Visas Not a Christmas Gift For

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Management, Innovation, Technology, Architecture, Security, Governance, Strategy Internet, Telecom, Banking, Finance, Healthcare, Government, Social Networks Interior Visas not a Christmas gift for all ministry The processing of temporary visa applications from relatives of foreigners resident in Finland often pro- official vokes controversy and suspicion on all sides. calls for DAVID BROWN her husband and fi ve children would HELSINKI TIMES have remained in Africa throughout the term of her visit, meaning it was hate crime LEHTIKUVA MARTTI / KAINULAINEN WITH CHRISTMAS upon us, most unlikely she would seek to remain families can look forward to spend- in Finland beyond the extent of her ing the holiday season with family. 30-day visa. Especially as the family legislation But for some families this year, get- had no history of overstaying visas togethers have been curtailed by the or seeking asylum. The family in- STT process of getting visas for family volved, who are middle class, and of members living in other countries. good standing within the commu- Filling in visa applications in Finland’s Consulate General in St Petersburg. With some embassies such as nity, were understandably shocked ACCORDING to Permanent Secre- Kiev receiving more than 12,000 and disappointed. “The embassy of- ple have. Being a son or daughter is So is overstaying common? “Un- tary of the Ministry of the Interior visa applications in 2008, pressure fi cial could easily have established of course a far more important re- fortunately it is,” Häkkinen agrees. Ritva Viljanen, hate crimes should is on embassy staff to process the the facts of the case, but instead she lationship than being a cousin or “Many coming from some Third be entered into the penal code. Fin- applications quickly and effective- made a poor decision based on mis- friend.” The Ministry also points World countries do apply for asy- land's current legislation treats ly, something made even more dif- interpreted or missing facts,” said a out that any person denied a visa is lum when they arrive, or perhaps what are known as hate crimes in a fi cult when Christmas can mean a family member. free to apply again later. arrive with a visa for another coun- number of countries as mere com- sudden spike in numbers. The busi- “This really reduces my trust in Häkkinen explains that the vi- try. Sometimes we can see from plainant offences. Viljanen said that est embassies have been in Russia, the way the Ministry of Foreign Af- sa system now operates in the same an application that this person has given that acts like racist or homo- with Moscow receiving 144,000 ap- fairs, and by extension the State, way across all Schengen countries. three family members in Finland, phobic slurs in a public place were plications and St Petersburg a stag- works and I do not feel that we have “We don’t have national visas any- and all of them applied for asylum. crimes that affected entire groups gering 524,000. been treated fairly. Because my in- more. There is free movement with- So of course we have to take that in- of people, society should tackle While reports indicate that some laws are black and live in a poor in the Schengen countries, so once to consideration.” them. Finnish embassies can process vi- country, my mother-in-law is treat- a person has a visa they can travel Finnish foreign representatives She added that the matter was sa requests in 24 hours, delays and ed as a potential criminal!” freely. And within Schengen, there handled a total of 806,156 applica- topical, as the country was expect- backlogs at other embassies can Vesa Häkkinen of the Ministry is only one kind of visa. We don’t is- tions in 2008, a 12 per cent increase ed to admit more immigrants over take weeks. This is perhaps under- for Foreign Affairs says it can be sue ‘family visas’ or the like.” on the previous year. The number of the next decade than during the standable given that the Finnish very diffi cult for people in poorer The criteria for a Schengen vi- applications was the highest ever. past six. "I think these kinds of acts embassy in Chile processed 18 ap- countries to meet the Schengen cri- sa are the same in all countries, are always aggravating," Viljanen plications in 2008, whereas the Thai teria. “We really look at two things: but the statistics make interesting said. "They should not be left on a and Chinese embassies had around will the person leave the country reading. Although globally only The Schengen member states: case-by-case basis. Society must 5,200 each. when their visa expires, and do they 1.5 per cent (11,850) of all visa ap- Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, show, with a public prosecutor at Nevertheless, at a personal lev- have the money to support them- plications were rejected, in some Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, the helm, that this sort of behaviour el, a visa rejection can come as a selves here. We do take the situ- embassies the fi gure can be vast- Germany, Greece, Hungary, is not acceptable." shock. In one recent case an African ation of family members living in ly higher. 78 per cent of all applica- Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, The Interior Ministry and the Po- man (who wishes to remain anony- Finland into account, but we don’t tions fi led in Abuja were rejected, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, lice College on Monday published a mous), who is married to a Finn and have a system where Finnish fam- 39 per cent in Damascus, and 35 in Norway, Poland, Portugal, report indicating that the number has been resident in Finland for sev- ily members can agree to cover all Addis Ababa. By comparison, on- Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden of suspected racially motivated of- en years, invited his mother to visit the person’s costs. The other thing ly 8 per cent of applications fi led in and Switzerland. fences in Helsinki had doubled over him here for the fi rst time. Her vi- we take into account is exactly what Hanoi were rejected, and only 4 per the past year. sa was denied, despite the fact that kind of family relationship the peo- cent in Abu Dhabi.

The next issue of Helsinki Times Helsinki Times will be published on 7 January 2010. wishes all readers a Merry For daily news please visit our Christmas and a happy New Year! website at www.helsinkitimes.fi 2 17 DECEMBER – 6 JANUARY 2010 VIEWPOINT HELSINKI TIMES

mobilised otherwise politi- THE CONSTITUTIONAL ban cally uninterested citizens. and the proposed curtailing of further religious rights have MOST politicians and commen- also led to debate on the limits tators interpret the acceptance of direct democratic decision- of the initiative as a result of a making. The minaret article is more profound uneasiness. quite obviously in opposition However this feeling is inter- to other, more fundamental preted, the acceptance of the principles in the Swiss con- initiative was in case not only stitution, such as the freedom a victory of Swiss right-wing of religion and the non-dis- populism, as the enthusias- crimination rule. It is there- tic reactions of many Europe- fore questionable if the ban an right-wing exponents to the on minarets is actually im- Daniel Weyermann is a Swiss doctoral Swiss vote might suggest. One plementable. Even if it could student at the University of Turku. The topic of explanation of the strong ap- be implemented in Switzer- his doctoral research is minority group rights. proval for the minaret ban is land, experts argue that it will that the initiative probably be diffi cult to defend it before had the consent of many fe- the European Court of Human male and secular voters across Rights in Strasbourg. the political spectrum. This is in turn explained by the com- THIS CASTS a damning light mon perception of Islam as an on direct democratic deci- Controversies in Switzerland archaic doctrine that oppress- sion-making as practised in es women. Switzerland. To let people vote on issues that are not The recent decision to ban minarets in Switzerland aroused heated debate in Europe TO SEE the result of the vote applicable is dishonest on and brought up propositions directed against Islam also in Finland. Where is Switzerland as a sign of a more profound the part of the legislator, be- discontent amongst the Swiss cause it suggests that there headed after the decision, asks Daniel Weyermann. population animated poli- is a scope for democratic de- ticians of different colours cision-making where it does to an uneasy activism. To do not exist. RELIGIOUS confl icts feature sively eliminated discrimi- lims throughout Switzerland public sphere took seriously justice to the assumed dis- prominently in the history natory treatment of religious were shocked. Nobody, prob- before the vote. content amongst the Swiss, THE BROAD debate in Swit- of many European countries. minorities. ably not even the two parties representatives of centre and zerland on these issues, and In Switzerland, the most em- responsible for the initia- WHATEVER the exact reasons left parties asked to intensify the next legally problemat- inent confl icts – and even THIS ENDED on 29 November, tive, thought that a majority for this strong approval may the integration of Muslims in- ic right-wing initiative on the wars – usually took place when 57.5 per cent of Swiss of Swiss would change their be, the fact is that the mina- to Swiss society. In the name expulsion of criminal foreign- between Protestants and voters accepted an initiative, constitution to ban a certain ret initiative mobilised vot- of integration they proposed ers, indicate that the ambi- Catholics. proposed by the right-wing kind of towers. ers much more than other a ban on the burqa, on sepa- guities of direct democratic Swiss People’s Party and the initiatives have done in re- rate graveyards for Jews and rights will soon be on the po- UNTIL a few weeks back, conservative Evangelical AFTER the vote, the most cent years. The rate of Swiss Muslims, and on special ex- litical agenda. Switzerland these times seemed long People’s Party, to add to the pressing question amongst citizens who participated emptions in school for certain thus faces the need to re-eval- gone. Secularism and reli- Swiss constitution the sen- government representatives, in votes over the past years communities of faith. In the uate certain limits of its direct gious tolerance prevailed in tence “the construction of politicians and commenta- normally lied between 30 current atmosphere of con- democratic rights. Otherwise Swiss legislation. The liber- minarets is forbidden”. tors was how it could hap- and 45 per cent. The minaret fusion amongst Swiss politi- the credibility of these politi- al Swiss state – proud of its pen that a majority of Swiss initiative produced a turnout cians, all of this seems to be in cal rights will suffer, as the le- federalism, neutrality and AFTER the initiative was ac- voters accepted an initiative of 53.4 per cent, suggesting it line with taking the will of the gal diffi culties regarding the direct democracy – succes- cepted, observers and Mus- that almost nobody in the was an emotional issue that people seriously. minaret initiative show.

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Reduced public transport service over Christmas

Slight increase in price of period and value tickets The prices of single tickets in the Helsinki region will remain unchanged following the turn of the year. The prices of 1-7 day tickets will also remain as they are. The cost of value and period tickets will be adjusted upwards. From the beginning of next year, a 30-day period ticket valid within Helsinki, for example, will cost 43 euros, or 1.80 euros more than CITY OF HELSINKI PICTURE BANK it does now. An adult’s value ticket will be 5 cents more expensive.

Rautatientori metro station will open in February The Rautatientori metro station will remain closed for repairs until mid-February. The station is under renovation following a fl ood in November resulting from a burst water main. Otherwise, the metro runs normally onto Kamppi and Ruoholahti, but trains do not stop at Rautatientori metro station. HKL’s Rautatientori service point and other shops and services in the tunnel area below the Central Railway Station, besides those on the Kompassi level below, serve customers normally. Initially, it will only be possible to access the metro platform, via the escalator, since repairing the lift will take several more months. Helsinki's buses, trams and Hietaniemi back to Rautatientori is at There will be extra departures for night Changes to some bus lines at the turn of the year metro cease operating on the 3.53pm. traffi c, and the metro will continue There will be Sunday traffi c on operating two hours later than it does At the beginning of the year, the route of bus line 20 will be transferred in Ruoholahti to Itämerenkatu, afternoon of Christmas Eve Christmas Day, but it will not begin on normal weekday evenings. The so the bus will begin to run past the metro station. and are up and running again until 11am. However, the Suomenlinna metro’s fi nal departure from Ruoholahti There will be timetable changes for bus lines 15V, 56, ferry will run according to its normal eastwards will be at 1.26am. The 59, 78, 85, 90A, 90B and 93A. at 11am on Christmas Day. week-day timetable from early morning metro’s connection shuttle buses will onwards. There will be no late-night fi nish operating at the normal time, A more diverse Journey Planner On Christmas Eve, public transport will bus traffi c in the night between Friday however. The popular online service Journey Planner has been run according to Saturday timetables, and Saturday. Residents of Helsinki will ring in the renewed and now offers a more diverse service. Both and buses, trams and the metro will Timetables for the fi nal departures on new year in the Senate Square and the customer feedback and expert advice on the site’s stop running at around 3.30pm. The Christmas Eve and the fi rst departures celebrations will force tram and bus user-friendliness have been heeded in planning the Suomenlinna ferry will instead operate on Christmas Day are available on the traffi c in the area onto diversion routes renewal. The main aim of the product development has been to add features requested by users, such according to its weekday timetable, Helsinki City Transport (HKL) website later in the day on New Year’s Eve. as maps with more detailed route breakdowns. with traffi c continuing until the normal www.hkl.fi . Leafl ets are also available There will be Sunday traffi c on Russian has been added as a language on the time in the evening. to passengers aboard public transport both New Year’s Day and Epiphany, 6 service. The other languages are Finnish, Swedish, The number 11 bus will not run on vehicles. January. Late-night traffi c will run in English and Helsinki slang. There are also versions Christmas Eve. Jouko neighbourhood There will be Sunday traffi c on the night between Epiphany Eve and tailored for mobile phones and those with impaired routes J31, J32, J90, J92 and J97 will Boxing Day. Late-night buses will Epiphany. vision. run according to their normal Saturday run in the evening between Saturday Information about public transport The English-language version of Journey Planner timetables. There will be no late-night and Sunday. On weekdays between in the capital region is available is available at reittiopas.fi /en. traffi c during the night of Christmas Eve. Christmas and Epiphany, trams will run over the phone from HKL Traffi c For visitors to Hietaniemi cemetery, with reduced service and bus lines 67X Information, ph. 0100 111, including additional traffi c will run between and 68X will be out of service. during the holidays of Christmas Rautatientori and the cemetery on and New Year’s. Personal advice is Christmas Eve. The fi rst departure Additional traffi c for New Year’s Eve available on Christmas Eve 8am-3pm, of additional bus line 55X from On New Year’s Eve, public transport on Christmas Day 9am-5pm, on New Rautatientori to Hietaniemi is at will run on weekday schedules and Year’s Eve 6am-7pm, and on New 10.25am, and the fi nal departure from trams will run on Friday schedules. Year’s Day 9am-5pm. New public transport organisation for Helsinki region

