Finnish investigative journalist Jessikka Aro, who was set to be honored with an International Women of Courage Award, has reportedly had her award rescinded after the State Department discovered she had frequently criticized President Trump on social media…More at.. https.www.thedailybeast.com/us-cancels-journalist-jessikka-aros-award-over-her-criticism-of-trump-report

While Brits watch their libraries disappear, Helsinki’s radical new library combines reading, skills and recreation.

” In Helsinki – home to almost 650,000 people – there are 36 public libraries. “Libraries are the second-highest rated public service in Helsinki; the number one is drinking water,” explains Helsinki’s executive director of culture Tommi Laitio. It is enshrined in law that every Finnish municipality must have a public library, and as a result there are 853 across the country…” more at

https://www.newstatesman.com/spotlight/skills/2019/03/finland-s-new-library-speaks-volumes-about-world-s-most-literate-nation

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/helsinki-coolest-city-finland/index.html

(CNN) — When it snows, the flakes come at you like shards of ice. There’s a biting wind that freezes your ears off. Daylight lasts only a few hours.And no one talks much. Helsinki in the middle of winter sounds like a place to avoid at all costs. A dark, brooding city that shivers under piles of snow.Maybe it was once, but not any more…

Hi All, For your reading pleasure…Lorna

http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20180617-why-the-finns-dont-want-to-be-happy

Celebrate Finnish Culture Day/Kalevala Day at Saima Park!
Saturday, February 23. 8:00-10:00   Pannukakku Breakfast: Finnish oven pancake, bacon, sausage, fruit, juice, Finnish coffee bread, coffee/tea/cocoa. $8.
10:15-11:30  “Finnish Center at Saima Park: The Next Generation, Workshops”Premier showing of Judith Lindstedt’s film featuring four Kalevala-themed workshops held at Saima   Park in 2018:

•   Painting demonstration by artist Scott Niemi
•   Baking Karaljan Piirakka with Joyce Hannula
•   Sauna talk and fashioning a vasta/vihta from leafy birch branches with Frank Ruosteoja
•   Making a herder’s horn and weaving a bird with birch bark crafter Elaine Moe

Following the one-hour film, workshop presenters will take questions from the audience.
The film was partially funded with a grant from Finlandia Foundation National.

10:00-3:00  Ski/snowshoe! If there’s enough snow, the trails will be open to the public hotdogs, soups, pulla, and beverages will be for sale beginning at 11:30.

Reminder: The trails are open to members during all daylight hours. Park outside the gate and walk in. For conditions, call Frank Ruosteoja at 978 343-4654.

Keep that flag out after “War Veterans Day” for May 1st: Vappu

What is Vappu?

With its northern latitude leading to cold. dark winters, the arrival of spring has always been a welcome event in Finland and a tradition of a festival to mark the turning of the seasons dates back to pagan times.

A Finnish twist on the May Day celebrations developed in the nineteenth century when engineering students would celebrate and party at midnight on 30 April, while sporting their traditional white caps.

This custom has now become widespread across Finland, leading to almost a carnival-like partying in towns and cities with large student populations.

Festivities begin in Helsinki at 6pm on 30 April, when students will gather at the Market Square to wash the statue of a nude female called Havis Amanda, before putting a white cap on her head.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/75/Helsinki_HavisAmanda_at_Vappu_20050430.JPG

On 1 May, students and graduates will then lead a procession through Helsinki, ending in large open-air picnics in the parks across the city. Mead and doughnuts are traditional treats on this day.

Submitted by Joyce Hannula