Home ::: Finland, Estonia & Finno-Ugric
a midsummer fest
I'm up with the early light, though the sun is obscured with cloud, and I remember it is Juhannus and .... the summer solstice, (or properly June solstice for it's winter in the southern hemisphere). Memories of magical midsummer nights... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on June 21, 2009
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K.A. Laity's Unikirja: Dream Book
I want to take a short break from the subject of our recent trip to tell you about a special book that I'm very excited to learn is now published and available: Unikirja: Dream Book. Author Kate A. Laity has... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on May 31, 2009
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Film: Recipes for Disaster
If you live in the Vancouver area, you will want to see this important film: On April 16, view the third and final film of DOXA’s Documentary Film Series in the lead-up to our May festival. Recipes for Disaster follows... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on April 14, 2009
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Easter weekend
spring, rye grass, pussy willows, birch twigs, tissue paper flowers virpovitsa whisking, children with cowbells decorated eggs, egg hunt, dancing sun mämmi porridge, flying witches, begging children All of the above are a curious blend of Eastern and Western... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on April 10, 2009
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Women's Month interviews
this morning Writer and blogger-friend Kate A. Laity of Wombat's World is doing an inspiring series of interviews of women: I've decided to use this month -- Women's History Month, of course -- to do a simple yet... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on March 9, 2009
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feast of Stephen
Good King Wenceslas looked out On the feast of Stephen When the snow lay round about Deep and crisp and even The words to the carol "Good King Wenceslas" were written by John Mason Neale and published in 1853,... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on December 26, 2008
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Tapio Wirkkala, Finnish designer
Go fetch yourself a cup of your favourite brew, sit down and watch this gorgeous 16 minute video on Tapio Wirkkala, in English and some Finnish. Virtual Finland presents him as "a father figure of Finnish applied art... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on December 5, 2008
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advent calendars
from Virtual Finland This morning, as I flipped the calendar pages over to the last page, it hit me that it is now December or Joulukuu (Finnish for Christmas month). So much to do and what do I... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on December 1, 2008
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Kekri and Samhain
It's the last day of October and Halloween tonight. With our children grown up and the grandchildren in England this year, I have made no effort to celebrate this occasion here at home. Erika, now living at home... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on October 31, 2008
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Thanksgiving and Nobel Peace Prize
The elections here in Canada and the US plus the world economy has taken far too much of our attention lately. Canadians vote on Tuesday, October 14th and that night will be an anxious one awaiting results that we... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on October 12, 2008
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white nights
Awake at 3:30 this morning, unable to get back to sleep, I made myself a soothing cup of hot cocoa (with goat's milk and stevia) and sat at the table reading yesterday's paper. Looking outside, to the northeast I... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on June 20, 2008
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sima for May Day
The sunshine is so warming today as it streams into the house (oh, but such dirty windows). Fresh green leaves, spring flowers and even dandelions are bursting everywhere in spite of the cool temperatures. The tulips I had picked... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on April 30, 2008
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snow artist
Artist and University of Lapland Professor of Art Education Timo Jokela's medium is snow, which he sculpts, saws, and moulds on the fells of Finland, Sweden, and Norway, Russia and the Austrian Alps.
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Posted by Marja-Leena on April 18, 2008
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immigrants' journeys
A story of one Finnish family's immigrant experience.
UPDATE April 28, 2008: I just learned about this exhibition on the same theme: Free Spirit: Stories of You, Me and BC is a major feature exhibition at the Royal BC Museum in Victoria, BC's capital. We'll have to see this the next time we go visit!
Posted by Marja-Leena on April 14, 2008
BC's Finnish settlers
Addendum April 14, 2008: Please read about the story of one Finnish family's experience immigrating and settling here!