HSL will be responsible for planning transport services and development Exchange of Travel Cards continues and organising the public transport serv- of a functional transport system more The changeover to new Travel Cards which began ices of its member municipalities. HSL’s effi cient. An integrated approach to at the beginning of November continues at a brisk tasks will include securing bus, tram, transport planning will help to provide pace. There is no rush, however, since both the old metro, ferry and commuter train services, comprehensive transport options to and the new Travel Cards will remain valid on public The Helsinki Region Transport, Hel- and preparing the Helsinki region’s public residents in the region. transport until almost a year from now. singin seudun liikenne (HSL) will be es- transport plan. In addition, HSL will take HSL will be a strong actor in the Adoption of the cards has proceeded smoothly. tablished on 1 January 2010. At this in- care of marketing and passenger infor- public transport fi eld, since the the Travel Cards are exchanged at R kiosks in the capital region, at Travel Card service points, and itial stage, the federation’s member mu- mation for public transport, approve fare transport it plans and orders will ac- in Stockmann department stores whenever loading nicipalities comprise Helsinki, Espoo, and ticketing systems as well as ticket count for more than 300 million pas- value or time onto one’s card. In exchanging cards, Vantaa, Kauniainen, Kerava and Kirkko- prices, and arrange ticket inspection. senger trips annually. all information and tickets loaded onto the old card nummi. Other Helsinki region municipali- The new regional transport organ- HKL will retain the units responsi- are automatically transferred to the new. ties may join the federation later on. isation will make provision of public ble for tram and metro traffi c. 4 17 DECEMBER – 6 JANUARY 2010 DOMESTIC NEWS HELSINKI TIMES Christmas trade expected to be brisk group should report a strong Finnish retailers are cautiously optimistic that consumers will open year in grocery sales. The design house Marimek- their wallets this Christmas. ko is also suffering. Sales in Finland were down almost 13 per cent during the fi rst nine months of the year. “The current year, 2009, has been characterised by challenging market conditions,” says CEO Mika Ihamuotila. “The sharp decline in consumer demand has reduced Marimekko’s

LEHTIKUVA / JUSSI NUKARI sales both in Finland and abroad.”

Consumers remain cautious Statistics Finland announced that private consumption during the third quarter was 1.1 per cent lower than in 2008. Retail trade confi dence is beginning to recover but remains at low levels not seen since 2003. The Confedera- tion of Finnish Industries reported that retail confi dence stood at –10 in November, up two points from October. Ac- cording to the European Com- Optimistic projections are that Christmas spending levels will be more or less the same as last year. mission, consumer confi dence in Finland is at about 15, com- DAVID J. CORD – HT These predictions are eration of Finnish Com- pared with 20 before the fi - STT similar to estimates by Nor- merce reports that although nancial crisis began – but dea. Their analysts believe a majority of retailers ex- much improved from the –5 THE ONGOING recession is that about half of those on pect moderate growth, about level at this point last year. expected to have a minimal low incomes plan to spend a third anticipate lower sales Another interesting as- impact on Christmas spend- less while those on average this year. pect to this year’s holiday ing this year. While some or high incomes will increase Stockmann is among re- selling season is the fear of demographic groups are their spending. tailers having a tough year. swine fl u. Dubbed the “swine tightening their belts, oth- “I am surprised that the In the period January to No- fl u effect” by Stockmann, ers are planning on buying as recession is showing this vember their group sales this is when consumers don’t much or more than last year. clearly,” says Anu Nummi- in Finland were down more want to risk their health by A survey from the Feder- nen, private economist at than eight per cent. The Finn- visiting crowded stores and ation of Finnish Commerce Nordea. She does not expect ish operations of Lindex is instead buy more online. The found that about 90 per cent gift purchases to increase the only division to show Finnish retailer cited this of families with children plan but believes that more mon- a modest gain in turnover reason that some of their to match last year’s spend. By ey will be spent on food and year-to-date. distant retailing operations contrast, approximately one other seasonal items. Luckily, Stockmann is showed sales increases. third of pensioners plan to Nordea estimates that having a good Christmas sale The Bank of Finland esti- spend less. Overall, the fed- Finnish consumers will spend season so far. “Christmas mates that private consump- eration expects spending to around 550 euros, which is trade has started very well tion will be about three per increase by two per cent to about four per cent more than and after the fi rst week in cent lower for all of 2009. No a total of 860 million euros. in 2008. Gifts will account for December the group’s sales real improvement is expected By way of contrast, the best 300 euros, about the same as have exceeded the fi gures for in 2010 either. According to recorded Christmas shop- last year, while the remainder the same period last year,” their forecast, consumption ping season in Finland was will be on other Christmas pur- the company states in its will remain negative next in 2007, when total spending chases. Spending on non-gifts most recent release. year. was more than 900 million. should increase about a tenth Retail conglomerate Kes- Consumers traditional- “Given that consumer con- compared with last season. ko is in a similar situation. ly have their shopping sea- fi dence in their own fi nances In the fi rst ten months of the son bolstered by tax refunds, is strong at the moment, it is Stores struggle year its sales were down al- which are paid at the start of likely that Christmas sales but remain hopeful most nine per cent. Their December. This year some 3.4 will rise,” says the organisa- Finnish retailers are un- sales of food were up a small million people received tax tion’s chief economist Jaana doubtedly hoping for strong fraction and if Finns splurge refunds. The average amount Kurjenoja. Christmas fi gures. The Fed- on Christmas meals the paid was 637 euros. Sweden leads the way on climate funding to the amount of funding ex- It is estimated that Greece’s The Swedish contribution to developing pected from the EU as a whole, public debt will swell to 125 per it’s a considerable amount in cent of the country’s GDP, and countries has put other countries to shame. relation to the size of the coun- the budget defi cit is also ex- try,” Vanhanen commented pected to breach the EU-reg- during his press conference. ulated maximum of three per TUOMAS SAVONEN – STT The EU countries have stat- Far from all EU countries cent many times over. MATTHEW PARRY – HT ed that industrialised coun- have yet revealed their lev- Greek Prime Minister tries should fund adaptation el of investment. Denmark, George Papandreou assured CURRENT holder of the EU by developing countries to cli- however, will contribute his colleagues that his coun- presidency Sweden has set mate change over the follow- around 160 million, and Brit- try would be able to keep its an example to other EU coun- ing few years, to the tune of ain almost 900 million euros. economy on the rails. tries on climate funding. The 5-7 billion euros annually. The Greece uses the euro, and country has promised 800 EU’s share of this is estimated Nerve-rattling the crisis there has already million euros’ worth of cli- at around a third. crisis in Greece sent ripples through currency mate aid to developing coun- The one hundred million eu- Funding for climate meas- markets. Luxembourg’s Prime tries over the next three ros earmarked by Finland pales ures by developing countries Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, years. in comparison to this country’s is a challenge, especially for chair of the group of Eurozone The leaders of EU member western neighbour. Recognising many East European coun- countries, did his best to calm states gathered for a summit this, Prime Minister Matti Van- tries in the throes of econom- the worst fears in Brussels. in Brussels on 10 December, hanen (Centre) praised Swe- ic crisis. It is also a problem “The picture painted by the key theme of which was den’s substantial investment. for Greece, whose own eco- some is that Greece will go funding for developing coun- “Sweden has set the bar re- nomic crisis had the EU heads bust. I’ve no fear of that, how- tries’ climate measures. ally high. When it’s compared talking in Brussels. ever,” Juncker commented. HELSINKI TIMES DOMESTIC NEWS 17 DECEMBER – 6 JANUARY 2010 55

LEHTIKUVA / JUSSI NUKARI COLUMNCOLUMN

Bill to slash MPs' Thors contributed to a pay fails to win lively asylum policy debate by noting that Finland had backing approved the sixth lowest A motion by Pietari Jääske- number of asylum appli- läinen, a Perussuomalaiset cations in the EU last year. MP, to cut lawmakers' pay The government proposed was not backed by a single the income support cut af- member of the Finnish Par- ter a report, made public liament during on Tuesday last month, indicated that 15 December. Raimo Vist- asylum seekers enjoyed the backa, the leader of the EU's most generous cash Perussuomalaiset parlia- benefi ts in Finland. STT mentary group, was among those less than keen on Jääskeläinen's idea. Helsinki provides He added that MP pay, emergency housing starting at about 5,900 eu- to Kalasatama Television, the drug of the nation: Yle joins the international trend for predominantly entertainment-centred broadcasting. ros a month excluding expenses and benefi ts, was gypsies not unreasonable con- With temperatures around sidering the workload. -15 degrees Celsius, Helsin- Yle dumbing down the airwaves Jääskeläinen had proposed ki city council said on Mon- in a private member's bill day 14 December it would entertainment content in its that MPs could do their bit provide emergency housing Finnish television continues to offer a diverse supply of programmes, but programme supply raises dis- for cost-cutting efforts by to a handful of Romanian cussions within the television forgoing a month's pay and gypsies camped in caravans public broadcaster Yle has joined the light entertainment bandwagon. industry. Commercial broad- expenses. STT near Kalasatama under- casters have traditionally as- ground station. Jarmo Räihä sumed the role of purveyors of the social services depart- MATTI KOSKINEN wards entertainment. On “Yle is the single-larg- of entertainment, and Yle is Benefits for asylum ment said shelter would be HELSINKI TIMES the four public-service chan- est broadcaster of children’s often expected to concentrate seekers to be cut in offered for up to a fortnight. nels (Yle TV1, TV2, FST5 and programmes, accounting for on more informational and February Räihä added that the re- THE PROGRAMMING con- Teema), the total output in- around three quarters of all chil- educational programming. maining gypsies, fi ve tent of Finland’s national tel- cluded more entertainment- dren’s programming on Finnish The study Suomalai- Finnish migration and Eu- adults and seven children, evision channels consists oriented programming than television. Last year they added nen tv-tarjonta 2008 (Finnish rope minister Astrid Thors had agreed to move to their mainly of entertainment, im- in previous years. new children’s shows, especial- TV-programme supply 2008) (Swedish People's Party) temporary lodging on Tues- ported movies and series and ly in the early mornings, which included all ten free nation- told Parliament on Tuesday day morning. A number of sport. According to a recent Prime time may appear as a decrease in wide channels: the public 15 December that the gov- Kalasatama gypsies had study published by the Min- entertainment factual content.” TV1, TV2, FST5 and Teema, ernment would reduce the moved to the Rastila camp istry of Transport and Com- While a majority of the total State-owned Yle oper- and commercial channels amount of income support site earlier. STT munications, altogether one supply on was still comprised ates under a full service MTV3, Sub, Nelonen, JIM, Ur- paid to asylum seekers at third of all Finnish TV broad- of factual-oriented genres, mandate, but an increase in heilukanava and The Voice. the beginning of February casting in 2008 was classi- both Yle fl agship channels next year. The government Finnish-Swedish fi ed as entertainment. TV1 and TV2 showed a shift is planning to reduce the Viewer favourites patrol attacked in The large amount of enter- towards more entertain- monthly sum paid to a sin- Afghanistan tainment programming is part- ment-oriented content, espe- Although television audiences have become more and more gle asylumseeker by €84 ly explained by the inclusion of cially in prime time. fragmented over the years, certain annual events still draw well to €292. Thors said that A Finnish-Swedish patrol The Voice, a channel broadcast- “It must be noted, that over one million viewers. According to statistics compiled by while Finland paid more to came under fi re in north- ing primarily music videos, in all of the channels surveyed Finnpanel, Finns have little else to do on Independence Day (6 asylum seekers than other ern Afghanistan on Sunday the study. In a similar fashion showed an increase in enter- December) than watch the Presidential Reception on television. Nordic countries did, Swe- 13 December, the Defence Urheilukanava, which special- tainment content,” says re- This marathon broadcast continues to attract the largest au- den had decided to double Forces said in a statement. ises in continuous sports cov- searcher Pauliina Lehtinen, diences year after year. Other annual highlights include major its equivalent benefi ts. She They added that while the erage, brought a signifi cant one of the report’s authors. “It sporting events and the Eurovision Song Contest. added that Norway spent patrol's vehicles had sus- increase in the overall amount is a process that has been go- more on asylum seekers tained minor damage, of sports programmes. ing on for a while now. Anoth- On a weekly basis, arguably the most popular television pro- despite paying lower bene- no one had been killed or Information and public- er aspect of it, one which this gramme in Finland is MTV3’s early-evening soap Salatut elämät. fi ts than Finland. wounded. STT service programming made study did not look into, is that The Saturday-evening news broadcast on Yle TV1 is another fix- up 20 per cent of all content, the content of individual pro- ture on the most-watched list. Seasonal entertainment shows, followed by news magazines, grammes in factual genres is such as this year’s Talent Suomi (Nelonen) and Diili, the Finnish feature fi lms, news and chil- also becoming increasingly version of The Apprentice format (MTV3), often score among dren’s programming. The entertainment-oriented.” the highest ratings. smallest groups were cultural Part of the apparent and Finnish, fi rst-run fi ction change in Yle’s output may be Week 49 programmes. The proportion explained by an increase of Most-watched broadcasts (viewers) of Finnish-made programmes children’s programming, Leh- 1.Independence Day Presidential Reception dropped from 60 per cent in tinen remarks. In making the (TV1 Sun at 18:50), 2,195,000 2007 to 55 per cent. distinction between enter- 2. News and Weather (TV1 Sun at 20:30), 2,005,000 The study shows that ove- tainment and factual-orient- 3. Independence Day Afterparty (TV1 Sun at 22:15), 1,003,000 rall broadcasting output by ed programmes, the study 5. Salatut elämät (MTV3 Mon at 9:29), 945,000 the Finnish public broadcas- did not take in to account 6. Salatut elämät (MTV3 Thu at 19:30), 898,000 ting company has shifted to- children’s programmes.

