ISSUE 8 (138) • 25 FEBRUARY – 3 MARCH 2010 • €3 • WWW.HELSINKITIMES.FI DOMESTIC BUSINESS SPORT LIFESTYLE EAT & DRINK Till Dividend Oulu Home of Heaven death payments rugby Grand on do us apart hold stardom Canyon Earth page 4 page 9 page 12 page 14 page 16
LEHTIKUVA / HEIKKI SAUKKOMAA Finland managed debt in dubious ways
DAVID J. CORD their offi cial statistics measure up. HELSINKI TIMES Some complex fi nancial transactions have been used as well. GREECE’S public fi nances have been Finland used a variety of tech- under intense scrutiny in recent niques to massage offi cial statistics. weeks. Questionable accounting prac- From 1995-2001 Finland engaged in tices have been used that may have securitisation operations in regards hidden the extent of the nation’s debt to housing loans granted by the State crisis. Greece is not alone. Finland has Housing Fund. These loans were used similar tricks in the past. transferred to another entity, Fen- The eurozone pact requires coun- nica, which in turn issued bonds on tries to keep total debt below 60 per the market using the loans as guar- Railway workers getting ready to clear ice and snow from the rails. cent of gross domestic product and antees. The net result was a transfer annual budget defi cits under 3 per of debt from Finland to Fennica and cent. To meet the criteria various ac- out of offi cial statistics. counting measures have been used Transport Minister: Finland has by some countries in order to make Read the full story on page 9. forgotten how to deal with winter ferry people to Estonia and Sweden or fl y them to sunny beaches. Since STT In response to criticism over in- for the ongoing delays. Jaatinen says Travelling Finland is literally surrounded by MATTHEW PARRY – HT suffi cient funding for rail mainte- that the discount will cost the compa- countries using currencies other nance, Vehviläinen points out that ny hundreds of thousands of euros. than the euro, foreign exchange is EVERY day now, train delays are tor- more money would have been no The winter delays mean the com- abroad big business. menting more than 10,000 regular guarantee of prevention of the cur- pany is facing accrued losses running But how should one make pur- passengers who in practice are com- rent pandemonium. into the millions of euros. In January, DAVID J. CORD chases abroad? Should the travel- pletely dependent on rail services. Each month, the Finnish rail op- more than a quarter of trains did not HELSINKI TIMES ler use cash or cards? If using cash, Minister of Transport Anu Veh- erator VR sells well in excess of run on schedule. January’s delays should one exchange here or in the viläinen (Centre) feels that once 10,000 30-day passes for its com- alone will cost the company an esti- FOR FINNS travel has become destination country? If using cards, this winter’s blizzards have reced- muter and long-distance train serv- mated three million euros. Last year, something of a national pastime. is point-of-purchase better than ed, steps should be taken to prevent ices. The company refuses to release VR’s net operating profi t amounted Large industries have grown to ATMs? a possible repeat of the situation as more detailed fi gures on the locali- to 29 million euros. “I used to live in China,” says Tuo- early as next winter. ties and transport zones which have mas Kauppinen, Product Specialist “We’ve had a long bout of fairly the largest number of 30-day pass at Forex. “If I wanted to withdraw mild winters. Perhaps we’ve forgot- holders between them. Train delay compensations the equivalent of 100 EUR I would ten what sort of situation can devel- “Hardly any company releases its – Compensation claims are most eas- have to pay percentage charges and op on the rails, especially given that sales fi gures in detail. This is normal ily done by online form at www.vr.fi. fi xed fees to both the local Chinese there is a lot more traffi c than there practice,” comments VR’s head of – Passengers can also cancel un-
HEIKKI SAUKKOMAA HEIKKI bank and my Finnish bank. I would was a couple of decades ago.” passenger traffi c, Antti Jaatinen. used train tickets and receive full have 10.50 EUR in fees from a 100 Vehviläinen argues that simi- All in all, VR performs just under compensation if the train has been EUR withdrawal. Using a card is the lar consideration should be given to 200,000 rail trips daily. delayed by over an hour. Tickets can easiest thing to do, but it is also the other traffi c, such as icebreakers. VR has promised to sell 30-day be cancelled at train station sales most expensive.” “It seems that we are unable to passes for commuter and long-dis- counters, or by phoning VR’s cus- respond adequately to this sort of tance services at a 25 per cent dis- tomer service number 060041900. Read the full story on page 8. winter.” count in March, as compensation
24.2.—6.6. The Power of Africa
Tu e , Fri-Sun 11-18, Wed-Thurs 11-20 Free entry Wed-Thurs 18-20 Ahertajantie 5, Tapiola, Espoo www.emma.museum Busses from Kamppi, Helsinki: 106, 110 2 25 FEBRUARY – 3 MARCH 2010 Q & A HELSINKI TIMES
Louise Vet is a professor of Evolutionary Ecology at Wageningen Uni- versity and director of the Netherlands Institute of Ecology. She is an ecologist with a broad interest in ecology and evolution, working on multitrophic interaction.
“We have a take-make-waste economy” use any water because they Q: You state that we “live in resources. We’re in a space- use groundwater instead of the wrong economy”. What ship, we have only a limited To halt the planet’s declining biodiversity and loss of critical natural drinking water. do you mean? amount of stuff available on resources, both the economy we live in and communication about sci- The pee and poo go to fer- A: We have a take-make- the planet and if we destroy ence needs to be changed profoundly, says ecologist Louise Vet. mentation tanks, and after waste economy, not think- it, we eventually make our making energy out of “the ing about the stuff we use own lives impossible. black water”, as we call it, the and what to do with it after- Therefore we need to [remainder] goes in there with wards. It’s this so-called line- get to a circular economy, LISA JANSEN peared on the front-page of planet. Right now a tree is all its minerals. Then it goes ar economy that is so wrong. to at least keep the limit- IPS the major Dutch newspaper only valued by the amount of to algae and in algae it will be We don’t value our resources ed resources in the amount the NRC, with 80 signatures wood it produces when you transformed into worms. enough. we have them now, rather WE PRESENTLY live in a line- of these businessmen. harvest it. But when the tree We’ll be the fi rst offi ce lab- Energy is not the real prob- than diminishing them even ar “take, make and waste” At fi rst sustainability was is valued on an ecosystem oratory building of this kind. lem, we can solve that, it’s the further. economy in which natural seen as a left-wing thing, but services basis, it is tremen- resources are running out because we present it as an dously important for every- and ecosystems are being innovation challenge with body on this planet. destroyed, says Louise Vet, benefi cial possibilities rath- Taking it away has a long- a professor of evolutionary er than a problem, right-wing term affect on the ecosytem ecology in The Netherlands. people have gained interest. services: it catches CO2, it But this clash between On a regular basis my col- fi lters air, it has its micro, economic and ecological in- leagues and I lunch with pol- fauna, fl ora, diversity impor- terests could be reconciled by iticians to talk about topics tance etc. A tree contains so implementing a so-called “cir- such as deforestation and much more value than a sim- 3ANTA 3AFARI IS THE ONLY INTERNATIONAL INBOUND GROUND HANDLING COMPANY IN cular economy”, she argues. policies regarding the fi sh- ple piece of wood for a table %NONTEKIO &INLAND 4HE COMPANY OWNS AND MANAGES THE $AVVI !RCTIC ,ODGE IN Vet, director of the Neth- eries, trying to get our ideas or a chair. erlands Institute of Ecology, across the political agenda. +ARESUVANTO 7E HANDLE A LARGE NUMBER OF GUESTS EVERY YEAR AND PRIDE OURSELVES spoke with Liza Jansen about Q: You recently invited eve- ON QUALITY AND AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCES IN ,APLAND how this circular economy of- Q: What’s the biggest ob- ryone to come and poo in -ANY OF THE GUESTS COME FOR SHORT BREAKS BUT OTHERS COME TO VISIT 3ANTA #LAUS fers concrete solutions to pre- stacle to reaching an your research centre. Why? SIMPLY FOR THE DAY vent further ecological losses agreement? A: One of our most limited re- 4HE PEAK OPERATIONAL PERIOD IS FROM .OVEMBER TO !PRIL and teaches how to commer- A: We have very limited focus sources is phosphorus. Phos- cially benefi t from it. Excerpts on long-term goals, which is phorus is in every cell, in our 7E ARE LOOKING FOR ENERGETIC SKILLED AND DEDICATED PEOPLE TO WORK IN A RANGE from the interview follow. diffi cult for present day in- DNA, in every living organ- OF POSITIONS dustry. One of the major ob- ism, plant or bacteria. We !LL APPLICANTS MUST BE ¾UENT IN %NGLISH AND PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE IS AN ADVANTAGE Q: Apart from your pro- stacles is the way we value use it in our artifi cial fertilis- fessional interest in out- things in our present day ers, making agriculture pos- (/4%, -!.!'%2 standing ecologic scientifi c economy. We tax labour rath- sible to feed the people in the 9OU WILL NEED THE FOLLOWING research, you try to arrange er than resources. world. ✱ (OTEL MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE a good marriage between If we’d change our fi nan- Worldwide, we’re disturb- ✱ 4HE ABILITY TO GENERATE NEW IDEAS ecology and economy. How cial system, which I think we ing the phosphorus circle, ✱ ! PROVEN TRACK RECORD OF IMPLEMENTING ½NANCIAL PROCESSES AND ACHIEVING ½NANCIAL TARGETS do you achieve this? should, other things would be though we only have 80 years ✱ 4HE ABILITY TO DEVELOP AND DELIVER A PRO½TABLE FOOD AND BEVERAGE OPERATION A: It’s primarily a business chal- valued. A great lot of resourc- left before it’s done and its ✱ &ULL STAFF MANAGEMENT AND RECRUITMENT EXPERIENCE lenge to do it differently. Many es on our planet are limit- availability is limited to a few ✱ 3ALES AND MARKETING EXPERIENCE people are currently thinking ed and should therefore be places in the world. As soon and working on innovation to priced higher. as that happens, we can’t !VAILABLE IMMEDIATELY benefi t the planet, economy, We’re trying to get to a have any artifi cial fertilisers "ASED IN &INLAND DURING OPERATIONAL MONTHS AND IN /XFORD FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE YEAR ecology and the people at the different kind of fi nancial anymore, which will be dis- !##/5.4!.4 same time, the so-called Peo- economic calculation with, astrous for food production. ple Planet Profi t-model. for example, paying for eve- Phosphorus in the future will 9OU WILL BE WORKING ON A RANGE OF TASKS TO INCLUDE PREPARATION OF MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTS Since politicians would ry used piece of carbon mol- be like fresh water. BUDGETING FORECASTING CASH ¾OWS 6!4 2ETURNS 0AYROLL MANAGING 5+ OVERSEAS PAYMENTS CREDIT rather listen to businessmen ecule. The rarer they are, the What we do in the Neth- CONTROL AND ALL BANKING ISSUES and people from the indus- more expensive they get and erlands: all of our excrement !LL APPLICANTS MUST HOLD A RECOGNISED ACCOUNTANCY QUALI½CATION OR BE QUALI½ED BY EXPERIENCE try than to environmental- the higher they are taxed. goes straight to a sewage sys- AND POSSESS A BROAD KNOWLEDGE OF ½NANCIAL PROCESSES AND COMPUTER SYSTEMS +NOWLEDGE OF THE ists, we do a lot through This would change the fi nan- tem that covers the whole of HOTEL OR TRAVEL INDUSTRY IS BENE½CIAL 9OU WILL NEED TO BE HIGHLY SELF MOTIVATED WORK WELL UNDER businesses. cial system completely and The Netherlands. Our sewage PRESSURE BE A GOOD TEAM PLAYER AND CON½DENT IN YOUR ABILITIES As an example: when a would therefore make differ- slush contains great concen- !VAILABLE IMMEDIATELY couple of years ago a new ent profi ts. trations of phosphorus, but "ASED IN &INLAND DURING OPERATIONAL MONTHS AND IN /XFORD FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE YEAR government was formed in we don’t do anything with it. The Netherlands, about 80 Q: How much more time is Therefore we’re trying to Dutch businessmen from needed? build a new model to regain multinationals were involved A: I hope Western countries the phosphorus from our 0LEASE SEE WWWDAVVIHOTELCOM to stress the importance of can get all their money to- own excrement by closing TO APPLY EMAIL YOUR #6 TO RECRUITMENT DAVVIHOTELCOM sustainability in composing gether to save the forests the nutrient cycle. We have a new cabinet. The news ap- that are so important for our vacuum toilets that hardly HELSINKI TIMES 25 FEBRUARY – 3 MARCH 2010 33
The Helsinki Region is aiming to introduce a new ticket and Travel Card swap information system by 2014. It has made swift progress will provide passengers with even more up-to-date informa- The exchange of Travel Cards tion on timetables. In future, for began in November of last year, example, it will be possible to and so far more than half a mil- check from a bus stop or online lion of the old cards have been whether your bus is running on exchanged for the new. There schedule. are around 700,000 Travel We will also be able to off er Cards in active use across the new online services, such as whole Helsinki Region. Travel Card top-ups and online Travel Cards can be exchanged card statements. The coming at Travel Card service points, system will also make it eas- as well as in R-kiosks, Stock- ier to extend your card’s area mann department stores, and of validity to other municipali- VR booking offi ces across the ties. capital city region. From 4 May Renewing the system will re- onwards, it will only be possi- quire that the old Travel Cards ble to exchange cards at service be swapped for new, ISO- points. standard cards. The new cards When exchanging the cards, are more technically sophisti- all data on the old card, such as cated and economical than the period tickets or value, are auto- current ones. The Helsinki Re- matically transferred to the new gion Travel Cards currently be- card. The swap is free of charge ing phased out have been in until November 2010. After that, use for eight years. They have old cards will be exchanged for a worked well, but they have al- processing fee until autumn 2012. Travel Card swap signals a new age ready reached the end of their The new Travel Cards are life cycle. used the same way as the old This year, GPS tracking devic- ones. The old cards will be val- The majority of Travel Card users in the Helsinki Region have already es will be purchased for use in id on public transport until No- changed their old card for a new one. The Travel Card swap is part of public transport, and these will vember of this year, but it is no also serve the new ticket and longer possible to load them an extensive renewal of the ticket and information system. information system. with period tickets or value.
Central Railway CapaCity bus Construction allows boarding of west metro Station metro from all four doors has begun A Mercedes Benz CapaCity articula- Excavation work for the west metro station back in use tion-joint bus is being trialled on Jo- has begun in Ruoholahti. Detona- keri route 550 until 4 March. The bus tions linked to construction work Metro trains are again stopping for the Kaisaniemi and Kamp- allows access to passengers from all will be audible inside the Ruoho- at the Central Railway Station pi metro stations. sets of doors. The bus has four sets lahti metro station, but they will metro station. However, the re- The Central Railway Sta- of doors, each of which is equipped not aff ect metro traffi c. pair work will continue and the tion metro station has been with a card reading device. The west metro will run from lifts at the station will remain closed since last November HSL is using the trial to study the Ruoholahti to Matinkylä in Espoo out of service. They will be re- due to water damage caused amount of time saved when pas- via Lauttasaari. The aim is to have paired during the summer. by a burst pipe. sengers can access the bus from the new line up and running in au- Because the metro platform The long escalators leading several doors. As is the case with tumn 2014. area is at this stage accessible onto the metro platform will other buses, single tickets for the There is an online monitor- only by escalators, the station also undergo renovation. The CapaCity bus must be bought from ing system at www.lansimetro.fi , does not for the present serve escalators will be repaired the driver. which can be used to observe the passengers who need to use one at a time, so that three CapaCity is also being used to progress of excavation work. The the lifts. Prams and wheel- out of four escalators will be test whether a long, articulation- map shows up-to-date informa- chairs are not allowed on es- in use. For this reason the es- joint bus makes it possible to intro- tion about the extent of the bur- calators for security reasons. calators may be jammed dur- duce buses into tram-track-type rowed tunnel. Passengers who need to use ing rush hours. All in all the traffi c. The low-fl oor buses have a the lifts to access the metro renovation of the escalators length of 19.5 metres, and capaci- in the city centre should head will take about a year. ty for almost 200 passengers. 4 25 FEBRUARY – 3 MARCH 2010 DOMESTIC NEWS HELSINKI TIMES
LEHTIKUVA / MARTTI KAINULAINEN around 15,000 euros, I had Recession makes to change my plans. The tax tax changes unlikely bill basically forced us to sell, What is particularly diffi cult which I don’t think is right. If is the complexity of the laws, we have to pay tax at all, why especially as few people are couldn’t it have waited for a aware of them prior to the few years so that we could death of a loved one. The situ- have paid it off?” ation varies widely from coun- Another aspect of the law try to country – though the that is diffi cult for many is the trend seems to be for inher- fact that inheritance taxes itance taxes to be phased out, must be paid as soon as three as they have been in Australia, months after the deceased’s Sweden and Austria recently. estate is legally settled, re- But with the recession drain- gardless of the fact that the ing government coffers, there spouse may well continue to is little hope of any change in live in the property for anoth- the legislation here. Minis- er 10 to 20 years. While high- ter of Finance Jyrki Katainen er-income families may be was quoted in Helsingin Sa- able to liquidate assets or sell nomat (09.12.2009) as saying shares to cover the tax bill, that two thirds of inheritanc- lower-income families can be es were already tax free – no virtually bankrupted. tax is now paid on inheritanc- Tuula, whose father died es of less than 20,000 euros, recently, leaving her with an and that the current recession apartment in Hakunila, was meant that plans to remove shocked by how much tax inheritance taxes altogether she needed to pay. “The in- had been axed. with nothing. Finnish law heritance tax system should Nevertheless, there are prevents this happening by be progressive,” she said, ways round inheritance taxes. Tax law under fire ensuring that in such a case, “It’s not fair that a low-in- Gifts of less than 4,000 euros the apartment would still be come family who have paid can be given tax free if made of one parent and where no passed to the children. taxes on their wages all more than three years pri- will exists. But, the surviv- their lives are forced to re- or to the death, and tailored Inheritance laws can tear families apart – and ing spouse does maintain the Tax bills a bitter mortgage their homes to pay savings plans can be used to leave the deceased turning in their grave. right to live in the abode for pill to swallow a tax bill, while rich families minimise the burden of an in- as long as they wish. Short Taxes can also tear a size- can pass on tens of millions heritance-tax bill. Wills can of a court battle, it is only on able chunk out of an inher- of euros to their children – help clarify who gets what, DAVID BROWN half of a person’s estate for the death of the second par- itance. Finnish law divides especially when a lot of that and family conversations held HELSINKI TIMES his children, regardless of ent that the children have the benefi ciaries into different money may have come as while both parents are still the contents of the will. In right to sell the apartment categories, according to fam- dividends, which were bare- alive can help smooth poten- WHILE the death of a rela- other words, in a situation and use the money. ily relationship. The immedi- ly taxed”. tial rifts before they begin. tive is a tragedy in any fam- where a father decided to While this system can ate family members pay a tax ily, the ramifi cations of the leave his entire estate to his seem confusing, the rea- rate of between 10 per cent inheritance can create rifts best friend rather than to his sons behind the law are quite and 16 per cent of the value of Inheritance tax in a nutshell between surviving fami- two children, the children sound: to protect the rights their inheritance, while sib- ly members that can take will still receive one quarter of children from a situation lings pay 20 per cent to 32 per Recipients are divided into two groups: years to heal. Such fami- each of the total estate. where a surviving parent cent and friends anything up Group 1: a spouse, children, grandchildren and parents. ly disputes can turn ugly might go against the clear to 48 per cent. Group 2: other relatives and non-relatives quickly and the punitive im- Apartments usually wishes of the deceased. For This alone can cause cha- pact of both taxes and inher- the key asset instance, imagine a situation os following a death in the In general, the rate of tax for group 2 is much higher than for itance laws in Finland often While dividing large amounts in which a husband dies and family. “When my mother group 1. The following table shows the tax rates in the first cat- worsen matters. of money can give rise to leaves everything to his wife died, I decided to hang on to egory. For amounts of tax in the second category multiply the Unlike in many western wanton displays of greed and on the understanding that on her apartment,” Timo tells amount by two. countries, such as the UK and resentment between warring her death, everything will be Helsinki Times. “It was fairly Belgium, where the spouse is siblings, apartments are gen- left to their two children. A small, but she had lived there Taxable amount in euros / Group 1 entitled to a so-called “life in- erally the most contentious year later, the wife meets and for 40 years and I didn’t like 20,000 to 40,000 / tax at the lower limit €100 terest” in the estate and may issue. Finnish law states that marries a new man, and on the idea of anyone else own- 40,000 to 60,000 / tax at the lower limit €2,100 in many cases inherit every- children inherit the apart- her death leaves everything ing it. But when I found out 60,000 or more / tax at the lower limit €4,700 thing, Finnish law reserves ment in the event of the death to him, leaving her children we had to pay a tax bill of DO YOU LIVE IN HELSINKI, More luggage havoc at Helsinki-Vantaa ESPOO, VANTAA OR Barona prepares KAUNIAINEN? for ski holiday season As skiers head for the slopes in their droves, further difficulties are Kähkönen reports that there anticipated at the country’s main airport. is still a shortage of baggage handling staff at the airport. FIND OUT ABOUT THE According to Barona’s Juha SERVICES IN THE HANNA NISSINEN – STT Travellers are requested to ar- Kähkönen links the prob- Martiskainen, however, the MATTHEW PARRY – HT rive at the airport two hours lems to infl amed industrial company has employed tens HELSINKI REGION AT before their fl ight’s departure. relations at the airport. Ma- of new employees during the HELSINKI-VANTAA Airport “There will certainly be jor problems await resolu- last three weeks, in anticipa- is once again preparing itself some backlogs, but not quite tion, even if the workplace tion of the late-spring period. for a backlog in baggage han- as bad as during Christmas,” atmosphere has cooled off The new contracts will dling, now that the ski holi- says Pekka Kähkönen, chief slightly since the turn of the also remain in force for a day season has begun. Finnair shop steward at Barona Han- year. few weeks after the ski holi- Your guide to Finnish life, culture and customs predicts that the rush will con- dling, responsible for the air- “There are still problems day season. After the recent tinue through to 28 February. port’s baggage services. with payment of wages. Bag- spate of hirings, just over gage handlers have been per- 540 Barona employees now forming overtime of around work at the airport. Tips for a stress-free start to your holiday 20 per cent during the be- Martiskainen says that – Check the guidelines provided by your airline on which baggage ginning of this year. The new special arrangements will can be checked in, and which can be taken onboard the flight. employer has not been fully be made in baggage handling – Many airlines allow travellers to check-in early. You can de- accepted yet.” processes in response to the posit your baggage at the airport already the night before. Finnair outsourced its holiday weeks. At its busiest, – During the holiday season, Finavia will post customer assist- baggage services from its more than every second air ants at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport who will be available at ad- subsidiary Northport to Ba- traveller will be checking in vice points to passengers travelling with skiing equipment. – Most ski lubricant and cleaning agents are inflammable or tox-
