Half Finnish, half English, Ralph Laurila is a 19 year old star of a new BAFTA nominated 13 minute movie called 'Ralph' which tells the story of a young boy going to Marseille, France searching for his love. Ralph Laurila is now currently on a gap year, working in a local pub and starring in a few other short films.

Do you find being half Finnish important to you and why? Would you like your children to be able to speak Finnish?

Being half Finnish is very important to me because it’s such a different culture to the one I live in. It’s so nice to be able to tell people that I’m from Finland, especially as it is quite small and not many people know about Finns. Of course, I would want my children to speak Finnish. I can only speak a little bit but I can understand a fair bit. So even with the little bit of Finnish that I know, I would still want my child/children to speak it.

What aspects of Finland would you like to have here in London?

Saunas! That’s the main thing I miss most about Finland. There probably the best thing anyone could have in their house.

Who is your favorite Finn and why?

That’s quite hard to decide. There are two Finns that have made me support the team I do now, Liverpool. Sami Hyypiä and Jari Litmanen. I don’t think I can decide between the two but they are definitely my top two. The reason why is simple, they are both such superb players and they played for my team, Liverpool.

Can you imagine living in Finland one day?

What is your favorite thing about Finland and why?

I could definitely imagine living in Finland one day. I’ve always thought about it, having a cabin right next to a lake. Finland is such a beautiful country and I love it every time I go there.

My favorite thing about Finland has to be the snow. When it snows in Finland it’s like being in a fairy tale. All you can see is white beauty no matter where about in Finland you are.

 If Finland played England in a football match, whom would you support and why?

If Finland played England in a football match I would support both teams. I’m unbelievably proud to be Finnish yet I can’t take away my English side. So if Finland won I would go out and celebrate with the Finns, and if England won I would go out with the English lot and celebrate with them.

How does it feel to be a star of a movie that has been nominated for a BAFTA? What inspired you to be an actor?

When I found out that I was going to the BAFTAs, I was more in shock than anything. I couldn’t believe that the film had gone that far. The last thing I heard about the film was that it had won the 22nd Leeds International Film Festival and I was over the moon. But the BAFTA nomination took a few days for me to actually realize that I was going with the likes of Kate Winslet and Leonardo Di Caprio. It’s like one day I am playing football in South London with LoPS and the next I’m telling them I could be famous!The first time I realized I wanted to be an actor was when I saw Edward Norton in American History X and Fight Club. When I saw those films I just wanted to do the same things as he could. He could become all these different characters and then still be himself once he is off camera. There are so many other actors that have inspired me and made me want to be a film star - I couldn’t name them all in one go!

What are your aspirations of being an actor?

My aspirations are to play as many different roles and characters as possible. I would hate to be typecast as just one character. I also want people to feel like they are involved in the film and in my opinion that has a huge amount to do with the actor and how good he/she is. 

Which character/role in modern movies do you wish you played and why?

The character/role that I would love to play is James Bond. It’s an obvious choice because nearly all young boys and even any aged man would dream to be 007 and to play him in a film would be a huge honour. I would also like to play along side Edward Norton or Robert De Niro just because I think they are such great actors. But then again the best role I or any other man could play would be a character that kisses Angelina Jolie!

Apart from acting, what other career interests you?

Before I realised I wanted to be an actor I always wanted to be a footballer. Football was my life and it still is, but acting has just become a more important part of my life. Steven Gerrard is my hero and my dream used to be (and still is) to play along side him with Liverpool. 

 What are your plans for this year?

My plans for this year is just to try and get my film career off and going and try to be in a feature film. I just want to get as many roles in films as I can and get well known as soon as possible!

© FINNSWORLDWIDE

Tiina Tuomisto is a Finnish Circus Artist currently based in London and performing mostly around the UK. Tiina started doing circus arts as a hobby when she was 14. Her hobby soon developed into an intense passion and after her matriculation exam at 19 she applied to study circus arts full time in Lahti in Finland for 2 and half years. After graduating Tiina decided she wanted to learn more and went to auditions to different circus schools around Europe. She got a place at London's 'The Circus Space'. The course was a 3 year BA(Hons) Degree in Circus Arts validated by University of Kent. Tiina specialized in hand-balancing while continuing to develop her hula-hooping skills she was learning already in Finland. Tiina graduated from Circus Space in July 2008. Already before
graduating she had a company called Hoop La La with two of her friends. Hoop La La took part to the ITV's programme 'Britains got talent' last spring 2008 where they made their way to the life semifinals and got to perform to 12 million tv watchers. Hoop La La got a positive feedback from the show which helped them to get a lot of jobs. They have been performing their comedy style hula-hoop acts since then all over the UK. Besides Hoop La La Tiina has been performing solo acts too. And she has also been chosen to compete in international circus competitions in Europe like 'Soly Circo' in 2006 and 'European Youth Circus Festival Wiesbaden' in 2008.

What inspired you to become a Circus Artist?

Already since I was a child I had a passion to perform. I don't know where it was coming from because I was quite shy and no one in our family was any kind of performer. I was doing some sports as a hobby, like figure skating and gymnastics and also art school. But when I saw a youth circus club performing, I thought it was very interesting and I joined them. I realised circus is a combination of art and sport, things that i really enjoyed. And I enjoyed performing too. So circus became a great hobby for me and because I loved it so much I ended up doing it so seriously that it became my job.   

What other mediums of circus would you like to explore?

I have already tried so many things in circus. So I already know what my strengths are and where i am good at. Besides hula-hoops and hand-balancing I'm doing some aerial acrobatics and I'm interested in juggling too.


Where in the world is your dream venue to perform?

My dream venue to perform would be probably in some big variety show somewhere in Europe or USA. But any show with a good audience that really appreciates the performer and in a good venue is enjoyable. And I will always be nervous,even if there would be 5000 or 100 people in the audience. But if I'm nervous before the show, it usually goes well! It’s not good not to be nervous at all.


What can you do really well which not a lot people can do?

I think probably the hula-hoops are my strongest skill. Hand-balancing is very difficult and very slow to learn. But it suits me because I'm quite patient. I can do some contortion too. For people who don't do circus everything that I do seems amazing. But there are many other artists doing similar things. But as a circus artist you have to find your own style.


How would you describe Finnish circus compared to circus in the UK?

I think circus arts is quite an international thing and the same elements will always be there. But of course there is a lot of different styles. I think some performers in Finland are doing quite experimental style and in the UK there is maybe more commercial style circus acts.


What brought you to London and what are you favorite aspects of London?

Wanting to do the circus arts degree in London brought me here. I was visiting London for the first time in 2004 when I performed at a youth circus festival here but I didn't guess then that I would ever end up living here. For a performer, London is a good place because there is a lot of different shows(circus,musicals,theatre) to see and other arts too. That's the side that I like in London. 


What aspects of Finland do you wish you had in your life in London?

Finnish food,clean air,houses that are built well and are not cold in the winter, snow.


What Finnish events in London do you enjoy the most and why? What new Finnish events would you like to attend?

I have really enjoyed all the Finnish events i have been in London. And I'm trying to attend them as often as I can. For me art and sport events are the most interesting, but any event with Finnish people is always good.


What are your plans for 2009?

With our company Hoop La La we are performing,training and teaching like last year. Trying to develop our company further. We are freelancers and most of our jobs we get through our agents. I'm quite pleased what we are doing now. I find it interesting to travel around doing shows. I think the most exciting things I have coming up this spring and summer is a contract in Bahrain in the Middle East and a contract in Orkney islands in Scotland. With Hoop La La we are also looking into getting our own long cabaret together and perform that in venues in London.


Describe where you would like to be in 5 years?

I find it very difficult to imagine where I will be in 5 years. I'm still quite at the beginning of my career, because I only graduated last July. I'm still learning about being in this business. But it has all started very well and I could have never imagined that I would have so many jobs after graduating. I'm trying to work hard. Some of my dreams have already come true after getting to be a performer but there is more dreams too and also plans that don't involve circus. But at the moment I want to make my living out of doing what I love and I'm doing my best for that.  