homes – they turn off their Season of Light brightens winter nights televisions. The Season of Light 2010 MARI KAISLANIEMI will take the audience back sion Song Contest in Helsin- is organised by the City of HELSINKI TIMES to 1852 when the St Nicho- ki in 2007. He is well known Helsinki as part of its season- las Church (now the Helsinki around Europe and has deal Christmas and New Year SOME MAY remember the build- Cathedral) was inaugurat- signed lights and stages for events. The corporate spon- ings around Senate Square be- ed. The performance delves theatres, ballets, operas, sor is Helsingin Energia. ing fl ooded with lights in early into a fantasy world where dance events and television. January this year. The Season of colours seem to play on the Covering large buildings Light open-air event returns in surface of the Cathedral. with lights for many hours Senate Square/Reflections January 2010 and illuminates Parliament House will sounds like a waste of ener- 1 January 20:00-23:00 Parliament House as well as be lit by the Oratoribus per- gy but all of the light installa- 2-6 January 17:00-23:00 Senate Square. formance. The lights will tions will use LED technology, Beginning on the hour and Lighting designer Mik- accentuate the building’s which is more energy effi - repeating every half hour. ki Kunttu has created two architectural details and cient than traditional light- fl oodlit performances that the changing colours will ing. The total amount of Parliament House/ will premiere on 1 January bring depth to the surfaces. energy consumed by the Sea- Oratoribus at 20:00 and continue un- Both performances last 15 son of Light is about 20,000 1 January 20:00-9:00 til 6 January. At the Senate minutes. kWh. The same amount can 2-6 January 16:00-9:00 Square visitors will experi- Kunttu fi rst became be conserved if 50,000 peo- Non-stop display. ence the Refl ections instal- known when he designed ple come see the installations www.seasonoflight.fi lation. The lights and sounds the lighting for the Eurovi- and – before leaving their 6 17 DECEMBER – 6 JANUARY 2010 FROM THE FINNISH PRESS HELSINKI TIMES TRANSLATIONS BY MICHAEL NAGLER LEHTIKUVA / ANTTI AIMO-KOIVISTO HELSINGIN SANOMAT 12 December. JAANA SAVOLAINEN University preparatory courses draw thousands

Profits on university entrance exam preparatory courses run into the millions, the national daily Helsingin Sanomat reports.

“ALMOST all of the students of the students had attended who made it into the Univer- them.” sity of Helsinki’s Faculties of “On the other hand, the Law and Medicine had partic- Helsinki School of Econom- ipated in a preparatory course ics’ (HSE) annual survey re- for the entrance exam. veals that only one in two As many as 98 per cent students have attended a of law students took part preparatory course. in a preparatory course. Of ‘The courses are strict- those who got in, 70 per cent ly business and it’s clear that had undergone training un- they place the applicants in Lazin' on a sunny afternoon: no stress for these Laplanders. der Pykälä, the law students’ an unequal position. But we’ll association. never be rid of them,’ says sec- TURUN SANOMAT 8 December. VAPPU PITKÄNEN parently the same for deer ‘Defi nitely the most im- retary general Jenni Laakso as well. portant reason is that judi- of the Student Union of HSE.” ‘Although the reindeer is a cial thinking isn’t taught in “Every year the three larg- Stress can be fatal for animals semi-wild animal, it becomes school and it has to be prac- est course organisers – Val- easily stressed. Fortunately ticed,’ says professor Juk- mennuskeskus, Eximia and these days this is better tak- ka Kekkonen, the dean of Huippuvalmennus – train A little stress can help animals survive in challenging situations in en into account. In Sweden the Faculty of Law. ‘Howev- thousands of university ap- the wild, but too much of it can kill, reports the Turku-based daily they used to use helicopters er, I wish to emphasise that plicants. ‘The three of them Turun Sanomat. to herd reindeer and force students can also get in here have a combined turnover them into their pen. With- without a prep course.’ of about six million euros. In in four hours this caused a A survey was conduct- the whole business the turn- “THE STRESS of animals liv- frightening sounds or any in isolated areas are forced bleeding ulcer for all the rein- ed among fi rst year students over is estimated to be eight ing in the wild has been re- other situation that the ani- to confront more people as deer,’ says senior researcher at the Faculty of Medicine million,’ says managing di- searched fairly little in mal considers to be a threat.” ecotourism grows, which in- Mauri Nieminen of the Finn- about preparatory courses. It rector Janne Nousiainen of Finland and the world. Re- “Being hunted or caught creases their stress.” ish Game and Fisheries Re- revealed that 85-90 per cent Valmennuskeskus.” searching the stress of wild by predators is one of the “Animal stress is studied search Institute. animals is diffi cult, and their most stressful situations in by following their behaviour Acute stress intensi- welfare does not involve the the animal kingdom. Hunting and measuring the physio- fi es the reindeer’s pulse and TALOUSSANOMAT 12 December. SAKARI NUPPONEN same economic interests is particularly stressful for logical changes in their bod- quickly raises its blood and and ethical considerations as the animal if the chase is long ies. Animals react to stressful lung pressure. During stress that of domestic animals, for or the animal is wounded. situations in different ways. the animal’s body tempera- Finland’s example. It is thought that 20-30 per For example, it is typical for ture rises easily and consid- Stress is caused by mal- cent of birds that are hunted the Finnish forest reindeer erable changes take place in cheapest residential areas nourishment, being hunted are left to languish wounded to experience a powerful in- its blood composition. Great or preyed upon, unfavour- in the wild.” voluntary nervous reaction stress may split a reindeer’s able weather conditions, “Even the wild animals in stress situations. It is ap- heart.” If you know where to look, a two-room flat can cost less than 10,000 euros. Online fi- LAPIN KANSA 12 December. KATJA KÄRKI or mental problems, for ex- nancial newspaper Taloussanomat reveals the ample, or the children and cheapest apartments in Finland. youths themselves have prob- Growing numbers of lems. The youth may be steal- ing, using drugs or alcohol, or “THE CHEAPEST two-room sä, Pihlajamäki, Pihlajisto they may have problems in fl ats in Finland have been and Kontula in Helsinki.” children placed outside of home school,’ Rantajärvi says.” sold in the area of Halli in Ku- “While it is very diffi cult to “Taking children into foster orevesi, Jämsä. They changed fi nd affordable housing in the care may not necessarily be a owners for less than 10,000 city centres of university mu- Last year there were 67,000 children who were either placed under bad thing even though about euros. The average price per nicipalities, the price of down- half of the cases this year are square meter of the houses, town fl ats in small towns such child welfare or were in noninstitutional social care, the Rovaniemi- against the parents’ will.” built in 1966, was only 159 as Raahe, Kokkola and Rauma based daily Lapin Kansa reports. “’The smaller the child, euros.” is well under 2,000 euros per the more certain it is that “On the other hand, ac- square meter.” family care is a good solu- cording to the study one-room “Low housing prices have “THE AMOUNT of children in foster families straight from social worker Kaisa-Maria tion for him or her,’ Ranta- fl ats are either too expensive been typical in traditional foster care has grown at an the maternity ward. Rantajärvi. järvi says. When it comes to or impossible to acquire in forest industry municipali- annual rate of 2 to 6 per cent. ‘Since autumn 2008 the There are usually two putting small children into nearly all the downtown ar- ties unless the housing trade In Rovaniemi the fi gures have need for placing very young kinds of reasons for taking foster care, the aim is for the eas in the major cities. Two- has completely stopped in been steady; 14 to 15 children children into foster care children into foster care. ‘Ei- child to be able to live in cir- room and three-room fl ats them. For example, the av- are annually put into foster has been visible in Rovanie- ther the parents have prob- cumstances as close to home have been sold the most.” erage price per square meter care. Some of the babies go to mi,’ says the city’s leading lems due to substance abuse as possible.” “The cheapest residential in the cheapest suburb in the “Of the children placed areas in the Helsinki Metro- enlarged city of Kouvola is in foster care in the whole politan Area are Suvela in Es- 750 euros. In Imatra also the country, 33 per cent were in poo, Hakunila and Rajatorppa real estate business starts family care and 34 per cent in Vantaa as well as Suurmet- from the same level.” were cared for in institutions. The amount of family care has steadily decreased Top 10 cheapest two-room flats in Finland while that of institutions has

LEHTIKUVA / JUSSI NUKARI increased.” Municipality Residential Average Lowest Highest area price price price per “’In the case of youths the per square per square square problems are often so major metre, € metre, € metre, € that institutionalisation is the only option,’ Rantajärvi Jämsä Halli 173 159 182 says.” Varkaus Kommila 570 458 621 “Finnish municipalities Savonlinna Pääskylahti 579 385 850 spend over 500 million euros Joensuu Uimaharju 590 500 692 annually on child foster care. Kajaani Hoikankangas 591 473 948 Child welfare costs have Äänekoski Suolahti 633 400 791 steadily increased through- Pori Sampola 641 576 717 out the decade. According to Savonlinna Haka-alue 651 504 764 Statistics Finland the costs Varkaus Kuoppakangas 660 458 905 have nearly doubled in four Äänekoski Karhunlähde 709 585 1,008 Family care is an important solution for troubled kids. years.” HELSINKI TIMES INTERNATIONAL NEWS 17 DECEMBER – 6 JANUARY 2010 77 Further blemishes on Arab states' human rights records

Human rights abuses in Arab countries proliferated throughout the Middle East and North Africa during 2009, according to the annual report of the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies, released 8 December.

and threats against journal- ists are less frequent. In addition, some of the major CAIRO warring factions have indicated they are prepared to re- Anneli Jäätteenmäki is a Member of the European nounce violence and engage Parliament. in the political process."