LEHTIKUVA / SARI GUSTAFSSON rona at the turn of Decem- skiing equipment along with ber last year. Thereafter his or her baggage. ic, and cannot be taken on the flight as carry-on luggage. came an illegal strike last- As of 22 February, Fin- – Check-in can also be easily taken care of at a self-service ma- ing four days, and a backlog land’s schools have already be- chine. The machine can also be used when checking in skis, involving thousands of lug- gun their ski holiday. The fi rst backpacks or other luggage destined for the aeroplane’s hold. gage items. to enjoy the snow are schools “Barona took on a task in Uusimaa, Varsinais-Suomi of which it had no compre- and Satakunta. Next in line are Etelä-Savo and Etelä-Karja- schools in Northern Finland hension or experience,” Häme, Pirkanmaa, Pohjanmaa, la, who will be released in the will get their turn in the week Getting off to a good start for the holidays. Kähkönen says. Keski-Suomi, Kymenlaakso, week beginning 1 March. Most beginning 8 March. HELSINKI TIMES DOMESTIC NEWS 25 FEBRUARY – 3 MARCH 2010 55 Handguns continue to cause debate COLUMNCOLUMNIN BRIEF ready implemented tight- Paatero said that the po- Sports arena Supervisory Authority for Committee calls for a ban on semi-automatic er restrictions following the lice would welcome an order- roof collapses in Welfare and Health. STT Kauhajoki tragedy. ly reduction in the number of handguns, but Finnish police chief says ban Finland’s National Police weapons, together with tight- southern Finland would not in itself prevent school shootings. Commissioner Mikko Paate- er control over the storage The roof of a sports arena Sharp drop in ro said last Thursday that al- and possession of fi rearms. in Järvenpää collapsed on public concern though he believed banning He added that he believed Tuesday 23 February. over climate STT and killed nine students and self-loading handguns would the factors leading up to the Rescuers said that 11 of LOUISA GAIRN –HT one teacher at his vocation- not in itself prevent future school shootings were not to the 13 people in the building change al college in September 2008, school shootings, a ban would be found in the arms law but at the time of the accident On 21 February, Finnish A COMMITTEE appointed to before turning the handgun lessen the number of un- in the need for better wel- had escaped unscathed, newspaper syndicate Vä- investigate the Kauhajoki on himself. He had been grant- premeditated murders and fare for children and young with two children sustain- li-Suomen sanomalehdet college shooting in 2008 has ed a gun permit and approved suicides. people. ing minor injuries. quoted a poll as indicating recommended that Finland as a suitable gun owner fol- Pentti Kapanen, the that about 29 per cent of the impose a ban on semi-au- lowing a routine interview chairman of Järvenpää Finnish public regarded cli- tomatic handguns and also with the police. Areena, told the Finnish mate change as an extreme- made proposals for the tight- The Kauhajoki commit- News Agency at the scene ly serious problem, down ening of laws governing gun tee’s recommendations were that a buildup of snow on the from some 43 per cent re- licences. submitted to Justice Minister building’s roof might have turned by a similar poll car- The committee also called Tuija Brax on 17 February. contributed to the accident ried out two years ago. for more school resources de- The proposals, however, but added that the snow The papers added that voted to the mental health of have been met with caution LEHTIKUVA / MIKKO STIG load had been monitored more than a fi fth of the re- students, as well as better col- by some of Finland’s senior throughout the winter. spondents rated climate laboration between offi cials. offi cials. The roof and some walls change as an insignifi cant The proposed ban would Interior Minister Anne of the building measuring problem or denied its exist- apply to most handguns now Holmlund stated that a thor- 50 metres by 40 collapsed. ence altogether, compared registered in Finland. Com- ough review of the commit- The Accident Investiga- with about one in ten in the mittee chairman Pekka tee’s report would be needed tion Board was called in to poll two years ago. Commis- Sauri, who also chairs the before she could take a po- establish the cause of the sioned by Väli-Suomen sa- Finnish Central Association sition on the proposed ban. incident. STT nomalehdet, market research for Mental Health, says there According to a preliminary company Taloustutkimus in- are approximately 250,000 estimate, seizing the na- terviewed about 1,000 people handguns in Finland, of tion’s 200,000 semi-auto- Four Finnish in early February. STT which 200,000 are of the matic handguns could cost hikers rescued in semi-automatic type. approximately 40 million eu- Sweden The 22-year-old perpetra- ros. She doubts that the gov- Finland’s National Police Commissioner Mikko Paatero believes Vanhanen: tor of the Kauhajoki shooting, ernment will issue a total ban that banning self-loading handguns could lessen the number of Swedish rescuers said on Afghanistan trainee chef Matti Saari, shot on handguns after having al- unpremeditated murders and suicides. 22 February they had found policy no threat to four Finnish ramblers shel- tering in a gorge near Mt government Kebnekaise in northern Finance Minister Jyrki Sweden. Katainen said on 20 Febru- Activists reveal gross neglects on fur farms The ramblers had been ary that the country’s gov- missing since Sunday 21 ernment could not collapse TERHI LEINIÖ, LIISA KUJALA – STT the group. Oikeutta Eläimille in Finland. But she added that As of 18 February, Minis- February. over Finland’s participa- MATTHEW PARRY – HT says that it gathered imag- she especially denounced cas- ter of Agriculture and Forest- Local paper Norrländ- tion in the Nato-led opera- es from 30 Finnish fur farms es where sick animals were not ry Sirkka-Liisa Anttila had ska Socialdemokraten re- tion in Afghanistan. SERIOUS shortcomings ap- during the period between given proper care. not yet reviewed Oikeutta ported that one of the “In our parts these deci- pear once again to have been June and December of last Eläimille’s video footage. She Finnish upper secondary sions have been taken based revealed in the conditions of year. The group claims that a EVIRA: Improvements nevertheless suggested that school pupils who had been on a very broad consensus animals bred for fur in Fin- large proportion of the imag- already made negligent fur farmers bore missing for 15 hours suf- and under a spirit of co-op- land. The current affairs tel- es are from farms which have Speaking before the imag- a responsibility to improve fered from minor hypo- eration,” he said after the evision programme A-Studio, been granted a certifi cate of es were shown on A-Studio, their practices. thermia. STT Dutch government handed aired by the Finnish Broad- good farming practice. Jaana Mikkola, head of the Anttila was last forced to its resignation to the queen casting Company (YLE) on Tuula Dahlman, execu- Health and Welfare Unit at comment on the conditions of over the future of the Neth- 17 February, showed video tive director of the Finnish the Finnish Food Safety Au- farmed animals as recently as Bogus nurse erlands’ role in Afghanistan. material from fur farms se- Fur Breeders’ Association, thority (EVIRA), argued that December of last year, when uncovered “The government, the cretly shot by the animal wel- labels the images shown on even in recent years there A-Studio showed similar ma- president, the majority of fare group Oikeutta Eläimille the programme unequivo- had been a clear improve- terial from pig farms also The police in Jyväskylä in parliament; one has tended (”Justice for Animals”). cally condemnable and in- ment in fur farms. As recent- shot by Oikeutta Eläimille. central Finland said a mid- to go with unanimity.” The videos feature animals defensible. She nevertheless ly as the early 2000s and late dle-aged woman lacking Katainen underscored with serious open wounds, views the video material as 1990s, a much higher number proper qualifi cations had that the number of Finn- stunted growth and troubled sensationalist. of lapses were found. Moreo- held a number of nurs- ish troops deployed in Af- behaviour. Giving her opinion ”The everyday reality on ver, these faults went uncor- Anttila: ing jobs over the past few ghanistan was small when on the programme after the Finnish fur farms is some- rected in successive years. years. compared with the Dutch videos had been shown, Ee- thing quite different. The Statistics also reveal Furriers must The woman was reported contingent. va Rudbäck, a veterinarian at average Finnish fur farm- that the number of observa- to the police last week. Ac- The Finnish government the Helsinki Zoo Korkeasaari, er is extremely responsible,” tions of negligence in EU an- do better cording to the police her last has asked parliament to ap- said that the majority of the Dahlman said during the A- imal welfare inspections has nursing job ended last year. prove the deployment of foxes shown should have been Studio debate. clearly fallen in recent years. MINISTER of Agriculture and The local council said about 50 extra troops in- put down. According to Dahlman, it In 2008, for instance, 92 Forestry Sirkka-Liisa Ant- it would check all 1,600 to Afghanistan to bring the Foxes that had eaten their is no wonder that injured ani- farms were inspected, with tila (Centre) says that Fin- healthcare workers’ quali- strength of the Finnish con- own tails were among the an- mals are to be found among the defi ciencies noted on 18 per land’s fur farmers should put fi cations against a database tingent there to about 200 imals clandestinely fi lmed by millions of animals bred for fur cent of them. the living conditions of their maintained by the National soldiers by next year. STT animals in order – for the sake of their image, if noth- ing else. As of last Thursday, the minister had not gone mal welfare group Oikeutta through the videos shot se- Eläimille, Sinnemäki says that cretly on fur farms by the an- Greens ending fur farming should be imal welfare group Oikeutta written into the next govern- Eläimille (“Justice for Ani- would ment programme. The minis- LEHTIKUVA / PEKKA SAKKI PEKKA / LEHTIKUVA mals”), but she has discussed ter suggests that farming be the content of the material phased out following a transi- with her aides. Anttila is un- end fur tion period. prepared to accept criticism “Raising animals in cag- of her own role in the issue, farming es is not ethically sustaina- despite facing the third fu- ble. Various improvements rore over farm animals kept GREEN Party chairwom- should be undertaken imme- in substandard conditions an, Minister of Labour An- diately,” she insists. within a short space of time. ni Sinnemäki, would like to The minister would al- ”I will say directly that see Finland put an end to fur so like to see inspections of much has been done. You farming completely. problem farms already dur- would have to go a fair way In a statement published ing the transition period, as back to fi nd as much action in on the anti-fur campaign well as closer scrutiny of fur Over 200 people marched in Helsinki on 22 February to demand Minister Anttila's resignation. a single electoral term.” pages of the website of ani- farms in general. 6 25 FEBRUARY – 3 MARCH 2010 FROM THE FINNISH PRESS HELSINKI TIMES TRANSLATIONS BY MICHAEL NAGLER LEHTIKUVA / PEKKA SAKKI HELSINGIN SANOMAT 17 February. IRINA VÄHÄSARJA en emphasises that no farms were broken into. Last year local animal Fur farm exposé shows rights groups caused a stir in Denmark and Norway when dead and injured animals they released footage that had been shot on fur farms. In Norway the local vet- An animal welfare expert claims abuse of fur erinary association an- animals and other livestock is fairly typical, the nounced that it supported a full ban on fur farming. The national daily Helsingin Sanomat reports. animal rights group Oikeutta eläimille has the same goal in Finland. “THERE are no good fur farms. Previously the organ- The current conditions farms, says spokesperson isation had shocked people of fur animals in Finland do Janna Rancken from the at the beginning of Decem- not differ much from those animal rights organisation ber with footage shot at pig of other livestock, says Pro- Oikeutta eläimille ("Jus- farms. fessor of Zoology Jaakko tice for Animals"). ‘Animals According to Rancken, Mononen of the University are kept in cramped con- the material that has now of Eastern Finland in Kuo- ditions on every farm,’ she been released was secretly pio. ‘All production animal explains. shot in 30 farms during last species have problems, and On Wednesday evening summer and autumn, mostly we must try to solve them. YLE’s A-studio broadcast- in Ostrobothnia. The images With regards to fur animals ed the material that the ani- show bitten tails and animals their problems are no worse mal rights organisation had that have died in their cages, than those of other animals,’ KAUPPALEHTI 19 February. JR LESKINEN received from Finnish fur among other things. Ranck- Mononen says.”
AAMULEHTI 21 February. ANU LEENA KOSKINEN Large-scale credit card ‘Yes, we have lists of such people.’ Phony TV licence Do you inspect households data robbery in Helsinki that have a TV licence? inspectors on the prowl ‘No, we try to avoid such tion of the magnitude is that inspections.’ The data from as many as 100,000 credit cards in an average year Luottokun- Has there sometimes been Bona fide TV licence inspectors carry iden- were endangered by a security breach, the ta changes about 4,000 cards someone posing as a TV li- due to cases of payment fraud. tification cards the size of a bank card, the cence inspector? financial paper Kauppalehti reports. On the question of wheth- ‘That has sometimes hap- er the shopkeeper is now in Tampere-based daily Aamulehti reports. pened, but I can’t even re- diffi culty Kylänlahti gives an member the last time. TV “THE FINNISH police is in- According to the police the evasive answer: licence inspectors carry with vestigating the data theft of data from as many as 100,000 ‘You could also put it that “A READER told us that their might come at around nine or them credentials the size of at least 40,000 credit cards credit cards were endangered way.’ home in Ylöjärvi was visited by ten, but not before that.’ a bank card, which has their from a computer in a store in by the security breach. According to Kylänlah- a TV licence inspector in Feb- Have you heard of a case like picture. When in doubt, you Helsinki, reports the Bloomb- Henry Kylänlahti, the ti the shop's owner is always ruary at 7:10 on a weekday. The this before? can look from that.’ erg news agency. Fraud and Dispute Manag- responsible for security in family had a TV licence, so the ‘No.’ Last year 17,000 Finns were The store’s computer er at Luottokunta, refuses to these matters. In this case inspector may be a fraud. When do TV licence inspec- caught not paying their TV system was breached from reveal the target of the data the shopkeeper's informa- Finnish Communications tors usually conduct their licence. What is the penalty abroad. Card copies of the breach. Also the police will tion security methods were Regulatory Authority (FIC- inspections? for that? stolen data have already not reveal the target. Howev- not up to standard. ORA) Director Anssi Laakso, ‘They usually come in the ‘A 100 euro inspection fee as been used in different parts er, some conclusions can be Luottokunta knows the how early can TV licence in- evening when people are watch- well as retroactive TV pay- of the world. made based on the fact that data of all the credit cards in- spectors come? ing television. In rural areas they ments from the time when The security breach was the word ‘shopkeeper’ was volved in the matter and the ‘7:10 in the morning is too may visit during the day due to the TV set has been used revealed through the se- used instead of shop. company is tracking their early. I doubt whether it was the long distances involved.’ without a licence. Retroactive curity surveillance of the According to Kylänlahti use worldwide. really one of our inspectors. Can you see who hasn’t noti- payments are double. At their full-service card payment this is the biggest information Kylänlahti emphasises that They don’t do the rounds fi ed the authorities of their maximum the fi nes amount to company Luottokunta in the breach in Finland, or at least the breach will not cost any- that early. On Saturdays they television use? a little over 500 euros.’” middle of January. one of the biggest. An indica- thing to the cards true owners.
KALEVA 21 February. HENRIK AHOLA the prison administration. The focus is moving from keeping a criminal incarcerated to pre- venting recidivism. The author- Open prisons full up ities are attempting to improve inmates’ obedience to the law and social adaptation with the
Due to the focus on preventing repeat of- help of open prisons as well as LEHTIKUVA HEIKKI SAUKKOMAA / fences, open prisons have filled up while the training and rehabilitation. A proposal on the use of total number of inmates has gone down, the electronic tagging, monitored Oulu-based daily Kaleva reports. by GPS tracking, is also a part of the prison administration’s new guidelines. It has been “THERE are now more in- ice in the Criminal Sanctions calculated that electronic tag- mates than ever before in Agency. ging would save a lot of money Finland’s open prisons, de- All 900 open prison places for the prison administration. spite the fact that the total are beginning to be full. On ‘Constructing one place in a number of inmates has de- the other hand, the number regular prison costs 200,000 creased by over 200 com- of inmates in regular prisons euros, whereas a GPS tracked pared to last year, says Esa has gone down. electronic tag costs only a few Vesterbacka, the Director This development is a re- euros,’ Director General Vest- General of the Prison Serv- sult of the new guidelines of erbacka emphasises.” TV licence inspectors do not call on households that already have a licence. HELSINKI TIMES INTERNATIONAL NEWS 25 FEBRUARY – 3 MARCH 2010 77
LEHTIKUVA / AFP PHOTO / TIM SLOAN Dalai Lama visit further inflames US-China relations unions, have cost 7,000 US factory workers their jobs. US President Barack Obama met with the exiled Tibetan spiri- Beijing responded quickly to tual leader, the Dalai Lama, Thursday in the White House, raising condemn the US tariffs and threatened to levy its own objections from China and adding to existing US-China tensions. tariffs against US products. In January, Google an- nounced that email ac- hurt relations before Barack 2007 decision by US President counts owned by diplomats, Obama's November trip to George W. Bush's to present human rights activists and China, but state-run me- the Dalai Lama with the Con- journalists had been infi l- dia outlets in China and the gressional Medal of Honour. trated by Chinese hackers, WASHINGTON, D.C. Chinese Ministry of Foreign The Chinese responded by leading Secretary of State Affairs have expressed dis- pressuring foreign govern- Hillary Clinton to deliver pleasure with the meeting. ments not to host visits from a speech outlining the ad- "We urge the US to fully the Dalai Lama, which led to ministration's position on recognise the high sensitivity anti-Beijing protests in eth- intellectual property theft, of Tibet-related issues, strict- nically Tibetan parts of Chi- cyber security and Chinese ELI CLIFTON AND CHARLES FROMM ly abide by its commitment na and a violent crackdown internet censorship. China IPS of recognising Tibet as part on protesters by authorities responded by accusing the of China and opposing 'Tibet in Tibet. China went on to US of "information imperi- independence', cancel imme- list Tibet as one of its "core alism" and denied charges THE LOW-PROFILE meeting, diately the wrong decision of interests," a warning to the that the government partic- which noticeably took place arranging a meeting between US and other countries not ipated in cyber attacks. The Dalai Lama outside the White House after his meeting with in the White House map room President Obama and Dalai, to tamper in issues related to Earlier this month, the US President Barack Obama on 18 February. instead of the Oval Offi ce, not to provide Dalai any are- Tibetan sovereignty. Beijing-Washington relation- was described by the Dalai na or convenience to engage in ship hit another rough patch a recovery from the global fi - limiting protests to gestures Lama as having included dis- anti-China splitist activities, Tensions flared when China threatened to nancial crisis, and address- for their domestic audience cussions on democracy, free- not to undermine the stability Tensions over the Dalai La- impose sanctions on US com- ing the nuclear programmes even as they work with the dom and human rights. of Tibet and interfere in China's ma's visit are only the latest panies participating in an of North Korea and Iran - al- United States on a number "The President stated his internal affairs so as to protect war of words to erupt be- upcoming 6.4-billion-dollar though Tehran denies that of fronts," wrote Douglas H. strong support for the pres- China-US relations from being tween Washington and Bei- arms deal with Taiwan. it is pursuing military capa- Paal, vice president for stud- ervation of Tibet's unique re- further undermined," said a jing in recent months as the bilities. Managing this in- ies at the Carnegie Endow- ligious, cultural and linguistic statement posted on Chinese two countries deal with on- Balancing acts creasingly important and ment for International Peace, identity and the protection of Foreign Ministry website on going political, military and The tensions between Chi- complicated relationship will in the South China Morning human rights for Tibetans in 10 February. economic tensions. na and the US have grow- require changes from both Post. "For its part, the Unit- the People's Republic of Chi- While the Chinese have In September, Obama au- ing global importance as Beijing and Washington in ed States must maintain its na," said a statement released expressed opposition to the thorised a 35 per cent emer- co-operation between the how they conduct diplomacy principled commitment to by the White House. In a con- meeting, the meeting in the gency tariff on Chinese tyre two countries is crucial on in the bilateral relationship. human rights but also dem- cession to Beijing, the White map room was nowhere near imports in order to curb a a number of multilateral is- "For Chinese leaders, that onstrate some restraint on House postponed the meet- as high-profi le – and diplo- "surge" of Chinese tyres sues, including combating will mean drawing a fi ne line issues China considers 'core ing from last year so as not to matically problematic – as the which, according to US trade climate change, engineering between rhetoric and reality, interests'," he said.
tinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Hamas has Opposition to Egypt-Gaza barrier grows until now refused to sign the agreement, which includes lowed suit by sealing its own barrier will represent the fi - commitments to recognise Is- 14-km border with the coast- nal nail in the embattled rael and renounce armed re- Activists and opposition groups are stepping up pressure on the al enclave. territory's coffi n. "With the sistance – both of which run Egyptian government to stop constructing a barrier along the border In line with the US and Is- completion of the new bor- counter to the group's found- raeli demands, Egyptian offi - der barrier, the siege on the ing principles. Egyptian offi - with the Gaza Strip. cials claimed the closure was Gaza Strip will be made air- cials, for their part, say the aimed at stanching the fl ow tight," said Fahmi. "The terri- border will remain sealed un- of arms smuggled into the Ha- tory will literally become the til Hamas signs the proposal Ever since news of the age for patrol boats on its sea mas-run territory. With Isra- biggest open-air prison in the without preconditions. barrier was fi rst reported border with the Gaza Strip. el long in control of the Gaza world." Late last month, Pales- GAZA by Israeli daily Haaretz late The new anchorage, a North Strip's air space and territorial tinian Parliamentary Speak- last year, offi cials have at- Sinai security source was waters, the move served to her- Political motives er Aziz Al-Duweik said that tempted to justify it by cit- quoted as saying, would "en- metically seal the enclave's 1.5 Egypt's construction of the inter-Palestinian reconcil- ing Egypt's right to protect hance the work of the Egyp- million inhabitants off from the barrier also has a political iation could not be forced its national sovereignty and tian patrol boats on the sea rest of the world. Since then, dimension. Within the last through "unjust conditions." security. "Egypt has the border with Gaza and pre- the lack of badly needed food, year tremendous pressure Reconciliation, he said, could right to take whatever meas- vent any attempts at smug- medicines and fuel has brought has been brought to bear on not be achieved through "an ures necessary to protect its gling by sea." According to the territory to the verge of hu- Hamas to sign an Egypt-pro- atrocious war on Gaza, nor by ADAM MORROW, KHALED AL-OMRANI borders in accordance with Hamdi Hasan, parliamentar- manitarian disaster. posed "reconciliation agree- starving the Palestinian peo- IPS prerequisites of Egyptian na- ian for the Muslim Brother- Critics of Egypt's bor- ment" with the US-backed ple through siege and a policy tional security," presidential hood opposition movement, der policy warn that the new Fatah movement of Pales- of slow death." spokesman Suleiman Awad the United States, Israel and ON 13 FEBRUARY hundreds of said late December. "The sov- the NATO alliance are al- activists from across the po- ereignty of Egyptian territo- ready monitoring the Egypt- litical spectrum convened in ries is sacred." Gaza maritime border "with downtown Cairo to protest Despite widespread criti- a mandate to intercept any construction of the barrier. cism of the barrier, both do- boats carrying aid to Gaza." Demonstrators held banners mestic and international, reading: "The wall of shame construction has reportedly Gaza’s fate sealed? must come down" and "No to continued apace. On 14 Feb- The border barrier and an- sponsoring Israeli crimes." ruary, independent Egyp- chorage are only the most Egyptian offi cials say the tian daily Al-Masry Al-Youm recent additions to a long- barrier will prevent cross- quoted a worker at the con- standing, internationally border smuggling, but crit- struction site as saying that sanctioned siege of the Gaza ics say it will seal the fate of the barrier's iron panels had Strip. After Palestinian re- the people on the Gaza Strip. been adjoined with steel con- sistance group Hamas swept LEHTIKUVA / REUTERS / IBRAHEEM ABU MUSTAFA "The Egyptian border was nections. They were in the democratically-held Pales- the only opening left to the process of being sunk into tinian legislative elections Gazans - their only means of the ground to a depth of 18 to in early 2006, Israel sealed staying alive," Gamal Fahmi, 25 meters, he added. its six border crossings with political analyst and man- On the following day, an- the territory. When Hamas aging editor of opposition other independent daily ‘Al- seized control of the Gaza weekly Al-Arabi Al-Nassiri, Dustour’ reported that Egypt Strip in a pre-emptive coup A boy waving a Palestinian flag in protest at the underground steel barrier which Egyptian officials told IPS. was also building an anchor- the following year, Egypt fol- claim will prevent smuggling of arms to Gaza. 8 25 FEBRUARY – 3 MARCH 2010 BUSINESS HELSINKI TIMES
LEHTIKUVA / MARKKU ULANDER COLUMN
David J. Cord is a writer and columnist for the Helsinki Times. He is also a private investor with over ten years of international experience.
Well-chosen exchange services can make travel spending safer and cheaper. “Safest way” Rethinking risk-free So how does someone who works in the foreign ex- IS THERE such a thing as a risk-free asset? According to change business spend mon- conventional wisdom short-term government bonds What’s the best ey abroad? “Well, it depends are generally considered “risk-free” to investors. The on the trip, but this is what I problem with this principle is that they are hardly personally do. I make a budg- riskless. way to spend abroad? et and then double it,” he laughs. “People don’t go on THE GENERAL idea is that nations rarely default. This ing the fi rst place available is holiday to save money. That is because governments have the power of coercion, not the best,” Kauppinen says. can be done in Finland. I take meaning they can send police to your door to collect Should the traveller use cash or cards? “Airports are the worst. This is the equivalent of the cost for taxes if necessary. Since they have this power they Exchange money here or there? Someone in because once you are there at a plane ticket home in trav- rarely default on their debt. And since countries rarely your destination you have to ellers’ cheques and the rest default, so the reasoning goes, there is very little risk the industry helps to clarify the options. change your money and they in local currency. Of course, in investing in them. maximise their income. It is I have my cards with me for the same with border cross- emergencies.” UNFORTUNATELY this reasoning is false. There are DAVID J. CORD More options = ings or ferry terminals.” While travellers’ cheques risks in investing in government debt, some of which HELSINKI TIMES better rates may seem old-fashioned, Kaup- are substantial. The ongoing inability of some devel- Forex is also in the centre of the Cash vs. cards pinen swears by them. “They oped nations to get their fi scal house in order is one FINNS love to travel. Travel- questions faced by travellers: So what about using a credit or are insured,” he points out. “If proof of this. Some have even used currency swaps ling is the national pastime of how should one make purchas- debit card to make purchases something happens you typi- to keep some debt off their balance sheets. Whenever sorts. Large industries have es abroad? Should the traveller abroad? Is that cheaper? The cally can get your money back someone is trying to hide what they are doing, a good grown to ferry people to Es- use cash or cards? If using cash, answer depends on the des- in 24 hours. In Asia the ex- rule of thumb is to be automatically doubtful and con- tonia and Sweden or fl y them should one exchange here or in tination and the bank. Many change rates are typically better sider that the risk level has increased. to sunny beaches. Since Fin- the destination country? If us- banks operating in Finland for cheques. In America you can land is literally surrounded ing cards, is point-of-purchase also do business throughout use them just like cash. I think it IT IS TRUE that there is little risk of a developed na- by countries using currencies better than ATMs? Scandinavia and are relative- is the safest way to do it.” tion defaulting, but that risk does exist. According to other than the euro, foreign Kauppinen is adamant ly inexpensive to use in those current credit default swap rates, there is about a 3% exchange is a big business. on one point. “99.9 per cent nations. Nordea, for instance, chance that Finland will default within fi ve years. It is Forex is the largest for- of the time it is better to use currently offers commercial not much, but there is a risk. Other nations are worse. eign exchange company in the local currency,” he states. transaction exchange rates in Tips to remember There is about 13% the Nordic region. It has elev- “For instance, in Estonia you Sweden only about 1 per cent • Exchanges at the point of Hypothetically, Finland’s chance for Portu- en locations throughout Fin- can pay for purchases using off the market rate. departure, such as airports gal, 10% for Spain land and is still doing a brisk euros. But remember, some- Making cash withdraw- or ferry terminals, typical- power company Fortum and 8% for the UK business despite the eco- body has to change the money als in Sweden using a Nordea ly offer the worst rates. is “safer” than the entire defaulting, for in- nomic downturn. “We really and the tourist always pays. card is also inexpensive. They • Travellers’ cheques are in- stance. Some oth- haven’t seen much of the re- If you use the euro there you charge only 0.60 euros for sured. nation of Italy. ers are simply cession,” says Tuomas Kaup- have to pay there. You will withdrawals using a Master- • Withdrawing cash abroad terrible. Iceland pinen, Product Specialist at lose every single time.” Card issued by them, although from ATMs probably en- and Latvia have a 30% chance of defaulting. Greece has Forex. “The euro has been This example illustrates their exchange rate is more tails fees from your bank a 25% chance. If government debt is supposedly risk- strong which gives better how a traveller can get better expensive for cash withdraw- and the local bank as well free, some are more risk-free than others. rates to travellers. And it is deals when there are multiple als. But making cash with- as a spread in exchange always nice to travel.” choices. “The ground rule is drawals from ATMs in other rates. THEN THERE is a problem with the fundamental belief As Finland is part of the that a traveller pays less when nations could be a different • Check both the rate of ex- that market rates will refl ect the truth that govern- eurozone, travel to many Eu- there are options available,” experience altogether. change as well as fixed ments are safer from default than private companies. ropean nations does not re- he continues. “In Finland be- “I used to live in China,” and percentage fees when Right now the cost of insuring Fortum’s debt is less quire the use of a different fore you take your trip you says Kauppinen. “If I wanted changing money. than insuring Italy’s. This means that hypothetically currency. But the two most have the option of exchang- to withdraw the equivalent • Signing up for loyalty pro- Finland’s power company is “safer” than the entire na- popular travel destinations ing money or not exchang- of 100 euros I would have to grams with foreign ex- tion of Italy. There is certainly a problem here. Fortum – Sweden and Estonia – ing money. When you get to pay percentage charges and change bureaus may give is a strong company, but markets are punishing Ita- still use different currencies your destination you have to fi xed fees to both the local better rates. ly unduly hard in a sudden aversion to shaky public fi - which help the business. Fo- exchange. You don’t have an Chinese bank and my Finn- • Do your research: fees can nances. Let’s face the truth: markets are weird. rex also offers money trans- option. So you typically pay ish bank. I would have 10.50 vary widely based on how fers, which is popular among more at the destination.” euros in fees from a 100 euro you make purchases in dif- THERE ARE also other risks to consider besides the risk foreign workers who send This principle also applies withdrawal. Using a card is ferent countries. of default. There is a chance interest rates will change. money back to their home to where a currency exchange the easiest thing to do, but it Interest rates and bond prices move inversely, so if country. transaction takes place. “Tak- is also the most expensive.” rates go up the value of bonds will go down. Then there are currency exchange rate risks. American Treasury bills are supposedly the safest instrument on the plan- et, but this is less certain for those of us using another currency that fl uctuates against the dollar.
THE SIMPLE fact is that there is no such thing as a risk- free asset. Every act of investing includes some amount of risk. Even refusing to invest carries risks. Investors need to acknowledge this and act accordingly. The trick is to adequately measure the risk you face in any activi- ty and properly manage it.
Know more. Read our latest news on your mobile at http://m.helsinkitimes.fi HELSINKI TIMES BUSINESS 25 FEBRUARY – 3 MARCH 2010 99 Fatter years past allow COLUMNIN BRIEF Fortum to build Transport union companies to pay a decent dividend 140 million issues third strike in fi ne fi nancial fettle. In hon- euro heat and notice Finland’s listed companies may have suffered in the recession, but our of its centennial year, the power station in The Transport Workers' company doubled its dividend Lithuania Union (AKT) issued a lo- many of their shareholders have less reason to worry. payment to 1.30 per share. gistics sector strike notice But it was Nokia that Finnish utility Fortum said on Friday 19 February, the wielded the largest divi- in a statement on Tuesday union's third over the past ANTTI AUTIO – STT far short of the 2008 record, nies. Steel fi rms, for instance, dend kitty, of course, even 23 February it would build couple of weeks. Logistics MATTHEW PARRY – HT however, as the majority of re- posted grim results: Outo- if the recent fi nancial year a heat and power station centre workers are to go on maining fi rms are small. kumpu -1.86 euros, and Ra- was a weak one. The com- in Klaipeda in Lithuania in strike on 5 March, joining LARGE companies listed on the Several companies are utaruukki -1.98 euros. Such pany will distribute around an investment worth about bus and lorry drivers and Finnish stock exchange have now paying dividends in ex- fi gures have seen companies 1.5 billion to its owners. 140 million euros. Fortum stevedores nationwide. been far from stingy in distrib- cess of last year’s result per slash dividend payments this The Finnish government’s added the station would be AKT added that most of the uting dividends this spring – share. Much of the distribut- year. most signifi cant cash cow the fi rst waste-to-energy country's 1,000-odd ware- assuming recommendations able funds is a legacy of fatter At the other end of the is Fortum, which will issue facility in the Baltic region. house workers would go on by the boards of directors sur- years, so the lack of balance spectrum lies Kone, which around 450 million euros in "The investment is an im- strike. The port strike is es- vive the company’s annual between result and dividend has weathered the recession dividends. portant part of our strat- timated to bring about 80 general meeting (AGM). Sev- need not jeopardise the com- egy to grow in combined per cent of Finland's for- en of the 12 listed major com- pany’s fi scal position. heat and power production eign trade to a halt. STT panies have either increased Major companies paying and a further step in our or maintained the size of their out dividends in excess of growth in the Baltic Rim dividend to shareholders, de- last year’s earnings include area," Jaakko Vähä-Piik- Danske poll: spite a year in which company Nokia, Stora Enso, Wärtsilä, kiö, the head of Fortum's Finnish youth profi ts took a beating. Cargotec, Outokumpu, Rau- Baltic operations, said in A year ago, companies taruukki and Neste Oil. the statement. STT overestimate slammed the breaks on divi- Dividend policy is also a their financial dend payments as the world refl ection of restored con- savvy
sunk into recession and the fi dence in the future on the LEHTIKUVA / ANTTI AIMO-KOIVISTO Residential rents future dissolved into un- part of Finland’s major fi rms. rose four per cent Most Finnish young people certainty. The total value of A turning point was notice- last year are confi dent in their abil- dividends paid by Finland’s able in results published by ity to run their personal fi - listed companies plummet- many companies as early as Finland's residential rents nances yet do little planning ed to just under 7 billion eu- the fi nal quarter of last year. rose by about four per cent and are vulnerable to un- ros, from the previous year’s The release of cold, hard in 2009, Statistics Finland planned expenditure, Dan- more than 12 billion. cash to shareholders sent a (SF) said in a statement ske Bank quoted a poll as According to calculations by far clearer message than the Monday. Rents of unsubsi- indicating on Wednesday 17 the Finnish business newspa- statements of CEOs, which dised fl ats and houses went February. Danske's Finnish per Kauppalehti, this spring’s typically warned of the mut- up by 3.1 per cent, with subsidiary Sampo Bank said dividend total rose to almost ed and uncertain nature of rents of government-subsi- in a statement that about 7.5 billion as early as mid-Feb- any recovery. dised housing going up by 80 per cent of Finnish re- ruary. This is despite the fact 5.1 per cent. Jan Vapaavuori spondents aged between 17 that tens of companies had yet Kone doubles dividend (cons), the housing minis- and 27 had rated their own to publish their proposed pay- There is much variation in the Finnish companies pay steady dividends despite recession to ter, said there was a slight fi scal skills as good or very ments. The fi nal result will fall situations faced by compa- boost confidence. danger of a housing bubble. good. But some 69 per cent "There are small worrying said they had never drafted signs in the air, especial- a personal budget, with 54 Several years ago the offi - ly in the capital region," he per cent saying they could cial EU statistics agency Eu- added. Vapaavuori said one not always forecast the fol- Finnish fiscal policy meets rostat raised questions about needed to keep a close eye lowing month's income and some of Finland’s report- on developments on the spending. ing, including the securitisa- housing market. STT While most the Finnish EU transparency standards tion scheme. Since that time respondents came up with Finland has ceased securiti- the correct defi nition of in- YTN issues Finland’s debt management tactics resemble Greek counterparts but sation, buying back the last terest, only about 43 per outstanding Fennica loan in chemical industry cent were able to pick the are deemed acceptable by analysts. 2007. As Eurostat has tight- cheapest mortgage offer ened their rules, Finland has strike notice among three options, com- followed suit and cleaned up The Federation of Profes- pared with some 57 per cent DAVID J. CORD and economy policy division are simply to hedge against its accounting accordingly. sional and Managerial Staff of Danish ones. Danske Bank HELSINKI TIMES at the Research Institute unfavourable exchange rate In the most recent visit (YTN) issued a strike notice had about 2,400 young peo- of the Finnish Economy ET- moves in debt issued in oth- to examine Finland’s statis- on Friday 19 February cov- ple interviewed in Denmark, BESIDES the securitisation LA, points out that the pen- er currencies. “We just use tical methodology Eurostat ering the country's chemi- Finland, Ireland, Norway scheme which transferred sion system is mandated by plain cross-currency swaps,” praised the country. Ta- cal industry. The union said and the UK. STT debt, Finland also count- law and even private funds he says. “If we issue debt in sa cannot think of any is- its members employed by ed private pension funds as could be considered as part dollars, for instance, we con- sues Eurostat currently has the top 20 chemical compa- public, thus making govern- of the “public” system. He vert it into euros at the time with the State Treasury. For nies in Finland would stage Gartner: Nokia ment fi nances look even bet- does not think it was overly of issue.” his part, Valkonen believes a walkout on 5 March, with struggling in first ter. Finland was increasing manipulative. At the end of January Fin- that Finland has stayed away the strike scheduled to be- its reportable assets and de- Finland also uses curren- land had about 3.1 billion eu- from any deceptive practices gin on 9 March. STT half of 2010 creasing its reportable debt. cy swaps. Greece has been ros in loans denominated in in recent years. “I have had Market research compa- Although controversial, accused of using such swaps other currencies, out of a to- no observations of that type ny Gartner said on Tuesday some economists are for- to delay or hide debt lev- tal debt of around 63 billion of behaviour,” he says, speak- Government 23 February it expected giving of Finland’s meth- els. Mika Tasa at the State euros. This full 3.1 billion eu- ing of the alleged Greek prac- postpones road global mobile phone sales odology. Tarmo Valkonen, Treasury explains that Finn- ros is covered by currency tices. “We rely on the Finnish to rise by up to 15 per cent head of the public fi nance ish use of these instruments swaps. authorities.” transport strike this year but added that On Thursday 18 February Finland's Nokia, the mar- the government postponed ket leader, would face a Allegations against Greece: an impending road trans- diffi cult fi rst half of the • Complex cross-currency swaps were used to hide extent of debt. port strike by a fortnight year. Carolina Milanesi, a These used fictional exchange rates so Greece received a higher to 2 March. The Transport Gartner analyst, said No- sum than the actual market value. Lump sums due to swap can- Workers' Union (AKT) is- kia's new headsets featur- cellations were added as revenue, while the loan from investment sued a strike notice on ing an improved version of banks due to fictional exchange rates was not booked as debt. 5 February, with the in- the Symbian operating sys- • Capital injections into public corporations were not counted dustrial action original- tem or MeeGo, a new Linux- as expenses. ly scheduled to begin next based operating system, • Overestimation of social security surplus. Sunday. Earlier this week would hit the market only • Some military spending was not counted as expenses be- the government used its later this year. According cause authorities claimed it was “confidential.” power to postpone a port to Gartner Nokia's handset
• Tax revenue was overstated. LEHTIKUVA / REUTERS / YIORGOS KARAHALIS strike by two weeks. The market share fell to 36.4 • EU grants to non-governmental organisations were treated nationwide dockers' strike per cent last year from 38.6 as government revenue. is to begin on 3 March. STT per cent in 2008. STT • Much of the expenses in public hospitals were not counted as Hellenic Exchanges took a dive in the wake of the Greek debt cri- expenses. sis, which has also led to Finland coming under scrutiny for pos- sible corruption. 10 25 FEBRUARY – 3 MARCH 2010 BUSINESS HELSINKI TIMES