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Posted by Marja-Leena on March 25, 2008
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a low-carb diet
Thanks to an email alert from the local Finnish community, last night my husband and I enjoyed an interesting creative documentary film on CBC Newsworld's Passionate Eye : RECIPES FOR DISASTER, a Millennium Film of Finland production, directed by John... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on February 18, 2008
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Vottovaara
Browsing the latest posts at The Megalithic Portal a few weeks ago, an article with the name Vottovaara, caught my attention for it sounds Finnish and also sounded rather familiar to me....
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Posted by Marja-Leena on January 14, 2008
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Looking back: Joulupukki
Isn't it fascinating how the Santa Claus figure has evolved in different countries? In Finland, the jolly fellow is called 'Joulupukki' and his home is on Korvatunturi Mountain, in Finnish Lapland.
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Posted by Marja-Leena on December 19, 2007
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Looking back: Lucia's Day
I am finding that one of the downsides of being a blogger for more than two or three years is that I feel that more and more I begin to repeat myself. Yet, readers come and go though there are... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on December 13, 2007
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two candles for Finland
In honour of Finland's 90th Independence Day (Itsenäisyys Päivä) today, I have lit these two candles in a window, as is the custom there. "Why two candles? Well, one is for home, the other is for country. This silent... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on December 6, 2007
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PISA tests
Pardon my bragging... I've written from time to time about how Finland's education system has been well-recognized for its excellence in many areas - reading, music, math and sciences. This has been confirmed by the international PISA tests such... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on December 4, 2007
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Saariaho and Sibelius
This seems to be the week for music themes on my blog. First, I learned that Kaija Saariaho has been named Composer of the Year by Musical America: Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho swore she would never write an opera... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on November 15, 2007
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elf academy
Have you ever wanted to be an elf? The Elf academy is being set up in Rovaniemi, Lapland where you can become a certified elf. This is the right place, after all it is the land of Santa and... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on November 6, 2007
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November/Marraskuu
Ah, the calendar page turns to November. This morning's too-brief sunshine drew me outdoors. I could not resist taking the camera to capture some of the last of fall's beauty in our garden. Curious about the source of the... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on November 1, 2007
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autumn and sauna
We said goodbye to summer and welcomed autumn by working outdoors in our yard all weekend. All day yesterday we were cutting and pruning some hugely overgrown laurel to let in some sunlight, trimming some of the neighbour's birch tree... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on September 23, 2007
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RETURNS
P September's calendar is filling up with interesting events. I've just booked seats to see a Finnish-themed music theatre work by an MFA grad with a Finnish name. As immigrants ourselves, my husband and I were quite intrigued by this... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on September 5, 2007
ancient chewing gum
imagine my surprise reading this at Mirabilis: A 5,000-year-old piece of chewing gum has been discovered by an archaeology student on a dig in western FINLAND
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Posted by Marja-Leena on August 20, 2007
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Sámi cultural heritage project
...an interesting, informative and beautifully designed website: Recalling Ancestral Voices, concerning the repatriation of Sámi cultural heritage.
Posted by Marja-Leena on June 29, 2007
Tove Jansson biography
Way back in February of 2005, I wrote about trolls and my love of folk legends, myths and fairy tales especially anything Finnish. In that context came up the name of internationally well-known Tove Jansson and her Moomintrolls. There... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on May 20, 2007
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May Eve and Day
This April 30th I'm once again reminded by Helsingin Sanomat that today and tomorrow are Vappu or May Eve and May Day, "one of Finland's most boisterous (and liquid) annual festivals". May Day in Finland is a national holiday,... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on April 30, 2007
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Miniprint Finland 2007
Another print triennial is coming up, this time in Finland: "The Graphic Artist Association of Lahti and the Lahti Art Museum are pleased to invite the artists to participate in the 6th International Miniprint Finland 2007 miniature graphics triennial."
