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

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter to you all! Many  Finns head for the countryside as we wish each other "Hauskaa pääsiäistä!" Besides being a religious festivity, it is the promise of the coming spring! In Estonian you may wish "Ilusaid lihavõtteid!" Both countries have their special Easter treats. Egg plays of course a central role, but in Finland we have this very special sweet rye treat called mämmi - definitely an acquired taste, but you should try it once (tastes far better than it looks)! There are all kinds of traditions and beliefs playing out in Easter, and in Finland the most obvious is the little girls dressed out as witches. Their task: to drive away evil spirits from homes - and for that they expect to be rewarded with sweets (or other treats) - a bit like Halloween in the U.S. Other kids look for hidden Easter eggs at home - a fun tradition for the whole family.

PS. Don't forget to move your clock/watch one hour ahead on Sunday.

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary

herkku = delikatess = treat

kananmuna = muna = egg

maistuu paremmalta kuin miltä näyttää = tastes better than it looks

makeiset, karkit, namut = komme = sweets

noita = nõid = witch

paha henki = kuri vaim = evil spirit
pitkäperjantai = suur reede  = Good Friday

pääsiäinen = lihavõtted = Easter
pääsiäislauantai = = Easter Saturday

pääsiäismuna = lihavõttemuna = Easter egg
pääsiäissunnuntai = = Easter Sunday

ruis = rukis = rye
toinen pääsiäispäivä = = Easter Monday

uskonnollinen juhla = religioosne pidu = religious festivity

Vernal equinox

Up north we always look forward to the spring after another winter that seems just too long. Aren't we almost kind of entitled to spring latest by the spring equinox? So if and when takatalvi announces its coming, it is a bit disheartening for many of us. Still we all know that kevad on ukse ees. The days are getting longer after the equinox, the sun is melting the snow and ice, and there comes a day that the pavements are cleared from the winter's sand and you no longer have to watch your steps. Eläköön kevät!

PS. The spring equinox is around March 20th. Blackberry winter falls by definition after the equinox.

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary
Eläköön kevät! = Elagu kevad! = Long live the spring!
jalkakäytävä = kõnnitee = pavement, sidewalk
kevät = kevad = spring
kevätpäiväntasaus = kevadine pööripäev, kevadine võrdpäevsus = vernal equinox, spring equinox
liian pitkä = liiga pikk = too long
lumi ja jää = lumi ja jää = snow and ice
olla oikeutettu = õigust omada = to be entitled to 
ovella = ukse ees, uksel = at the door
pohjoisessa = põhjapool = up north, in the north
päivät pitenevät = päevad pikenevad = the days are getting longer
takatalvi = tagatalv = blackberry winter
varoa askeleitaan = ettevaatlikult kõndida = to watch one's steps
viimeistään = hiljemalt = latest (by)

Viking Humor

Click for a bigger picture

Häger the Horrible (check that fantastic link!) is head of a viking household somewhere in Scandinavia long ago. This beloved comic character goes in Finnish newspapers by the name Harald Hirmuinen, and in Estonian by Hagar Hirmus. The strip in Postimees tells about the daughter Honi asking her mother Helga whether she ever thinks about the carefree and happy days before she got married. The answer sounds pretty modern - or maybe not!

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary
ajatella = mõelda = to think
avioliitto = abielu = marriage
ennen naimisiinmenoa = enne abiellumist = before (you/she) got married
Harald Hirmuinen = Hagar Hirmus = Häger the Horrible
huoleton = muretu = carefree
lentää = lennata = to fly
linnut = linnud = birds
onnellinen = õnnelik = happy
äiti = ema = mother

Happy Women's Day

Happy Women's Day to you all - especially women! Starting as a socialist political event, Women's Day is celebrated today somewhat the same way as Mother's Day all around the world, celebrating women per se. But also bringing out the need to improve their human rights. The United Nations has every year a different theme for International Women's Day. This year's theme is "A promise is a promise: Time for action to end violence against women". On a lighter note, don't forget to get tulips to at least one woman in your life - or her lempikukka - or in some other way show your lugupidamine of her. She's well worth it!

Hyvää naistenpäivää! 

Head naistepäeva!

