snow and ice). Click below for one of them  - or two!

Monumental Environment Congress - Ennakko - JunaSki -  Kivimiehet Pietarissa - Kivimiehet Suomenlinnassa - Kivimiehet Turussa - Kivimies Dreaming -  VR Elämä raiteillaan - VR Finland is getting smaller - VR Juna vie mukanaan - VR New Age of Train - VR Pendolino -  VR Train watchers - VR 150 years

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary
asema = jaam = station
Helsingin päärautatieasema = Helsingi pearaudteejaam = Helsinki Central railway station
juna = rong = train
kellotorni = kellatorn = clocktower
kivimies = kivimees = stoneman
lukuisa = arvukas, rohkearvuline = numerous
lyhdynkantaja = lantern bearer
lyhty = latern = lantern
maanalainen, metro = allmaaraudtee, metroo = subway
mielikuvituksellinen = fantastiline, loominguline = imaginative, fantastic
paikallinen väestö = kohalik elanikkond = the natives
palkittu = auhinnatud = award winning
rautatieasema = raudteejaam = railway station
suosio = populaarsus = popularity
talvisin = talvel = wintertime
TV-mainos = TV-reklaam = TV commercial
vaihto (liikenteessä/in traffic) = ümberistumine = transfer
valtio = riik = state
viivästys = viivitus = delay
VR (Valtion rautatiet) = Finnish State Railways

Updated 20.12.2012

Independence Day

Tomorrow on December 6th is the liputuspäivä in Finland for it is time to celebrate the Finnish Independence. The most upfront event is the Linnan juhlat at Presidentinlinna - the Presidential Independence Day reception for the few chosen -  televised and watched by the rest of us (i.e. many of us). For several years there has also been an alternative "Vähävaraisten linnanjuhlat" organised by the philantroph Heikki Hursti at Hakaniementori. Other things to do on this special day:  to light blue and white candles, have a nice meal, commemorate the vets, watch "Tuntematon sotilas", listen to "Sininen ja valkoinen" - and to raise your own flag high. Hyvää itsenäisyyspäivää kaikille! 

By the way, the Estonian iseseisvuspäev is 24. veebruar 

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary
huomenna = homme = tomorrow
hyväntekijä = heategija = philantroph, benefactor
itsenäisyyspäivä = iseseisvuspäev = Independence Day
juhlat = pidu = feast, banquet, celebration
juhlia = pühitseda = to celebrate
järjestää = organiseerida = to organise
kaikille = kõikidele = to (you) all
kynttilä = küünal = candle
linna = loss, palee = castle, palace
liputuspäivä = lipupäev = flag day
muistella = mälestada = to commemorate
muita asioita = teisi äsju = other things
muuten = muide = by the way
nostaa = (üles) tõsta = to raise
näkyvä = näiv = upfront
Presidentinlinna = Presidensiloss = Presidential Palace
s.o. (se on ) =  i.e. (id est)
sininen = sinine = blue
sinivalkoinen = valgesinine = blue and white
sotaveteraani = veteran = vet
Tuntematon sotilas = Tundmatu sõjamees = The Unknown Soldier
vaihtoehtoinen = alternatiivne = alternative
valkoinen = valge = white
vähävarainen = vaene, kehv = indigent

Helsinki Icepark

Did you know that you can luistella in the middle of Helsinki? And you don't even need to have uisud with you but you can borrow them for a small fee. Or you could just come and watch others skate while having a nice cup of kaakao! Rautatientorin Jääpuisto has been opened again, for the 7th time, and will stay open until at least March. Lisätietoa here.

Avoinna:
ma-pe 12-21, la 10-21, su 10-19

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary
ainakin = vähemalt = at least
avoinna = avatud = open
Helsingin jääpuisto = Helsinki Icepark
jää = jää = ice
kaakao = kakao = cocoa
keskellä = keskel, keset = in the middle of
kuppi kaakaota = a cup of cocoa
lainata = laenata = to borrow
lisätietoa =  täiendavat teavet = additional information
luistella = uisutada = to skate
luistimet = uisud = skates
maaliskuu = märts = March
maksu = maks = fee
pientä maksua vastaan = väikese leiutasu eest = for a small fee
puisto = park = park
Rautatientori = Raudteeväljak   = Railway Square
taas, jälleen = jälle, taas = again
tiesitkö? = kas sa teadsid? = did you know?

Updated 31.12.2012

Martin markkinat

Martin markkinat is an annual fair held in Helsinki which portraits Estonian culture, traveling, handicraft and söögikultuur. It is being arranged for the 29th time and takes place during this weekend at Kaapelitehdas, situated in Ruoholahti. Easiest way to get there is by metro (kts. karttaa). Ilmainen sisäänpääsy. 

So if you are 
huvitatud  heast toidust 
(among other things), 
remember Kaapelitehdas this weekend! 