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Posted by Marja-Leena on April 16, 2007
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Kalevala and Vietnam
I know that the Finnish national epic the Kalevala is read around the world, translated as it is into 61 languages. So I've been quite intrigued to read a fascinating story about two Vietnamese women and their involvement with... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on March 12, 2007
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friendship day
Hauskaa Ystävänpäivää and Happy Friendship Day, everyone! Since learning about this very inclusive celebration, I like it far more than our over-commercialized and wasteful Valentine's Day, as long as we keep it simple. I did make this heart for... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on February 14, 2007
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Happy 89th, Finland
Hyvää itsenäisyyspäivää to Finland and my Finnish readers! On December 6, 1917, shortly after the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, Finland declared its independence. On this date, 89 years later, Finns are celebrating their country's Independence Day. If you are... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on December 5, 2006
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wombat's world
checked out a link back to my blog from Wombat's World -the writer was going to Finland to see the Astuvansalmi rock paintings!
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Posted by Marja-Leena on October 9, 2006
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Modern Finnish Ruins
"Abandoned buildings, derelict factories filled with incredible old machines sitting alone in the dark halls with their power turned off for good, or nearly collapsed sawmills rotting silently away in the forest, being reclaimed by nature are the best, most authentic and interactive museums of industrial archaeology and local history....
Posted by Marja-Leena on August 31, 2006
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Fiskars Village
An exhibition called 'Fiskars Art Center presents Remix-Rethought'. Fiskars? The Finnish scissor company? Yes, and there is a place in Finland called Fiskars that I didn't know about. This tickled my Finnish funny bone.
Posted by Marja-Leena on July 14, 2006
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June 1, 1906
For some time I've been thinking about mentioning some fascinating Finnish history that I've been reading at Virtual Finland. Guest writer Hank at Finland for Thought beat me to it with the following: “1.6.1906 was a significant date in the... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on June 1, 2006
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beauties vs beasts
(Lordi - Photo from Eurovision) The first that I ever heard of LORDI was in an email about two weeks ago from fellow-blogger Anna in England: "Lordi lordi, whatever next? I really think that you should do a piece... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on May 20, 2006
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Happy Walpurgisnacht
"Ah, it's May Eve", I wrote last year, "Almost anywhere else on the planet this would not be so very significant, but in Finland it means "Vappu", a kind of Finnish "Mardi Gras meets the Rite of Spring", with... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on April 30, 2006
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Finnish Design exhibition
More Finnish stuff, dear readers! Friends of Finland recently sent out a notice to members about a very interesting travelling exhibition of Finnish design coming to Vancouver. (Links and photos are my additions.) "SCHOOL OF COOL - FRESH FINNISH DESIGN... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on April 6, 2006
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Arno Rafael Minkkinen
Arno Rafael Minkkinen, Self-portrait, Dead Horse Point, Utah, 1997, 20" x 24" I first became acquainted with Arno Rafael Minkkinen, an internationally known Finnish-American photographer through Art Daily some months ago. His works affected me deeply, and I bookmarked it for... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on March 31, 2006
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Kaija Saariaho, opera composer
Charles Downey of Ionarts wrote today: "Tonight was the big night in Paris, the world premiere of Kaija Saariaho's new opera, Adriana Mater, at the Opéra national de Paris. It was to have been the jewel in the crown of... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on March 30, 2006
Toronto's Lord of the Rings
"The much-anticipated musical theatre version of The Lord of the Rings made its formal début in a gala première in Toronto on Thursday evening, and the reactions of the audience suggested that the massive production would not be leaving... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on March 24, 2006
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WOMAN
(image scanned from invitation - designed by Andrew Cairns) WOMAN is an art exhibition in celebration of International Women's Day at the Ferry Building Gallery, 1414 Argyle Ave, in West Vancouver, BC. The opening reception is tonight, Tuesday, March... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on March 7, 2006
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slide show: aurora borealis