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary
aika = aeg = time
arvostus = lugupidamine = appreciation
eri teema = erinev teema = different theme
joka vuosi = iga aasta = every year
jollain muulla tavalla = in some other way
kukka/kukat = lill/lilled = flower/flowers
lempikukka = lemmik lill = favorite flower
lupaus = lubadus = promise
nainen/naiset = naine/naised = woman/women 
tulppaani = tulp = tulip
väkivalta = vägivald = violence
Yhdistyneet Kansakunnat = Ühinenud Rahvaste Organisatsioon = United Nations  

Estonian Independence Day

Happy Independende Day, Estonia! Every 24th of February since 1918  Estonians celebrate their independence - now for the 95th time. Public celebrations discontinued during the Soviet occupation years 1940-1991, but since the declaration of independence in August 1991, the Eesti vabariigi aastapäev is celebrated with renewed fervor. The place to be in Tallinn is Jüriöö Park, but now also Vabaduse Väljak, finally ready after renovations. Read here a Postimees article about it. Head vabariigi aastapäeva, Eesti!

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary
aikana = ajal, jooksul = during
itsenäisyysjulistus = iseseisvusdeklaratsioon = declaration of independence
itsenäisyyspäivä = iseseisvuspäev = independence day
juhlia itsenäisyyspäivää = iseseisvuspäeva tähistada = to celebrate independence day
julistaa itsenäisyys = iseseisvust kuulutada = to declare independence
keskeytyä, jäädä katkolle = katkestada = to discontinue
miehitys = okupeerimine = occupation (political)
palo, into = ind = fervor
remontti = uuendus, renovatsioon = renovation
tasavalta = vabariik = republic
vapaus = vabadus = freedom
vuosipäivä = aastapäev = anniversary

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

Happy Valentine!

Happy Valentine to you all! Valentine's Day has for years been observed in Finland and Estonia as well, and though it has - like Christmas - heavy commercial undertones  - it is still a day when we want to remember our friends and toivottaa heille Hyvää ystävänpäivää or Head sõbrapäeva! We send our friends greeting cards or text messages, share with them a Valentine's Day cake, treat them to heart-shaped  - or just plain ordinary - šokolaad. And then of course, to that someone special, something special! Hyvää ystävänpäivää teille kaikille! Head valentinipäeva teile kõigile!

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary
Hyvää ystävänpäivää! = Head sõbrapäeva! = Happy Valentine!
jaamme = jagame = we share
kaupallinen = kaubanduslik = commercial
mielitietty, rakas = (that) someone special
muistaa = mälestada = to remember
rakas, armas, kulta = armas, kallike = darling, dear, beloved
rakkaus = armastus = love 
suklaa = šokolaad = chocolate
sydämenmuotoinen = südamekujuline = heart-shaped
sydän = süda = heart
tarjoamme = pakkume = we treat (them) to
tavallinen = tavaline, harilik = ordinary
teille kaikille = teile kõigile = to you all
tekstiviesti = tekstsõnum = text message
toivottaa heille = soovida neile = to wish them
ystävyys = sõprus = friendship
ystävillemme = meie sõpradele = to our friends 
ystävä = sõber = friend 
ystävänpäivä = valentinipäev, sõbrapäev = (Saint) Valentine's Day
 

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

What's your name again?!

Though the Finnish and Estonian languages have much in common, one thing they differ quite profoundly is the first names of people. There are a lot of names - such as Anne, Anneli, Arvo, Eino, Kalle, Laura, Lea, Mari, Tarmo, Tiina and Toivo - that are exactly the same. But some of the Estonian given names sound quite hilarious in Finland - and perhaps vice versa. Names like kalju and raivo, let alone aivo. Also last names may bring a naeratus to one's face. But don't mind if your name means bald fish in Finland, and people look at you in a funny way - we all need huumori in our lives, and sometimes it just comes from unexpected sources. After all, what's in a name?

Click here to see the most common names in Finland and in Estonia.

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary
aivo = peaaju = brain
etunimi = eesnimi = first name, given name
hassusti = in a funny way
huumori = huumor = humor
hymy = naeratus = smile
joskus, välillä = mõnikord, vahel = sometimes
kala = kala = fish
kalju = paljaspäine = bald
miesten nimet = meeste nimed = men's names
naisten nimet = naiste nimed = women's names
nimi = nimi = name
raivo = raev = rage
sukunimi = perekonnanimi = last name, surname
toisinpäin = ümberpöördult = vice versa
yllättävältä taholta = from unexpected sources

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