 © FINNSWORLDWIDE

Kirsi Leppänen has lived in London for nearly 3 years now and currently resides in Fulham, West London. She is currently the Global Senior Brand Manager for the premium Scotch whisky brand Chivas Regal. Now in her thirties, she’s a very seasoned traveler and has even previously

lived in New York for 2 years. She enjoys the annual Finnish events in London like the Vappu Party and our Xmas party.

What do you think of the current drinking culture in Finland compared to the UK and NY?

I always thought we Finns are by far the gold medallists of the drinking Olympics, but I’ve been astonished by the binge drinking culture in the UK. On the positive note the social aspect of drinking both in London and New York is quite nice. Meeting friends and colleagues over drinks after work is far more usual and relaxed. As a spirits marketeer it’s also a joy to see that London and New York are way more creative in their cocktail culture.

How is marketing Chivas Regal in the Finnish market different to the UK?

Due to the restricted legislation in Finland, marketing requires a lot of creativity and craziness and ability to find alternative ways to communicate your message to the consumers. The whisky knowledge in Finland is still quite limited and apart from a handful of whisky anoraks, Chivas Regal is unfortunately still seen as a gift item, and not consumed out in the bars with friends very much. Since my playground now is global marketing, I’m not involved in the domestic side of the business in the UK. However, I do know that the competition here is fierce, London being one of the coolest and most desired destinations in the world. Thankfully, Chivas Regal is a truly global product, being sold in over 200 countries. It is also the most dynamic product in the so called ‘super premium’ Scotch whisky category and performing very well in every continent from China to Venezuela, Lebanon to Australia and everything in between.

What is your favourite Finnish alcohol and why?

It still has to be Salmiakkikossu. Can’t beat the taste of liquorice! But only in moderation of course. Which reminds me of the upcoming ‘vappu’, should stock up with the black delicacy now!

What are your thoughts on Alko?

Have to be careful now. I haven’t been involved with Alko for 3 years, but overall as an industry, there have been mixed emotions towards the institute. On a positive note the product knowledge in Alko is incredible and it’s a fair and equal buyer having same rules for every supplier. I’m not against Alko per se at all, but the process of getting your product listed into the shelves of the monopoly is complicated and uncertain, which makes strategic planning for your product difficult. Having seen numerous alcohol selling outlets around the world, the product offering in Alko stores is generally very good and the service is always friendly and professional.

What is your favourite aspect of London culture?

I just love the versatility of the city. I don’t think there’s another city as multi-cultural as London. There’s something going on every second of the day. The parks, the pubs, the restaurants, the theatres, the concerts… You name it. I feel a bit ashamed not finding enough time to explore the city even more! I just booked tickets for the new Jason Donovan musical though (Priscilla Queen of the Desert)!

What aspects of Finnish life do you miss?

Not a whole lot to be honest, apart from my parents and friends. I think I’m a better Finn outside Finland, a proud ambassador for my country, but love living abroad! Plus I’ve got my “mini-Finland” right here with quite a few Finnish friends and even my sister with her family living in the UK, not too far away in Oxford. One thing that I certainly miss though is the simplicity of things and lack of bureaucracy. Customer service, housing and public transportation is just amazing in Finland compared to anywhere else! Thankfully, Finland is not that far so that you can always catch a plane and get your rye bread, Fazer chocolate and liquorice if needed.

As you travel a lot – what are you favourite destinations?

Unfortunately most of the time when I travel on business, I only get to see a hotel, an office and an airport. Since Chivas is such an international brand I have been privileged to travel all over the place. In the last year I would say the favourite destinations have been the mountains of La Parva in Chile and Antigua in Guatemala. It’s another world there! Belgrade in Serbia was a really nice surprise, too and certainly worth a long weekend for everyone. Having lived in New York, it still is my number one city destination and I need to go there frequently.

What is the perfect holiday destination and what drink would you have there?

Right now I’m craving the sun and would love to go somewhere in the South of France or Italy. Somewhere where you can combine the esthetics of the nature, gastronomy, a bit of sports and a relaxed atmosphere. Chilled champagne or Chivas with ginger ale and lots of ice in my hand.

What are your plans for 2009?

Due to the economic climate there won’t be as much business travelling as before for a while. My diary is full of nice short breaks and holidays though. In Spring, Paris, Wales, Scotland and vappu in Finland to start with. I’m trying to brush up my French and dream about moving from Fulham to a bigger flat in Notting Hill. In general, I’m ready for some changes in my life again. By the way, I have cursed the weather gods so that you can all thank me when the summer in London is going to be sizzling hot and sunny!

© FINNSWORLDWIDE 

Born and grown up in the countryside of Central Finland, Aapo Markkanen moved to study at the University of Tampere, from where he graduated as an MSc in Management Studies. He arrived in London in Autumn 2007 and currently lives in Wapping, Docklands. Aapo works as a Telecoms Analyst at a leading economic forecasting and market intelligence firm.

As a Finn, are you proud of Nokia?

No and yes. While I don't like the idea of mixing national pride with business, I must also admit that there is something inspirational about the way Nokia reinvented itself in the 1980s. It exited products which it on one hand knew well, but which on the other hand offered little promise of growth, and bet on mobile phones, which back then were a totally uncertain territory in terms of their long-term potential. At the same time, Finland had been among the very first countries to liberalise its telecoms sector, which allowed Nokia to use its home market as something of a testing ground for its innovations. The same could have never happened had the government bailed out Nokia's sunset businesses and, say, kept mobile telephony as a monopoly. It's a story that all firms and countries, including today's Finland itself, should study, and especially in times like these.
 

What has been your favourite mobile phone?

I have had only five thus far, all Nokias. The first one, 8110 (aka the "Banana") is of course a classic and will always be my all-time favourite. I bought it from my mate on the last day of the second year of the lukio, possibly as the last one of my class to get myself a cellphone. Until then, I had considered boycotting them an essential way to communicate my angst and individualism to the world, but, as it happens, had also learned to drink beer in the course of that term. I'm from the countryside and all my best mates lived in town, some 20km away from me, and on that very day I suddenly realised that if I wanted to keep learning to drink beer with them over the summer I would have to become better connected. You can't really scheme all those transport and purchase schemes over your parents' fixed-line, can you? So that was my initial access point into wireless telecommunications.

You have been known to be an avid live sports fan. What is the best live game you have seen and why?

A football qualification game for Euro 2008 between Azerbaijan and Finland in Baku, March 2007. I had arrived from Georgia earlier in the day, was totally knackered and had not eaten much anything since Tbilisi. I had not brought a coat and thanks to the Caspian wind the temperature in the stadium was really bloody cold. Finland were awful, had probably one shot on goal during the entire game, and even that was two meters wide. In the end Azerbaijan scored from a counter-attack and won. You can't appreciate victories in full unless you have experienced the lowest of the low, so I pick this as my favourite.

What is your favourite sports team?

JYP, the hockey team of Jyväskylä. I come from the region, and when I was small, Jyp were pretty good. We reached the finals in 1991/92, but lost against Jokerit, because of goals by Teemu Selänne, who was playing his last season in Finland. After that we gradually transformed into a team that was mediocre at best and utterly shit at worst. I grew up with us being shit, spent my entire hitherto adult life being told by everyone how shit we were, and had somewhat started to accept our shitness as an inherent part of my tribal identity. This April it all changed, and we are now the incumbent champions. I watched the decisive final at the Famous 3 Kings in West Kensington, together with my girlfriend, who had never seen a game of hockey in her life, and overwhelmed by various childhood flashbacks. It was a good feeling.

Which two teams would you love to see live play against each other?

Finland and Argentina, in the final of the football World Cup 2010. Not only would Finland's qualification exorcise all my inner demons that have been attracted by this unbearable heaviness of following our national football team, as it were a refuge of darkness amid celestial light, but beating Argentina there would suit me particularly well. I know an Argie who likes to imitate my accent and make jocular references to my Finnishness in abundance, so achieving this might silence him, maybe for a week or so.