Ooh, there's a truly outstanding and beautiful slide show of the Aurora Borealis at Virtual Finland (from where I've borrowed this photo)! "Finland is a leader in the study of the Aurora Borealis, the majestic display of colours that... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on February 28, 2006
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photos of Finland
Niklas Sjöblom photo, February 6, 2006 I have a few longer blog posts that I have been wanting to write for some time but have been busy and then too tired to organize my thoughts and research. So, instead... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on February 13, 2006
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Finnish ice flowers
In today's meanderings amongst some favourite Finnish bloggers, my eyes popped at the sight of some absolutely gorgeous photos of frost flowers on ikkunaiines' windows. The pictures speak for themselves without language. There are lots more on her photoblog. All... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on January 19, 2006
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weird habits meme
This meme has been going around many Finnish blogs and now I've been tagged by SIKURI (written by a Finnish-American blogger and writer, formerly sananlaskija). I'll do mine in English to open the field since so many Finns that I... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on January 17, 2006
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Twelfth Day
Today is the Twelfth Day of Christmas (and my true love gave to me...!). A year ago, I learned that the Twelfth Day of Christmas is on the sixth day of January which is Epiphany (or Loppianen in Finnish). Traditionally... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on January 6, 2006
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Sami & Inuit Art exhibition
If you are anywhere near Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, you may be interested in this upcoming exhibition at the Art Gallery of Hamilton. I wish I could see it because, as some readers know, I'm interested in the northern indigenous... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on January 4, 2006
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Boxing Day
Boxing Day is a public holiday observed in many Commonwealth countries on 26 December. In many European countries including Finland it is also a holiday, called St Stephen's Day (Tapaninpäivä in Finnish) or the Second Day of Christmas. According... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on December 26, 2005
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Santa or Joulupukki
(A straw moble or "himmeli" - scanned from a clipping in my files, from an old Finnish magazine possibly Kotiliesi) It's now five nights to Christmas Eve and my thoughts are dancing around this rather magical time. I'm really... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on December 19, 2005
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Santa Lucia's Day
Illustration by Satomi Ichikawa in "Merry Christmas - Children at Christmastime around the world" (Wm.Heinemann, 1983) In Helsingin Sanomat is an article about the Saint Lucia parade held last night, December 13th, in Helsinki. "As the doors of the... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on December 14, 2005
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musician of the year
Today, I'm pleased at this news in Helsingin Sanomat International: 'Esa-Pekka Salonen named Musical America's "Musician of the Year" Musical America has named the Finnish conductor, composer, and music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Esa-Pekka Salonen as its "Musician... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on December 13, 2005
Finland Independence Day
Hyvää Itsenäisyyspäivää to my Finnish readers! ("Happy Independence Day" in Finnish). Finland is celebrating its 88th Independence Day tomorrow, Tuesday, December 6th. It is a national holiday, an official flag-raising day, and in every home, two candles are normally... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on December 5, 2005
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first of December
The first day of December already! I just learned that 'the name is from the Latin "decem" for "ten". December was the tenth month in the Roman calendar until a monthless winter period was divided between January and February',... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on December 1, 2005
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Finnish libraries
The Dome Hall, National Library of Finland As I've mentioned before, I love reading Virtual Finland for all kinds of interesting facts about my birth country. I knew that Finns have long led the world in reading and literacy.... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on November 26, 2005
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Exhibition Photo & Statement
Posted by Marja-Leena on November 22, 2005
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final preparations
With my printworks finished and ready to hang on Wednesday morning, I had a day of deserved and much-needed rest yesterday. Today I am sorting through my notes, even my blog posts which are a proving to be a... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on November 12, 2005