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Helsinki Times Finland’s English language newspaper published every Thursday Stay in touch with news and events in Finland by subscribing to Helsinki Times for a special try-out period for only 16 euros for 2 months! Subscribe now and send your contact information (name, address, postal code, city, telephone number) by e-mail to [email protected] and quote in the subject field “HT trial offer” or call us at 03 424 65 340. For subscriptions inside Finland only. For inquiries on subscriptions outside Finland please contact [email protected] HELSINKI TIMES FINLAND IN THE WORLD PRESS 25 FEBRUARY – 3 MARCH 2010 1111
UTNE READER ONLINE FEBRUARY 17. Finland’s nuclear waste gamble
“ON AN island in the Baltic Sea, Finland is building what it calls a permanent under- ground repository for spent Readers' letters nuclear fuel — but that de- pends on your defi nition of permanent. IEEE Spectrum writer Sandra Upson takes a Helsinki Times has launched a new trip to Olkiluoto Island to re- port on the construction of LEHTIKUVA HEIKKI SAUKKOMAA / section and wants your views on the Onkalo facility, bringing current issues, comments on news a science-literate but smart- ly skeptical view to her topic: articles, anything of interest from a ‘Posiva, the Finnish com- pany building an under- multicultural perspective. A selec- ground repository here, says it knows how to imprison tion of readers’ comments are pub- nuclear waste for 100,000 years. These multimillenni- lished in the Readers' letters sec- al thinkers are confi dent that tion. copper canisters of Scan- dinavian design, tucked in- Commentaries should be no longer to that bedrock, will isolate For better or for worse, the Olkiluoto nuclear waste repository will serve as a historical benchmark. the waste in an underground than 2,000 characters with spaces. cavern impervious to what- is expected by 2012 — this confi dence that the project writes, ‘will either demon- ever the future brings: sink- site will become the world’s will be safe and well managed strate that the technical, so- Helsinki Times reserves the right ing permafrost, rising water, fi rst deep, permanent reposi- is unusual and not strong- cial, and political challenges of earthquakes, copper-eat- tory for spent nuclear fuel.’ ly supported by the historical nuclear waste disposal can be to edit and shorten all submissions. ing microbes, or oblivious Upson notes that the is- record of government han- met in a democratic society, or Comments can be sent by e-mail land developers in the year land’s residents welcomed the dling of other forms of high- it will scare other such coun- 25,000. If the Finnish gov- storage facility and the jobs it level nuclear waste.’ The 4.5 tries away from the repository to: [email protected] ernment agrees — a decision will bring, but also that ‘Their billion dollar project, she idea for decades to come…’”
PC WORLD February 20. SCIENCE DAILY February 17. Tony Bradley ITC becomes Rapid image analysis the forum speeds up Alzheimer diagnosis for Nokia- “VTT TECHNICAL Research od for diagnosing Alzheimer's images. One of the fi rst areas of Centre of Finland has devel- disease. The accurate and the brain where atrophy can be Apple patent oped a method for analysing rapid analysis method is well detected is the hippocampus. magnetic resonance images suited for clinical use. With VTT's new method, the battle (MRI) in just a few minutes Early detection of Alzheim- volume of the hippocampus when diagnosing Alzheim- er's disease requires that the can be accurately calculated THE UNITED States Inter- er's disease. The accuracy of patient displays some other automatically. Earlier auto- national Trade Commission the analysis is comparable to symptom or sign of Alzheimer's matic systems for calculating (ITC) has agreed to investi- manual measurements made disease in addition to memo- the volume of the hippocam- gate Apple's patent claims by skilled professionals, ry problems. Such other symp- pus are not in general clinical You may also against Nokia, after already which are currently consid- toms include atrophy, i.e. the use because of defi ciencies in agreeing last month to do ered the most reliable meth- loss of brain cells, visible in MR speed and reliability…” mail your letter to: the same for Nokia's patent Helsinki Times / claims against Apple. The Readers' letters, EARTH TIMES FEBRUARY 17. claims filed with the ITC Vilhonvuorenkatu 11B, seek to expedite the legal 00500 Helsinki process by asking the ITC to intervene. Nokia has re- quested that the ITC ban all Mobile solution to queuing imports of products alleged to be using technologies patented by Nokia, includ- for H1N1 vaccine in Finland ing iPhones, iPods, and even Mac computers. Similar- “NEW MOBILE apps for smart- Chief of Lääkärikeskus Sam- based on ubiquitous SMS so ICENEWS FEBRUARY 18. ly, Apple has asked the ITC phones are receiving a lot of po Härkönen. ‘Intelligent text it can be implemented any- to ban imports of all Nokia attention these days, but a messaging service from Book- where in the world. BookIT is products alleged to infringe Finnish fi rm, BookIT, contin- IT also made the work easier already able to offer appoint- on Apple patents, including ues to develop SMS- based so- for our staff.’ ment scheduling to medi- Finland trains legacy mobile phones using lutions that make lives easier BookIT iSMS® appoint- cal centers in the US and Symbian. for all of us… Their latest ap- ment scheduling service is Canada…” Afghan prosecution Meanwhile, Apple also plication, iSMS® scheduling, stepped up its game in the allows medical centers to federal court system with a eliminate queues by schedul- and police forces new legal fi ling accusing No- ing and confi rming appoint- kia of deceptive and monop- ments via text message. “A RECENT meeting at the ilar and more robust investi- olistic business practices. The fi rst medical cent- Crisis Management Centre gation of criminal activity in Apple accuses that Nokia in- er in Finland to use iSMS® in Kuopio saw Northern Sa- their homeland. tentionally withheld details appointment scheduling, vo police representatives A new handbook for use of its patents and intellectual Lääkärikeskus, reported that educate a group of Afghani by Afghan lawyers and police ®
property rights while engag- the effi ciency of BookIT iSMS LEHTIKUVA / SARI GUSTAFSSON prosecution offi cials and po- will be produced following the ing in the creation of indus- service exceeded expecta- lice offi cers into the machi- meetings, tailored specifi cal- try standards. Once those tions; in less than 24-hours nations of both sides of theft ly to the conditions that exist standards were adopted and more than 60 per cent of pa- cases. in that country’s legal system. embraced by vendors, No- tients used the text message The fortnight-long visit by The ultimate goal of those in- kia then used its patents to service to schedule an H1N1 fl u the 22 Afghani representa- volved in the summit is to in- demand ‘unreasonable’ roy- vaccination. Many replies came tives saw them focus on how troduce legislation allowing alties for use of the technolo- within just minutes. ‘With the their Finnish counterparts greater cooperation between gies. At stake are potentially help of intelligent text mes- use cooperation between po- prosecution and police, a task hundreds of millions of dol- saging, booking appointments lice and prosecution to bet- made all the more diffi cult lars of annual royalties for for swine-fl u vaccination suc- ter investigate and resolve given the widespread corrup- whichever party ultimately ceeded effortlessly and with- A text message service promises to eliminate queues from crime. The stated aim of the tion and illiteracy which per- prevails…” out queuing’ says Doctor in medical appointment scheduling. project was to promote sim- vades the force…” 12 25 FEBRUARY – 3 MARCH 2010 SPORT HELSINKI TIMES New film documents northern rugby fervour “The fi lm is viewed from around longer and help build a particular storyline,” Hold- the club, but there's a lack en states carefully. “It's not of knowledge about rugby. PEKKA FALI unfair, but it doesn't show Many of them have never the whole of the rugby club. even seen a rugby ball before. It focuses on Matti and Mik- An Englishman may not have ko, and there were many oth- played before, but he knows er people who had a big role what the game looks like in the club at the time and and what he should be doing, weren't shown that much in even if he doesn't know how the fi lm.” to do it.” Matti and Mikko are the There is one aspect of rug- stars of the fi lm. Their friend- by that appeals greatly to ship blossoms as the team Finns, and has caused Holden struggles with adversity, and to alter his practices some- real life encroaches on the what: the macho spirit is players' ability to commit to alive and well on Oulu's rug- rugby. It's a familiar story for by fi elds. “Training used to be Holden, who has struggled to less physical than it is now, get a full team together for a and I've really changed my lot of fi xtures since he began coaching style to encourage coaching the club, and who more contact. People want struggles with funding a lot to play because it is a contact of the time. sport.” “We're hoping that we can Among the diffi culties of piggyback on the fi lm a little running a rugby club in Ou- bit and get more players, and lu, there is one that is pretty better training slots,” sighs much impossible to change Holden hopefully. “The sea- – geography. “Our closest son the fi lm was shot was ac- match is in Jyväskylä, which tually one when money was is three or four hours away,” Freetime machos hugging in manly rugby mayhem. plentiful, as the production Holden explains. “If we were company paid for buses to in London, and our nearest away matches – it wouldn't club was three or four hours A new film about a Finnish rugby club lifts the lid on one of the country's minority sports. have been easy to fi lm a trip away, they might not even to Jyväskylä if the team trav- be in England! The time tak- elled in four or fi ve cars, as en up by away trips is a big EGAN RICHARDSON club and nobody would be in- dance Festival, the 2003 doc- between Mikko and Matti out, we sometimes do!” diffi culty.” HELSINKI TIMES terested in us,” says Holden. umentary Screaming Men, and the editing is very good. “We'd love to have the “It was fi lmed in 2007, and it about a male voice choir, but Mika Ronkainen likes to look Finnish "machismo" resources to fl y to Helsinki FREETIME Machos is a forth- all feels like a very long time he also founded the World Air at things from a slightly odd Many of the Oulu players are twice a year, but it's just pro- coming fi lm about “the most ago. I was a bit nervous about Guitar Championships, which angle, but in a positive light.” Finns, a rarity in an expat- hibitively expensive. If we northern and third lousiest what the publicity would be take place annually in Oulu. The list of sporting doc- dominated sport like rugby. had a national league again rugby team in the world”. Ou- like, but it's not too bad as it umentaries that have giv- Novice players are enthusi- (there is currently a regional- lu Rugby club's 2007 season was fi lmed a long time ago Welcome publicity en good publicity to their astic, but provide their coach ised system) we'd be looking was recorded for posteri- and I've had some time to get Holden is happy with the treat- subjects is quite short, and with a different set of prob- at 5,500 euros in total just for ty by director Mika Ronkai- used to it. A couple of peo- ment his club received. “It's a in Finland the most recent lems to those from a rugby- travelling costs.” nen, and the resulting picture ple have phoned me up after very good fi lm,” continues the example was Basket Case, playing background. is due for release next month. seeing the trailer, but there's coach. “It has very high quali- Oskari Pastila's take on Por- “It's a challenge, put it like The club’s English coach Rog- been nothing too bad yet.” ty video and cinematography. voon Tarmo's farcical 2006- that,” Holden says. “We re- Freetime Machos er Holden welcomed the Ronkainen is known for a You're used to seeing yourself 07 season. Holden, however, cruit extensively from the out 12 March in Helsinki, lengthy gap between fi lming sense of the absurd. The Ku- in grainy home videos, but this has no regrets even if the sto- university, and we get a lot Oulu, Turku and Tampere and release. usamo born fi lm-maker not is much, much better. The sto- ry told in the fi lm focuses on of foreigners. The main re- www.freetimemachos.com “The perception was that only made the fi rst Finnish ryline is really great, as the di- some parts of the club more cruiting effort goes on Finns we're just an ordinary rugby fi lm to be shown at the Sun- rector pulled the relationship than others. though, as they tend to stay
the country’s Winter Olympic ing victories against Belarus tournament of all time. And history. Saturday was probably and Germany. The fi rst big there have also been some Week two in Vancouver the worst day: In cross-coun- test came on Sunday, when surprises, with the dream try skiing, the men’s 30 km the Lions went against arch fi nal between Canada and pursuit ended with three out rivals Sweden. This time, our Russia already becoming im- Finland opened their medal account, but the overall national perfor- of four Finns failing to fi nish western neighbours were possible due the teams’ un- the race. Ski jumping brought clearly the better side and expected struggling in the mance so far has been underwhelming. another huge disappointment. shut down Finland with a 3- group stages. Women’s hock- Matti Hautamäki, a four-time 0 victory. Going into the sud- ey, on the other hand, will see Olympic medallist struggling den death matches, Finland’s the awaited fi nal between VELI-MATTI PELTOLA the deadlock. Peetu Piiroi- White, the undisputed sover- with his form in recent years, game has been far from stel- Canada and USA, while Fin- HELSINKI TIMES nen, the 22-year-old, 165cm eign of the sport, beating him. was in third place going into lar, and the pre-tournament land and Sweden fi ght for the trick whiz managed to land a Unfortunately, the delight- the second round and needed criticism towards head coach bronze. FINLAND fi nally got their fi rst near-perfect run in the sec- ful result has not borne fruit in a similar jump to claim a med- Jukka Jalonen has become medal on Wednesday 17 Feb- ond round of the men’s half- other events, and the Finnish al. He failed spectacularly, and more intense. Another drama ruary, and it took an easy- pipe fi nal and took home the performance threatens to end ended up in 26th place. Also, In the match against Ger- The second week also brought going snowboarder to break silver medal, with only Shaun up being one of the worst in Janne Ahonen hurt his knee many, sniper legend Teemu along yet another dramat- in a fall during training, and Selänne’s assist to Kimmo ic crash. In the warm-up for was forced to drop out of the Timonen’s powerplay goal the ladies’ cross-country ski- games after the fi rst round. made him the all-time lead- ing sprint race, Slovenian fa- He was dearly missed in the ing point scorer in Olympic vourite Petra Majdic fell in a team competition on Monday, hockey, overtaking such leg- tight curve and crashed in- where Finland fi nished an all ends as the Soviet Union’s to a gulley situated danger- too familiar fourth, rounding Valeri Kharlamov. It’s a huge ously next to the track. With up a frustrating ski jumping achievement for the 39-year- pain killers and local anaes- campaign. old Selänne, one of the great- thesia, she managed to race Sport is not only about est goal-scorers the game of through all the four stages of the medals, but the Finnish ice hockey has ever seen. “Of the event and amazingly took LEHTIKUVA / ANTTI AIMO-KOIVISTO showing has been worrisome course it’s a special thing. the bronze medal. After cross- nevertheless. Particularly I believe that it will sink in ing the fi nish line, she fainted alarming is the situation in even better after the end and was carried out from the the ski team, where critique of my career,” the pleased stadium. Later it was revealed and accusations are thrown Selänne told YLE after the that she had broken four ribs in all directions. match. in the crash. Whether or not it Altogether, the quality of was wise for her to race, it cer- Stars on ice ice hockey in Vancouver has tainly added another chapter Men's halfpipe Olympic medallists Peetu Piiroinen (left), Shaun White and Scott Lago on the victory In the awaited ice hockey, defi nitely lived up to the ex- to the chronicle of Winter Ol- podium in Vancouver on 18 February. Finland started with convinc- pectations of being the best ympic heroics. HELSINKI TIMES OUTDOORS & ACTIVITIES 25 FEBRUARY – 3 MARCH 2010 1313
LEHTIKUVA / MARTTI KAINULAINEN Cross-country skiing remains favourite winter sport Thomann has done a lot Finns are keeping up their strong attach- of downhill skiing as well as ski touring, which he says is ment to cross-country skiing. his favourite winter sport. Ski touring is a form of open- country skiing where people MARI KAISLANIEMI Winter sports are also climb mountains in groups HELSINKI TIMES popular among foreigners in wearing their skis, and then Finland. Olivier Thomann, 24, ski down. “I love ski tour- THIS WINTER, cross-country came here to work for VTT as ing in Switzerland because skiing has become more pop- a researcher for one year. “I you can go very far into the ular than ever thanks to the tried cross-country skiing at mountains and wilderness. huge amount of snow that has home in Switzerland and I’ve I would love to do it here in covered the entire country. also been skiing in Finland. Finland, but it is hard for a The popularity of cross- I like it quite a lot, but the non-Finnish speaker because country skiing is evident on tracks are often too crowded to do that, you need to have the tracks, but also in the for my taste,” says Thomann. a small team and know the sports equipment factories Thomann has also tried area beforehand,” he says. and stores. Due to growing tour skating on the Laajalah- Overall Thomann is satisfi ed The city centre ice rink now accommodates curling enthusiasts also - when the skaters make way. demand, factories are pro- ti track near Munkkiniemi. with the winter sport op- ducing more skis than in pre- “Tour skating was fantas- portunities in Helsinki. He vious winters. tic, and the long-blade skates thinks Helsinki is quite spe- Tour skating has grown in made it easy. I would like to cial for winter sport, “be- popularity over the past dec- try Nordic skating on the sea, cause you don’t really need to Curling on the cusp ade, with around 100,000 but it is dangerous for a be- leave the town to experience tour skaters in Finland cur- ginner like me.” some outdoor sport. You can their own style, and that can rently. Tour skating takes Nordic skating differs ski on the ice from Otaniemi The sixteenth-century sport of Scottish and be very amusing! place on natural ice, which from tour skating in that it to Helsinki, which is quite a After about 50 minutes of is usually abundant even in is always practiced on free, trip in itself. In most cities, Dutch peasants comes to Helsinki. hurling and curling we decid- Finnish winters with rela- natural ice in groups, and un- you have to go out of the city ed it was time for a hot drink tively little snow. der strict safety rules. to do any of these things.” and despite some dramatic ANTHONY SHAW, KATH OLDHAM and armed with a stubby four slides on behalf of ‘The Reds’ HELSINKI TIMES foot ‘rubbing brush’ proceed- (the colour of our stones) we ed frantically to disperse the graciously declared ‘The Yel- A BLUSTERY, snowy Mon- rapidly accumulating snow lows’ as the evening’s win- day evening in the beginning and shine-up the ice; whereas ners. Don’t expect us at the of February saw six of us, the crouch, dive and slide re- Winter Olympics, but have a treading warily over the ice quired for ‘curling the stone’ thought for the subtle skills in our blue, plastic over-slip- was quite unfamiliar. (Is that that those talkative sports- LEHTIKUVA / MIKKO STIG pers, trying to come to terms the correct technical term? men and women need on the with the noble art of curling Well, I am sure you get the ice in Vancouver. Remem- – on that little ice rink by idea.) It required the co-or- ber: the younger you start the railway station. We soon dination of all four limbs in it, the greater your curling found that, in common with ways that had never been at- potential! many other activities we are tempted before (to gain the used to watching on TV, what initial push-off), and then the looks so simple when carried propulsion of a nearly 20-kilo Rautatientori’s out by professionals is con- stone down a 30-metre lane Icepark siderably more challenging – which was far less than Mon 18:00-21:00 curling, in reality. slippery with the rapid build- Wed skating with Never has anyone seen a up of snow. Some showed classical music, more enthusiastic group of great promise, not least the Thu skating with jazz and Fri sweepers – an activity we 13-year-old participant, but with a live DJ. Skiing on the frozen sea in Laajalahti, Helsinki. were all fairly familiar with, every beginner has to fi nd
swing (Ketjukaruselli) and ti the mammoth or even Mrr Vekkula fun house. The en- the yeti. The Ice Pearl people Helsinki Travel Tip Winter wonderland trance fee covers all rides tell stories four times a day. and winter activities which Tube hill competitions take MARI KAISLANIEMI adults a chance to do all sorts include a tube hill, mini place on Friday 26 and Sunday SUSANNA KESÄNEN / VISIT FINLAND HELSINKI TIMES of winter activities. Running snowmobile track, skating 28 February. There are series until Sunday 28 February, the rink, ski school, kick sledge for children over and under LINNANMÄKI Amusement Winter Fest is open every day track and even a snow dive the age of ten, with three race park opened its gates for the from 10:00 to 18:00. rope slide. categories: speed, length and winter holidays in southern There are 11 rides open at This is the fourth annual accuracy. The Sohjo fl oor-ball Finland. The Ice Pearl Win- Linnanmäki, including kids’ Winter Fest and this year’s snow tournament takes place ter Fest offers children and favourites such as the chair special programme is en- on Thursday 25 and Saturday titled “The path under the 27 February. coaster”. During this guided sudoku SOLUTION ON PAGE 18 tour, arranged three times a day, visitors can walk under Linnanmäki the wooden rollercoaster and Ice Pearl Winter Fest learn its history. Until 28 Feb At Linnanmäki you can al- Every day 10:00 to 18:00 so meet the Ice Pearl people. Tickets €17 Frosty Frank is their chief, www.linnanmaki.fi and you can also see Hönt- Ice skating Icepark skating rink by the Railway station provides a theme pro- gramme for children and adults alike. Take a break from the skating rink and glide into the Icepark café to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate, among other treats. Admission €5/2, skate rental €5/3.50. See our opening hours and programme: www.jaapuisto.fi Kallio’s artifi cial skating rink in Brahen kenttä offers a space for ice skating and stick games, such as bandy. Curling afi cionados can also try out the related game of alp curling. Admission €3/1.50. Further info at: www.hel.fi /liikunta
M O R E T I P S F R O M
www.visithelsinki.fi 14 25 FEBRUARY – 3 MARCH 2010 LIFESTYLE HELSINKI TIMES
ROBIN DEWAN nationally acclaimed bands such as Calexico and Giant Sand who frequently per- form locally in some incarna- tion or another. Flagstaff is a much small- er city to the north which al- so has a thriving cultural scene. In addition to a sym- phony orchestra, this uni- versity town organises many popular music and arts festi- vals that attract nationwide attention. The famous Route 66 runs just south of the well-preserved historic town center, which is a great place to stroll around and take in a bit of Old West atmosphere. Most tourists pass through Flagstaff on their way to the grand-daddy of all Arizo- na’s attractions, The Grand Canyon.