Widespread repression In Egypt, where the state of The endless emergency is approaching the WILLIAM FISHER end of its third decade, the re- IPS war on Afghanistan

port charges that "the broad LEHTIKUVA / AFP PHOTO / KHALED DESOUKI immunity given to the secu- FINLAND is getting ready for Christmas. People are TITLED "Bastion of Impuni- rity apparatus has resulted in looking for peace both in their minds and in their ty, Mirage of Reform", the re- the killing of dozens of undoc- souls. port reviews "deteriorating" umented migrants, the use of Omar al-Bashir's regime continues to oppress the Sudanese human rights developments lethal force in the pursuit of people, according to a newly-released report. IN CHRISTMAS time it is good to keep in mind that there this year in 12 Arab countries criminal suspects, and rou- are whole generations of people who have never ex- – Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Mo- tine torture." The emergency readiness to destroy all man- tection of human rights.” “On perienced stability and peace in their lives. There are rocco, Sudan, Lebanon, Syria, law was applied broadly to re- ner of political opposition, this level, Arab governments people whose religious holidays have always been dev- Palestine, Iraq, Saudi Ara- press freedom of expression, even the most limited mani- have sought to undercut pro- astated by confl ict and hatred. bia, Bahrain and Yemen. In a it said, including detaining or festations of independent ex- visions that bring govern- separate chapter, the report abducting bloggers. pression," the report says. In ments to account or seriously AFGHANISTAN has been a theatre for Great Power addresses what it calls the In its blatant contempt for Saudi Arabia, the report notes assess and monitor human struggles, as well as a playground for the cruel Taliban "limited progress" made to justice, the report says, the Su- that the monarch's speeches rights. This is most clearly il- rulers, since the end of the 1970s. In thirty years of civ- advance women's rights and danese regime is "the exemplar urging religious tolerance and lustrated by the broad attack il war, tribal rivalries, invasions, occupations and cor- gender equality. for impunity and the lack of ac- interfaith dialogue abroad on independent UN human rupt governments, the Afghan people have not had a According to the report, countability." The Bashir re- have not been applied inside rights experts and NGOs moment of peace. After decades of war and confl ict the the Arab governments "use gime "is hunting down anyone the Kingdom, where "the reli- working within the UN, as Afghan children, women and men deserve better. the issue of women's rights in the country who openly re- gious police continue to clamp well as attempts to legalize to burnish their image before jects impunity for war crimes, down on personal freedom". international restrictions YET THE war on Afghanistan seems to be endless. In the the international community imprisoning and torturing on freedom of expression beginning of December, US President and Nobel peace while simultaneously evading them and shutting down rights Attack on UN through the pretext of pro- laureate Barack Obama unveiled a new strategy for his democratic and human rights organizations." Meanwhile, In tandem with these abus- hibiting 'defamation of reli- country’s involvement in Afghanistan. The plan calls reform measures required to "The government's policy of es and "lack of accountability gions'," the report says. for 30,000 more troops to be sent to the country. ensure dignity and equality collective punishment against for such crimes" within Arab The report also condemns for all of their citizens". the population of Darfur con- countries, the report notes what it terms "the grave and TWO WEEKS ago, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton The report says that while tinues." Algeria, Bahrain, Mo- that "various Arab govern- ongoing Israeli violations of stated at the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Iraq is still the largest arena of rocco, Yemen, Lebanon and ments and members of the Palestinian rights, particu- hearing that the US is expecting its allies to invest more violence and civilian deaths, Tunisia were also singled out Organisation of the Islamic larly the collective punish- resources and send more troops to Afghanistan. At the "the country witnessed a rel- for undemocratic, repressive Conference have been work- ment of Palestinians in the same hearing, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates un- ative improvement in some practices and corruption. ing in concert within UN in- Gaza Strip through the ongo- derlined US priorities. He stated that the US priority in areas, though these gains re- Syria, entering its 47th stitutions to undermine ing blockade and the brutal Afghanistan is not nation-building but to disrupt, dis- main fragile". It added that, year of emergency law, contin- international mechanisms invasion of Gaza at the be- mantle and defeat al Qaeda. "The death toll has dropped ues to be distinguished by "its and standards for the pro- ginning of 2009." THE US IS not committed to a nation-building approach to Afghanistan. At the same time, leading politicians entity in Europe with more ductive health programmes in Finland argue that Finnish peacekeepers are in Af- Kosovar youth neglected than 50 per cent of its popu- dedicated to young people. ghanistan to build Afghan capacity and to invest in the lation being below 27 years "They increasingly sense iso- overall development of the country. APOSTOLIS FOTIADIS IPS gan “Kosovo: the young Euro- of age. While this is an advan- lation in a conservative soci- peans.” “Serbia has distorted tage there is also a major risk, ety.’’ “Communication within FURTHERMORE, it has been argued that Finland is in the real face of Kosovo with its should poverty and underde- the family is not good and dif- Afghanistan because we want to demonstrate our re- DESPITE commitments by the propaganda which has dam- velopment push the region fi cult issues remain taboo,’’ sponsible attitude to international affairs. Responsi- Kosovo government and the aged Kosovo’s image through- back into ethnic confl ict. added Didden. bility can be, however, demonstrated in many different international community to out the years," said Memli Despite this being ac- Albanian and Serbian ways. Finland should also be responsible enough to ac- engage the youth of the re- Krasniqi, head of the campaign knowledged as the main youngsters share these prob- knowledge the facts and withdraw the Finnish peace- gion creatively, youngsters in for the government. "Our cam- challenge for the interna- lems over the ethnic divide. keepers from Afghanistan if they were driven to the newborn state are seeing paign is not only an economic tional community and the Milos Babovic, a 21-year-old war-like circumstances and were unable to fulfi ll their a steady deterioration in the one to bring new investments, government, a communica- student at a university in peacekeeping tasks. quality of their lives. An in- but also a political one." tion between the European northern Mitrovica, a Ser- ternational promotional cam- Kosovo, which declared its Council and the European bian stronghold in northern EVEN more worrying is the quality of the information paign was launched at the independence from Serbia in Commission measured youth Kosovo, describes a deteri- we receive from Afghanistan. We can read, listen and end of October under the slo- 2008, is indeed the youngest unemployment at approxi- oration in social conditions watch about deployments, troops and peacekeeping. mately 75 per cent. Gener- and frustration among Serbs We know the numbers and statistics. Yet we know lit- al unemployment, which has as well. "Inaction and stagna- tle about the real sufferings and daily challenges of the WHAT KIND OF SOCIAL SERVICES remained above 40 per cent tion make people more dis- Afghan people. This is rather shocking considering we over the last decade, has enchanted and occasionally are bombarded by media broadcasts and news in our DOES MY MUNICIPALITY PROVIDE? been showing a slightly in- more aggressive," he says. own lives. creasing trend. ‘’Street fi ghts take place more often and petty crime among BUT WE know the situation in Afghanistan is deterio- Ethnic divide the youth has increased." rating and it must have an impact on the Afghan peo- Infopankki contains general information Future prospects are dire. The sense of isolation ple as well. At the moment, the corrupt and unpopular on social services in Finland and especially While almost none is absorbed youngsters in Kosovo experi- government of Hamid Karzai makes deals with both within the Helsinki Region: into productive economic ac- ence can only sharpen as the the Taliban leaders and other warlords. Drugs are Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen. tivity, another 200,000 peo- rest of region integrates fur- produced and sold and the West’s ally, the Afghan ple will be added to the labour ther into the European com- government, does absolutely nothing to prevent it. market in the next fi ve years munity. Liberalisation of the Women’s rights are at stake, people die, and the war in Kosovo. "Unemployment visa regime for Serbia, Mon- drags on. is the tip of the iceberg," says tenegro and Macedonia, to be Godfried Didden, a member introduced at the beginning Find out more at of Kosova Health Founda- of next year, will exclude peo- www.infopankki.fi/helsinkiregion tion based in Pristina which ple who can acquire a Serbian organises mental and repro- passport in Northern Kosovo. 8 17 DECEMBER – 6 JANUARY 2010 BUSINESS HELSINKI TIMES

LEHTIKUVA / PEKKA SAKKI

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. The problem of Europe’s periphery

FIRST it was Greece, then Spain, and now Ireland and the Baltics are also in line. These are countries on the periphery of Europe that have lost control of their public ﬁ - Bank of Finland Governor Erkki Liikanen warns about growing public sector debt. nances. Finland could very easily fall into the same trap.

2010 is likely to be a decisive year for Finland. What expressly states that an “ex- happens this year will probably decide how our public cessive reliance” on gov- fi nances develop for years to come. The reasons for this Finnish central bank ernment and central bank are simple: the economy is in bad shape and parliamen- support could be a problem. tary elections are coming up in 2011. Banks have been generous- ly supported by low interest THE combination of skyrocketing unemployment and predicts slow recovery rates, quantitative easing politicians wanting to be elected is a dangerous one. and minimal collateral re- Those in opposition are certain to attack the ruling co- quirements. If they become alition, saying that the present government is not do- The Bank of Finland presents its economic predictions for 2010. used to these support struc- ing enough to help the unemployed. Those in power will tures they could be in for a be trying desperately to prove they’re helping the job- trying period as these meas- less. The net result is that all politicians, no matter of DAVID J. CORD ports. “While world trade has rates fell exceptionally rap- ures are withdrawn. which party, are going to be under extreme pressure to HELSINKI TIMES resumed, Finnish exports idly to historically low lev- Governor Liikanen is also spend more money. have not yet turned to an in- els, which must be taken into taking aim at free-spending THE GOVERNOR of the Bank crease,” Liikanen says. The account when taking longer- governments. “Public-sec- THIS is dangerous. For a case in point we can look to of Finland is not optimis- one bright spot is that the term loans linked to short- tor indebtedness in the euro Spain. Prior to the recession the government budgets tic. Erkki Liikanen says that rate of decline has slowed. term rates.” area, as well as in Finland, is and long-term debt of both Spain and Finland were simi- while there are some signs While exports were de- following an unsustainable lar. Spain, however, quickly lost control of their budget. of improvement it is still too creasing at a –30 per cent Banks remain strong trend,” he warns. “A credible They were pummelled by slumping real estate and con- early to say that the Finnish rate early in 2009, by the Banks operating in Fin- strategy is needed to break struction industries, economy has turned the cor- third quarter this rate of con- land have remained strong this trend, in order to stabi- Finnish politicians and now they are pro- ner towards growth. traction was at a relatively throughout the entire fi - lise the debt-to-GDP ratio be- jected to have a budg- In fact, the third quarter improved –27 per cent. nancial crisis and subse- fore the public fi nances are are going to be under et defi cit of 9 per cent may have been worse than The battered construction quent recession, according hit by the effects of an ageing pressure to spend and debt to hit 67 per the economists originally ex- industry may have reached to the bank’s governor. “Nar- population.” even more money, but cent of GDP. pected. The Finnish Central bottom. After declining most rowing net-interest income The Bank of Finland rec- Bank explained that the July– of last year, housing prices and increasing loan losses ommends reforming fi nan- they absolutely must RIGHT now Finland September fi gures showed have begun growing again. are expected to weaken the cial supervision, developing keep our budget defi- is much better off. that output was down 1.5 per In the third quarter, house banking sector’s profi tabili- crisis-response plans and We are projected to cent from the previous three- prices across all of Finland ty in Finland,” he explained. making a strategic exit from cit under control. have a budget defi - month period. “The trend has increased marginally. “The “However, the banks’ sizea- public support programmes. cit of 5 per cent and actually been slightly weaker revival of the housing mar- ble capital buffers will with- It also wants banks to debt of 56 per cent of GDP. In fact, Standard & Poor’s than anticipated,” reads the ket has encouraged compa- stand the foreseen losses and strengthen balance sheets so just confi rmed our AAA credit rating at the end of No- report. The Bank of Finland nies in the sector to begin even-weaker-than-anticipat- they have the capacity to in- vember. Spain and Greece have both had their ratings expects the national econo- new projects,” the Bank of ed economic development.” crease lending when demand cut. Greece in particular is in very serious shape. Their my to shrink more than sev- Finland report explains. “The Downside risks still re- for loans returns in an even- budget defi cit is almost 13 per cent and debt is about en per cent this year and be stock of unsold new dwell- main, though. Liikanen tual economic recovery. 113 per cent of GDP. fl at next. Anaemic growth ings is now very small.” De- should return only in 2011. mand for commercial and THE problem that countries face if they overspend is industrial buildings remains Bank of Finland forecast the same thing that happens to individuals. Creditors Recovery weak, however. view you as a risk and force you to pay more to borrow. slow and mixed Consumers remain rela- percent 2009 2010 2011 The yield on Greece’s benchmark bonds is now 5.3 per Finnish central bankers see a tively optimistic, which the GDP –7.2 0.0 1.6 cent. Compare this to Finland’s 3.5 or Germany’s 3.2 mixed recovery. They cite in- Bank sees as strange be- Exports –27 1.1 4.0 per cent. And remember: EU nations are specifi cally creased orders and output in cause the unemployment Unemployment 8.6 10.5 10.7 forbidden to help countries out with their debts. If you the chemical and forestry in- rate is increasing rapidly. Inflation 1.7 1.3 1.5 get into trouble, you’re on your own. dustries, which are showing Luckily, there have not been some signs of improvement. major problems with per- “Most Notable Risks” in 2010 FINNISH politicians are going to be under pressure to “By contrast, the outlook sonal debts as yet. “Despite – Prolonged recession. spend even more money, but they absolutely must keep for the technology sector an increase in debt-servic- – Banks become dependent on support. the budget defi cit under control. The Bank of Finland remains bleak,” the report ing problems, households’ – Bank capacity becomes inadequate. just warned them yet again that the aging population states. debt-servicing capacity over- – Reform not achieved. is going to put a strain on public fi nances in the coming One major problem is the all has remained suffi cient,” – “Major player” in finance has problems. years. If we overspend right now during this recession, sluggish state of Finland’s ex- says Liikanen. “Interest we are going to be in trouble.