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Finland, Cultural Lone Wolf
This is the unusual and attention-grabbing title of a new book on Finland, as announced in the aforementioned e-newsletter from Canadian Friends of Finland. The announcement reads: DEAR FINN OR PART- FINN: Finland is revealed in a new book by... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on October 15, 2005
Sibelius...the Last Swan
Images from Jean Sibelius biography site. Canadian Friends of Finland, Vancouver Chapter, presents: SIBELIUS.....THE LAST SWAN A stage play performed by Western Gold Theatre Saturday October 29, 2005, 2 - 3.30 pm Scandinavian Community Centre, 6540 Thomas St., Burnaby, B.C.... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on October 15, 2005
NIFCA
If you are an artist looking for opportunities such as residencies in the Nordic countries, NIFCA, the Nordic Institute for Contemporary Art, will be of interest to you. Located in Helsinki, NIFCA is funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers,... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on October 13, 2005
Wolf Cave
Here's an interesting find, not rock art this time, but archaeology. Susiluola or Wolf Cave is northern Europe's oldest known human dwelling site. In most places the last ice age destroyed evidence from the warmer interglacial periods of previous... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on October 3, 2005
Pekka Kivikäs
As my readers know, I'm nuts about prehistoric art, particularly that of northern Europe. One site that I check periodically is Arkeo.net, a Finnish portal for archaeology fans. Recently I spotted a notice about some new books (PDF) that... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on September 26, 2005
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Sunday in Vancouver
A gorgeous sunny warm day yesterday tempted us outside to explore. We headed to Deep Cove with walking shoes, a backpack with water, a snack of nuts and the camera. The "Cove" was pleasantly crowded with people enjoying the... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on September 12, 2005
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Artscape Nordland
Seven Magical Points - Martti Aiha, Finland Reader and commenter extraordinaire Bill really livened up the virtual conversation at my post about a book on Quadra petroglyphs Spirit in the Stone. If readers missed it, do go read the... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on September 11, 2005
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Marimekko
Marimekko Pattern: Karhunkukka (1964/2004) (translation:Bearflower) Designer: Maija Isola and Kristina Isola Soon after my last post, which mentions Marimekko, I found an article in the Guardian about how Marimekko may have won John F. Kennedy the 1960 presidential election!... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on September 6, 2005
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blogs and shows
1. Thanks to blog friend Anna of Self-Winding for pointing out that The Padacia has posted a couple of my Nexus prints. Thanks also to this mystery blogger from Oslo - it's nice to find another beautiful blog. Curiosity sent... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on September 6, 2005
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language leak
I must still be thinking about accents and language and identity" because this article caught my eye and really struck a chord. A study says that languages 'leak' into each other in subtle ways: ' "While linguistics experts are reluctant... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on August 20, 2005
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accents
Artist Karen D'Amico of fluid thinking wrote about how her accent betrays her roots even after 15 years in her new country. It got her "thinking about the notion of accent as a marker for identity." This subject always fascinates... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on August 16, 2005
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dog days of summer
I always wondered where the expression dog days of summer came from. It made me think of overheated dogs panting with their mouths open and tongues lolling. I do feel rather like a hot dog these days. "In the... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on August 9, 2005
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opera in Finland
I've suspected for some time that Charles Downey of Ionarts is "quite a Finnophile", as he admits in a great post about Finnish opera and the Savonlinna Opera Festival. For me, Savonlinna is a special town in the beautiful... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on July 28, 2005
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Graphica Creativa
Graphica Creativa is the second oldest international printmaking exhibition in the Nordic countries. It is arranged in Jyväskylä, Finland every third year. Thanks to Graphica Creativa, Jyväskylä has become a centre of printmaking. A few days ago its 30 Years... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on July 12, 2005
Land of the Saame
Photo by Pekka Antikainen, in "Land of the Saame" As my dear readers know, I'm fascinated by the northern indigenous cultures, in particular the Saami people of northern Europe who are a branch of the Finno-Ugric family. Some time... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on June 30, 2005