What are your plans for the year?

I want to move in to a new flat after or during the summer, so my plan is to find a place with mixed taps, laminated floors, double glazing, as well as something they back home call insulation. It would also a pleasant surprise nice if it had no mould in the bathroom or an ant colony in the kitchen. In London it's fairly possibly to achieve four out of those six, or even five if you search hard, but I am a hubristic figure and want it all

What are you favourite parts of London and why?

My own neighbourhood, Wapping. It is full of maritime history, and it always fascinates me to walk down the streets imaging how it must have looked like when St Katharine's Docks and London Docks were still operating. Like the rest of the East End, it also used to be a gateway for all the migration waves that arrived in Britain, which is another theme I personally find quite interesting. Having a local pub with a terrace view over the Thames doesn't do any harm either. As well, I like the entire South Bank a lot, and basically most places by the river or canals. My home village in Finland is located between two lakes, so I have always enjoyed being close to water.

What three aspects of Finnish life would you like to have in London?

The Finnish housing standards: as everyone who comes from or has lived in northern Europe can tell you, the British flats and houses are of poor quality. The overall level of education, too: the Finns as a people are already overly smug and insular without me telling this to then, but just pick a random British tabloid featuring a story related to the EU and you often get an impression that it has been written for a readership of which more than a few are practically illiterate; quite funny to think about, then, that a good many of the journalists writing those stories and headlines actually are Oxbridge graduates. And last but certainly not least: proper saunas; I go regularly to the one at the Finnish Church, but it is small, seldom hot enough, and has no access to ice-cold water.

Would you like to move back to Finland one day?

Absolutely. My plans tend to emerge, rather than be planned, so I have no idea when that would be, though. If I do move, then it will be to Helsinki; I think I will always need a certain international atmosphere around me, and smaller places with all those trees and plants are also worse for my hayfever.

What other countries have you lived in? How was life there compared to London?

I lived before or during uni in the Netherlands, Lithuania and Italy. All were shorter spells with fixed timelines, so can't really compare them to the life I have here. In the Netherlands I did not shave for two months, so there I at least had much more facial hair. In Lithuania I lived in Vilnius, which is still among my favourite European cities; it comprises an odd semi-autonomous place called the Republic of Uzupis, a sort of Bohemian district for artists and their affiliates, so let's say that my life there was more Bohemian. In Italy I ate more and better, and felt ageless because there were no babies or small children around; Italy is known for both its gastronomy and gerontocracy for a reason.

© FINNSWORLDWIDE

Finnish born Tina Korhonen aka Tina K is a freelance portrait, music and editorial photographer working for various magazines and record and clothing labels. She is mainly an editorial photographer, but she also does promotional, fashion, hair and beauty, glamour, events, advertising and commercial photography. Tina moved to the UK in 2000. She used to work in a picture library before becoming a full-time freelance music photographer. Tina remembers the end of that era very well because she was sacked from the picture library for her own good, because she was changing her hours to accommodate NME’s demands. After all her boss did her a favor and encouraged her to follow her heart. The same boss even gave her a bonus for a digital camera fund in her last paycheck.

Who inspired you to be a photographer?

I have always been interested in images and photography. My father was a keen amateur photographer so I got to take pictures with his camera – Canon AE-1 – early on. When I was about sixteen, I started to photograph punk gigs with his camera and he hardly saw it for the next seven or so years until I bought my own camera.

When I was studying in London College of Printing (London College of Communication now, part of the London Institute of Art), I found out about Philip Lorca diCorsia. I fell in love with his style and I guess he is the photographer who has inspired my photographic style most.

How are you embracing the advent of digital image manipulation?

That is a tough question for me. I like photoshopping to moderation but I am aware that in beauty and fashion magazines, it can create unrealistic expectations and wrong ideals for young girls. It is often very hard to see how much work has been done – even with professional, trained eyes.

I do use digital cameras in 98% of photo shoots and documentary style of photography and I do all live concert and gig photography with digital cameras. I adjust all the images in Photoshop and I also sometimes change backgrounds, make people more beautiful, in other words I manipulate images, too. However, so far I have kept images quite original. I try to catch the image when taking the picture. Someone like Steve Brown (London based photographer) has made art out of image manipulation.

What are you favorite aspects of being a photographer?

I still love my work, after nearly ten years. Creativity, being my own boss – I need my freedom! -  and seeing my images on covers of magazines make me happy.

Who do you want to photograph still? Is their one artist you would like to photograph?

Motley Crue comes to mind right now. Maybe in the Download festival in two week’s time. Because they are the ultimate rock band with a great image. Mind you, they are getting on a bit now, ha ha. Same goes for the Rolling Stones – you can’t get as good pictures of them now as you got in the 60’s but it would still be interesting to photograph them. I have only captured Bill Wyman so far (photoshoot in his Sticky Fingers restaurant in 2006).

Other than musicians, Cindy Crawford would be easy to photograph for sure. She is gorgeous. Kimi Raikkonen is such an amazing driver that I would love to do a shoot with him. I have a feeling he wouldn’t be easy to capture though.

If you were not a photographer, what other profession would you do and where?

I have an MA in Human Geography so I guess I could be doing urban research somewhere, probably in London that still fascinates me greatly, especially urban structures and how areas change so quickly from ‘good’ to ‘bad’.  To be honest, I have thought about this a lot recently – recession thoughts! -  and I can’t really see myself doing anything else but photography. I think it’s too important to my identity.

What tips would you give for an aspiring photographer?

Work hard, don’t get down if everyone doesn’t like your images or give you a job at first try, listen to critique and advice but remember that everyone have different opinions. For example about your portfolio, someone may like a certain picture and someone else may completely hate it. Trust your instinct and believe in yourself. For Finns I would say that at least outside Finland you need to stop being too modest: Who will believe in you if you don’t? Self-promote yourself!

How would you describe the photography scene in Finland?

 I don’t know much about it. I was with the Ylioppilaskamerat and we had a great time and good facilities but I have lost touch with everyone now. We had a great portrait exhibition, ’20 ja Risat’ in the main railway station in Helsinki in 1999.

What are your favourite aspects of living in London?

The diversity! So many nationals of people, different areas, food… and list goes on. It is also the perfect place for me to work as every artist and band plays in London. Only probably New York City or Los Angeles have the same.

What aspects of Finland do you feel proud of while abroad?

Finnish people are still honest and trustworthy - and they have the best cheekbones!

Where do you see yourself in the next few years?

Probably I will still be in London, taking pictures. Hopefully I will have a good agent and I will be doing a bit more of commercial photography along side with the music and portraits.

Some of Tina’s photos below. All the copyrights belongs to Tina. Text: © FINNSWORLDWIDE

Titus Hjelm is a lecturer in Finnish Society and Culture at the School of Slavonic and East European Studies, University College London. He is also the bass player of the internationally acclaimed heavy metal band Thunderstone. Titus moved to the UK in 2007, having lived in Amsterdam for a year before that. He has just bought his first London flat near King’s Cross in Islington. His main areas of academic expertise are cultural sociology, sociology of religion and Finnish society. Among his publications are Saatananpalvonta, media ja suomalainen yhteiskunta (Helsinki University Press, 2005) and Mitä Wicca on? (Like, 2005). Currently he is working on a book titled Social Constructionism: Four Perspectives (Palgrave Macmillan, 2010) and editing a volume titled Religion and Social Problems (Routledge, 2010). Dirt Metal, the new album by Thunderstone, will be released in September by Sony Music.

With your new album coming out this autumn, what are the band’s plans after the album release? Will you be touring?

We’ve already booked some shows for Finland, but we’re still checking for options to tour Europe more widely. We’re hoping to do a full European tour sometime in the spring next year.

What are your personal positive and negative aspects of touring?