SINCE we have an obligation to take care of the ever- higher number of unemployed the money has to come from somewhere. Instead of increasing taxes (which they are discussing at the moment), hopefully the ruling coalition will sell off unnecessary assets and cut wasteful spending. They have begun to sell some government-held companies but they have yet to seriously attack spending. They need to do this willingly now, or else they will be forced to do it in the future.

[email protected] HELSINKI TIMES BUSINESS 17 DECEMBER – 6 JANUARY 2010 99 Tourism and restaurant industries hit COLUMNCOLUMN

Fortum, Moller- chaser whether at least hard by recession and strong euro the most signiﬁ cant polit- Maersk and TVO ical groups could come up launch carbon with a commitment to re- A cut in VAT on restaurant food next year capture project frain from raising income cannot come too soon for Finland's belea- taxes during this and the Utilities Fortum and Te- next legislative period," he guered restaurant industry. ollisuuden Voima (TVO) said. "This is the only tax and Danish conglomer- solution I have wanted to ate Moller-Maersk said in introduce." PAULIINA PIETILÄ – STT so declined. In addition to a joint statement on Tues- Katainen said that op- MATTHEW PARRY – HT

the recession, the strength of LEHTIKUVA / MARJA VÄÄNÄNEN day 15 December they had ponents of a framework the euro has made Finland a struck a cooperation agree- pay agreement could be FINLAND'S tourism and res- less attractive destination in ment to develop carbon found on both sides of the taurant services have been comparison to other Nordic capture and storage. The labour market divide. STT hit hard by the economic countries.” statement said the part- downturn this year. Accord- There was further bleak ners wished to combine ing to MaRa, a lobby group news for the tourism indus- carbon capture at Fortum's Prime minister for companies in the industry on 8 December when it coal-fi red power and heat calls for long pay try, total sales contracted by emerged that Lomaliitto, a station in Meri-Pori with more than three per cent over holiday resort group offer- Maersk's shipping and geo- deals the period January–Septem- ing theme holidays across logical storage capacity. Prime Minister Matti Van- ber, and demand by seven per the country, had fi led for "Maersk Oil will investi- hanen (Centre) told the cent. The forecast for next bankruptcy. All 211 of its em- gate the possibility of pro- Finnish Broadcasting Com- year is similarly grim. ployees were simultaneously viding fi nal carbon dioxide pany (YLE) on Sunday 13 ”Even if GDP returns to dismissed. storage in the depleting oil December that he hoped growth next year, employ- ”In future, the knife will be and gas fi elds of the Dan- the winter's pay and con- ment will continue to fall and dangling above spas and and ish North Sea as well as ditions talks round would consumers' appetite for sav- resorts specialised in reha- the potential use of CO2 yield multi-year agree- ing will limit discretionary bilitating veterans. Still, we're for enhanced oil recovery," ments. He went on to un- income,” said MaRa research convinced that there is more the statement added. "The derline that the talks were manager Heikki Lanki- potential for spas thanks to aim is to capture, trans- being conducted under ex- nen at a 9 December press the faster train link between port and store in excess of tremely diffi cult econom- conference. St Petersburg and Helsinki, Finnish hotels have experienced a slump in visitor numbers. 1.2 million tonnes of CO2 a ic conditions and urged all Although the recession for example,” suggested Ma- year." The three companies sides to take them under is thought to have increased Ra director Timo Lappi. But consumers remain inter- argues that, for consumers, said they aimed to have the consideration. "The situa- domestic tourism, Lankinen ested in cheaper restaurant restaurant prices should fall project up and running by tion is diffi cult," Vanhanen reports that this has yet to Restaurants meals. According to MaRa, by 7.4 per cent. 2015. STT told YLE. "People have a manifest itself in demand for promise price cuts sales were up four per cent ”The tax cut should be lot of expectations that in- paid accommodation. In the restaurant industry, for fast food restaurants completely passed onto con- comes ought to rise." ”In domestic tourism, the most expensive class of over January–September. sumers. Around half of our Greens welcome He added that the high it's primarily been visits to restaurant has been worst hit. The industry is looking member restaurants – 2,300 Vanhanen's tax rises won by the Union of friends and trips to summer ”When the food VAT cut came forward to its own tax break – have committed to drop- Health and Social Care Pro- cottages that have increased. in October, the price compar- next July, when VAT on res- ping their prices in July.” Ma- proposal fessionals (Tehy) in 2007 The number of foreign tour- ison became less favourable taurant meals will from 22 Ra represents 80 per cent of The Green Alliance parlia- had boosted other unions' ists visiting Finland has al- for restaurants,” Lappi says. per cent to 13 per cent. Lappi Finland's restaurants. mentary group welcomed expectations. "I do hope a proposal by Prime Min- however that one under- ister Matti Vanhanen (Cen- stood in a suitable manner illegally. No-one even knows tre) to temporarily raise that the economic situa- ”Booze cruises” and unlicensed alcohol how much Estonian alcohol taxes in top income brack- tion is different now. One makes its way to these func- ets. Speaking on Monday 14 should use suffi ciently service frustrating for restaurants tions in the back of some December, Green MP Kir- long agreement periods so van.” si Ojansuu said it was plain that the Tehy solution and THE RECESSION is not the res- 1997, and every percentage courage customers in their The association would like that taxes would have to go others could be adapted taurant industry's only con- point of decline represents a advertising to bring their to see the government inter- up in the future. to each other in the long- cern. ”Unlicensed provision loss of around two thousand own drinks, or acquire them vene to put an end to unli- Vanhanen had said a er run." of alcohol and alcohol tour- jobs. The association states and invoice them to the cus- censed serving of alcohol. fortnight ago that high Vanhanen stressed that ism have increased in re- that some catering and event tomer. At the same time, ”This sort of activity is earners' taxes could be the government would not cent years. At the same time, management services gain an restaurants which observe completely unmonitored, and raised for a limited period raise subsidies to local coun- restaurant sales have fall- unfair advantage by offering the licensing laws lose busi- the only ones to be monitored in order to balance public cils this time around.STT en massively,” notes MaRa alcohol as part of their service ness from weddings, corpo- are licensed restaurants. But fi nances. He had mentioned deputy director Veli-Matti without any alcohol licence. rate celebrations and other surely serving of alcohol in fi ve years as a potential Aittoniemi. MaRa also takes aim at some events. restaurants is more desirable timeframe. The govern- Viking Line mulls According to MaRa's calcu- cruise ship services. ”An entrepreneur who or- than drinking on the streets ment is set to borrow some placing ship order lations, sales of alcohol in res- Aittoniemi claims that ganises functions can choose and alcohol tourism?” Ait- €13 billion next year. STT taurants has been falling since these companies may en- whether to operate legally or toniemi asks. in Finland Viking Line was quoted by Katainen urges the Finnish Broadcasting had shown that 80 per cent labour market Company (YLE) on Satur- Pleasant workplaces of all added value created by groups to return day 12 December as saying employees emerged through that the shipping company commitment, creativity and to talks was considering placing a found to be more productive initiative. Workers are often Finance minister Jyrki ferry order in Finland. under intense pressure, and Katainen (Coalition) said The public broadcast- workplaces cannot afford to on Monday 14 December er added that Viking Line Tekes now awards funding for initiatives aimed at better workplaces. wait for a quieter period for that he was extremely dis- had found its current fl eet developing work. appointed that talks over lacking in size, with new Employers have also what had been coined a emission regulations en- NINA TÖRNUDD – STT The sector is a new one the best support for produc- shown interest in the issue. framework incomes deal tering into force in 2015 MATTHEW PARRY – HT for Tekes, previously hav- tivity and new innovations. Niilo Hakonen, an advisor at had failed. Speaking dur- requiring new propulsion ing come under the charge of Minister of Econom- the Confederation of Finnish ing a budget debate in Par- technology. TEKES, the Finnish Funding the Ministry of Labour. But ic Affairs Mauri Pekkarin- Industries EK, notes that any- liament, Katainen added Nils-Erik Eklund, the Agency for Technology and In- director general Veli-Pekka en (Centre) regards the new one who has ever experienced that he hoped that the talks managing director of Vi- novation, will begin funding Saarnivaara feels that it is project as challenging but in- a well-functioning work- could be relaunched at king Line, was quoted as projects aimed at improving a natural part of Tekes' de- teresting. He was especial- ing environment remembers some stage. saying that the Finnish working life. As is the case with velopment and funding ly pleased with the initiative how it feels. Improving the The minister under- government had failed to other Tekes funding, the money activities. He notes that de- taken by trade unions in rec- quality of working life will scored that he had not put together a satisfacto- can be used for development of veloping innovative tools ognising the challenge of de- require more than simply re- planned to propose a cut ry shipyard aid package. either technology or services. alone is insuffi cient in the ab- veloping working life. solving problems. Instead, in the corporation tax He added that other Euro- For example, the support can sence of a functioning work workplaces must be turned rate in an effort to make pean countries had done be used in developing working community. Giving into places where employees a framework deal more more than Finland to sup- processes, work scheduling, or ”When the work commu- employees strength have the strength to contin- palatable for the employ- port their shipbuilding in- management work. Tekes has nity is open and enthusiastic, Marja Erkkilä, development ue, and a desire to strive for er camp. "I proposed as a dustry. STT earmarked 12 million euros for much more is achieved,” Saar- manager at the Central Or- the good of the organisation, funding a range of projects to nivaara said. A healthy work- ganisation of Finnish Trade commit to it, and speak well enhance working life. place atmosphere provides Unions SAK, said that studies of it to others. 10 17 DECEMBER – 6 JANUARY 2010 HELSINKI TIMES