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Arthus-Bertrand in Helsinki
Yann Arthus-Bertrand over Helsinki - photo from Helsingin Sanomat I've been really enjoying browsing through some fantastic aerial photos by celebrated French photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand. He has an extensive summer exhibition, Earth From Above, in Helsinki, including a World... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on June 22, 2005
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Midsummer nights
Many summers ago my husband, our two little girls and I were traveling by car and ferries through Germany to Denmark, Sweden, Finland and back again to Germany before flying home to Canada. The night we arrived in Denmark we... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on June 21, 2005
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visiting Sacral Spaces
Another exhibition that we went to see on our Friday jaunt about town was Sacral Spaces at the Emily Carr Institute. The main attraction for me was, of course, that this featured Finnish architecture (did I ever mention that... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on June 19, 2005
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Sacral Spaces
Here's an interesting exhibition of Finnish architecture that I look forward to seeing, right here in Vancouver! (links mine) Hughes Condon Marler: Architects in collaboration with Emily Carr Institute’s Charles H. Scott Gallery presents Sacral Spaces – Modern Finnish Churches,... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on June 9, 2005
Finland Diary
Wow, did I receive a lovely surprise on this morning's check on ionarts. In Blogging Finland, Charles Downey wrote: "Thanks to The Cranky Professor, I learned about one of the Washington Post blogs, Robert G. Kaiser's Finland Diary, for which... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on May 25, 2005
'Rings' debut in Toronto
"The much-anticipated stage adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings trilogy will have its world premiere in Toronto, producers announced in London Tuesday. The $27-million show, co-produced by Toronto's Mirvish Productions, will open in March 2006 at the... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on March 17, 2005
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Finnish folklore inspires
A news item in VietNam News, via News Room Finland caught my eye - "Finnish oral traditions inspire painting exhibition in Ha Noi" (links are mine): "Two female artists from Viet Nam and Hungary are displaying their interpretations of Finnish... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on March 14, 2005
Finnish artists' blogs
A few days when browsing through language hat I found coloria. It's a unique site (in Finnish) all about colours: history, cultural meanings, chemistry, pigments and so forth, plus a discussion forum, by Finnish artist Päivi Hintsanen. She says (in... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on February 12, 2005
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all about trolls
Illustration by Rudolf Koivu, "The troll and the shepherdess" in "Matka Satumaahan" (A Trip to the Land of Fairytales) by Raul Roine, Otava, Helsinki 1954 Sometimes I wonder if some readers think I'm silly when I write about my... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on February 4, 2005
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Finnish music
Many heart-felt thanks to everyone for all the blogoversary congratulations! Extra special thank yous to Anna for the delightful little poem she wrote for the occasion, and to Charles Downey who wrote: "There's a little post on Finnish music for... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on February 3, 2005
anniversary & rocks
Well, today is this blog's first anniversary and what a wonderful ride it has been. Many thanks to all you faithful readers and commentors and the still growing numbers of visitors who have been and are still making this new... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on February 1, 2005
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about Báiki
Cover of issue 25 of Báiki, with image of sculpture: "NAA", © 2003 Rose-Marie Huuva, reindeer hide and sealskin I recently received a copy of Báiki: the North American Sámi Journal, which 'is a major English-language source of information... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on December 12, 2004
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Finland's Independence Day
Finland is celebrating its 87th Independence Day (Itsenäisyys Päivä) today, December 6th. Though I'm a proud Canadian, I'm also proud of my birth country. Finland was part of the Swedish realm for some 600 years up to 1809 and then... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on December 6, 2004
Lord of the Rings musical
Helsingin Sanomat has a story that really tickles my Finnish funnybone as it makes the intriguing connection between Tolkien's Lord of the Rings and Finland. The makers of London's West End musical Lord of the Rings (Flash webpage) have gone... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on October 3, 2004
Flying stones of Lapland