The first tour was of course full of excitement and that kept us partying throughout the five weeks we were on the road. I don’t think I could do it again the way I did back then. Now the life in a bus—and I mean 24 hours a day—doesn’t feel so appealing anymore. That said, it is always a welcome diversion from my otherwise not-so-exciting work in front of the computer screen. In many ways, I’ve been—so far—lucky enough to get the best of both worlds.

Are there any difficulties in the music making process as the rest of your band are in Finland and how do you overcome them?

We’ve had some personnel changes since out last album (2007) and our new singer is Swedish, so we’re two fifths ‘international’ in a true sense of the word. Thanks to modern technology I could play my parts in London and send the files to Helsinki, but I choose to fly there and sit in the studio with our guitarist who also produces our albums. It’s just more ‘real’ somehow. As to rehearsing, we haven’t really rehearsed for fun in many years, so whenever we’re writing new material or gearing up for a tour, we spend a concentrated couple of days in the rehearsal studio. Because the nature of the music business is periodical (writing material, recording, touring), I have been able to fit it in my academic schedule.  

What is your dream venue to play a concert in?

There are many, but I guess Madison Square Garden has a special ring to it. The old Marquee club in London would have been legendary, but I wouldn’t mind Wembley Stadium either, haha. (Going there tomorrow to check out Spinal Tap, by the way!)

What aspects of Finland/Finnish life are you proud of when abroad? Does your band promote themselves as a Finnish band when abroad?

I guess with the amount of beer and vodka consumed during tours, we have a reputation as a Finnish band, whether we want it or not! We haven’t made it big enough to bring a mobile sauna with us, but we’ve had some very interesting improvised versions. As this is probably an all-family website, I’ll politely refrain from disclosing any details…

What originally brought you to London and what are your favourite aspects of London?

I was hired as a lecturer by UCL in the summer of 2007 and was thrilled to move. I’ve had friends who lived here—some still do—for some time and I’ve visited them many times, so it’s safe to say that after Helsinki, London is the most familiar city in Europe. Both academically and musically it is also the hub where everything happens. In fact, the amount of interesting lectures and shows is overwhelming sometimes.

What are your passions when teaching? What specifically do you want to teach the world?

As a sociologist, I try to drive home the idea—even when discussing something specific, like Finnish society—that ‘we’re in it together’. That is, what I am is really about what we are. The world is changing rapidly and sometimes sociologists have a hard time catching up with the changes, but I hope some of the things I say in class make people think about things from a new perspective. My most important aim is not to provide final answers, but to provide horizon-widening questions.

Who are your inspirations and why?

As I live a split personality life of an academic and a musician, I’ll give just three examples. Academically, it is mad to say that Max Weber is my idol (because he was mad), but still he is. He wrote not only hard core academic stuff, but was also active as an essayist and in the political arena. One of the best parts of being an academic is engaging the wider public, whatever the form. On the music side it is hard to pick one favourite, but if I had to, that would be Lemmy Kilmister of Motörhead. Although he is a living legend, he’s never hosted a reality-TV show or appeared in underwear ads (although that would be interesting!) What I’m trying to say, I guess, is that he has lived an incredible life but retained his integrity throughout the years. With the music business becoming more and more part of the general celebrity culture, that is a hard thing to do. Finally, there are many ‘world-savers’ that I could choose from, but I’ll mention Martin Luther King, Jr. Having been to Atlanta quite a few times and actually having met his widow in 2002, it never ceases to amaze me how recent the whole phenomenon of segregation is. His words remain important in our current struggle to understand and create cultural pluralism.

What still are your aspirations in music?

I’ve been lucky enough to be part of the minority of musicians that gets to release albums and tour professionally, so I’m happy as I am. That said, there are always things you want more—the aforementioned Madison Square Garden, for example—but on the other hand now I haven’t had to make a decision between my academic and my music life, so like I said, I’m getting the best of both worlds. However, if I had to, I guess the old rocking spirit is still stronger… 

What tips do you have for an aspiring bass player in heavy metal?

Bass is a good instrument if you want to play in a band. I am a guitarist originally and there’s no shortage of those. But with a bass you can get to play in interesting bands. There are really no hard and fast rules, but it is important to know your instrument well. Also, although I hated it at the time, music theory gives you a whole new perspective in playing, so it’s recommended. Finally, the music business is like a lottery: you can’t win unless you put your numbers in. Nobody will come looking for you from the rehearsal basement. You have to be active in pushing yourself. I did it, sometimes with embarrassing results, but I’m quite comfortable with how things are now, so it was worth it.

© FINNSWORLDWIDE

Suomen Merimieskirkko perustettiin vuonna 1875. Toiminnan tarkoituksena on ollut alusta asti tukea kotimaasta kauaksi lähteneitä merenkulkijoita ja siirtolaisia sekä auttaa ulkomailla vaikeuksiin joutuneita maanmiehiämme. Toiminnan perusajatus nyt, yli 130 vuotta myöhemmin, on sama. Vieraanvaraisuus, kohtaaminen , läsnäolo, kristillinen identiteetti, merellinen henki ja avoimuus uudelle ovat toimintamme perusarvot. Merimieskirkkojen palvelut ovat vuosien saatossa monipuolistuneet ja toimipisteistä on muotoutunut suomalaisuuden, suomen kielen ja kulttuurin tukikohtia ja näyteikkunoita Euroopassa. Merimieskirkot ovat käyttäjilleen kappale kotimaata vieraassa maassa ja uuden kulttuurin keskellä. Kirkko haluaa edelleen tarjota apuaan kaikille hätään joutuneille, mutta kirkolle voi tulla käymään, vaikka hätä on vain ruisleivän puute tai halu käydä saunassa. Kaukana kotoa, vieraassa maassa, erilaisen kulttuurin keskellä vaikeudet saattavat yllättää. Yksinäisyys, perhesuhdeongelmat, elämän kriisit kohtaavat monia niin merellä kuin maallakin.

Merimieskirkoilla käy merenkulkijoiden ja etäsuomalaisten lisäksi rekkamiehiä, liikemiehiä, opiskelijoita, au paireja, virkamiehiä, työkomennuksella olevia, turisteja, interrail-matkaajia ja satunnaisia kulkijoita. Merimieskirkoille ovat kaikki sydämellisesti tervetulleita.

Lontoon merimieskirkko on perustettu vuonna 1882 ja vuosien kuluessa kirkolla on käynyt ja työskennellyt lukematon määrä ihmisiä. Kirkon historiassa näkyykin lukuisten ihmisten elämäntyö ja toiminnan jälki. Kirkko on täynnä tarinoita saadusta avusta, yllättävistä kohtaamisista ja saunan ihmeellisistä vaikutuksista.

Uusia tarinoita kirjoitetaan joka päivä. Lontoon suomalainen kirkko on merkittävin Iso-Britanniassa ja Irlannissa asuvien suomalaisten sekä suomiystävien kohtaamispaikka. Kohtaaminen tapahtuu kristillisessä, kulttuurillisessa ja sosiaalisessa viitekehyksessä joko kirkolla tai tapahtumissa kirkon ulkopuolella. Kirkko tekee työtä vakituisesti maassa-asuvien, merimiesten, au pairien, opiskelijoiden, turistien ja eri asioilla alueella liikkuvien suomalaisten kanssa niin Lontoossa kuin Lontoon ulkopuolellakin aina Skotlantia ja Irlantia myöten. Kirkolla järjestetään vuosittain mm. joulumyyjäiset, joka on Iso-Britannian suurin suomalaistapahtuma, parhaimmillaan myyjäisissä käy n. 8000 ihmistä reilun viikon aikana.

Nykyinen kirkkorakennus on valmistunut 1958 ja on järjestyksessään kolmas suomalainen kirkko Lontoossa. Kirkon arkkitehti Cyrill Mardall-Sjöström suunnitteli uuden kirkon jo ennen sotia Southwarkin puistossa sijainneelle tontille. Tontista jouduttiin kuitenkin luopumaan, mutta tilalle saatiin nykyinen tontti Rotherhithessa, jonne kirkko valmistui 1958. Kirkkorakennuksessa suoritettiin laaja peruskorjaus vuosina 2005-2006.