Caverns and Canyons With the abundance of na- ture and sunshine, Arizona is Vintage motoring along Arizona’s byways. a hiker’s paradise. Trails and national parks abound such by a mix of artists, counter- ic as well as sacred places as Kartchner Caverns State culture veterans and those of the Native American cul- Park, near Tucson. This geo- that fl ed the rat-race. Today, tures can be visited. Walpi, logic gem is considered one of the old houses and folksy on the Hopi reservation, is the most outstanding exam- Arizona dreaming business districts offer pic- the oldest continually inhab- ples of ancient cavern activ- turesque and often quirky ited village in what is now the ity accessible to the public. scenery. United States. Built on solid But for sheer visual overload, The State of Arizona draws in millions of tourists each year, largely due Located a few hours drive rock with steep cliffs which nothing compares with the to its top attraction, the Grand Canyon. Taking in this Natural Wonder south of the Grand Canyon, offer spectacular views of Grand Canyon. Sedona and the surround- the surrounding fl at lands, Although often photo- of the World is a good enough reason to visit the region but don’t stop ing area is home to some of this adobe settlement has graphed, no picture can ap- there. Pulsating urban centers, legendary historic monuments and awe- the most stunning terrain in been home to generations of proach the overwhelming the country. In recent dec- Hopi for over 1,000 years. experience of taking in the some natural beauty make the entire state a true traveler’s mecca. ades spiritual seekers as well Monument Valley on the panoramic view of the can- as some rather wealthy in- northern border of the State yon from the rim. Visitors dividuals have been lured to has long been sacred territo- usually arrive at Grand Can- ROBIN DEWAN hospitable climate. Within towns scattered along its by- the area by the magnifi cent ry for the Navajo. The valley’s yon Village on the South Rim, HELSINKI TIMES close range of one another lie ways. Some of these, such as red rock landscapes. Here massive red rock pillars jet- which is where nearly all of Wild West enclaves, ancient Jerome in the north and Bis- you can explore the “ener- ting up from the desert fl oor the historic structures and THE FLAGS of four nations Indian sites as well as mod- bee in the south are relics gy vortexes,” attend work- are easily recognisable from facilities are located. There have fl own over the ter- ern metropolises. The chang- from the early mining days shops, and at the end of the the numerous western and is a vintage railroad service ritory that is now known es between landscapes and when tens of thousands of day settle into the lap of lux- science fi ction movies that which terminates at the vil- as Arizona. Spain, Mexico, cultures can often be rapid fortune seekers fl ocked to ury at one of the town’s many have been fi lmed there. lage from the nearby town the Confederate States and and dramatic. Taking in a bit the area. About one hundred resorts. Sedona may be los- of Williams. Another option the United States have all of each type of attraction is a years ago, at the height of the ing some of its appeal due to Cities in the Sun to view the canyon, though claimed the area at one point good way to make the most mining frenzy, Bisbee was the recent infl ux of big mon- Arizona boasts the fi fth larg- rather costly, is by way of the and, along with Native Amer- of a trip to the state. in fact the largest city be- ey, but it still holds the cards est city in the United States. recently opened, glass-bot- ican tribes, have all left their tween St Louis and San Fran- when it comes to breathtak- The Phoenix metropolitan tomed Grand Canyon Sky- mark. Arizona is a mosaic of Groovy towns cisco. After the mines closed, ing natural beauty. area is home to over 4 mil- walk located on the Hualapai these cultures, shaped by its A lot of Arizona’s charm these towns started to slide A taste of the old con- lion residents with addition- Tribe’s property in Grand rugged terrain and often in- comes from the unorthodox but have been slowly revived tinent right in the middle al “snowbirds” arriving to Canyon West. The horse- of the desert can be had at spend the winter. Although shoe-shaped glass walkway Lake Havasu City where Phoenix is home to some out- stands at 1,100 metres above London Bridge ain’t falling standing museums such as the fl oor of the canyon and down. Bought from the city the Heard Museum, which affords magnifi cent views
ROBIN DEWANROBIN of London and transferred is a living museum of Native but is defi nitely not for those to Arizona 40 years ago, the cultures, the city lacks the prone to acrophobia. centuries old bridge is quite kind of heart and soul found Much of Arizona can be an oddity in its present lo- in the state’s second largest brutally hot in the summer cale. Brits like to perpetu- city, Tucson. which makes the winter and ate the myth that the Yanks The “Old Pueblo,” as Tuc- early spring the best times thought they were buying son is referred to, is a colorful to visit. Whether it’s mes- Tower Bridge (London’s icon- and lively city full of charac- merising scenery, history, ic bridge) and were shocked ter. Its many neighborhoods, or just plain fun in the sun, when they found out what such as the El Presidio, Barrio Arizona ranks among the they actually got. Histórico and Fourth Avenue most fascinating of Ameri- with its funky shops, loung- ca’s states. And if things do Native American Sites es and live music venues are get a bit too hot just remem- Much of the state is Indian well worth checking out. Tuc- ber the comforting words of reservation land where as- son is home to an excellent the locals: “it’s a dry kind of The view over Bisbee, a revived old copper mining town. tonishing vistas and histor- music scene featuring inter- heat.” Helsinki Vintage Festival kicks off next week
TANIA NATHAN ers are pulling out all the stops just the plain curious, there’s dance fl oor scorching as well HELSINKI TIMES with a programme that prom- a burlesque photo exhibition. as DJ Fiona Timantti, play- ises something for all lovers of With roots going as far back as ing tunes from the 1930s to CELEBRATING Finland’s love af- the vintage lifestyle. the 1800s, burlesque is a great the 1950s with a playlist from fair for all things vintage, fans Maibell & The Misfi res, a mixture of humour, gorgeous swing to smooth jazz. Tasty of the burlesque, bouffant and rockabilly band that performs costuming, theatre, music tidbits from yesteryear will al- swing have a treat in store this 50s and 60s tunes as well as and performance art. The pho- so be on sale at the cafeteria. March. The already well-estab- original numbers, will play tos feature recent performers lished Helsinki Vintage Festi- two afternoon sets, at 13:30 from Helsinki Vintage’s bur- val will be held at its new, larger and 15:30. There will also be lesque events. Helsinki Vintage venue on 7 March at the Cable Pop Poetry, a unique blend of For those with their blue 7 Mar Factory. With over 2,000 vis- music and movement, old po- suede shoes on Carin and the Tickets €9 itors at the last gathering on etry with new poems, dialogue Blue Velvets will be there from www.helsinkivintage.fi 29 September 2009 organis- and singing. For art lovers or 11 o’clock onwards to keep the Maibell & The Misfires play two sets at the Helsinki Vintage Festival. HELSINKI TIMES CULTURE 25 FEBRUARY – 3 MARCH 2010 1515
CAJ BREMER On the folk dance frontier all ages nationwide. Tsuumi Dance Com- Tsuumi’s latest production Mahti – Mighty is inspired by pany’s new Kalevala- the Finnish national epic Ka- themed production levala. Although Samuli Nord- berg has seized upon the most tackles Finnish men’s revered of all Finnish cultur- longing for love. al treasures, Mahti does not kowtow to the original: “We know the tradition we depend REETA RUOTSALAINEN upon, but we end up doing HELSINKI TIMES whatever we want anyway.” Mahti’s dramaturgy re- “WHEN WE’RE onstage, we volves around four epic he- don’t so much perform to roes, Väinämöinen, Ilmarinen, the audience as socialise by Lemminkäinen and Jouka- dancing together,” explains hainen, whose failure in love is Samuli Nordberg, choreog- equally epic. Nordberg treats rapher and artistic director the Finnish men’s longing for of Dance Company Tsuumi. love with warmth and humor. This communal feel and Mahti premieres on Kale- Conferment dance on Mannerheimintie, Helsinki, 1960. the primitive force of Finn- vala Day with only four per- ish folk dance, combined with formances this spring, but taken him to exploring dark fresh ideas and modern inter- several more to come over alleys on the outskirts of pretation, are Tsuumi’s most the summer. town or to attend offi cial striking features. The compa- Caj Bremer’s sharp eye on functions with the political ny stands out from the crowd elite. The public fi gures in his in Helsinki, where folk danc- Mahti photographs appear to be as ing is these days a curiosity. 27 Feb-3 Mar view in new retrospective approachable as ordinary But tradition lives on else- Tickets €31/22/13 people on any sunny Sunday www.aleksanterinteatteri.fi where in the country, with an SUSAN FOURTANÉ family photographs as well despite the powerful presence afternoon. estimated 30,000 devotees of HELSINKI TIMES as studies of light and nature. of everyday realities. Anyone interested in Through these themes, the Bremer has a precise and seeing the development of CAJ BREMER is one of the big- show also traces the develop- insightful eye. He has an un- post-war Finland will be de- gest names in post-war Finn- ment of Finnish society and failing ability to control the lighted to experience the ish photojournalism. His media over the last 50 years. light and composition in rapid- journey through Bremer’s black and white photo re- In an era when television ly changing conditions, being photographs. portages have afforded him a was taking only its fi rst steps as able to extract the essential storytelling role as a photog- a source of daily news, Bremer into a seemingly simple image rapher. The Ateneum is fea- was attracted by the tradition often characterised by a sub- Photographer Caj Bremer turing a collection of more of humanistic photography, tle sense of humour. One of Until 16 May than 150 of his photographs, which emphasises an interest Bremer’s strengths is his fl air Ateneum Art Museum, the oldest dating back to the in people and their immediate for capturing joy and good-na- Helsinki early 1950s, the latest being surroundings. Humanistic pho- tured smiles in his images. Tickets €9/7 from last year. The exhibi- tography respects its subjects Bremer's exceptional so- www.ateneum.fi tion includes journalistic and and often has a lyrical beauty cial skills and curiosity have
toilet accompanied by the riors who tackle the horrors Great Scot soothing tones of Lou Reed. of such confl icts with the use First up is the latest fi lm of telepathy. Hmm. Truth is oin JAMES O’SULLIVAN from Bad Santa scribes Glenn stranger than fi ction. J HELSINKI TIMES Ficarra and John Requa, Arriving in the shadow of whereby incarcerated fami- the superb The Hurt Locker, THERE ourvision! is often a moment in an ly man Jim Carrey falls in love its satirical stance just might actor’s career that their place with McGregor’s inmate in provide some light relief from in celluloid history is stamped the dramatic comedy I Love the tense Oscar favourite. Al- forever. Think of Clark Ca- You Phillip Morris. With a de- though advance word has ble informing Scarlett that layed release schedule due to been mixed, the combined he frankly just couldn’t give a heavy re-editing of the fi lm’s weight of its stars should at a damn at the end of Gone homosexual content, the fi lm the very least provide some with the Wind, Al Pacino vig- has languished on the shelf, entertaining performances orously inviting everyone to struggling to fi nd a distributor. – with or without a psyche- say hello to his little friend It remains to be seen just how delic toilet experience. in Scarface, and even good successful this love story will old Arnold Schwarzenegger be in warming Finnish hearts promising us that he’ll be back and offering a distraction I Love You Phillip Morris in The Terminator. from the arctic temperatures Release Date: 26 Feb For Scottish actor Ewan currently raging outdoors. Directors: Glenn Ficarra, McGregor, it’s the horrifying, McGregor’s second fi lm John Requa yet hilarious scene in Trains- on release this week sees Starring: Jim Carrey, potting whereby he emerges him teaming up with George Ewan McGregor from Scotland’s worst toilet Clooney and Jeff Bridges as that has stained audiences’ they tackle a very new age The Men Who Stare at Goats memory. But, have no fear, solution to war in The Men Release Date: 26 Feb this week offers two new op- Who Stare at Goats. Based Director: Grant Heslov portunities to surpass the on a true story, McGregor’s Starring: George Clooney, mind-bending scenario of a journalist uncovers a crack Ewan McGregor Rumba, belly dance, hulahula, atilogwu, bollywood, yangge, man swimming about in a secret unit of psychic war- afro or samba? Ourvision Goes Dancing! Ourvision Goes Dancing is an ethnic dance contest open for dance enthusiasts of all ages from the capital region! Register Fill in the application form at www.caisa.fi /ourvision or at Caisa by the 15th of March!
Try-outs 9th and 16th of April children’s class aged 7 to13 years at 6 pm. and 23rd and 29th of April youth and adult class, 14 years and older at 7 pm. Caisa Mikonkatu 17 C Helsinki, tickets 5€
Jim Carrey (right) taking a stroll on a sunny day. George Clooney with a friend. 16 25 FEBRUARY – 3 MARCH 2010 EAT & DRINK HELSINKI TIMES
VILLIPUUTARHA RESTAURANTS The hottest grill in Helsinki.
Opening Hours: Mon–Fri 11:30–24, Sat 13–24 (excl. 5.9.), Sun 15–23. Kitchen closes an hour earlier.
Fresh flavours and Comfy atmosphere and great coffee – Villipuutarha has all that's needed to make an enchanting café. inspirations from Italy. to share them with other peo- ple. Like a true treasure chest, In the heart of Helsinki. there are always surpris- Wild and wonderful es waiting to be found as the items on display at the café change frequently. The Wild In a Kallio corner sits a cosy coffee shop with a heart of gold. Garden Café also sells a var- Mikonkatu 23, www.paakonttori.fi ying selection of crafts from Restaurant Opening Hours: Mon–Fri 11:30–23, different Finnish artists. Sat 16–23, Sun 18–22. Kitchen closes half an hour earlier. Bar Opening Hours: Mon–Sat 17–24, Sun 18–24. PETRA NYMAN notice the whole collection of neither observation is wrong HELSINKI TIMES stuffed animals, the squirrel, since the Wild Garden Café A dream come true the rabbit and the deer head, works as both. “I have always The Wild Garden Café fi rst “HAVE I DIED AND GONE TO all of them staring straight collected things. I have this opened its doors in Novem- )LQQLVK&XLVLQH HEAVEN,” was the fi rst com- ahead with glazed eyes. urge to save old things and ber 2008. In just over a year ment of one surprised cus- “They are a bit creepy aren’t breathe new life into them. I it has gathered a loyal cus- tomer as she stepped inside they,” laughs Katja Kannis- travel a lot and gather beau- tomer base. The “gardeners” Villipuutarha, the Wild Gar- to, co-owner and founder of tiful things from where ever Katja Kannisto, Tiia Näs- 5DYLQWROD0DUWWD den Café. The atmosphere in- the café, as she sets down a I go. I can’t help it,” Kannisto si and Sari Silvo had dreamt /DSLQODKGHQNDWX+HOVLQNL side the tiny café in Kallio is cup of latte shaped to a heart refl ects with a giggle. of working with people for _ZZZUDYLQWRODPDUWWDÀ truly heavenly with the dé- in front of me. “It took me Most of the objects with- a long time and fi nally a few cor made up of all things del- awhile before I was able to in the café are for sale, but years ago decided to set up icate. The interior is covered get close to the collection of some of them contain such their own café. “None of us in dried roses, there’s a few spiders and bugs, but they emotional value to the own- had previous experience in old nighties hanging on the are all natural things and ers that they are only for cus- café work, but we were seri- “There are different types of it a small amount of some- wall, an angel statue, dolls symbolise life as it is,” she tomers to admire. “Of course ous about what we wanted to trees in the garden, and we’d thing really good,” says Kan- sitting on steps of old lad- explains. I have to agree that everything can be negotiat- create and didn’t just jump to like to think that our one nisto. As I take a bite of an ders, aged furniture, fl owery in their eeriness the animals ed about, and even if we don’t it. We made detailed plans, is the breadfruit tree from organic strawberry marma- wallpaper, plants and the like do contribute to the unique have something you are look- took barista training and which people get strength lade handmade by the chef all around. atmosphere of the café. ing for it pays to ask, because I worked hard to get to where from,” she explains. The café of Wild Garden Café, Thomas I feel completely at peace have loads more things stored we are now,” Kannisto says. has already served as a space Hamberg, I am convinced of as I take a seat on the corner A shop within a café at home and might have just One of the important ide- for different events from live the theory. table, admiring all the beau- There are so many objects what your looking for,” she re- as behind the Wild Garden concerts to knitting groups For those who desire to ty around until I look behind around that at fi rst glance I veals. Kannisto says she has Café was to create a space and philosophy nights. More experience what true in- my shoulder and meet eyes couldn’t tell if I had stepped come across countless treas- for cultural interaction be- workshops are planned for dulgence is, the Wild Gar- with a stuffed crow. Soon I into a gift shop or a café, but ures over the years and loves tween people, tells Kannisto. the future and the gardeners den Café luxury breakfast is have a dream of utilising the a must. The breakfast made café as a meeting place for up of fresh bread, a selection lonely elderly people and chil- of jams, fresh vegetables, dren who lack grandparents. cheeses, fruit and never end- ing coffee is served on Satur- VILLIPUUTARHA VILLIPUUTARHA Heavenly treats days. This has developed into The café itself offers a se- such a popular treat that a lection of divine treats that table reservation is the only change frequently. Here way to secure a spot. “At the you will fi nd a cup of the moment we are fully booked smoothest coffee in Helsinki for a few weeks so the on- and a piece of one of the most ly way to get a table for the heavenly cakes you have ev- breakfast is by ringing us in er tasted. Quality comes with advance,” says Kannisto. a price, however, with a slice Due to the popularity of of cake setting you back 7-9 the café, the gardeners are euros and a cup of latte 4 eu- planning to extend its open- ros. But you cannot go wrong ing hours in the near future. with what the Wild Garden In the meantime, the Wild Café has to offer and each sip Garden Café welcomes any- and bite confi rms to be worth one to pop in during the week every penny. for a warm atmosphere over There are also handmade a cup of coffee. truffl es for sale at 1.30 a piece. These wee gems are made of pure cacao, which Villipuutarha contains all the goodness of Kaarlenkatu 13 chocolate, something, that Helsinki has been stripped off with Tel 044 021 6404 the mounds of added sug- Open: ar from most milk choco- Tue-Fri 11-20 lates. “I believe that if you Sat 10-14 are going to treat yourself www.villipuutarha.fi Some of the delicacies available. With all the peculiar objects on display, the décor is unique. with something good, make HELSINKI TIMES EAT & DRINK 25 FEBRUARY – 3 MARCH 2010 1717
RESTAURANTS RESTAURANTS RESTAURANTS
The world of beer in all its glory BEER HOUSE KAISLA Vilhonkatu 4 Mon-Thu 13–02, Transforming Finnish Fri-Sat 13–03, Korkeavuorenkatu 27 gifts of nature in an Helsinki Sun 13–02 Tel. +358 9 635 732 innovative manner to suit modern tastes. www.juuri.fi www.oluthuone.com
Get Real! Pub Angleterre serves the best Sushi Academy Take part in a sushi course in Töölö REAL ALE IN TOWN. in a unique Japanese atmosphere with A CLASSIC SINCE 1932 Sushi Chef Koichi.