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary
ilmainen sisäänpääsy =  ilma sissepääsutasuta = no entrance fee
kaapelitehdas =  kaabeltehas = cable factory 
katso karttaa = view the map
kiinnostunut = huvitatud = interested
kulttuuri = kultuur = culture
käsityö = käsitöö = handicraft 
markkinat, messut = mess = fair
matkustus = reisimine =  traveling
muistaa, pitää mielessä = meeles pidada =  to remember
ruoka = toit = food
ruokakulttuuri = söögikultuur = cuisine
sisäänpääsymaksu = sissepääsutasu = entrance fee
tänä viikonloppuna = sellel nädadavahetusel = (during) this weekend
viikonloppu, viikonvaihde = nädalalõpp, nädalavahetus = weekend
vuosittainen, jokavuotinen = aasta, iga-aastane = annual

Updated 24.11.2012

Helsinki Senate Square

Click for a larger view

The Helsinki Senate Square has always been the sydän of the city. It was created in the beginning of 1900th century by the city planner Johan Albrecht Ehrenström and arkkitehti Carl Ludvig Engel. The square is surrounded by mitmed ajaloolised ehitused, nagu Helsingin tuomiokirkko, Riiginõukogu hoone ja Helsingi ülikooli peahoone. The oldest building at Senaatintori is the bluegrey Sederholm House built in 1757 (check here today´s topic!). 

The Helsinki Cathedral (1830-1852), originally an Orthodox church (designed by Carl Ludvig Engel) is usually the esimene asi you see if you enter Helsinki etelästä. Located in the center of Senaatintori is the statue of Emperor Alexander II (1894) - a remnant of Finland's common history with Russia.

If you are a first time visitor in Helsinki, you really should not miss this one! Especially since it is a just a short walk from Kauppatori! 

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary
alunperin = päritolult = originally
alussa = algul = in the beginning
arkkitehti = arhitekt = architect
asemakaavoittaja = city planner
asia = asi = thing
aukio, tori = väljak = square
ensimmäinen = esimene = first
etelästä = lõunast = from the south
historialliset rakennukset = ajaloolised ehitused = historical buildings
jäänne = relikt, rudiment = remnant
Kauppatori = Market Square
kaupunki = linn = city
kuten = nagu = such as
luoda = luua = to create
monet, lukuisat = mitmed = many, several
patsas = ausammas = statue
rakennus = ehitus = building
saapua = saabuda = to enter
Senaatintori = Senati väljak = Senate Square
siniharmaa = kiltkivihall = bluegrey
sydän = süda = heart
tuomiokirkko = toomkirik = cathedral
Valtioneuvoston linna = Riiginõukogu hoone = The Palace of the Council of State
vanhin = vanim = oldest
yleensä = üldse = usually
ympäröidä = ääristada = to surround

Updated 20.11.2012

Verkkokauppa

Many of you who enter Helsinki at the West Harbour have tõenäoliselt seen the big electronics store Verkkokauppa. Have you non-Finns ever wondered what that loosung in the billboard outside the store 'Todennäköisesti aina halvempi' means? Well wonder no more - i.e. see the vocabulary! Of course you may have noticed already whether that oletus is true or not by just visiting the store - or maybe not!

Huomio! Tämä ei ole mainos. Ettevaatust! See ei ole reklaam. Attention! This is not an advertisement

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary
aina = ikka, alati = always
alateksti = subtext
halpa = odav = cheap
halvempi = odavam = cheaper
ihmetellä = imestada = to wonder
iskulause = loosung, hüüdlause = slogan
kaupan ulkopuolella oleva mainos = reklaam väljaspool kauplust
kauppa = kauplus, pood, kaubamaja = store
käydä kaupassa = to visit a store
mainos = reklaam = advertisement
mainostaulu = reklaamtulp = billboard
oletus = oletus = presumption
todennäköisesti = tõenäoliselt = probably
todennäköisesti aina halvempi = tõenäoliselt alati odavam = probably always cheaper
totta = õige = true
verkko = võrk = net
verkkokauppa = Interneti-pood = online store

Updated 5.11.2012

Arriving in Helsinki

Let us assume that you are arriving in Helsinki by ferry. You come with Tallink Star and enter the long matkustajaputki, which takes you to the terminaali. You are now in Länsiterminaali operated by Port of Helsinki. Where are you going? Most probably you want to get to the city of Helsinki. You can do that by taking the ratikka i.e.  tram number 9. 

See that tram link? You will find there an aikataulu (timetable) which gives you times when the tram leaves the harbor. Actually no need to go there at all since these trams go so often. Anyway good enough opportunity to go through something essential:  

ma-pe is short for maanantai-perjantai, meaning Monday-Friday. Lauantaisin means on Saturdays, and sunnuntaisin on Sundays. Have a nice stay in Helsinki!

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary
aikataulu = sõiduplaan = timetable

keskiviikko = kolmapäev = Wednesday

lauantai = laupäev = Saturday
lauantaisin = on Saturdays
Länsiterminaali = Lääneterminal = West Harbor
ma-pe = Mon-Fri

maanantai = esmaspäev = Monday
matkustaja = reisija = passenger

matkustajaputki = reisijatetuubus = passenger pipe

perjantai = reede = Friday
ratikka, raitiovaunu, spora = tramm  = tram

sunnuntai = pühapäev = Sunday
sunnuntaisin = on Sundays
terminaali = terminal = terminal

tiistai  = teisipäev = Tuesday
torstai = neljapäev =Thursday
viikko = nädal = week

Updated - Päivitetty 27.10.2012