Ulkomaan muut merimieskirkot toimivat Hampurissa, Rotterdamissa, Antwerpenissa ja Brysselissä.Toimintaa on lisäksi Varsovassa, Pireuksella, Luxemburgissa ja Irlannissa. Lisäksi joulukirkkoja järjestetään Kauko-Idän alueella vaihtuvissa kohteissa

Suomessa kansainvälinen merimieskirkko toimii Haminassa, Helsingissä, Turussa, Raumalla, Raahessa, Kokkolassa, Oulussa ja Kemi- Torniossa. Rannikon satamissa palvelee lisäksi Navicar, liikkuva merimieskirkkobussi.

Teksti: http://www.merimieskirkko.fi/ sekä http://www.finnishchurch.org.uk/

Haastattelu: FINNSWORDWIDE

Mitkä olivat ensimmäiset ajatuksesi Lontooseen muutosta ja mitä asioita kaipaat Suomesta?

-Perheemme asui Helsingin Lauttasaaressa. Olin itse töissä ensin opetusministeriössä ja sen jälkeen Lauttasaaren seurakunnassa. Syntyisin olen Lapualta ja vaimoni Marjon tapasin Helsingissä ollessani opiskelemassa Hesan yliopistolla.

-Monikulttuurisuus on aina kiehtonut ja Lontoo on sitä täynnään. Lontoossa yhdistyy kulttuurien ja uskontojen sekamelska hienolla tavalla. Eri rajapinnat koskettavat toisiaan, mutta tulevat hienosti toimeen toistensa kanssa.

Tai ihmisten erilaisuus: kasvojen piirteet on aika simppelit, on ympyrä, jossa kaksi silmää, nenä ja korvat. Mutta kuinka erilaisia kasvot voivat olla 8 miljoonan ihmisen Lontoossa. Tämän kaiken keskellä on etuoikeutettu elää. Itse, vaimo ja lapset olemme saaneet paljon näiltä vuosilta, kun olemme asuneet Lontoossa.

Tietenkin Suomesta kaipaa rauhallisuutta tai sitä että asiat hoituvat suhteellisen hyvin. Mutta ihmeellisen hyvin sitä tottuu tähän "maltilliseen kaaokseenkin".

Miten lapset ovat viihtyneet täällä ja kuinka englannin kieli on lähtenyt sujumaan? Mitä vinkkejä antaisit muille vanhemmille jotka kasvattavat lapsiaan ulkomailla?

-Meillä on 10, 6 ja 3 vuotiaat tytöt, joista vanhimmaiset ovat jo paikallista koulua pitempään käyneenä täysin paikallista murretta puhuvia. Nuorimmainen aloittaa koulunsa nyt syksyllä ja varmasti puhuu jo jouluna kuin Runeberg. Kaikki lapset sopeutuivat Lontooseen Helsingin jälkeen yllättävän hyvin ja olemme koko perhe viihtyneet Englannissa erinomaisesti.

-Muuton yhteydessä vanhemmat tietävät jo jotain mitä odottaa. Vanhemmilla on myös uusi työ ja solmitaan uusia tuttavuuksia. Lasten osalta täytyy myös luoda niitä tilanteita, joita lapset uudessa maassa haluavat odottaa ja joista nauttivat. Minusta kannattaa mahdollisuuksien mukaan mennä mukaan lasten kanssa paikalliseen systeemiin. Sitä kautta lapset saavat paikallista kokemusta ja paljon uusia ystäviä.

Lontoossa eläminen on ollut taatusti lapsille myös elämys. Jo yksistään tapa jolla he puhuvat kavereista on erilaista kun minulle aikanaan lapualaisena. Heille ei ole merkitystä ihon värillä tai kulttuuritaustalla. Toisin oli meillä, kun jo romaani oli minun lapsuudessani eksoottinen. On upea kokemus saada lapsille suvaitsevaisuutta ja monikulttuurinen kasvuympäristö.

Mitkä ovat olleet haasteellisimpia tehtäviä Merimieskirkon johtajana ja mitkä ovat tulevaisuuden suunnitelmat

-Lontoon kirkon peruskorjaus oli mielenkiintoinen ja haastava. Oli upeata olla mukana projektissa, joka merkitsee paljon täällä asuville suomalaisille. Ja oli hieno olla mukana kehittämässä kirkkon toimitiloja vastaamaan tämän päivän haasteita.

Kehitämme koko ajan meidän nettisivuja ja yritämme sitä kautta saada tavoitettua UK:ssa ja Irlannissa asuvat suomalaiset ja heidän ystävänsä. Tähän kehityshaasteeseen otamme mieluusti palautetta ja kehittämisideoita. Toinen painopistealue on aluetyö näillä saarilla. Enemmistö suomalaisista asuu itseasiassa Lontoon ulkopuolella ja yritämme löytää hyviä tapoja tavoittaa heidät kaikki.

Kaikkiaan on haastavaa olla palvelemassa suomalaisia näillä saarilla ja jokainen päivä tuo eteen tilanteita, jossa kysytään kirkolta tapaa toimia. Siksi tämä onkin hyvin antoisaa.

Mitä palveluja kirkko tarjoaa ja mitä uusia juttuja on tiedossa?

-Olemme kehittäneet paljon meidän tiedotusta tavoittaaksemme suomalaiset ja heidän läheisensä. Kirkon palvelukonsepti on laaja ja sen sisältöjä kahvila, lounas, catering, suomi-kauppa, sauna ja majoituksen osalta on mukava kehittää. Puhumattaakaan siitä miten voimme auttaa ja tukea hengellisesti seurakkaitamme. Ja miten voimme tukea ihmisiä heidän eri elämäntilanteissaan. Tavoite on se, että yhä useampi kohdattaisiin kirkolla tai toiminnassamme näillä saarilla.

Miten vapaa-aikasi kuuluu, harrastuksia yms? 

-Elämme pitkälti lapsiperheen arkea, jossa tutustutaan uusiin asioihin ja tehdään asioita lasten ehdoilla. Mutta urheilu on entistä vahvemmin osa harrastuksia. Olen palkannut itselleni jopa Personal Trainerin jonka kanssa tuoksiakin alkaa syntyä. Ammattilainen on ammattilainen.

Mitä luulet että tekisit jos tiesi ei olisi vienyt sinua Lontoon merimieskirkon papiksi?

-Olisin varmasti jossain kansainvälisissä hommissa ilman muuta. Ei siitä pääse mihinkään, että haasteet ja uudet kokemuksen kiinnostavat. Vaikka jossain vaiheessa on mielenkiintoista palata takaisin Suomeen ja ammentaa näistä kokemuksista siellä.

Kirkon muu henkilökunta

Teemu Hälli, kappalainen

Tuulia Matikainen, merimiespastori

Howard Byde, sosiaalikuraattori

Annu Burton, hallintosihteeri

Ismo Peltonen, palveluvastaava

Paula Jussilainen, 2. palveluvastaava

Maria Onuigbo, projektikoordinaattori

Petri Siren, kiinteistöassistentti

Jaana Kleemola, asiakaspalveluassistentti

Pauliina Pyykölä, asiakaspalveluassistentti

Pirjo Hakulinen, asiakaspalveluassistentti

Ella Seppälä, asiakaspalveluassistentti

Ewan King ja Teemu Kyllönen, kanttori

kausityöntekijät

Leena Kurki

© FINNSWORLDWIDE 

As an actor and a musician, how do you keep each profession separate? What challenges do you face?

Most of the time I don´t have any difficulties to keep them separate, cause I`m working in periods. When we are shooting the films with the Kummeli team, I don´t have time to do any music gigs. It takes about two months to have a film completed, so rest of the year I have time to play guitar from the bottom of my heart.