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JAKARTA GLOBE 11 December. Nurdin Hasan ish President. Ahtisaari, on a two-day visit to Aceh, met with local activists and aca- Aceh activists shun demics behind closed doors to try to gain an insight into the latest developments in meeting with peace architect the province. ’I also told Ahtisaari, that “ACTIVISTS in Aceh on 11 De- the 2005 peace agreement the reform era in Indonesia, due to the lack of civil in- cember criticized the lack of between the Free Aceh civilians’ roles have been volvement, the truce agree- civil involvement in the au- Movement and the central swept aside, even now,’ civil ment seems like a mere tonomous region when they government. ’Since GAM rights activist Wratmadina- political product, and does met with Martti Ahtisaari, [the Free Aceh Movement] ta told the 2008 Nobel Peace not provide justice for the the diplomat who brokered got stronger in Aceh after Laureate and former Finn- victims of the confl ict,’ added Wiratmadinata. ’And now, it seems like it is only the GAM and its elements Paavo Arhinmäki is the chairman of the Left Alliance. who benefi t from the truce. It is surely dangerous for the long-term future of Aceh,’ he Giving sustainably added. Ahtisaari was on his THE LEFT has been criticised, quite justifi ably, for the fourth visit to Aceh since misguided positions of decades past. But almost all the memorandum of under- of those now hauled into the dock of history simply standing ended almost three wanted to build a better world and were naive. It often decades of separatist con- strikes me as unreasonable and a little absurd when I LEHTIKUVA / REUTERS / RUBEN SPRICH fl ict that claimed the lives of am called to account for events in some other country 25,000 people, mostly civil- that occurred before I was even born. ians. On Thursday night, he met with Aceh Governor Ir- AT THE same time as the chairman of the Left Alliance is wandi Yusuf and said after- asked for a confession regarding matters from decades ago, ward that his visit was to see nobody calls to account those who only a couple of years ‘whether the points in the ago blindly placed their faith in completely free markets. Helsinki memorandum have Martti Ahtisaari (centre) was the key negotiator in the Aceh peace talks. been realized.’…” TWO YEARS ago, National Coalition chairman Jyrki Katainen trumpeted that the free market economy had demonstrated its superiority. And only a year ago the UNIVERSITY WORLD NEWS TELEGRAPH 11 December. VICKY TUCK same Katainen insisted that, in comparison to the rest 13 December. of the world, Finland would survive the fi nancial crisis Ian R. Dobson Learning lessons from the teachers relatively unscathed. NOR WAS it simply a question of incompetent evalua- Women “THE TRAINING and Devel- ying another Nordic coun- cepted, and each teacher has tions or lack of good faith. He has continued to beat the opment Agency for Schools try, Finland, which tops the a Master’s degree. same drum from one week to the next. dominate (TDA) recently announced tables for Science and Read- And yet, perhaps surpris- that the number of peo- ing Literacy and is second ingly, teachers’ salaries are THE POLICY implemented by fi nance minister Katain- the campus ple joining teacher training only behind Hong Kong for roughly comparable to their en and the government has long been more ideologi- courses in England this year Mathematics in the OECD UK counterparts. So if it cal than effective. Tax relief for high-income earners “IT IS NO surprise that more exceeded government tar- PISA assessment. A prin- isn’t about money, what is it has continued despite a radically altered situation. women than men study in gets for the fi rst time. This cipal reason for these high that makes the job so appeal- First the tax cuts were needed during the upturn, now Finland's universities giv- should not lead to compla- levels of attainment is the ing? Part of it is the country’s we are told that they are indispensable stimulus for an en they have been in the ma- cency for it represents the degree of respect and trust long-term strategic planning economy in recession. jority for nearly 30 years. best opportunity in 20 years teachers are given in Fin- that has led to the consistent What differs from the pat- for government to improve land. One reason for this is improvement rather than the BUT tax relief is the most ineffi cient of all strategies tern in many countries is the status of the teaching that entry to the profession confused ideologies of edu- to drag the country from recession. The most effi cient that the female dominance profession…” is very competitive allow- cation policy that have been strategy would be to focus on public services, jobs and has not increased much over “They base this policy on ing the selection of only the endured in this country and investments. Instead of frittering away billions of eu- the years and is quite mod- what they deem to be suc- most motivated and talent- that have resulted in initia- ros on tax cuts, the focus should have been on protect- est when compared with the cessful models in another ed applicants. Only one in tive fatigue and a loss of clar- ing jobs. considerable female over- country, Sweden. But they eight applicants to teacher ity about what matters most representation in some coun- could achieve more by stud- training programmes is ac- in schools…” AS CHAIRMAN of the opposition Left Alliance, I’m not tries. In 2008, women made alone in criticising tax relief. Leading economists and up 53 per cent of all univer- the European Commission have voiced similar con- sity enrolments in Finland, THIS IS NOTTINGHAM 11 December. ally excited about it. I've been cerns. While Katainen is busy planning his exit strate- up from 50 per cent in 1981. counting down the sleeps. gy from stimulus, Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul But these averages conceal I'm looking forward to seeing Krugman is warning against premature fi scal retrac- signifi cant discipline-based Dreams come true Santa and to tell him what I tion. From whom would you buy a used bicycle, Jyrki polarisations. want for Christmas.’ Tammie Katainen or Paul Krugman? In 1981, Finnish univer- Waplington, six, was travel- sities had nearly 86,000 en- as kids jet to Lapland ling to Lapland with her dad AS CHRISTMAS nears, many people wonder whether rolled students and slightly Peter. She said: ‘I'm looking they can afford to buy Christmas presents in the current more than half were women. “WITH their bags packed morning all the more worth forward to seeing Santa and economic situation. And even those who can well afford In 2008, there were 164,000, and letters to Father Christ- it. seeing real snow.’ Her dad them wonder whether buying presents is appropriate in of whom 88,000 were wom- mas written, children from The 68 children from said: ‘Her illness has had an the middle of a recession. But gift giving is such a treat en. As happens elsewhere, across Notts who suffer with across the East Midlands on effect on her, she gets tired that people are reluctant to give it up altogether. women are greatly over- serious illnesses jetted off the trip will visit the San- and is quite shy, but we've represented in some fi elds to Lapland on 11 December. ta Claus village and get the been really excited.’ ‘I know IN THE MIDST of a recession and with the climate talks of study: in 1981 and 2008, And the promise of a visit to chance to watch reindeer she's going to love it today.’ in Copenhagen underway, it’s worth considering the more than two-thirds of stu- an enchanted forest, sleigh pull sleighs across the snow The trip has been organ- value of the gift of good conscience. What would the dents enrolled in dentist- rides and the chance to meet in temperatures of around ised by Nottingham-based gift of sustainable development be? A gift which would ry, humanities, pharmacy, Father Christmas himself, minus fi ve degrees. Callum Wish Upon a Star. The char- consider both the climate and the environment, while psychology, education, and made the three hour fl ight Gould, four, of Mansfi eld, ity aims to grant the wishes at the same time functioning as the best possible gift veterinary medicine were from East Midlands airport suffers from severe allergies of children with serious and of economic stimulus. women…” to Rovaniemi in Finland this and asthma. He said: ‘I'm re- terminal illnesses.” WHAT if in place of the usual tat and junk, we opted for in- tangible gifts this Christmas? Services employ workers in Finland and stimulate the domestic economy. They also do not place any needless burden on the environment. Readers' letters For example, this year’s Christmas stockings could be Helsinki Times is launching a new section and wants your views on current issues, comments on news ar- stuffed with theatre tickets, massage vouchers, prom- ises to repair bicycles, or an evening of fi ne dining in a ticles, anything of interest from a multicultural perspective. A selection of readers’ comments will be pub- restaurant. lished in the Readers' letters section. Commentaries should be no longer than 2,000 characters with spaces. Helsinki Times reserves the right to COULD soft parcels be all the rage this Christmas? edit and shorten all submissions. Comments can be sent by e-mail to: [email protected] Translated by Matthew Parry You may also mail your letter to: Helsinki Times / Readers' letters, Vilhonvuorenkatu 11B, 00500 Helsinki MP talk series ends 12 17 DECEMBER – 6 JANUARY 2010 SPORT HELSINKI TIMES

LEHTIKUVA / MIKA JUHANI LUOMANSIVU speaking players, following games last season,” says Pe- the departure of Estonian ter Lundström, Veikkausli- full back Aleksander Kulik iga's competitions director. after a suspicious perform- “Of course we are watching ance. There was no concrete the investigations in Europe evidence of wrongdoing on closely, but there are no sug- Kulik's part, but in the cur- gestions of any suspicious rent climate none was need- matches in Finland yet.” ed, and the player left to rejoin Sillamäe, a newly rich Dangerous case club located near Narva in Joni Vesalainen was happy Estonia. with the verdict in the Sze- The question of foreign rovay case. “We didn't ask for players, and the suspicion any jail sentences, and the that they are corrupting in- police didn't want to investi- fl uences, is not especial- gate too far, so I guess we're ly relevant in the JJK-case, happy with it,” he sighs. “If however. The team’s manag- we had been relegated then ing director Joni Vesalain- the fi nancial implications en is adamant that Szerovay would have been enormous, is considered as a JJK-devel- so this was a very dangerous oped player given his desire case for us.” to live, play, work and study Both Lundström and Ve- in Jyväskylä. salainen agree that Hor- In Nordic and some east- váth is not a big player in the JJK players celebrate the decisive win against KPV in October. Had their goalkeeper gone along with the match fixing, the game ern European countries the match-fi xing business, and would have been played between different teams. football season runs through the forces behind him will be the summer, when most ma- very diffi cult to catch. “It's jor leagues have no fi xtures. like drug dealing – only the This makes them very attrac- little guys get caught,” con- Horváth convicted in bribery case tive to bookmakers all over tinues Lundström. “I would the world, as they look to fi nd even guess that a lot of the and tell his club, who then in- anything for their punters to same people are in both formed the police. The case bet on. Matches in the under- businesses.” Veikkausliiga goalkeeper Mihaly Szerovay declined a bribe before a went to court, and on 30 No- 19 SM-sarja are offered by Far When Szerovay signed crucial relegation battle. vember Horváth was giv- Eastern bookmakers, with for JJK he was warned that en a fi ve-month suspended people reporting the match- offers might come, and that jail sentence for attempted es live via mobile phone to he had to report them im- EGAN RICHARDSON crucial game against Tam- might never have happened bribery. enable live betting. mediately. That he did the HELSINKI TIMES pere United might have been if Szerovay had taken the While the Finnish FA and right thing is admirable, but tempting. money and worked against Foreign suspicion Veikkausliiga use UEFA's the whole affair raises ques- WHEN JJK's Hungarian goal- JJK needed a point to en- his team. The case touched on sever- monitoring system to keep tions. Who was ultimately keeper Mihaly Szerovay got sure they stayed ahead of Plenty of players in Fin- al sensitive and recurring track of suspicious betting behind the offer? How many a phone call from his coun- last-placed RoPS and earn land have taken such induce- themes in Finnish football. In patterns, in many coun- offers like this get accept- tryman Balász Horváth, also the relegation play-off they ments, and the sum offered 2008, RoPS managing direc- tries there are illegal betting ed, without anyone hearing playing in Finland, on 9 Octo- eventually won against KPV, equates to a year's salary for tor Jouko Kiistala declared services that are diffi cult about them? The court case ber, the offer of 15,000 euros who had fi nished second a lot of players. But Szerovay rather rashly that he would to watch. “We did not have has provided a conclusion, to concede goals in his team's in the division below. That decided to do the right thing not sign any more Russian- any reports of suspicious but few answers. New Year’s Eve at Senate Square 31.12.

22 StadiRock 23 NewYearNe

CelebratingC Wedding togetherge with Crashers Mikko LLeppilampi Mariaa YYlipää Ella Kanninen Anja Erämaja Sekamelska –choir New Year´s greetings fireworks www.hel.ﬁ/events HELSINKI TIMES CULTURE 17 DECEMBER – 6 JANUARY 2010 1313

SAKARI VIIKA Of mice and magic Art through the lens

MATTI KOSKINEN Children’s Christmas favourite The Nutcrack- HELSINKI TIMES er returns to the Finnish National Ballet. THE FINNISH Museum of Photography currently hosts