I have been having an interesting email correspondence with Vyacheslav Mizin, a Russian in St. Petersburg who found my site and wrote to me about his interests and research into Arctic stone cultures. His research trips around the St. Petersburg... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on August 25, 2004
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Music in Finland
As a lover of opera and all things Finnish, I'm surprised and thrilled by today's post on ionarts "Music in Finland". Charles Downey writes about how active opera is in Finland today as well as its history: "It took the... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on August 20, 2004
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World Congress of Finno-Ugric Peoples
"Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, will host the Fourth World Congress of Finno-Ugric Peoples from 15-19 August 2004. The theme of the congress is "The Youth Is Our Future" and it will bring together approximately seven hundred delegates, observers and... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on August 17, 2004
Karelia's Rock Art & History
Andrew Heninen is a Karelian (Finnish-Russian) programmer with a keen interest in the history of lost Finnish territories. Karelia (or Karjala in Finnish) is a territory which straddles the present-day border between Finland and Russia, and is home to the... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on July 6, 2004
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Finnish Rock Paintings
"Finnish rock paintings are an unique link to the world of the Stone Age people. The paintings are made 6000- 3000 years ago in vertical rock surfaces. The nearby lake was an important waterway, These pages introduce some of the... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on July 3, 2004
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the Sami and Siida
Part of my ongoing research into my Finnish ethnology has been learning more about the other groups in the Finno-Ugrian family of people. The Sami (formerly called Lapps) of Northern Finland, Sweden, Norway and Northwest Russia are one group and... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on June 15, 2004
visiting Karelia
Going through some of my old bookmarked links, I came across a favourite saved sometime around the year 2000, The Karelian Journal. It is a fascinating real-life story about an international group that travels to the northwestern region of Russia... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on May 21, 2004
Nexus: Vyg & Willendorf
Nexus: Vyg & Willendorf
inkjet print on Hahnemuhle watercolour paper
61 x 80 cm.
Posted by Marja-Leena on May 5, 2004
The Spell of Rock Art
A prize possession of mine is the 2003 Finno-Ugric Calendar published by the Estonian Society of Prehistoric Art and the Fenno-Ugria Foundation. The photo work was done by society member Loit Joekalda, whom I met in Tallinn in 2002. It... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on March 29, 2004
Event: Kalevala Runos
Is this synchronicity? I have just received an email notice about an event this weekend called Kalevala Runos. It is presented by the Vancouver Society of Storytelling. Their link is for last year's event and because there is no current... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on February 24, 2004
KALEVALA and The Lord of the Rings
As a Finnish-Canadian artist, I am drawn to learning more about the very ancient roots of my family in the Old World. In writing about these discoveries on this weblog, I hope to share some of these with other expatriate... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on February 19, 2004
Rock art research
In my research into the history and art of my ancestors, a wealth of information has come from Loit Joekalda. He believes the best researcher of the rock art of the Fenno-Ugrians is Väino Poikalainen, chair of the Estonian Society... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on February 7, 2004
Tallinn
A fast ferry ride across the Gulf of Finland took us to Tallinn, Estonia with its fascinating medieval walled old town, surrounded by a busy city rapidly catching up with the west after the Soviet collapse. We met award-winning printmakers... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on February 3, 2004
Helsinki
After Vaasa and Turku, came the beautiful capital city Helsinki, full of interesting things to see. As arranged, we met printmaker Vappu Johansson, who had been a visiting artist at Vancouver's Malaspina Printmakers Society. She kindly gave us an interesting... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on February 3, 2004
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"Traces" Exhibition in Finland
In May & June 2002, I had the great pleasure of having an exhibition called "Traces" with friends and colleagues Bonnie Jordan and Steven Dixon at the Pohjanmaan Museum's Taidehalli in Vaasa, Finland. Please look at: TRACES, my site specifically... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on February 2, 2004
Fenno-Ugrian people
Some of my image research delves into the marks left by early humans, particularly the Fenno-Ugrian peoples. Their region includes Finland (my birth country), Karelia (now in Russia), Estonia and Lapland or Sami. The Gallen-Kallela Museum in Finland had an... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on November 30, 2003