What aspects from each profession do you enjoy the most?

Well as an actor I love to create new characters for Kummeli movies and as a musician the best thing for me is to play in front of a live audience. I do this because I love my work, it`s so simple.

Where do you find yourself more comfortable, acting in front of a camera or playing in front of a live audience?

Making movies is nice, even though I don`t feel very comfortable in front of the camera, anyway to see the finished movie on the screen is nice, because it needs a lot of work before the opening night.

A live audience can make you go wild with the improvisation and that´s why performing as a standup comedian is sometimes really nice.

Who are your heroes of comedy?

I think my first heroes of comedy were Stan and Ollie and Chaplin of course, later came Monty Python and not forgetting some Finnish actors like Spede, and Vesku Loiri, I think I´ve always loved very absurd and crazy comedies, and why, they can really make me laugh.

What are your aspirations as a musician? What venue do you dream to play?

I´d love to play all over the world and I try to be a better musician and a composer every day, it`s simple, but very challenging.

Royal Albert Hall is definitely the number one venue where I´d love to play

Who has had the biggest influence on your sound?

Eric Clapton has always had the biggest influence on my sound, his guitar playing is very melodic and tasteful, of course Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn are big names for me also. English is the mother tongue of blues and that´s why I feel more comfortable to sing in English

What are your future plans with your music? What sound/feel do you want to explore?

I try to finnish my new album, which I hope will be released  in the end of October. I try to find more tasteful and powerful sound to this new album, and I hope my voice could be stronger and deeper too.

How would you describe what your songs about? Which is personal favourite?

My songs are about my life, about love, sadness, joy, happiness, emotions... laughter,  Well, i must say that my favorite song at the moment is my latest single "I´m gonna change my life".

As you have visited London many times, what do you personally enjoy about London?

I love London because of the great concerts I have been able to see there. And of course the air museums are great and when you walk the streets of London, a country boy like me can feel that now we are in the big city.

With your upcoming gig in London, your first outside of Finland, what are you expectations and your thoughts?

I´ve played blues music for 20 years, and I´ve never been to London, so I think it´s about time to show the good English people what the Finnish blues is made of.

© FINNSWORLDWIDE

Hanna Kohonen, 23, is one of the newest Finnish arrivals in Britain. She has recently moved to London to study fashion marketing at the London Metropolitan University. Hanna is originally from Tampere where she has lived most of her life.

You moved to London in the beginning of September. Is this your first time here?

I have visited London once before. Well, it was actually last July. When I applied to study in Britain, I, of course, knew about the country and London but I had never had a chance to visit the place. So when I was accepted to the university here, I had to come and check out the city for the first time before actually moving in.

Have you lived abroad before?

After I graduated from the high school in 2005, I lived in New York for one year. I worked as an au pair for the family that lived in Larchmont, which is this very idyllic area a bit further away from the city centre. My main job was to take care of the 7-year-old twins. It was a lovely year. I did a bit of traveling with the family and with my friends, too. I, for example, visited Hawaii and California.

Did you also consider other destinations for studying than London?

I was considering New York actually but given that the tuition fees are higher than in Britain, I dropped that idea. Britain was quite a natural choice for me because it is an English-speaking country. Especially London is very multicultural and it also seems similar to New York, at least to some extent. In Britain, I also applied to Manchester, Brighton and Glasgow. When I was accepted to the London Metropolitan University, however, it was quite clear to me that I wanted to live and study in London.

Why did you choose fashion marketing?

After high school, I took a couple of gap years in addition to the year I spent in New York. During this time, I worked in McDonald’s and then in H&M. While I was working for H&M, I learned a lot about the fashion industry and about working in the store. As fashion also interests me in general, I started thinking about all the possibilities that I had within that industry. Fashion marketing seemed like a logical choice, however, I knew that having a degree would be essential, too.

What was the application process like?

I applied to the universities online via UCAS website. I basically just had to fill in their form. They ask you certain details about yourself, your education and employment history and so on. The most important part of the application in addition to the reference, however, seems to be the personal statement. Personal statement is sort of a marketing tool that the applicants use to sell themselves to the universities. In my opinion, it is worthwhile to spend considerable amount of time thinking about the text for that statement. After I had sent the application forward, I basically just had to wait for the decisions from the different universities I had applied to. Receiving this information is quite easy as the decisions appear in the UCAS website so all you need to do is to log in.

What has the studying in London been like compared to Finland?

To some extent, studying in London is similar to Finland. You have certain tasks that you have to complete. For example, you have to prepare for the lectures in advance, write case studies and essays, and so on. However, I was surprised when I noticed that they are following quite carefully how much students are absent from the classes. If you have been absent too much, you cannot progress to the next year.

What has been the most challenging thing related to studying so far?

The most challenging thing, I think, has been getting used to writing essays in English especially following the British essay structure which differs from the Finnish equivalent. Though, the universities have acknowledged the fact there are quite a few foreign students studying in Britain who are used to the different ways of studying in their home countries. Therefore, the universities provide help, for example, in the form of writing workshops.

How is life outside the student responsibilities?

After the studies, I am usually meeting friends for coffee and doing a bit of sightseeing. There are several of us students at the university who have not been in London before so we are trying to get to know the city a bit better. I have noticed that it is quite easy to get to know people here and I also have quite a multicultural circle of friends. Surprisingly, there are quite a few of us Finns at my university, too.

What do you want to do when you grow up?

I want to work in the fashion industry. Ideally, I am taking care of the fashion marketing or PR,

for example, for a fashion house or one of the designers

Interview by Katja Nykänen

© FINNSWORLDWIDE

This autumn, the Finnish community of London has grown with another Finn who decided to explore the world outside the mother ship Finland. Anna-Emilia Kalaja, 20, from Oulu has recently moved to London to work as an au pair.

How long have you worked as an au pair for?

For about two months now. I flew to London at the beginning of September so since then basically. Though, I have worked as an au pair before as well. I worked in Spain during the summer of 2007. So the au pair work is not totally new to me.

Why did you choose to come to London?

I was in London on vacation about 1,5 years ago and I really liked it. I did think of going to Sweden and even to America too but I like London. It is a beautiful city. It is easy to be here. The British culture is different from Finnish one but there are similarities, too. Also, one of my hobbies is jazz dancing and I get to continue that here, which is great.

Did you consider other jobs as well?

I did not really think about other jobs as such. Working as an au pair was an easy choice because of my previous work experience from Spain. I saw the ad for this position on the mol.fi website, which is the website for the Employment and Economic Development Office in Finland, applied and got the job.

What does your job include?

I am working for a Finnish family here in London until the end of June 2010. My main job is to take care of the family's two small children. One of the children has reached the school-age already, the other one is going to the nursery. I am taking them there in the morning and fetching them back home in the afternoon. I also cook for the family and clean the house once a week. I basically have day time and weekends off but if the children are, for example, ill then I, of course, take care of them. I also might do some baby-sitting during the weekends but so far it has been rather rare.

Are there any differences between your au pair work here and in Spain?

The two jobs have been quite similar so far without too big differences. Obviously I am not working for a British family, but a Finnish one living in Britain so our cultural backgrounds are basically the same. When I went to Spain, I did have a bit of a culture shock because of the different way of life but I got over it quickly. I think in Spain my work involved taking care of the children much more than here. Here I have more free time.

What is the best part in being an au pair?

Well, first of all, you get to work with children. In Finland I sometimes used to be a sports instructor for children, and it was good fun. I also have quite a lot of free time so I get to see the sights and spend time with my friends. And, of course, the family members will become life long friends because you spend a lot of time with them, too.

What is your circle of friends like?

At the moment, my friends are mostly Finnish. One of my childhood friends from Finland is living in London and I have also gained some new friends through the au pair circles and also via the family contacts. It would be nice to have more foreign friends, too. There are also all these different au pair sites and associations available in the Internet. You can find contacts that way but meeting up with people is also up to your own activity.

Any tips for the people wanting to become au pairs?