LOUISA GAIRN one has gone to bed, the toys four fascinating exhibitions LEXANDERJENNY HELSINKI TIMES become alive. Clara falls in by contemporary photogra- love with the handsome Nut- phers from home and abroad. ONE OF THE most popular cracker who fi ghts off an ar- The museum’s winter proof all ballets, Pyotr Tchaik- my of mice led by the Mouse gramme includes New Zea- ovsky’s The Nutcracker and King. He turns into a Prince, land photographer Bridgit the Mouse King is particular- and accompanies Clara to the Anderson’s fi rst Finnish ex- ly magical for children, as the faraway land of the Sugar hibition and a retrospective story of a toy box comes to Plum Fairy. showcasing the art and craft life on Christmas Eve. This critically-acclaimed of editing and printing pho- Currently showing at the FNB production has enjoyed tography books in Finland. Opera House in Helsinki, the several successful runs in Bridgit Anderson’s Caring ballet has been given a dis- the Finnish capital, having The Nutcracker for the Dead: A Photograph- tinctly Finnish fl avour, set previously sold out 88 times and the Mouse King ic Essay on the Funeral Pro- in the small Finnish town of and been viewed by 113,000 Until 5 Jan fession is a chilling but oddly Porvoo in the early 1800s. spectators. Recommended for children beautiful documentary on The fairy tale takes place Children will have the 6+ years of age. the processes and practices at the home of a wealthy ship chance to meet the dancers Tickets €14-62 through which the dead are owner, celebrating a tradi- and ask questions about the Meet the Dancers event for sent off on their fi nal journey. tional Christmas with his ballet following the matinee kids: 16:20 on 19 December. A profession often mystifi ed children, Clara and Fritz. Af- performance on Saturday 19 www.operafin.fi and understandably shunned, ter the party, when every- December. the undertakers come across as the latest step in the chain From the exhibition Sisu by Jenny Lexander. of nursing-industry workers here anyway – the plot is people encounter throughout the shared history of the two cations from the 1880s until A great imagination merely secondary to the em- their lives. Nordic countries. today, which can be browsed barrassment of riches con- Swedish fashion photog- Another exhibition com- and fl ipped through at will. JAMES O’SULLIVAN fi ll Legder’s shoes and help the jured up between Gilliam’s rapher Jenny Lexander, on bining portraits and land- The four exhibitions are HELSINKI TIMES director complete the fi lm. ears. As his best fi lms will the other hand, takes a look scapes is Asua/Résider by open until 6 January. Now, with the end prod- testify, Gilliam’s creativity at survivors and their mem- French artist Laura Henno. WHAT to do when your leading uct fi nally in cinemas on gen- is a thing of wonder; with the ories in her exhibition Sisu. Her photographs of young man has been found dead in a eral release, the big question studio heads here thankful- The frozen landscapes where Helsinki residents amid the Until 6 Jan hotel room, leaving the pros- on everyone’s lips is: does it ly extending him a very long the Winter War was fought surrounding autumnal na- The Finnish Museum pects of fi nishing your fi lm ly- work? creative leash. are juxtaposed with touch- ture explore the relationship of Photography ing in tatters? Simple: just call Well, you can breathe a Depp, Farrell and Law to- ing portraits of Finnish and between Finnish youth and Cable Factory, your friends. Surely they’ll sigh of relief because the gether provide ample replace- Swedish war veterans. Apart the natural environment. Fi- Tallberginkatu 1 G be keen to assist a friend in fi lm successfully articulates ment for Ledger, with each from the trials of war and the nally, Page After Page – The Tue-Sun 11:00-18:00 need. the wonders of Gilliam’s im- successfully mimicking Ledg- sacrifi ces made by the veter- Finnish Photography Book Tickets €6/4/0 Following the unexpected agination. Following the ex- ers tics and mannerisms in the ans, the exhibition highlights displays a collection of publi- death of actor Heath Ledger ploits of a crew of carnies handful of scenes he wasn’t last year, this is exactly what who befriend amnesic Ledg- able to complete. Although happened to director Terry er one evening, events un- he will forever be known as Gilliam. Luckily for him, his fold under the watchful eye the crazed joker, Ledger’s friends had a little more box- of the Devil, played with suit- performance here (well, two offi ce clout than most, with able weirdness and vigour by thirds of a role) doesn’t do his Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell a chain-smoking Tom Waits. legacy any harm. and Jude Law stepping in to But that is not why we are Who knows if this fi lm will succeed. But with its tragic back-story and wide array of fi lmmaking genius on offer, one can’t help but cheer it on.

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus Release Date: 25 Dec Director: Terry Gilliam Starring: Health Ledger, Johnny Depp 14.10. - 10.1.2010 who set about on a journey of and then all hell breaks loose, survival. for a moment. TAPIO WIRKKALA A road to After the testosterone and While the purveying grey Hollywood bombast of recent will not be all that foreign to nowhere release 2012, this is a som- viewers as we inch towards the –Sculptor bre mediation on a realistic end of the year here in Finland, JAMES O’SULLIVAN near future. Food is scarce the sense of hopelessness and HELSINKI TIMES and cannibalism reigns in the dread onscreen is palpable. Hill- hunt for nutritional and spir- coat weighs us down, teasing us ART&LANGUAGE ‘TIS the season to be jolly. itual sustenance. with snippets of a past lifetime That is, however, unless your Viggo Mortensen is bril- – though even these are quickly Christmas Day happens upon liant as a man still trying extinguished by sadness. this apocalyptic nightmare. to raise his child in a world On a day traditional- After the excellent Austral- stripped of meaning, the in- ly dominated by big-money ian western The Proposition a evitability of the end written blockbusters, it is a genuine 5 km few years back, John Hillcoat in his gaze. As his son, Kodi surprise to have a fi lm such as returns with an introspective Smit-McPhee puts in a believ- this, on release. Just like your fi lm based on the bestselling able performance, thankfully annual Christmas feast, it will novel by Cormac McCarthy. stripped of typical Hollywood take some time to shake off Here, the whole world has cutesiness. the heavy feeling after walk- gone belly up, an unnamed With a suitably subtle ing down this road. EMMA disaster having torn the life score from Nick Cave and Tapiola from the planet. Against a Warren Ellis, the slow-burn 15 min. The Road Helsinki Tue, Fri-Sun 11-18, Wed-Thurs 11-20 barren, smoking backdrop pace makes the sudden bursts Free entry Wed-Thurs 18-20 of burnt-out cars, abandoned of action so much more terri- Release Date: 25 Dec buildings and the occasion- fying. We wait and wait for Director: John Hillcoat Ahertajantie 5, Tapiola, Espoo al frightening discovery of something to happen, for the Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Busses from Kamppi, Helsinki: 106, 110 another human being, the clouds to part; for someone Charlize Theron ki 100 km www.emma.museum fi lm depicts a father and son to meet; for a shift in tone – 14 17 DECEMBER – 6 JANUARY 2010 HELSINKI TIMES HELSINKI TIMES LIFESTYLE 17 DECEMBER – 6 JANUARY 2010 1515

LEHTIKUVA / MARTTI KAINULAINEN Anno cinematico 2009

VELI-MATTI PELTOLA Christoph Waltz, made a conquered the top spot with a HELSINKI TIMES great fi lm. staggering 930 million dollars District 9 deserves recogni- in revenue. Another teen hit, Following a year with nu- tion for its humane storyline The Twilight Saga: New Moon, merous crowd-pleasing and and clever use of documenta- hit the theatres in November critically acclaimed movies, ry cinematography, while the with a buzz that will surely 2009 had some big screens intense political thriller State please the fi lm studio heads. to fi ll. And judging by the of Play does a fairly good job Other successes include low- motion pictures I’ve seen so in transferring the BBC min- budget scare Paranormal Ac- far, it failed in the task. Not iseries onto the big screen. tivity and Transformers 2. spectacularly, but there re- Pedro Almodovar’s Los abra- So for me, 2009 didn’t of- ally wasn’t any jaw-drop- zos rotos (Broken Embrac- fer any unforgettable, mind- pers this time around. But es) is – although not among altering fl icks. But the supply the year still has some po- his best work – one of this was diverse in a wide range tential gems to look forward year’s must-see movies. Prob- of genres, and hopefully eve- to, with at least The Imagi- ably the most talked about ryone found something to narium of Doctor Parnassus fi lm was Lars von Trier’s Anti- their liking. Be sure to have and why not also James Cam- christ, whose shocking image- the popcorn ready again in eron’s awaited Avatar worth ry was too much for many. 2010 – there’s plenty of mov- noticing – as visual treats, if In the box offi ce, the trend ie magic to come. nothing else. of animated movies and youth One of the highlights of sagas topping the highest- the year was Quentin Taran- grossing list continued. Ice Films to look tino’s anticipated Inglori- Age 3 and Up, the latter hailed forward to in 2010 ous Basterds. Once again, he by many as one of the best might have offended many movies of the year, gathered The Men Who Stare but provided cinema lov- 1.4 billion dollars combined, at Goats ers with intensely dialogued while Harry Potter and the by Grant Heslov scenes and audio-visual del- Half-Blood Prince, a warm-up Out 5 February icacies which, topped by a for the two-part series fi nale Shutter Island brilliant performance from coming out in 2010 and 2011, by Martin Scorsese 19 February Precious Madonna's first concert in Helsinki was one of the biggest musical events of the year in Finland. by Lee Daniels 5 March but Anna Puu is a fresh re- Alice in Wonderland 3D minder that an artist of in- by Tim Burton terest might surface even 12 March FRANCOIS DUHAMEL FRANCOIS Au revoir, 09! through such a disparaged Inception format. But really, the on- by Christopher Nolan MATTI KOSKINEN UK music mag Mojo praised a ly new faces in mainstream July HELSINKI TIMES number of acts as evidence of pop emerged largely outside Toy Story 3 a new breed of Finnish talent, the album charts. The likes of by Lee Unkrich AGAINST a backdrop of stemming from beyond the Lady Gaga and Rihanna cele- September plummeting CD sales and heavy metal genre. New al- brated on the offi cial down- Harry Potter and the the rise of Spotify, the mu- bums by such bands as Rubik, load chart, which is slowly Deathly Hallows Part I sic year 2009 saw the age Regina or Downstairs were becoming a noteworthy by David Yates of existing industry prac- proof positive that Finnish gauge of musical trends cir- November tices again inching towards pop is going strong. culating among the youth. From the set of Inglorious Basterds. its inevitable close. From Meanwhile, the top 40 al- But it is clear where the January to October CD sales bum charts were dominat- money is in the music in- again dropped nearly 18 per ed by established superstars dustry these days, also in cent compared to 2008. As (Metallica, Bruce Springs- Finland. Five of the world’s Ham still dominates the Christmas menu the new generation of music teen, Finnish metal giants highest-grossing tours in 09 appreciators grows accus- Amorphis). Pop Idol runner- stopped by here (AC/DC, Ti- THE TRADITIONAL Christmas Christmas ham tips thermometer rise to 80 de- tomed to fi nding what they up Anna Puu’s self-titled de- na Turner, Britney Spears, ham fi rst emerged on Finn- Leave the ham out at room grees. Roasting should take want (and wanting what but, a rare country-tinged Bruce Springsteen and The ish tables at the beginning of temperature for a couple of around an hour for each kilo they fi nd) on Spotify, phys- indie pop record in Finnish, Eagles). Undoubtedly the the twentieth century, and hours before roasting. Re- of ham. ical records are more and was one of the more surpris- most massive music event it remains the centrepiece of move the wrapper, but leave Lift the cooked ham onto more becoming the domain ing successes. With a total of of the year was Madonna’s Finnish Christmas feast. This the mesh. Quickly rinse the a bench and cover with tin- of hard core music fans, and 12 chart-topping weeks, the fi rst ever concert in Finland, season, around seven in ten ham under cold water and foil or greaseproof paper. The there’s one thing they value album was the best-selling which packed a record-break- Finnish households intend to pat the surface dry. ham will continue to cook more than anything: Vinyl record of the year. Another ing 80,000 ticket-holders to purchase a Christmas ham. Of Use a traditional or dig- for some time after remov- sales were up by 21 per cent unique act with an (ancient) the cleared-out Jätkäsaari those seven, 93 per cent will ital thermometer to ensure al from the oven, as the tem- from last year. history in reality TV, PMMP container harbour. Unfortu- opt for Finnish-reared meat, a well-cooked and succulent perature of the meat evens But outside the main- topped the carts with their nately the colossal empty lot while six per cent will be look- result. Push the thermom- out. stream, where the logic of 5th album Veden Varaan. will not be available anymore ing for something more exot- eter into the thickest part Allow the ham to cool. profi t and revenue rarely ap- By now it’s obvious that next summer, so U2 will have ic. One per cent of households of the ham, but not as far Slice as desired. plies, Finnish music thrived. PMMP has come miles from to settle for the Olympic Sta- intend to buy both Finnish as the bone. Lie the ham on Source: Finfood In November the prestigious their early raging teen-pop, dium in 2010. and foreign ham. a rack and place in the oven Although ham is the Nor- as soon as the temperature dic standard, Turkey is not of the meat has reached 10- without its Finnish fans. Five 12 degrees. If using a roast- per cent of all households will ing bag, cut a small air hole purchase turkey alone, while into an upper corner of the six per cent will opt for both bag. Push the thermometer ham and turkey. These were through the bag and trans- the results of a Finnish Gal- fer the ham onto the rack or lup survey at the end of No- oven tray. vember, which asked 1,277 Roast the ham on a low Finns over the age of 15 about temperature, 125-150 de- ham and Christmas. grees centigrade (in fan ov- A total 6.98 million kilos ens, 80-100 degrees). If you of Christmas ham were eaten are roasting the ham on a in Finland in 2008, with four rack, place a roasting tray per cent of this meat import- fi lled with a little water on a ed from abroad. The imports lower rack in the oven. That were primarily from Germa- way, the bottom of the oven ny and Denmark. is not covered in melting fat, Small Christmas hams and the water eliminates any and ham wheels between roasting odour. three and six kilos in weight Roast the ham until the continued to increase in pop- thermometer reads around ularity. Last year, they al- 70-75 degrees. If you pre- ready accounted for almost fer your meat dryer and es- 80 per cent of consumption. pecially well-cooked, let the 16 17 DECEMBER – 6 JANUARY 2010 EAT & DRINK HELSINKI TIMES Christmas time is chocolate time RESTAURANTS

KRISTIN AY HELSINKI TIMES

Chocolate is one of the most popular Christmas gifts. If you have no idea what kind of Christmas present to get, a box of chocolates is always REMARKABLE an easy answer, or is it? How do you choose just YEARS IN the right kind of chocolates? HELSINKI Which assortment is actually HELSINKI KAISANIEMENKATU 1 C MYYRMÄKI worth all that money? The se- MOLLY MALONE’S TOPPARI lection is enormous and easi- www.mollymalones.fi MYYRMÄKI TRAIN STATION ly overwhelming. To help you decide, we at Helsinki Times Live Band Every Night! tested a selection of different chocolates for taste, texture and appearance. We covered a range of 11 sweet tooth ful- ﬁ llers and probably gained a few pounds each trying to help you make your decision. Here are the comments of the cheerful Helsinki Times chocolate jury.