Join the open courses Runeberginkatu 55, Helsinki. on Monday or Saturday Tel.: 09 43 42 7640 or book a private course [email protected] Fredrikinkatu 47, from Tuesday to Friday. www.tokyo55.fi Et. Hesperiankatu 22 tel. +358 9 6128 5200 mon-tue 11-24, wed-fri 11-01, sat 14-01, sun 14-23 00100 Helsinki Get to know how to make sushi! www.royalravintolat.com
COSY ITALIAN RESTAURANT IN THE HEART OF HELSINKI
Nepalese Restaurant RAVINTOLARAVINTOL A The biggest Nepalese Restaurant in Helsinki The fi nest Nepalese • Suitable for group parties cuisine in Helsinki • Fully licensed Open Mon-Fri 11:00-23:00 VESPA RISTORANTE Sat-Sun 12:00-23:00 Salomonkatu 19, Helsinki • Delicious food with tandoor ETELÄESPLANADI 22 Ravintola Swagat Tel. 09 694 0750 Welcome to Satkar Runeberginkatu 40, 00260 Helsinki 00130 HELSINKI Mon-Fri 11-23, Sat 12-23, Sun 12-22 Tel. 09 4289 0553 Tel 020 7701 460 www.ravintolatandoor.net Fredrikinkatu 46 (Kamppi, Autotalo). 00100 Helsinki, Finland mobile 044 21 22 454 Tel. +358 9 611 077, +358 40 707 1140 www.satkar.fi www.ravintolavespa.fi
The Oldest Nepalese
Restaurant in Finland Eteläesplanadi 24 F o r u m M a n n e r h e i m i n t i e 2 0 Open @ibW\HiYÃ:f]%%Ã%("'$ tel. (09) 611 217 tel. (09) 694 4207 Mon-Fri 11-23, weekends 12-23, Mon-Tue 10.30-23.00 Mon-Fri 10.30-21.00 Lunch: Mon-Fri 11-15 8]bbYfHiYÃGUh%+Ã&' Wed-Sat 10.30-24.00 Sat 10.30-19.00 Sun 12.00-23.00 Sun 11.00-18.00 Contact AigYc_Uhi&- Ratakatu 1B, 00120 Helsinki. $-()(('$' BEST STEAKS IN TOWN Book your table ☎ HELSINKI • LAHTI • TAMPERE tel. (09) 647 551, fax. (09) 647 552 fUj]bhc`U!U]hc4fUj]bhc`U!U]hc"Z] Welcome! www.himalaya.fi www.manhattansteakhouse.fi kkk"fUj]bhc`U!U]hc"Z] 18 25 FEBRUARY – 3 MARCH 2010 WHERE TO GO HELSINKI TIMES COMPILED BY MIISSA RANTANEN
Tickets €8/5.50/0 Until Sun 16 May www.taidehalli.fi Viljo Revell (1910-1964) An exhibition celebrating the Until Sun 7 March centenary of architect Viljo VEERA-MAIJA MURTOLA Marika Kiirikoff Revell's birth. Dawnings Room Closed with Decoration The Didrichsen Art Museum Paintings that try to connect the Kuusilahdenkuja 1 Tuntu Collective is an interdisciplinary group of artists interested private with the public. Tue 11:00-18:00 in the senses. For example, Tuntu people have earlier examined the Gallery Jangva Wed 11:00-20:00 sense of sight in cooperation with the Cultural Service for the Vis- Uudenmaankatu 4-6 Thu-Sun 11:00-18:00 ually Impaired. The new work of the collective takes sense-related Tue-Fri 11:00-19:00 Tickets €8/6/2 Sat-Sun 11:00-17:00 www.didrichsenmuseum.fi observations even further. Dawnings, performed at the premises of Free entrance Zodiak, is an invitation to a journey through different rooms, yards, www.jangva.fi Until Sun 23 May corners and hallways, awakening moments of feeling to conscious- Susanna Majuri ness. In Dawnings, light plays an important role, too. Until Mon 8 March The Water Researcher's Daughter As only fifteen to twenty visitors are allowed to take part in the Stiina Saaristo A mystic and surreal solo Ein kleines Monster exhibition of a successful Finnish performance at a time, it may be a good idea to book one’s tickets Grotesque, ironic and wild female photographer. in advance. Audiences are also advised to wear some warm out- figures challenge the social Finnish Museum of Photography door clothing. expectations placed on women. Tallberginkatu 1 Amos Anderson Art Museum Tue-Sun 11:00-18:00 Yrjönkatu 27 Tickets €6/4/0 3/5/6/7/9/10/12/13/14/17/18/ Tallberginkatu 1 Mon, Thu, Fri 10:00-18:00 www.valokuvataiteenmuseo.fi 20/21/22/23 March Tickets €20/12 Tuntu Collective's performance explores the senses. Wed 10:00-20:00 Zodiak, 19:00 www.zodiak.fi Sat-Sun 11:00-17:00 Until Sun 23 May Tickets €8/6/4/0 Helsinki School – Photography www.amosanderson.fi and Video NOW Photographs, videos and MUSIC Mon 1 March Wed 3 March EXHIBITIONS Until Sun 14 March installations by the young Joss Stone (UK) Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra Enchanting Beauty generation of the Helsinki School. Thu 25 February Throaty singing influenced by early Music of Schumann and Sallinen. Thu 4 to 27 March Russian masterpieces from the Col- Meilahti Art Museum Lime Hill Quartet Motown singers. Finlandia Hall, 19:00 Hertta Kiiski: Horreur lections of The State Tamminiementie 6 Club Phoenix concentrates on jazz. Kulttuuritalo, 19:00 Mannerheimintie 13 E Solo photography exhibition takes Tretyakov Gallery. Tue-Sun 11:00-18:30 Sibelius Academy, 20:30 Sturenkatu 4 Tickets €20/13/6 a look at beauty and horror. Tennis Palace Art Museum Tickets €8/6/0 Pohjoinen Rautatiekatu 9 Tickets €56/52 www.hel.fi/filharmonia Napa Gallery Salomonkatu 15 www.hel.fi/taidemuseo Free entrance www.kulttuuritalo.fi Eerikinkatu 18, Helsinki Tue-Sun 11:00-19:00 www.siba.fi Wed-Fri 12-18, Sat 12-16 Tickets €9/7/0 Until Sun 23 May Mon 1 March THEATRE AND DANCE www.taidemuseo.hel.fi Venice – The Feast of Mask Fri 26 February Helsinki Mobile Phone Orchestra Until Sat 27 February An exhibition introducing Venetian Cult of Luna (SWE) An ensemble performing music Fri 26 February Tuija Markonsalo Fri 26 February to Sun 21 March carnival tradition. Progressive metal music. with mobile devices. My Name Is Finger Radio Updates Artists at Work Sinebrychoff Art Museum Tavastia Club, 21:00 Pitäjänmäki Culture Church, 19:00 Rhythmic music from Kraftwerk to Textile artworks. A group exhibition of Elina Brotherus, Bulevardi 40 Urho Kekkosen katu 4-6 Henrikintie 25 Bach accompanies a ballet Napa Gallery Jan Neva and Teemu Korpela. Tue, Fri 10:00-18:00 Tickets €17 Tickets €10/7 performance for children. Eerikinkatu 18 Korjaamo Gallery Wed-Thu 10:00-20:00 www.tavastiaklubi.fi www.pitskunkulttuurikirkko.net Finnish National Ballet, 12:00&14:00 Wed-Fri 12:00-18:00 Töölönkatu 51 Sat-Sun 11:00-17:00 Helsinginkatu 58 Sat-Sun 12:00-16:00 Mon-Fri 11:00-18:00 Tickets €7.5/6/0 Sat 27 February Mon 1 March Tickets €9/7 www.napabooks.com Sat-Sun 11:00-17:00 www.sinebrychoffintaidemuseo.fi Aarne Alligator Otis Taylor & Band (USA) www.operafin.fi Free entrance Children’s concert. A blues multi-instrumentalist plays Until Sun 28 February www.korjaamo.fi Until Sun 6 June Vuosaari House, 17:00 guitar, banjo, mandolin and harmonica. 26/27 February & 1/3 March Jani Ruscica The Power of Africa – Three Mosaiikkitori 2 Savoy Theatre, 19:00 La Sylphide Parallel Acts Until Sun 28 March Perspectives Tickets €4 Kasarmikatu 46-48 The classic fairy-tale ballet. A solo exhibition of an artist work- Olav Christopher Jenssen African sculpture, early 20th www.vuotalo.fi Tickets €34/32 Finnish National Ballet, 19:00 ing with film, video, photography Panorama century European Modernism and www.savoyteatteri.fi Helsinginkatu 58 and other media. Colouristically exuberant paintings Finnish contemporary art. Sat 27 February & Tue 2 March Tickets €22-56 Hippolyte and organic sculptures. Espoo Museum of Modern Art Albert Herring Tue 2 March www.operafin.fi Kalevankatu 18 B Kiasma Ahertajantie 5 One of the funniest operas of the Samuel Barber 100 Years Tue-Fri 12:00-17:00 Mannerheiminaukio 2 Tue 11:00-18:00 20th century. Students of Sibelius Academy Sat 27 February Sat-Sun 12:00-16:00 Tue 10:00-17:00 Wed-Thu 11:00-20:00 Finnish National Opera interpret Samuel Barber’s songs. Siento Free entrance Wed-Fri 10:00-20:30 Fri-Sun 11:00-18:00 Helsinginkatu 58 Sibelius Academy, 19:00 A flamenco performance. www.hippolyte.fi Sat-Sun 10:00-18:00 Tickets €10/8/0 Tickets €35/30/18 Pohjoinen Rautatiekatu 9 Studio Krunikka, 19:00 Tickets €7/5/0 www.emma.museum www.operafin.fi Tickets €10/7 Meritullinkatu 33 A Until Sun 28 February www.kiasma.fi www.siba.fi Tickets €22/20/10/0 Export – Import Until Sun 29 August Sun 28 February www.studiokrunikka.fi Finnish artists who have made it Until Sun 28 March Night Entombed (SWE) Wed 3 March internationally are invited back to Foto Signe Brander The exhibition takes a look at night An early pioneer of Scandinavian Florence and the Machine (UK) Mon 1 to Wed 31 March their native country. Photographs of the changing city from a variety of perspectives. death metal. Soul inspired indie rock. Chronopolitics – III Memo of Time Taidehalli of Helsinki taken during the years Sederholm House Bar Lepakkomies, 20:00 Tavastia Club, 21:00 A multimedia event examining the Nervanderinkatu 3 1907-1913. Aleksanterinkatu 16-18 Helsinginkatu 1 Urho Kekkosen katu 4-6 nature of duration. Tue, Thu, Fri 11:00-18:00 Hakasalmi Villa Wed, Fri-Sun 11:00-17:00 Tickets €8 Tickets €30 Kiasma Theatre Wed 11:00-20:00 Mannerheimintie 13 Thu 11:00-19:00 www.lepakkomies.fi www.tavastiaklubi.fi Mannerheiminaukio 2 Sat-Sun 11:00-17:00 Wed-Sun 11:00-17:00 www.helsinginkaupunginmuseo.fi Free entrance www.hel.fi/kaumuseo Until Sun 21 November Strip away your prejudice, Wanted – Armfelt stand nude and be part of the Until Sun 28 March Over a hundred items personally underground revolution Proudly sponsored by: Move and Play! owned by G. M. Armfelt. The intention of Heureka’s new National Museum of Finland exhibition is to inspire visitors to Mannerheimintie 34 LIVE MUSIC move, play and have fun together. Tue 11:00-20:00 Tuesday-Friday 17-21! Science Centre Heureka Wed-Sun 11:00-18:00 Tiedepuisto 1 Tickets €7/5/0 Friday: Mon-Fri 10:00-17:00 www.nba.fi Downstairs:LIVE MUSIC!!! Sat-Sun 11:00-18:00 Tickets €8-20 Nude club www.heureka.fi OTHERS FRIDAY CLUB. Opening times: FREE ENTRANCE!!! Mon-Tue 11-24 Until Sun 25 April Until Sun 28 February Wed-Thu 11-02 Adel Abidin Ice Pearl Winter Fest Saturday: Installations that merge sound, An opportunity to enjoy Fri 11-04 Saturday club... Sat 14-04 moving image and sculptural amusement park fun in the FREE ENTRANCE!!! elements by Iraqi artist Adel Abidin. middle of winter. After work special prices 16-19 Kiasma Linnanmäki Amusement Park. Kaisaniemenkatu 2A, Beer 2€, Cider, Longdrink, Mannerheiminaukio 2 10:00-18:00 Helsinki R/W Wine 3€ , Tue 10:00-17:00 Tivolikuja 1 www.restaurantnude.com Sparkling Wine 3,50€ Wed-Fri 10:00-20:30 www.linnanmaki.fi Sat-Sun 10:00-18:00 Tickets €8/6/0 Wed 3 March www.kiasma.fi Kino Carusel A movie evening. Until Thu 6 May Cafe Carusel, 19:00 Modern(ism) Merisatamanranta 10 A major review of the manifestations www.carusel.fi of Modernism. Design Museum Korkeavuorenkatu 23 Tue 11:00-20:00 Wed-Sun 11:00-18:00 solution sudoku Open: 14-02 Sunday-Tuesday 12-03 Wednesday-Saturday Tickets €8/7/3/0 www.designmuseum.fi WHAT'S ON AT THE AUSSIE BAR: REMARKABLE Thursday 25 - Super Dooper Cocktail Specials 7-11pm, plus DJ Tino rocking from 9.30pm. Friday 26 - Nor- mal Filthy Crazy Chaos that is Aussie Bar on the weekends! PLUS SIX NATIONS RUGBY, WALES v FRANCE Until Sun 16 May 10pm (No volume). Saturday 27 - Continue the weekend in style! SIX NATIONS RUGBY, ALL GAMES Photographer Caj Bremer YEARS IN LIVE ON SATURDAY from 2:30pm - House DJäs groovin’ it into the night! Sunday 28 - FOOTBALL AFTER- HELSINKI NOON - Celtic v Rangers 2pm, CARLING CUP FINAL ASTON VILLA v MAN UTD from 4.45pm! Chilled out A retrospective exhibition of the HELSINKI KAISANIEMENKATU 1 C relaxed cosy evening to follow. Mon 1/Tues 2 - Kick Start your March with a beverage or two in the Aussie! Finnish photographer. Wednesday 3 - LIVE MUSIC with GARY LAW from 10pm, ROCKING THE HOUSE!!! Ateneum Art Museum MYYRMÄKI Check out the Web site for Football times www.aussiebar.net MOLLY MALONE’S TOPPARI Kaivokatu 2 www.mollymalones.fi MYYRMÄKI TRAIN STATION AUSSIE BAR HELSINKI - THIS IS NOT A YACHT CLUB!! Tue, Fri 10:00-18:00 Come and have AUSSIE BAR Tel. +358 (0)9 737 373 Wed-Thu 10:00-20:00 a Tooheys Salomonkatu 5, Kamppi E-mail: [email protected] Sat-Sun 11:00-17:00 or two! 00100 Helsinki, Finland www.aussiebar.net Live Band Every Night! Tickets €0-8 www.ateneum.fi HELSINKI TIMES TV GUIDE 25 FEBRUARY – 3 MARCH 2010 1919 Helsinki Times TV Guide offers a selection of English and other language broadcasting on Finnish television. thursday 25.2. friday 26.2.SELECTION OF ENGLISH PROGRAMMES ON FINNISH TELEVISION
TV1 MTV3 NELONEN TV1 MTV3 NELONEN
09:30 Always Greener 09:50 The Young and the Restless 09:30 Always Greener 09:50 The Young and the Restless 11:05 YLE News in English 12:50 Hell's Kitchen USA 11:05 YLE News in English 10:55 Emmerdale 11:10 Hercule Poirot The contestants have to 11:10 Hercule Poirot 12:50 Ex List 14:30 Doctors sate the appetites of one Poirot has a mysterious Bella gives Steele a new chance. 15:05 Louis la Brocante hundred hungry teenagers. female visitor who leads him 14:15 Happy Hour In French. 14:15 Notes from the Underbelly to another adventure. 14:45 Northern Exposure 17:08 Hercule Poirot 14:45 Northern Exposure 15:05 Louis la Brocante 17:05 The Bold and the Beautiful 21:50 Anthrax War DOC 17:05 The Bold and the Beautiful In French. 18:00 Emmerdale The 2001 anthrax attacks Who poisoned the maestro? Lost (K15) 17:08 Hercule Poirot Chas and Kelly look for Raising Helen in the USA revealed a scary 18:00 Emmerdale Nelonen 21:00 There’s a rough game of their partners at the police Nelonen 21:00 truth as there are surprisingly 21:00 House Monopoly going on in station. many bio weapons in the House investigates with London. 21:00 Eleventh Hour world. Who controls them? In the remaining doctor 07:00 Children’s Programming 19:10 Lark Rise to Candleford Did a virus from the past kill 07:00 Children’s Programming English and French. candidates the sudden In Finnish. A new servant brings up a construction worker? In Finnish. 22:45 Piano FILM loss of consciousness of a 08:00 Rude Awakening tensions in the family. Can 22:35 Striptease FILM 08:00 Rude Awakening An award-winning drama wheelchair patient. 08:30 Room for Improvement Dorcas restore the former An action-packed crime 13:00 Birth Stories about love, passion and the 22:35 Closer 13:00 Birth Stories terms? comedy about a woman Marissa and Jeff turn to God might of music set in the 23:35 The Vanishing (K15) FILM Because of earlier bad 22:00 Mistresses who earns much-needed during her pregnancy. picturesque landscapes of The boyfriend of an experiences, Patricia and Katie is indecisive while extra money by stripping. 13:30 10 Years Younger USA New Zealand. Directed by abducted woman searches Steve are cautious about her Trudy still wants to delve Things get complicated 14:00 Marriage under Jane Campion. Starring: for her for three anguishing new pregnancy. into Richard’s past. when a politician comes Construction Holly Hunter, Harvey Keitel. years. The kidnapper turns 13:30 10 Years Younger USA 23:45 Vital Signs around. Directed by Andrew Vanessa and Derek think Australia/France 1992 out to be a seemingly 14:00 Marriage under First year’s final exams Bergman. Starring: Demi about selling their newly- ordinary family man. Construction put Rhoda and Tony’s Moore. USA 1996 renovated house. Directed by George Sluizer. Vanessa suggests that the relationship to the test. 00:40 Fringe 14:30 Come Dine with Me TV2 Starring: Kiefer Sutherland, cellar be renovated to a Part 6/6. 15:30 Extreme Makeover: Home Jeff Bridges. USA 1993. habitable condition. Edition 09:45 Pikku Kakkonen 14:30 Come Dine with Me SUB 16:25 Days of Our Lives Children’s programming. 15:30 Extreme Makeover: Home TV2 17:20 Everybody Loves Raymond In Finnish. SUB Edition 07:00 Children’s Programming After Frank and Marie have 16:00 Don Matteo 16:25 Days of Our Lives 07:30 Pikku Kakkonen In Finnish. moved – peace? In Italian. 07:00 Children’s Programming Shawn finally discloses how Children’s programming. 13:25 Kathy Griffin: My Life on 17:50 Dr. Phil 17:00 Children’s Programming In Finnish. Colleen died. In Finnish. the D-List 20:30 Funny Home Videos In Finnish. 13:50 Kathy Griffin: My Life on 17:20 Everybody Loves Raymond 10:35 McLeod’s Daughter’s 15:05 E! Entertainment: E! News In Finnish. 17:30 Pikku Kakkonen the D-List Marie and Frank drop a bomb 14:15 After Thomas FILM Weekend 21:00 Raising Helen FILM Children’s programming. 15:30 E! Entertainment: Behind by announcing their intention A touching drama based 16:00 The Hills A romantic comedy about In Finnish. the Scenes to move to New Jersey. on real events about a 18:05 Sturm der Liebe party animal Helen who 19:20 Vancouver Olympics 16:00 The Hills 17:50 Dr. Phil couple who try to cope In German. suddenly has to take care of SPORT 18:05 Sturm der Liebe Daughters seek Dr. Phil’s with their son’s autism and 19:00 Candid Camera her sister’s three children. Including combined, In German. help in keeping their mother’s get unexpected help from 19:30 Will & Grace Tight-roping between jet women’s skiing, women’s ice 19:00 Candid Camera alcoholism under control. the family’s dog. Directed 20:00 Friends set life and family proves hockey finals, figure skating 19:30 Will & Grace 21:00 Lost (K15) by Simon Shore. Starring: 20:30 Family Guy challenging. Directed by and freestyle. In Finnish. 20:00 Friends The last season of the Keeley Hawes. Brian applies to a theatre Garry Marshall. Starring: 20:30 The Simpsons popular drama series UK 2006 school. Kate Hudson, John Corbett. 21:00 True Beauty promises to reveal the truth 16:05 Don Matteo 21:30 The Duudsons (K13) USA 2004 YLE TEEMA SERIES ENDS. The last about the mystical island. In Italian. How did the Duudsons 23:30 Dresden Files three contestants face the Special two-hour episode. 17:23 Pikku Kakkonen become the Duudsons? 00:30 Cold Creek Manor (K15) 17:00 Sahara with Michael Palin last task. 23:20 Frasier Children’s programming. 22:00 Numb3rs FILM Michael Palin begins his 22:30 E! Entertainment: Caught with his pants down. In Finnish. An expensive racing boat A family moves to the manor exploration of Sahara’s Kourtney & Khloe Take 23:50 The Office 19:20 Vancouver Olympics sinks in the middle of a of their dreams to run away history and culture in Miami Because of the fusion, the SPORT competition. from big city life. Slowly, Morocco. Part 1/4. SERIES ENDS. people at Stamford are Including alpine skiing, 23:00 C.S.I. Miami the secrets from the house’s 18:00 Undersea World of 23:00 C.S.I. moved to Scranton. women’s curling finals, 00:10 30 Rock past surface. Directed Jacques Cousteau A top ice hockey player is men’s ice hockey semi-finals 01:05 It's Always Sunny in by Mike Figgis. Starring: In Finnish. murdered. and snowboarding. Philadelphia Dennis Quaid, Sharon Stone. 19:30 Little Mosque on the Prairie 00:00 30 Rock JIM In Finnish. 01:35 Mad TV USA/Canada/UK 2003 20:05 Building Wonders 01:00 Studio 60 on the Sunset The Fosse Way was the west Strip 13:05 Stuntdawgs border of the Roman Empire. 17:00 Takeshi’s Castle YLE TEEMA TV VIISI JIM Part 4/6. 18:00 Border Security 21:00 The Alzheimer Project TV VIISI An Australian returning 16:55 Paris 18:00 That 70s Show 13:10 Stuntdawgs – Momentum in Science from Vietnam catches the How did Paris grow from Donna gets tickets for a Ted 14:10 Destination Truth DOC 18:00 That 70s Show officials’ attention. a village to a metropolis? Nugent concert. 18:00 James Martin’s Brittany This documentary gives a Cheap beer entices the troupe 18:30 Bondi Rescue Sandrine Voillet meets also 18:30 Grounded for Life Vannes. tour of laboratories that do to make a trip to Canada. 19:00 World's Most Amazing fashion designer Christian 19:00 America’s Funniest Home 18:30 Tyler’s Ultimate research on Alzheimer’s 18:30 Grounded for Life Videos Lacroix and visits the Videos 19:00 Anthony Bourdain disease. 19:00 America’s Funniest Home 20:00 World’s Wildest Vacation catacombs of Paris. 20:00 People Watchers 19:30 Chuck’s Day Off 21:55 Die Anruferin FILM Videos Videos Part 2/3. At what age do children 20:00 World’s Toughest Fixes An emotionally disturbed 20:00 X-Weighted SERIES ENDS. 21:50 The Graduate (K15) FILM learn to lie? SERIES BEGINS The woman amuses herself 21:00 Billy Bathgate (K11) FILM 20:30 Rude Tube A naive student boy is 21:00 Kickin’ It Old School FILM repairmen change a by making prank calls, Billy strives for a better life SERIES ENDS. seduced by a middle-aged Justin takes part in a talent propeller twenty meters pretending to be a young by working for the notorious 21:00 The Lost Pyramid DOC woman and ends up falling contest to impress the girl underwater. girl ill with cancer. Directed gangster Schultz. However, Archaeologists investigate in love with her daughter. of his dreams but hits his 21:00 Criminal Behaviour: by Felix Randau. Starring: falling in love with Schultz’s whether the ruins found on Directed by Mike Nichols. head and spends the next Deadly Unicorn (K13) DOC Valerie Koch. Germany ladyfriend causes Billy to the Giza Plateau are the Starring: Dustin Hoffman, 20 years in a coma. After A missing woman is found in 2007. In German. risk his own life. Directed remains of another pyramid. Anne Bancroft. waking up, he puts together her boyfriend’s apartment. by Robert Benton. Starring: Part 1/2. USA 1967 his dance group and tries He, however, escapes before Programmes on Yle Teema Dustin Hoffman, Nicole 22:00 Contender 00:25 Rock Masters: Queen 1977 again. Directed by Harc the trial begins. may be viewed in the original Kidman, Loren Dean. USA 23:00 South Park (K15) A concert recording from Glazer. Starring: Jamie 22:00 Los Angeles Ink language(s) by changing the 1991 23:30 Kenny vs. Spenny Hammersmith Odeon in Kennedy. USA 2007 23:00 Total Emergency 00:50 Manhunters: Fugitive Task London. digital receiver’s settings. 23:00 Late Night with Jimmy 23:00 Late Night with Jimmy 23:55 World’s Most Daring Rescues Fallon Force (K13) Fallon 00:50 Most Shocking (K18)