Basically, you have to have enough motivation to move abroad for a while and work with children. Also, you should decide what kind of family you would be happy to work for and how much work you are willing to do. Having lots of free time can be good and bad, too. If you have lots of free time, but you do not know what to do with all that time, you might start missing home sooner rather than later. Sometimes it is good to keep yourself busy.

Interview by Katja Nykänen

© FINNSWORLDWIDE

Tell us something about yourself

My name is Ilkka Lavas (30v) and I am an entrepreneur. I started my first business “w3 create” when I was 17 years old. Nowadays I am a partner in 8 companies. Suomikauppa.fi was established in 2005 to serve the Finnish peopleliving abroad. I have a wife and 2 kids. I like to ride motorbikes and I love snowboarding!

What is Suomikauppa.fi? Why was it born?

Suomikauppa.fi is the biggest online shop for Finnish goods. We sell over 2500 Finnish products delivered all over the world.  The idea for the shop was born when we noticed that there wasn’t a place for Finnish expats and other Finnish origin people to get Finnish groceries etc. delivered to their current homeland. Suomikauppa.fi fills the need for Finnish goods such as Salmiakki, chocolate or Finnish movies for example. Nowadays our customer base is growing beyond the people from Finland. There’s huge interest for Finnish specialties like Xylitol, Salmiakki and sauna products all over the world.

What is the busiest time of the year for you?

The high season starts late September and stays busy until the end of December. Christmas time in general is really busy when people are sending gifts back and forth to each other.

Which country is at the top of your order list and what do they order the most?

Current top 3 countries are: United States, United Kingdom and Germany. The top products vary from time to time but forever classics hold their own year after year such as Fazer chocolates and Salmiakki sweets. Groceries in general are the most sought aftermoi products. It’s those Finnish memories, tastes and smells that people abroad are craving for.

What is your relationship with London like?

I have been to Heathrow Airport :-) I would like to visit London and I have heard that you have nice Finnish Pub evenings that I would like to join during my visit. I have plans that I will visit London properly next year. Don’t know yet

What do people in UK order the most?

The people in the UK are ordering pretty much the same palette of products as our customers in general. (see the answer above) Groceries, sweets, movies, clothes and Sauna products.

What are the most suprising products that people have asked to be included in to your product range?

Product requests surprise us quite a few times each week. Our customers do know much better what they need while living abroad. We listen to our customers and we add new products when asked. For example Finnish potato chips and toothpaste come to mind first. There’s a lot of special ‘one off’ groceries that pop up in customer requests that in Finland you wouldn’t come to think of. Baking paper, salad dressings, juice, sodas, flour, muesli, and also duvet covers etc.

How are you going to spend your Christmas?

Hopefully we’ll keep real busy until the holidays J After that, peaceful, relaxing Christmas together with my family.

© FINNSWORLDWIDE

My name is Andrew Ayre, I am originally from Yorkshire in the UK and have been living in Helsinki, Finland for over 1 year. I am 27 years old, and have been working in the restaurant industry for 10 years. I have worked in England, Australia and now at a fine dining restaurant in Helsinki.

Was it a difficult decision to move to Finland? What were the deciding factors?

I found the decision to move to Finland quite an easy one, having been with my girlfriend for 3 years I felt coming here would be a great opportunity to understand her background. I also like travelling and found the chance of coming to a new country and experiencing something new intriguing. I guess the deciding factor was the better quality of education for her to study.

At the beginning, was it difficult to adapt to Finnish life? What challenges did you face?

By far the most difficult thing about adapting to Finnish way of life is the language, Finnish people often speak back to you in English even when you make the effort to speak in Finnish. It is difficult to learn as it sounds completely different from any other language. I have also found difficulties in finding a job, though I have a great job now I find Finnish employers are sometimes unwilling to take a chance on a foreign worker.

What makes a Finnish lady so special?

There must be something special about them as so many foreign guys follow them here. My story is fairly typical.

What 3 aspects of British life would you bring to Finland?

I really miss the food culture in Britain, there are a lot more independent food shops and

restaurants than in Finland. Also fresh food is a lot easier to find, and cheaper.

I come from a small village in England and I miss being able to talk to people at the bus stop,

or out walking. Finnish people don't like general chit-chat about the weather or what they are

doing at the weekend. I would also have to bring football culture to Finland. I have been disappointed several times going to the pub trying to watch the big match only to find them showing ski-jumping instead. With more popularity Finland might even reach a world cup!

How do Finnish restaurant kitchens compare to that of the UK?

I find that working in Finland a lot more is expected of you, I often find myself working alone in the kitchen as it is more expensive to have staff than in the UK. However in Finland you have more job security especially if you are a member of one of the work unions.

How do Finnish restaurant kitchens compare to that of the UK?

I have a love hate relationship with Finnish food. I like salmon soup, ruisleipä and some meat dishes like lihapullat and pyttipannu. But I really hate rice porridge and nahkiainen.

How would you improve the Finnish restaurant culture/scene?

I think Finnish restaurants need to become less mainstream as I often feel there are only 3 types of restaurants in Finland very cheap/fast food, expensive / high class, and chain restaurants. There are very few independent cafes/bistros making fresh tasty food more accessible.

Any New Years resolutions? Any major plans for the new year?

My new years resolution along with my girlfriend is to eat healthier and try something different at least once a week. We are also going to start supporting local suppliers (going to Hakaniemi Kaupahalli). We have started writing a food blog with recipes and information on Finnish food culture.

In what other profession would you like to be in?

I could never see myself doing anything else other than working in the restaurant industry, it is all I have ever wanted to do. If for some reason I was unable to continue working full time in the kitchen, I would find a way to open my own small cafe/bistro serving light fresh food.

@ FinnsWorldwide

What do Alien, Lady Gaga and Edward Scissorhands have in common? The scary appearance? Belief that wearing less is actually more? Their poker face? The answer is more simple than that: they are all part of Mari Kasurinen’s My Little Pony world. Those adorable children’s toys have received a new life in the hands of Kasurinen, and have evolved towards more commonly known stars.

Mari Kasurinen is a Mikkeli-born artist who was raised in a farm together with her two little brothers. In 2008, while she was still studying art, Kasurinen became internationally known for her My Little Pony figures. Her work was introduced in such well-known blogs as, for example, the official Star Wars blog. Last year, in addition to Finnish media, also Guardian wrote about her work on their website.

What inspired you to become an artist?

In my family, the women have usually inherited the artistic skills. My mother and grandmother, for example, paint porcelain. For me, becoming an artist was quite clear ever since I was a child.

When I was about 5-years-old, I kept on telling to my parents that I was going to become an artist. However, they were trying to be a bit more realistic than me, as parents often tend to, and instructed me that art is a good hobby but it is unlikely that one can make a living with it. Later, when I have actually been able to support myself with my art, they have laughed that it was a good thing that I didn’t listen to them.

About a year ago, your My Little Pony figures made the headlines.

What is going on with the ponies now?

My Little Ponies are still the most popular products, that is, they sell the most at the moment. The amount of work has increased during the past year. There is about a year’s queue in orders which is quite a standard situation. I am now in the position where I can, or rather have to, decline some work.

Previously, the reasons for declining were, for example, moral or ideological but now in addition to these I simply do not have time for everything. Every work I do has my name on it so I have to consider whether the topic is suitable for my own themes and if it reflects what I want to say.

I find that the status of pop culture has changed in general, too. It seemed that especially in Finland, people related to pop culture a bit wrongly earlier. They didn’t understand it and didn’t consider it as a form of art. Now, you can almost say that the genre has gained more understanding. Pop culture seems to be in fashion and, therefore, it is also more in display, more available to people.

Where do you get your pony ideas from?

Nowadays, most of the ideas come from the people who order the work. I simply don’t have enough time for processing my own ideas at the moment. If I had some more time, I would probably process some of my ideas related to the music and movie world – not just for My Little Ponies but also for printmaking.

How do you make the ponies?

I work at home which suites me. When I start processing the character, I first need to get to know it better, for example, what makes it what it is now, how other people see it and what its image is.

Then I have to find a My Little Pony that fits the character. My Little Ponies have different postures and the posture can reflect the personality of the character. Sometimes it is easy to find the right posture, sometimes it is more difficult and I might have to choose from a couple of different alternatives.

When I have selected the right My Little Pony, I need to remove all its hair after which I process the pony with the substance that breaks the surface of the figure. Then I attach the new hair and start working with the material that forms the actual shape of the character. Finally, I will paint the character and put it in to my home oven for awhile.

Tell us about your other art projects.

In addition to My Little Ponies, I enjoy printmaking and painting. Though, painting I do rarely as I don’t have enough time for everything I want to do. Often the topics for, for example, printmaking can be more intimate and close. They are topics from my own personal life and experiences.

In the beginning, it was hard to let go of the artworks that I had created but I have gotten used to it now. With printmaking you can always keep one copy of the work anyway so it is not like you are giving it a way completely. Once I swore I would never sell Edward Scissorhands as it is one of my favourite characters. But I did let it go at the end.

How do you find combining art studies and trying to advance your career as an artist?

Well, at the moment I am a full-time artist. I don’t really have time for studying as I have too much work. Now, it feels that I might take a gap year or two. But I haven’t made any final decision on what I am going to do with the studies, whether to continue or not.

What or who inspires you?

Pop culture is the biggest inspiration for me, whether I want it or not. It is the people who inspire me: what they do, what they are like, how they act and what they think about. Pop culture does not lie. It tells you what people are pursuing and how they generally are in the current society. If you consider something like the music scene, I find it interesting how things become phenomenons. Take Lady Gaga, for example. She has become a phenomenon in a very short time.

Andy Warhol and other similar artists are my sources of inspiration as well. I could also mention Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst and Picasso. The modern art, though, is not that close to me even though I find it interesting to follow someone like Banks and his career.

Is there any specific place in the world where you would like to have an exhibition?

There really is no specific place I would like to have an exhibition at the moment. Although, it would be great if one of my artworks would end up to a permanent collection of, say, Louvre or Ateneum. I am actually planning an exhibition to Los Angeles. The aim is to have it organised there during this upcoming summer or autumn.

What dream would you like to fulfil next?

It is more like a general dream. I wish the things would continue the way they are and that I could continue creating art and making the living out of it.

It would be nice, though, if you were able to create whatever artworks you want but art is quite an expensive business. You have to gain a certain level of authority in the field of art before you are able to do that. Very few artists have that kind of authority. Damien Hirst and Jeff Koons could be considered as such artists. Hirst, for example, somehow managed to get all those diamonds for his ‘For The Love Of God’ work. It is the combination of having the authority and the right sponsors.

Erja Lyytinen is a Finnish blues singer and guitarist who likes expanding the traditional blues with such musical genres as pop, rock and even country. Although, Lyytinen is from Finland, the language of her music is English. Her tours have taken her, for example, to the US and almost to every corner in Europe. Last year, she was also seen touring in UK.

Lyytinen is originally from Kuopio but nowadays she is living close to Helsinki. In addition to being a singer and a guitarist, she also writes her own music, studies at the Sibelius Academy, runs her own business and even has a bit of time for gardening.

How did you become a musician and end up choosing blues?

I have a very musical background. My whole family has been into music for as long as I can remember, and I have basically listened to music all my life. When I was about five-years-old, my father used to play the guitar, and I just made up the lyrics and sang on the spot. I also used to play the violin when I was younger, which then, along the way, changed to an electric guitar. All the instruments were available at home, so that made it easy to try everything and choose. Although, my family is musical, I am the only one of the three children who became a professional musician.

Blues happened around the time I went to high school. I used to sing in a soul band then, and that way I got introduced to the black music. The power and honesty of that music had such a big impact on me. It just felt right in every way. Also, for the guitarist, blues is an ideal choice.

Last year, you toured Europe quite a bit. How would you compare the blues music scene in Finland with the rest of Europe?

I find that in every country, there are those who love blues. Germany and the Netherlands seem a bit more fanatic about it than other countries in Europe. In the US and in the Middle Europe people seem to end up almost to this state of ecstasy when listening to the blues. It is probably because, in the Middle Europe and especially in Germany, there seems to be a great demand for roots music.

In Finland things tend to be a bit calmer. Though, I have to say that Finnish people do get excited as well, even if they might not be as spontaneous about it as other nationalities. The mentality can sometimes be such that if a neighbour does not clap his hands, then I don’t dare either. But then a bit of encouragement from the band can do magic. Also, especially in Finland, part of the listeners come outside the traditional blues fan base. They are, for example, people who have seen the artist play in some open air festival. They have then realised that they actually like the blues. Then later they come and see the artist’s own gigs.

What was your UK tour like?

UK has a great club scene to tour. Our tour there, at the end of last year, was one of our exciting ones in general. There was no language barrier as I sing in English, and it was great that the audience really understood the lyrics. The reception was very good. British listeners actually tend to be quite critical. This is probably because they have long musical traditions there, and the lack of music is never a problem. After a gig, you will certainly get direct feedback from the listeners, which is a pleasant change. Also, Finnish and British people can be quite similar as an audience.

What or who inspires you?

The inspiration can come instantly and activate an urge to write a song. Things that inspire me are little things, for example, atmosphere, feelings, thoughts and so on. The inspiration can be some kind of happy occasion that has just happened, or then an unhappy event that is really annoying, and that just needs to be written out of my system. Writing a song can be very therapeutic that way.

What is the most memorable place that you have visited?

All the good concert locations are memorable, and there are plenty of those. One of the most memorable locations, though, was in North Germany where we had our gig in 2007. We were in a place called Fehmarn Island. What makes it memorable is the fact that it is known to be the place where Jimi Hendrix had one of his last concerts.

Another memorable location is in Mississippi. We were there in 2005, and I just had to go and visit the crossroads. This is the place where, it is claimed, Robert Johnson, the American blues musician, sold his soul to the devil. There is even this kitchy guitar statue in the location. Whether the ‘selling the soul’ story is true or not, it is still a mystical thought.

Third location is in London actually. Last year we opened for Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire. It is a very historical location, as it seems that all the bands have performed there. It meant a lot to me to be able to be on stage there and sing.

Do you meet many Finns when touring outside Finland?

I actually do also meet Finns while on tour outside Finland. For example, we were on tour in UK and had a gig in Wolverhampton. I was greeting the audience, when suddenly someone said in perfect Finnish and very clearly that “Ehtoota!”. It was very amusing. It turned out that a group of people had flown from Finland to Wolverhampton just for my gig. But there are also Finns who live abroad and come to the gigs, which is always nice.

If you were not a musician, what would you do?

That is a very tough question, as it is hard to think of anything else I would rather do. It would still have to be something creative. One topic that has always interested me is interior design and how one can utilise the space. The other alternative would be to do something completely different, for example, in a corporate world.

What are you plans for 2010?

I am going to release a new album this April. The common theme in the album will be the many different forms of love. The different forms of affection basically. There are songs, for example, about the love for a third person, when you already love another; songs about the predatory love, and love for the ones who are close to you. One song is about the needy love and it is titled ‘Don’t Let A Good Woman Down’, and in that one the man cannot decide whether to move forward in a relationship or not. I have noticed that even if we have not been in all of these situations ourselves, then we certainly know someone else who has.

In addition to the album, we are going to organise a big concert tour in Finland. There are plans to make the show a bit more theatrical and visual. In March, we will tour the Netherlands and maybe Norway as well. During autumn we will tour Germany, Switzerland, Sweden and UK.

Interview by Katja Nykänen

© FINNSWORLDWIDE

Interview by Katja Nykänen

© FINNSWORLDWIDE

Photo by: Nina Lahtinen

'My little Angel Of Death' by Mari Kasurinen

Photo by Mari Kasurinen