Piano The Graduate Set in the mid-19th century New Mike Nichols’ The Graduate Zealand frontier, this intense is a classic coming of age film drama tells the story of mute that launched Dustin Hoffman Ada, who in an arranged as a big star. Benjamin is fresh marriage leaves her home out of college, unbelievably country Scotland to join her bored with his “bright future,” new husband, Stewart. Life in and inevitably seduced by the the rainy and muddy country is attractive, older wife of his tough, and Ada, who expresses father’s law partner. All is well herself only through her piano, enough with the ensuing affair is devastated when Stewart sells until their lovely daughter re- the instrument to neighbour turns home and Benjamin ends George. He comes up with a up on the date of his life with proposition: Ada gets to play the her. The inner trials that distil piano, but in exchange she has into Benjamin’s eventual re- to do certain favours. Ada at first solve to do just about anything despises George, but slowly the to be with his true love drive relationship catches heat and the film inexorably through leads to her sexual awakening comical scenes to its hilarious, – and to a volatile confrontation. unforgettable conclusion. The The film was nominated for 8 Simon & Garfunkel soundtrack Oscars from which it won three, to the film is also a classic for for Best Leading and Supporting the ages, rounding up The Actresses and for Best Original Graduate as a film not to be Screenplay. missed. TV1 22:45 YleTeema 21:50 20 25 FEBRUARY – 3 MARCH 2010 TV GUIDE HELSINKI TIMES
saturday 27.2. sunday 28.2.SELECTION OF ENGLISH PROGRAMMES ON FINNISH TELEVISION
TV1 MTV3 NELONEN TV1 MTV3 NELONEN
14:25 Vicar of Dibley 07:55 Children’s Programming 12:15 Jeeves and Wooster 07:45 Children’s Programming Geraldine decides to bring In Finnish. Bertie falls once again into In Finnish. two very shy people together. 11:15 Snowboarding SPORT the hands of terrifying Aunt 13:30 According to Jim 15:55 Holby City In Finnish. Agatha. 14:00 Rally SPORT Faye encourages Jack to be 11:45 Football SPORT 14:15 Inspector Morse Finnish Championships. more respectful towards Joseph. Highlights from UEFA Morse has an argument with In Finnish. 19:45 Monk European League matches. his new superior. 14:30 De-Lovely FILM Only Stottlemeyer knows In Finnish. 21:00 The Most Dangerous Man A drama based on the life of that Monk is still alive. 15:45 Mulan FILM in America DOC Cole Porter and his wife is The Wild Bunch (K15) Natalie prepares a memorial a celebration of evergreen Based on an old Chinese YleTeema 22:18 The USA promised peace in Charlie’s Angels (K15) service while Monk tries to tale, this animated film tells Vietnam in the 1970s when songs. Directed by Irvin Nelonen 21:00 catch the crook that framed the story of a peasant girl in reality there were plans Winkler. Starring: Kevin him. Part 2. who secretly joins the army. 13:20 Ghost Whisperer for an even greater assault. Kline, Ashley Judd. 22:30 Benidorm USA 1998. In Finnish. 16:45 Across the Tracks FILM Daniel Ellsberg leaked the USA 2004 10:30 Animal Planet: Underdog SERIES BEGINS. A comedy 17:25 Star Wars: The Clone Wars Two brothers end up information regarding the 17:55 National Geographic the Wonderdog series about British tourists 17:55 Top Gear competing against each attack. Directed by Judith Programming 11:30 Most Extreme in a holiday centre in sunny To start the new season, the other on the running track. Ehrlich and Rick Goldsmith. Following honey badgers in The devices of seduction. Costa Blanca. Part 1/14. hosts demonstrate what the Directed by Sandy Tung. USA 2009 Zimbabwe. 16:15 Samantha Who? 22:55 Cracker programme would have been Starring: Brad Pitt, Rick 22:35 The Commander (K15) 21:00 Amazing Race Samantha and Owen like 60 years ago. Schroder. USA 1991 SERIES ENDS. Will Hall’s 22:35 Amazing Race volunteer to build a 21:00 Survivor 19:00 Ripley's Believe It or Not memory return when he SERIES ENDS. From Taiwan to playground, and Samantha TV2 22:35 Munich (K15) FILM Artificial legs for a woman visits his mother’s old home? Alaska, where the race ends. wants to please Owen by An intense political thriller set and a sheep. 23:35 The Riches being as green as she can. 07:45 Pikku Kakkonen in the aftermath of the killing 21:00 The Girl Next Door (K15) Dale and Wayne try to get 16:45 Greek Children’s programming. of 11 Israeli athletes in 1972. FILM TV2 rid of Pete. CRU gets ready for summer In Finnish. A five-man special task force Matthew’s life turns upside holidays. 15:50 In the Shadow of the Moon is assigned to take out the down when he falls for his 08:00 Pikku Kakkonen 20:30 Funny Home Videos DOC Palestinian Black September beautiful neighbour. Her Children’s programming. SUB In Finnish. The Apollo astronauts, the group one by one. Directed past in adult entertainment, In Finnish. 21:00 Charlie’s Angels (K15) only people who have visited by Steven Spielberg. Starring: however, complicates 12:30 The Michael Jackson Story 10:00 Batman: The Animated FILM another heavenly body, Eric Bana, Daniel Graig. things. Directed by Luke DOC Series The TV series has been tell the story of the moon USA 2005 Greenfield. Starring: Emile A documentary made just 10:30 Futurama remodelled into an action flights in this award-winning 01:25 Unit Hirsch, Elisha Cuthbert. before Jackson’s death. 11:00 Wildlife Nannies film, full of adventure, humour documentary. UK/USA 2007 USA 2004 Gladys Knight and Liza 13:00 Hey Paula and girl power. Directed by 17:25 V75 Trot 23:20 American Chopper Minelli, among others, are Paula Abdul lets the McG. Starring: Cameron Diaz, In Finnish. SUB Senior vs. Junior. interviewed. Directed by cameras follow her around in Drew Barrymore, Lucy Liu. 18:00 Globe Trekker: Amsterdam 00:20 Dawn of the Dead (K18) Steven Cole. UK 2009 this American reality series. USA 2004 Amsterdam is known for 15:10 E! Entertainment: How Do FILM 13:15 The Sheepman FILM 13:30 Candid Camera its canals, museums and I Look? A group of people try to A comedy about a tough 14:00 The Mask liberalism. 16:10 E! Entertainment: Dress escape from hordes of cowboy who wins a flock 14:30 King of the Hill JIM 19:10 Vancouver Olympics My Nest zombies in this remake of of sheep in a poker game. 15:00 Baywatch SPORT 16:40 Mad TV George Romero’s cult classic. Directed by George 16:00 Project Runway 10:15 The Amazing Adventures Includes men’s slalom, 19:00 American Idol Directed by Zack Snyder. Marshall. Starring: Glenn Jet set travel suit. of a Nobody women’s cross-country Ellen DeGeneres joins the Starring: Sarah Polley, Ving Ford, Shirley MacLaine, 17:00 I Want to Work for Diddy From Charleston to skiing, men’s curling finals, judges as the Hollywood Rhames. USA 2004 Leslie Nielsen. USA 1958 18:00 Janice Dickinson Indianapolis. snowboarding figure skating week begins. 14:40 Heartland Modelling Agency 10:45 Boy’s Weekend gala and men’s ice hockey 20:00 Spain... On the Road Again 19:10 Vancouver Olympics 19:00 American Idol The chefs drive around bronze match. In Finnish. 21:00 Hotel Babylon JIM SPORT The Hollywood week Tasmania. Sam expects to get a hefty Including men’s ice hockey continues. 11:15 My Country, My Kitchen sum of money. 09:55 Ultimate Gadgets final and the figure skating 20:00 The Shot South-West France. YLE TEEMA 22:05 Heroes The ten most laughable gala. In Finnish. SERIES ENDS. 11:40 Tricked Out Peter travels to the future widgets. 03:15 Vancouver Olympics 21:00 The Last Samurai (K15) 12:05 Fifth Gear 13:55 Shadow Pleasures where everyone has a 10:25 Extreme Fishing Closing Ceremony FILM 12:35 Sandhogs A dance film composed of special skill. Alaska. In 1870s Japan the emperor 13:25 Anthony Bourdain: No five individual segments 23:00 Miami Vice 11:15 Chop Shop hires an American officer to Reservations based on Michael Ondaatje’s 00:00 The Ultimate Fighter (K15) 12:05 Perfect Weapon YLE TEEMA teach modern warfare to his The Azores. works. 01:25 X-Files 13:05 La terre vue du ciel DOC troops. Directed by Edward 18:00 Dangerous Encounters 19:05 Deti Arbata In French. 11:40 The Forsyte Saga Zwick. Starring: Tom Cruise, Wild hogs are a huge In Russian. 14:05 Richard Hammond's Part 1/13. Ken Watanabe. USA 2003 problem in the USA. 21:00 Sam Peckinpah, A Portrait TV VIISI Engineering Connections 15:35 Un village Français 00:00 Obsessed 19:00 Man v. Food DOC Taipei 101 was the tallest In French. 00:50 Celebrity Rehab with Dr Adam in the city of brotherly The masterful portrayer of 18:00 Jon & Kate Plus 8 building in the world upon 16:35 Walks with the Architect Drew love, Philadelphia. violence was a stormy man 18:30 The Little Couple completion. Normandy. 01:40 Stargate SG1 19:30 Dinner: Impossible also in his life. In English, 19:00 Scrubs 15:05 Super Factories 18:00 Royal Wedding FILM Robert Irvine has seven German and French. Carla and Dr. Cox plot SERIES ENDS. A musical about journalists hours to prepare a feast in 22:18 The Wild Bunch (K15) against Kelso. 18:30 London Ink who gather in London to report TV VIISI the style of the 1700s – with A famous western about an 20:00 Breaking The Magician’s SERIES ENDS. Iris looks for on a royal wedding. Directed authentic tools. aged group of bandits pulling Code a suitable house by the sea. by Stanley Donen. Starring: 19:00 Dinotopia FILM 20:00 Flip This House their last job in early 20th 21:00 Resident Evil (K15) FILM 19:30 Good Buy, Bad Buy Fred Astaire. USA 1951 An adventure film in which 21:00 Biography: Vladimir Lenin century Mexico. Directed by The extremely hazardous SERIES ENDS. 21:45 Deti Arbata two brothers crash-land on DO C Sam Peckinpah. Starring: T-virus is released in an 20:00 World's Deadliest Animals In Russian. an island where dinosaurs A lovable uniter of Russia William Holden, Robert Ryan. underground lab and a task SERIES ENDS. The still live. The boys have to or a ruthless and brutal force is sent to investigate. underwater hunters. survive in the hostile place dictator? The programme Instead of finding dead 21:00 That’s Impossible DOC and escape. Directed by depicts how a country boy bodies, they’re up against Researchers are turning Marco Brambilla. Starring: became the mythical figure. something much worse. Harry Potter’s invisibility Tyron Leitso. USA 2002 22:05 Build It Bigger Directed by Paul W. S. cape into reality. 21:00 How’d You Get So Rich? Shanghai World Financial Anderson. Starring: Milla 22:00 Biography: Sarah Palin Joan Rivers travels around Centre is one of the tallest Jovovich, Michelle Rodriguez. Examining the controversial the USA to find out how the buildings in the world. UK/Germany/France 2002 figure of American politics. rich got so wealthy. 23:00 Contender The Girl Next Door (K15) 23:00 Late Night with Jimmy 00:55 Chopper Challenge The Most Dangerous Man in America 22:30 Flashpoint 00:50 Crime Investigation Australia Nelonen 21:00 Fallon 01:45 Gumball-rally: 2006 TV1 21:00 23:30 Farscape SERIES BEGINS.
Munich (K15) Last Samurai (K15) Throughout his career, Steven Captain Nathan Algren is a Spielberg’s films have fluctuat- cynical officer who has lost the ed between entertaining crowd- idealism he had as a young sol- pleasers (War of the Worlds, the dier in the American Civil War. Indys) and more challenging The veteran is hired to train the films aimed at a more sophisti- peasant conscripts in Japan cated crowd (A.I., Schindler’s for the first standing imperial list). Munich falls in the latter army using firearms. Their first end of the spectrum. An priority is to repress a rebellion Israeli task force travels around of traditionalist Samurai, who Europe, attempting to take out are hereditary warriors that the people responsible for the reject the modernizing policies. terrorist attack that killed 11 Algren is wounded in a battle, Israeli athletes during the 1972 but the samurai leader spares Olympics. Anver Kaufman (Eric his life, and once healed he Bana) leads the group at first finds himself unexpectedly im- with conviction, but as the body pressed and influenced by the count goes up, internal debate Samurai as he learns to know about the mission’s justifica- and respect the old Japanese tion becomes unavoidable. In way. But when repressive laws Munich, a strong cast acts out a are enacted, Algren has to powerful script in the hands of a decide where his allegiances proficient director. The result is lie. The film is based on real an excellent, thought-provoking events, connected into a single political thriller. narrative. MTV3 22:35 Sub 21:00 HELSINKI TIMES TV GUIDE 25 FEBRUARY – 3 MARCH 2010 2121
monday 1.3. tuesday 2.3.SELECTION OF ENGLISH PROGRAMMES ON FINNISH TELEVISION
TV1 MTV3 NELONEN TV1 MTV3 NELONEN
09:30 Always Greener 09:50 The Young and the Restless 09:30 Always Greener 09:50 The Young and the Restless Bert is furious, this time 11:00 Emmerdale Strange results come from 10:55 Emmerdale because of John. 12:55 Lipstick Jungle John’s marriage seminar. David apologises to Deli. 11:05 YLE News in English 14:15 Two and a Half Men 11:05 YLE News in English 12:50 Private Practice 11:10 Hercule Poirot Charlie catches the flu from 11:10 Hercule Poirot Cooper treats a young diabetic. 15:05 Louis la Brocante a female visitor. 15:05 Louis la Brocante 14:15 Alf In French. 14:45 Northern Exposure In French. Alf helps the neighbour 17:08 Hercule Poirot 17:05 The Bold and the Beautiful 17:08 Hercule Poirot resolve a domestic dispute. 19:00 How to Build a Better 18:00 Emmerdale Poirot bets that he can solve 14:45 Northern Exposure Being DOC 21:00 Lie to Me Anchorman: the case of a missing banker 17:05 The Bold and the Beautiful Computer game designer A daughter of a judge has The Legend of Ron Burgundy without leaving home. Pamela hasn’t taken her God on Trial Will Wright joins scientists been murdered. Cal has Sub 21:00 19:00 Around the World in 80 medication for three TV1 21:00 in the field of genetics to trouble also with his own Rituals months. discuss evolution. He also offspring. 07:00 Children’s Programming Africa is the cradle of 18:00 Emmerdale exhibits some of his own 22:35 Burn Notice In Finnish. humanity – perhaps Peter 21:00 Prison Break (K15) 07:00 Children’s Programming creations from the game Michael has to help his 13:00 Birth Stories can find signs of the origin The Firm has a surgical In Finnish. Spore. In English and friend’s colleague at a close- 13:30 10 Years Younger USA of religion there. Part 3/8. operation done on Michael 13:00 Birth Stories Finnish. by airport. 14:00 Marriage under 21:00 God on Trial FILM as he fights for his life. Theresa has type 2 diabetes
22:20 Kak stat stervoi DOC 23:30 Psych Construction A group of men arrange a 22:30 C.S.I. and expects her second This documentary follows Vanessa gets an unexpected trial in a cell in Auschwitz: The team investigates a child. the lessons in which Saint work offer which requires why does God allow evil shooting in the Korean 13:30 10 Years Younger USA Petersburg women learn SUB her to move to New York. towards mankind? UK 2008 quarter. Air hostess Kelly learns how to seduce men and 14:30 Come Dine with Me 23:30 Justice how to highlight her best marry rich. In Russian. 07:00 Children’s Programming 15:30 Extreme Makeover: Home 00:25 3rd Rock from the Sun features. In Finnish. Edition TV2 14:00 Marriage under 16:30 The Hills 16:25 Days of Our Lives Construction TV2 Heidi is not ready to move in 17:20 Everybody Loves Raymond 06:50 Pikku Kakkonen SUB Gill and Ed can’t find a with Spencer. Debra is seething with anger Children’s programming. suitable house to renovate. 06:50 Pikku Kakkonen 18:05 Sturm der Liebe because of Marie. In Finnish. 07:00 Children’s Programming 14:30 Come Dine with Me Children’s programming. In German. 17:50 Dr. Phil 10:35 McLeod’s Daughters In Finnish. 15:30 Extreme Makeover: Home In Finnish. 19:00 Just for Laughs Gags A mother and a daughter Dave and Kate take part in a 14:00 Kathy Griffin: My Life on Edition 10:30 McLeod’s Daughters 19:30 Will & Grace have been fighting in court bird spotting contest. the D-List One-armed Doug has Regan plans to start digging 20:00 Big Bang Theory for years. 16:10 Snowy River: The 15:40 E! Entertainment: Perfect trouble even with the for gold at Drover’s Run. Howard is heartbroken after 20:00 Canada’s Next Top Model McGregor Saga Catch simplest renovation. 16:10 Snowy River: The Leslie leaves him. The contestants get to go 17:23 Pikku Kakkonen 16:30 The Hills 16:25 Days of Our Lives McGregor Saga 20:30 The Simpsons on a trip, but one of the girls Children’s programming. 18:05 Sturm der Liebe 17:20 Everybody Loves Raymond 17:21 Pikku Kakkonen 21:00 Anchorman: The Legend of can’t make it. In Finnish. In German. The Barone family discusses Children’s programming. Ron Burgundy FILM 21:00 Desperate Housewives 23:15 A Man Called Horse (K15) 19:00 Just for Laughs Gags how to dress. In Finnish. A comedy set in 1970s Unanswered questions. FILM 19:30 Will & Grace 17:50 Dr. Phil 19:20 Quest for the Megafish of San Diego about a star 22:30 Weeds (K15) A western set in 1825 20:00 Friends 21:00 NCIS the Amazon DOC news anchor who meets The Botwins decide to help about an English aristocrat 20:30 The Simpsons A container delivered to a American biologist Zeb competition in an ambitious great grandma make her who’s captured by Indians. Marge has to look after top secret facility holds a Hogan examines the giant female colleague. Directed dream come true. During his time with them Becky after Otto chooses body that disappeared from fish in the great river. by Adam McKay. Starring: 23:25 Frasier he adopts their way of rock’n’roll over her. Ducky’s lab. 22:35 True Blood (K15) Will Ferrell, Christina Martin scares Frasier badly, life. Directed by Elliot 21:00 Cops With Cameras 22:00 The Ugly Truth about Thanks to synthetic blood Applegate. USA 2004 and Frasier decides to pay Silverstein. Starring: Richard 22:00 How to Make Love to My Beauty DOC developed in Japan, the 01:15 Girls of the Playboy back. Harris, Judith Anderson. Wife 39-year-old Kate is unhappy vampires can try to become Mansion 23:55 Bronx Is Burning USA 1970 23:00 Stargate SG1 with her appearance, part of society. The peace of At last World Series is about 01:05 Comedy Inc. (K13) Are the new cadets ready but will cosmetic surgery Bon Temps is disturbed. to begin. for a great challenge? improve her looks or has 23:35 Third Watch (K13) TV VIISI 00:50 Army Wives 00:00 Eureka she just lost her sense of The net tightens around YLE TEEMA 00:50 Génesis (K15) judgement? Finney. Carlos ponders the 18:00 That 70s Show In Spanish. 23:25 Frasier essence of love while Yokas Eric and Kelso buy rings for JIM 17:00 The Undersea World of 00:55 Las Vegas meets Bosco in the hospital. their girlfriends. Jacques Cousteau 18:30 Grounded for Life 13:15 Stuntdawgs 19:00 The Camomile Lawn TV VIISI 19:00 America’s Funniest Home A chase ends only when A painful message from the JIM YLE TEEMA Videos the getaway car careens front arrives. Polly goes 18:00 That 70’s Show 19:30 My Wife and Kids through a camper van. through a big change and An angel shows Eric how 13:10 Stuntdawgs 19:00 Cuéntame Cómo Pasó SERIES BEGINS. An 14:15 American Gladiators 1989 Monica faces the moment of things might have been. 17:00 Takeshi’s Castle In Spanish. American comedy series. 15:10 Feasting on Asphalt truth. Part 4/5. 18:30 Grounded for Life 18:00 Border Security 21:00 Jools Holland Show 20:00 Leverage The crew swaps motorcycles 20:00 Un village français After getting a job Brad is A desperate Indian man 23:00 Boksuneun naui geot (K18) SERIES BEGINS. Modern into canoes. In French. too busy to meet Lily. wants to enter Australia. FILM day Robin Hoods take 18:00 Border Security 21:05 Age of Terror DOC 19:00 America’s Funniest Home 18:30 Bondi Rescue A badly treated worker gets from rich criminals and A penniless traveler arrives In 1998, a lorry loaded Videos Christmas celebrations at involved in a kidnapping in corrupt corporate managers in Australia for the third with explosives blew up in 19:30 My Wife and Kids Bondi take many forms. this crime film. Directed by and give to well-paying time in a year. front of the USA embassy in 20:00 Tough Love 19:00 World's Most Amazing Park Chan-wook. customers in this American 18:30 Bondi Rescue Nairobi, killing over 200 and The shadows of the past. Videos Starring: Kang-ho Song. drama series. It’s summer again, and the wounding thousands. The 21:00 The Other Sister FILM 21:00 Day after Disaster DOC South Korea 2002. 21:00 Going to Work Naked DOC beach is in chaos. attack was the first one by Mentally challenged Carla What is the plan to save the In Korean. Naturists prefer not to wear 19:00 World's Most Amazing Osama bin Laden. Part 4/4. wants to move away from USA if terrorists go nuclear? any clothes – even at work. Videos home but her overprotective Part 1/2. 22:00 The Ron Clark Story (K11) 21:00 Captive for 18 Years: mother stands in the 22:30 Penn & Teller (K15) FILM Jaycee Lee Story DOC way. Things get more The truth about organic Ron, a talented teacher, 22:00 Border Security USA complicated when a products. starts a demanding job at a Lake of the Woods in charming man enters Carla’s 23:05 South Park (K15) school in Harlem where he Minnesota attracts plenty of life. Directed by Garry A terrorist attack encourages and inspires his illegal immigrants. Marshall. Starring: Juliette disturbs the borders of students. Directed by 23:00 South Park (K15) Lewis, Diane Keaton. Imaginationland. Randa Haines. 23:30 Kenny vs. Spenny USA 1999 23:35 Kenny vs. Spenny How to Build a Better Being Starring: Matthew Perry. Who’s the funnier one? A Man Called Horse (K15) 23:00 Late Night with Jimmy 01:05 Police Patrol (K13) TV1 19:00 USA 2006 01:00 Sneaking Back In (K13) TV2 23:15 Fallon
up addicted to Zumba and one if uring that at this point the telly is Perhaps I shouldn’t be too not all of the dozen or so abdo- going to be more for my behalf harsh, since some of these things men enhancement machines ad- than Junior’s – in that he couldn’t are unintentionally rather hilari- vertised for about eight hours ev- care less what he’s subject to, ous. Who wouldn’t want to spend ery day, the latter proving that if while I would at least like some an hour checking out the Bullet This you can con people into thinking vague brain stimulation – what Express? This highly advanced that spending ten minutes doing I’d really like to see is a few hours piece of gear is neither a genocid- way madness lies sit-ups every day is a waste of of BBC nature documentaries fol- al killing machine nor a highly de- time then mega-bucks are yours lowed by endless repeats of The veloped sex toy, but in fact a piece for the taking. IT Crowd and Blackadder. How- of culinary paraphernalia that
NICK BARLOW Problem numero uno is the ever, I fear that that my fate, like you never knew you couldn’t do fact that a lot of the time morn- that of millions before me, is to without. It does almost everything Having just become a dad (cash ing TV in Finland consists of ad- become intimately acquainted in the kitchen except the wash- and Paypal accepted – please verts for cooking appliances and (again) with Postman Pat and Mr. ing-up. In the old days you would forward all donations via the keep-fit/torture equipment on Bean, God help me. On that front probably have just used a knife Helsinki Times office) my fore- the commercial channels, and YLE 2 is clearly going to be my – but then you wouldn’t have been seeable future is almost certain text-based news updates accom- channel of choice, since as I men- able to crush ice, make a smoothie, to involve sleepless nights, ex- panied by the radio on YLE. We tioned commercial channels like prepare scrambled eggs and make treme amounts of baby’s bodily come across problem two when MTV3 and Nelonen are clearly yourself a nice cup of coffee at the fluids, and watching long periods we realise that, adverts and news either not interested in provid- same time. Supposedly you can of daytime/night-time telly in aside, amongst all the morning ing quality broadcasts until about make a casserole in thirty seconds an attempt to lull our youngster studio shows, teacher training three p.m., or consider showing with it. On the downside it costs asleep. Unfortunately I have a programmes and broadcasts of commercials for the Ab-Tronic 150 euros and looks like a prop bad feeling that if I subject him stalwart British soap opera Em- and vacuum cleaners made out from 2001: A Space Odyssey, but to a preponderance of televisual merdale, there isn’t really much of space dust to be some kind of still…I’m tempted. My life will broadcasting he’s going to grow worth watching, to be frank. Fig- public service. never be the same again. 22 25 FEBRUARY – 3 MARCH 2010 TV GUIDE HELSINKI TIMES
Thu 2/25 wednesday 3.3. −16 −17 TV1 MTV3 NELONEN −12 Thu 2/25 Fri 2/26 Sat 2/27 Sun 2/28 Mon 3/1 Tue 3/2 Wed 3/3 −10 09:30 Always Greener 09:50 The Young and the Restless +6 +5 +7 +12 +7 +6 +5 Tom agrees to help his 10:55 Emmerdale −10 brother. 12:50 Starter Wife +17 +17 +18 +18 +19 +23 +19 −3 −8 11:05 YLE News in English Molly falls into disfavour. +33 +33 +34 +35 +35 +35 +35 11:10 Hercule Poirot 14:15 Loop −6 15:05 Louis la Brocante 2nd season begins. Fri 2/26 +17 +16 +16 +18 +17 +15 +16 In French. 14:45 Northern Exposure +8 +4 +2 +7 0 0 −3 17:08 Hercure Poirot 17:05 The Bold and the Beautiful −16 Poirot and Hastings Dr. Patrick warns Kate about +8 +7 +5 +6 +10 +5 +3 vacation by sea – and end her pregnancy. −14 up investigating a case of 18:00 Emmerdale Blood, Sweat and Take Aways +9 +4 +7 +13 +8 +8 +7 missing paintings. 21:00 C.S.I. New York TV2 20:00 −9 +10 +6 +9 +10 +15 +9 +12 19:00 Aces Falling DOC The team investigates an −7 archaeologist’s death. By 1918, British pilots had 07:00 Children’s Programming −7 +16 +17 +21 +19 +20 +20 +27 proven themselves in the 22:30 Ax Men In Finnish. −8 battlefields of WWI. After A recap before the 2nd 13:00 Birth Stories −4 0 +1 +1 +1 +2 0 −2 that, however, they were season begins. Joy and Randy’s foetus has a −4 less successful. How did air 23:30 Mythbusters rare deformity. +26 +28 +28 +30 +33 +32 +29 battle change towards the Winter myths from Alaska, 13:30 10 Years Younger USA Sat 2/27 +28 +28 +28 +28 +28 +24 +23 end of the war? part 2. 14:00 Marriage under 19:55 Last of the Summer Wine 00:35 3rd Rock from the Sun Construction −14 +9 +8 +9 +13 +10 +8 +10 22:55 The Street After Gill and Ed’s house is −10 Construction worker Charlie inspected they get to plan a +11 +6 +10 +11 +7 +9 +11 SUB wakes up after an evening renovation. −9 +5 +9 +4 +6 +7 +4 +2 at the pub and realises that 14:30 Come Dine with Me everything’s changed. 07:00 Children’s Programming 15:30 Extreme Makeover: Home −5 +24 +23 +24 +24 +24 +24 +24 In Finnish. Edition −3 14:00 Kathy Griffin: My Life on Ty and the designers travel −2 +14 +12 +14 +11 +13 +15 +11 TV2 0 the D-List to Boston to build a specially −1 +16 +15 +18 +14 +15 +15 +14 15:40 E! Entertainment: True designed home. 06:50 Pikku Kakkonen Hollywood Story 16:25 Days of Our Lives +8 +6 +8 +8 +8 +9 +3 Children’s programming. James Cameron. 17:20 Everybody Loves Raymond Sun 2/28 +19 +17 +12 +16 +17 +16 +10 In Finnish. 16:30 The Hills Ally’s intermediate report −12 10:35 McLeod’s Daughters 3rd season begins. Lauren causes stir at home and at +19 +19 +15 +14 +15 +14 +16 16:10 Snowy River: The finds out that someone has school. −8 McGregor Saga spread lies about her on the 17:50 Dr. Phil +10 +11 +18 +10 +9 +12 +10 −6 17:23 Pikku Kakkonen internet. A couple’s relationship +18 +19 +18 +18 +19 +18 +18 Children’s programming. 18:05 Sturm der Liebe is tested by the man’s 0 In Finnish. In German. MySpace addiction. +1 +32 +32 +32 +31 +31 +32 +33 20:00 Blood, Sweat and 19:00 Just for Laughs Gags 20:00 The Bachelorette Takeaways 19:30 Will & Grace DeAnna’s family +1 0 +19 +18 +18 +17 +19 +18 +18 Six regular British 20:00 Friends interrogates Jason and +1 0 0 +1 +1 +1 −2 −5 youngsters get a first-hand House inspection. Jesse. experience of producing 20:30 The Simpsons 21:00 Grey’s Anatomy Mon 3/1 0 +2 0 +1 0 +1 +5 takeaway food ingredients. 21:00 Top Chef Strong emotions stir in The first episode looks into 22:00 Ashes to Ashes Seattle Grace. −16 +11 +8 +5 +11 +11 +6 +10 the production of tuna fish. A body is found during a 23:20 Frasier +4 +2 +3 +3 +5 +4 −1 Part 1/4. drug bust. Frasier accidentally signs up −14 23:00 C.S.I on a dating service. −7 −4 −2 −4 −6 −4 −4 −7 Murders in a Buddhist 23:50 Dirt −8 YLE TEEMA temple. Willa and Farber investigate +10 +8 +11 +13 +10 +11 +10 00:50 Temptation Island a controversy surrounding a −4 −7 −8 −8 −2 −6 −7 +3 17:00 My Brilliant Brain DOC TV series. Can a typical child be −4 +1 +30 +25 +25 +26 +26 +29 +23 educated into brilliance? TV VIISI +1 Susan Polger’s parents JIM +16 +16 +17 +17 +19 +18 +15 Tue 3/2 brought their girl up to 18:00 That 70s Show +13 +14 +9 +13 +6 +9 +6 become a chess champion. Eric is in the pits. 13:10 Stuntdawgs −14 Part 2/3. In Finnish and 18:30 Grounded for Life The team executes a stunt that +29 +34 +35 +35 +35 +34 +35 English. 19:00 America’s Funniest Home involves hopping from one −13 −1 −1 −1 −7 −4 −2 −5 19:00 La Collectionneuse FILM Videos fast-moving car to another. Two friends share a villa on 19:30 My Wife and Kids 17:00 Takeshi’s Castle −7 −4 −1 +3 +1 +2 +2 +3 the Riviera with a lover- 20:00 90 Naps a Day DOC 18:00 Border Security −9 collecting young woman. Three British narcoleptics 18:30 Bondi Rescue −5 +1 +3 +2 +3 +3 +2 −5 Directed by Eric Rohmer. are invited to an American Paris Hilton visits the beach +9 +10 +9 +8 +9 +9 +8 Starring: Patrick Bauchau, conference that discusses and gets Whippet going. 0 0 Haydée Politoff. France their condition. They’re 19:00 The World’s Most Amazing 0 +12 +14 +11 +5 +8 +15 +10 1967. In French. delighted, as in their home Videos 22:00 Six Feet Under (K15) country they don’t find Spiderman robs a comic Wed 3/3 +6 +5 +8 +6 +6 +7 0 23:20 Little Mosque on the Prairie much support. book shop. +11 +10 +8 +9 +14 +9 +10 21:00 True Crime (K15) FILM 21:00 Modern Marvels: Measure −10 A journalist suspects that It DOC a death row convict is This programme takes a look −9 innocent but has less than at the five most common −6 Thursday 2/25 24 hours to find proof. No- areas of measurement: −9 one, not even his colleagues distance, time, speed, are on his side. Directed by weight and temperature. −4 7:32 am 5:35 pm 7:43 am 5:19 pm Clint Eastwood. Starring: 22:00 American Hot Rod Clint Eastwood, Isaiah 23:00 South Park (K15) −3 −1 7:43 am 5:46 pm 7:48 am 5:13 pm Washington. USA 1999 23:30 Kenny vs. Spenny −1 True Crime (K15) 23:00 Late Night with Jimmy 01:00 Manhunters: Fugitive Task 7:40 am 5:37 pm 7:58 am 4:53 pm TV Viisi 21:00 Fallon Force (K13)
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HEALTH Finland info Helsinki Times Alko. Alko is the only store to sell any alcohol above the strength of beer. Alkos are open Mon-Fri 9-20, Sat 9-18 and closed on is available at over 100 Sundays. More information is available at www.alko.fi. For store Lehtipiste newsagents locations, please call: +358 20 711 712. Banks and Money Exchange. Banks are usually open Mon-Fri and in numerous high 10-16:30. The money exchange office, Forex, at the Helsinki Railway Station is open Mon-Sun 8-21. See www.forex.fi for more quality hotels. information.
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Grocery stores. Most grocery stores are open Mon-Fri 7-21, wonderfullwonderful Here are a few places where Sat 7-18 and Sun 12-21. you can pick up a copy: Health. Helsinki City medical centres are open Mon-Fri 8-16. to see Hotel Best Western Katajanokka, Sokos Hotel In case of children in need of urgent medical treatment, contact tel. +358 9 10023 or Lastenklinikka’s emergency department, without glasses! Torni, Hotel Sello, Sokos Hotel Vaakuna, Hotel tel. +358 09 471 72783 or +358 09 471 72751. Klaus K, Hotel Helka, Hotel Palace, Hotel Emergency Rooms. In the evening and at weekends, adults in urgent need of medical treatment are advised to contact Haart- Arthur, Hotel & Apartments Rivoli Jardin, Hotel man or Malmi Hospital’s Emergency Health Centres. Telephone Anna, Hotel Hilton Helsinki Strand, Hotel health advice service (09) 10023. The telephone health ad- vice service is available 24 hours a day at 09-10023, answer- Kämp, Hotel Hilton Helsinki Kalastajatorppa, ing healthcare questions and offering advice on obtaining further lasersurgery treatment. This is a joint service between several municipalities in Park Hotel Käpylä, Hotel GLO, Hotel Cumulus the capital region and the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusi- www.femtolasik.fi maa (HUS). Koskikatu Tampere, Hotel Holiday Inn Helsinki Hotline 010 421 9800 Museums are closed on Mondays. The National Museum of Fin- City West, Hotel Crowne Plaza Helsinki, Sokos Mehiläinen Ympyrätalo, Siltasaarenkatu 18 A land is located in Helsinki (Mannerheimintie 34, next to the Par- Hotel Albert, Hotel Seurahuone Helsinki, Hotel liament building) and is open Tue-Wed 11-20, Thu-Sun 11-18. For more information, see www.nba.fi or tel. +358 9 40 50 95 44. Holiday Inn Helsinki City Centre. Transport. Public transport operates in Helsinki and its surround- ing regions from around 05-30, 06-30 on weekends, until mid- night. Night buses operate extensively at weekends. For more in- formation. see www.ytv.fi and www.hkl.fi.
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EXPAT VIEW BY OZZIE SERVICES • Painting • Wallpaper • Plastering • Small repairs Gategaeo ‘Gate’ Itkonen worked for over three years as a reporter for two • Home and office cleaning English-language newspapers in Thailand, the Phuket Gazette and Phuket Post. Contact: David 050 431 8621 She is married with one son. ozzie.services@elisanet.fi HONEST AND RELIABLE SERVICE IN THE GREATER HELSINKI AREA
Culinary stink bomb But it was not just my hus- culture. We commonly greet TRAVEL band who found the new odour each other by asking the ONE DAY when my husband to the balcony. But it had of our living space terrifying. question, “Have you eaten?” came home from work, he already caused some prob- There were no lack of com- Many of you who have Technology transfer, training and trade consultancy services for India! started looking round for lems for our apartment that ments from visitors who tried to tried Thai food have per- Tours and travel services for Europe and India! something. I somehow knew I hadn’t foreseen. describe it. Some said it smells haps already tasted shrimp Euro-India Business & Travel what he was looking for but As my husband was quick like fi sh food, while others said paste without knowing it. It Mannerheimintie 43A, 00250 Helsinki, Finland I waited to let him fi nd it by to point out, the smell of it more closely resembled stinky is an important ingredient in Tel.: +358 9 813 8077 (Finland) +44 87 1284 5235 (UK) himself. shrimp paste had permeat- feet. Others said it just simply many Thai dishes. Without it www.euro-indiatravel.com Like a cartoon cat he fol- ed out of its little plastic con- smelt like something rotten. the taste just isn’t the same. e-mail: [email protected] lowed his sense of smell, tainer and into our blankets, The only real understand- On my vacations to Thai- walking directly to the kitch- sofa, curtains and clothes. ing I got was from a Thai land I carry an empty suitcase en and opening the cup- It was as if the entire apart- friend who said that she had to cram full with local food in- TRANSLATIONS boards where I store food ment had taken on the aroma experienced similar prob- gredients to cook back in Fin- ingredients. There he found a of a shrimp paste factory. lems after getting some land – and there are no better small plastic container fi lled I started to worry. If he homemade fermented fi sh ‘souvenirs’ to bring back to my with shrimp paste, a stand- could detect the smell be- sauce sent by a Thai friend Thai friends living here. Delingua Language Service ard Thai cooking ingredi- fore even opening the apart- through the post. I think I have been quite ent made from fermented ment door, then how would The receiver was told in no successful in getting Finnish ground shrimp. Unknown to the neighbours react? Then uncertain terms by the well- friends to enjoy eating shrimp Translations in any language the vast majority of Finns, I remembered reports of an intended worker at the Finnish paste and ignoring its rath- Simultaneous and consecutive interpreting spicy-shrimp paste produc- incident in London in 2007 post offi ce that the package er distinctive smell. But it is es a strong odour that might when police and emergency was assumed to contain food a two-way street. They have Tailor-made language training be considered unappetising response units responded to items that had gone off long also had success teaching me Terminology management: Delingua Profiterm™ for people who are not from reports of a chemical attack. ago. Of course she took it back to enjoy eating salmiakki, that South-East Asia. The entire neighborhood was home trying to hide a smile, tongue-numbing salty liquo- Once detected, the lit- evacuated in what turned out knowing full well how tasty rice that contains ammoni- For further information, please contact: tle cup of shrimp paste that to be the handiwork of a cook dinner would be that evening. um chloride. Maybe I’ll bring 020 743 1389 / [email protected] I had bought the day before in a Thai restaurant prepar- Eating is a really big deal some of that back to Thailand www.delingua.fi was immediately cast on- ing chilli sauce. for all Thais. It is part of our with me on my next trip…
In this series expatriates tell about their lives in Finland. 035535-1008
ISSUE 8 (138) 25 FEBRUARY – 3 MARCH 2010 • ISSN 1796-8321. Price €3 (sis ALV). Helsinki Times can also be read at www.lehtiluukku.fi
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LEHTIKUVA / AFP PHOTO / PATRICK BAZ FRIDAY People look on as a street with vehicles is engulfed by heavy flooding in downtown Funchal, Madeira on 20 February. Fatali- ties have been reported from the floods and mudslides caused by torrential rains on Sat- urday on the Portuguese island of Madeira.
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY
LEHTIKUVA / AFP PHOTO / MARK RALSTON LEHTIKUVA / REUTERS / ALI JAREKJI LEHTIKUVA / AFP PHOTO / KHALED DESOUKI
A colourfully decorated car drives past the Winter Olympics media Lolo, a black Jaguar, plays with her newborn spotted cub inside A picture shows the mummy of Queen Tiye, Tutankhamun’s grand- center in downtown Vancouver on 15 February. their cage at Jordan’s zoo in Yaduda on 16 February. The two- mother, at the Egyptian museum in Cairo on 17 February. New research month-old cub made his first public appearance on Tuesday after has revealed that the boy king Tutankhamun died of malaria after a being born to Lolo and Falah, who originate from South America. fall, used a cane, and was the son of the monotheistic Pharaoh Akhen- aten.
THURSDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY
LEHTIKUVA / REUTERS / RUBEN SPRICH LEHTIKUVA / REUTERS / DUARTE SA LEHTIKUVA / REUTERS / REINHARD KRAUSE
Julia Mancuso of the US goes airborne during the downhill run of A smoke screen billows in the background as US Marines retreat af- Members of the Dongria Kondh tribe gather on top of the Niyamgiri the women’s Alpine Skiing Super Combined event at the Vancouver ter battling Taliban fire in Trikh Nawar, a poppy farmland area on the mountain, which they worship as their living god, to protest against 2010 Winter Olympics in Whistler, British Columbia, 18 February. northeastern outskirts of Marjah on 19 February. On the seventh plans by Vedanta Resources to mine bauxite from that mountain on day of the assault against militants in southern province Helmand, 21 February. Vedanta has denied allegations that its planned bauxite an Afghan general said Taliban resistance was slowing progress into mine in eastern India would violate the rights of thousands of poor the Marjah and Nad Ali areas, the focus of operations. indigenous tribes people, saying that all its projects are conducted within the law and using international best practices.