Paradis Fazer Nordic gourmet MARABOU (Assorted chocolates): (Blueberry pie chocolates): €14,36 /kg, €7,50/Box €40,71 /kg, €5,70/Box ”Light caramel, much sweeter ”Beautiful box and wrapping.” and creamier than Aladdin.” ”Not too sweet but a slight ar- ”Very smooth and sweet, tificial taste.” but not too rich.” ”Beautiful product, each confec- “Nice mix of rum and chocolate.” tionary its own little piece of art.” ”Nice scent of blueberry • • • through the chocolate.” ”Can’t taste the pie.” EGANT ”Fatty, hard chocolate, doesn’t MOST EL melt on the tongue.” Suomi mustikka (Blueberry milk chocolate): • • • €13,57 /kg, €3,80 /Box ”Soft, tasty blueberry and creamy milk truffle." "Goes down easy but has less Aladdin Fortuna ’personality’ than the Fazer (Assorted chocolates): (Assorted chocolates): blueberry pie chocolates.” €14,36 /kg, €7,50/Box €37,91 /kg, €37,91/Box ”Very tasty and not too strong ”Nicely roasted dark caramel. ”Very classy packaging, looks or overwhelming.” Creamy chocolate.” expensive.” • • • ”Good chocolate and little bits ”Fewer options for people with Talvi of coconut is a plus. Nice after- peanut allergies.” (Assorted chocolates): taste.” ”'Good selection of choco- €35,33 /kg, €15,50/Box ”Nice taste of alcohol in the lates.” ”Very good chocolate.” cherry liqueur; for adult tastes.” ”Overwhelmingly strong.” ”Marzipan is nicely soft and ”The coconut one was tasty.” ”Good chocolate, but overall doesn’t taste artificial.” ”A slightly artificial aftertaste.” too sweet.” ”The chocolate heart is too ”Chocolate was tasty and nice.” ”Looks better than it tastes.” sweet and quite big.” ”Mignon is very sweet and • • • Joyful tastes artificial.” FAZER ”The arrack flavour is very good.” OURITE! ”The almond one was scrump- OFFICE FAV tious, full of tasty crunchy al- Lakka CHEAPEST OPTION monds and delicious chocolate.” (Cloudberry liqueur-filled ”The coffee one was nice, the chocolates): real coffee bean on top was a €10,80 /kg, €3,78 /Box bonus!” ”When biting into it, quite a Enjoy Grill It’s savory surprise – very liquid.” Chrand traditional barbequing i st or mas ”Really strong, like schnapps the enticing flavours of Italian PANDA - nice mix of chocolate and li- and European kitchen at the time Premium Oraïa queur.” Pääkonttori. Welcome! (Milk chocolate with ”If you know what to expect hazelnut filling): the liqueur's very good, if not, OPENING HOURS IN GRILL IT! €18,90 /kg, €3,78/Box then surprisingly strong.” Mon 28.12. 17.00–24.00 ”Nice packaging, quite big, Milk chocolates with • • • Tue 29.–Wed 30.12. 11.30–24.00 good mix of softness and crisp- raspberry and lemon New Years Eve 11.30–24.00 iness. Looks and smells good.” yoghurt filling: New Years Day 15.00–24.00 ”Delicious, rich chocolate with ha- €8,86-9,69 /kg, €3,10 /Box Three Kings Day 15.00–23.00 zel nuts. Beautiful, soft texture.” ”Tasty, fresh lemon flavour.” (Wed 23.– Sun 27.12. closed) ”A taste that complements a ”Raspberry melts nicely on the cup of fresh coffee." tongue.” "Elegantly wrapped.” ”Very tasty, fresh and creamy.” Iso Juhlapöytä OPENING HOURS IN PÄÄKONTTORI (Assorted chocolates): Christmas Eve 16.00–23.30 • • • • • • €19,51 /kg, €17,95/Box Christmas Day 16.00–22.30 E ”Excellent selection, plenty Boxing Day 16.00–22.30 MOST EXPENSIV of non-peanut choices.” Enkeli New Years Eve 11.30–01.00 ”Suits children’s taste really (Mint & caramel-filled chocolates) New Years Day 12.00–24.00 well, but perhaps not the best €10,46 /kg, €3,40 /Box Three Kings Day 16.00–22.30 option for adults.” ”Caramel nice and creamy.” ”My favourite.” ”Nice that the mint ones are ”Chocolate is hard, artificial dark chocolate, but it's not the and way too sweet!” best quality.” ”Punch fudge, yummy.” “The caramel is very rich and ”The pineapple was quite sweet, but you couldn't eat too Radisson Blu Royal Hotel Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel artificial-tasting.” many of these.” Runeberginkatu 2 | grillit.ﬁ Mikonkatu 23 | paakonttori.ﬁ HELSINKI TIMES EAT & DRINK 17 DECEMBER – 6 JANUARY 2010 1717

RESTAURANTS RESTAURANTS RESTAURANTS

Transforming Finnish Korkeavuorenkatu 27 gifts of nature in an Helsinki Tel. +358 9 635 732 innovative manner to www.juuri.fi suit modern tastes.

The world of beer in all its glory BEER HOUSE KAISLA Vilhonkatu 4 Mon-Thu 13–02, Fri-Sat 13–03, Sun 13–02

www.oluthuone.com

Closed Christmas Eve & Day Karl Fazer Café Kluuvikatu 3 00100 Helsinki T +358 20 729 6702 Get Real! www.fazercafe.fi Pub Angleterre serves the best Open REAL ALE IN TOWN. Bar Loop is a stylish, contemporary bar located Mon-Fri 7.30-22.00 at Kampintori, in the heart of Helsinki. It's SWAGAT Sat 9.00-22.00 an evening rendezvous for those that enjoy The fi nest Nepalese quality dj-ing over a few cold beers, selected wines and spirits, with tasty tapas & nachos. cuisine in Helsinki Also, should you feel like popping in for a Open Mon-Fri 10:30-22:30 coffee and web surfing, free entry and WLAN Sat-Sun 12:00-22:30 only adds to the funky, laid back atmosphere. Fredrikinkatu 47, Ravintola Swagat Bar Loop is open from afternoon to late. Runeberginkatu 40, 00260 Helsinki 00100 Helsinki FREDRIKINKATU 42b Tel. 09 4289 0553 Since 1891

Strip away your prejudice, stand nude and be part of the underground revolution

Thu 17.12. Terry Dee/ Dj Tino Fri 18.12. Terry Dee Sat 19.12. Fuze Bonkers Thu 24.12. Nepalese Restaurant Terry Dee The biggest Nepalese Restaurant in Helsinki Eteläesplanadi 24 F o r u m M a n n e r h e i m i n t i e 2 0 Sat 26.12 • Suitable for group parties tel. (09) 611 217 tel. (09) 694 4207 Live music by Mr. • Fully licensed Mon-Tue 10.30-23.00 Mon-Fri 10.30-21.00 Tuukka Wed-Sat 10.30-24.00 Sat 10.30-19.00 • Delicious food with tandoor Opening times: Sun 12.00-23.00 Sun 11.00-18.00 Mon-Tue 11-24 BEST STEAKS IN TOWN Wed-Thu 11-02 Welcome to Satkar HELSINKI • LAHTI • TAMPERE Kaisaniemenkatu 2A, Helsinki Fri 11-04 Fredrikinkatu 46 (Kamppi, Autotalo). 00100 Helsinki, Finland Welcome! www.restaurantnude.com Sat 14-04 Tel. +358 9 611 077, +358 40 707 1140 www.satkar.fi www.manhattansteakhouse.fi

COSY ITALIAN RESTAURANT IN THE HEART OF HELSINKI

RAVINTOLA The Oldest Nepalese Restaurant in Finland Open Mon-Fri 11-23, weekends 12-23, VESPA RISTORANTE Lunch: Mon-Fri 11-15 ETELÄESPLANADI 22 Salomonkatu 19, Helsinki Contact 00130 HELSINKI Tel. 09 694 0750 Ratakatu 1B, 00120 Helsinki. Tel 020 7701 460 Mon-Fri 11-23, Sat 12-23, Sun 12-22 Book your table www.ravintolatandoor.net tel. (09) 647 551, fax. (09) 647 552 www.ravintolavespa.fi www.himalaya.fi 18 17 DECEMBER – 6 JANUARY 2010 WHERE TO GO HELSINKI TIMES COMPILED BY MIISSA RANTANEN

Sat-Sun 12:00-16:00 Wed-Thu 11:00-20:00 Free entrance Fri-Sun 11:00-18:00 www.muu.fi Tickets €10/8/0 www.emma.museum Until Thu 31 December Equality for better or for worse Alehouses and Entertainment for Until Sun 10 January the Masses Bridgit Anderson A newly opened exhibition Equality – for better or for worse at Virka Gal- The exhibition focuses on the 17th New Zealander photographer’s ex- lery concentrates on the theme of equality. Presenting the theme from a va- century Dutch genre paintings hibition. riety of perspectives, the photos on view illustrate the roles of men and wom- showing tavern and alehouse The Finnish Museum of Photog- interiors. raphy en and girls and boys from the early 1900s until today. Equality issues are Sinebrychoff Art Museum Tallberginkatu 1 G also explored through literature, theatre, TV, radio and academic research. Bulevardi 40 Tue-Sun 11:00-18:00 The aim of the exhibition is to provide a multifaceted view of the concept of Tue, Fri 10:00-18:00 Tickets €6/4/0 equality. Historical milestones are presented on a timeline that illustrates the Wed-Thu 10:00-20:00 www.valokuvataiteenmuseo.fi long and varied history of work done to promote equality. As well as facts, the Sat-Sun 11:00-17:00 Tickets €7.5/6/0 Until Sun 10 January exhibition offers plenty of fun, insight and aesthetic enjoyment. www.sinebrychoffintaidemuseo.fi Barbie – Still Going Strong A comprehensive collection of Bar- Until Sun 17 January Until Sun 3 January bie items. Virka Gallery Ram Ram Ludia Finnish Toy Museum Pohjoisesplanadi 11-13 A journey into an Indian desert village Ahertajantie 5 through the photos of Magi Viljanen. Tue 11:00-18:00 Mon-Fri 9:00-19:00 Museum of Cultures Wed-Thu 11:00-20:00 Sat-Sun 11:00-17:00 Eteläinen Rautatiekatu 8 Fri-Sun 11:00-18:00 Free entrance A photo on view at Virka Gallery. Tue-Thu 11:00-20:00 Tickets €10/8/0 www.virka.fi Fri-Sun 11:00-18:00 www.leikkilinna.fi Tickets €6/4/0 www.kulttuurienmuseo.fi Until to Mon 18 January Hommage à... Trollish Adventures MUSIC Mon 21 December & Sun 3 January Cable Factory Until Wed 6 January in Contemporary Art Wed 6 January Schoenbrunn Palace Orchestra Tallberginkatu 1 A/117 Pablo Picasso Moomin-shaped plastic money Thu 17 December Cantores Minores Vienna New Year’s Concert. Tickets €26/16 A unique exhibition of Picasso's work. banks modified in their dozens. The Tiger Lillies Bach’s Christmas Oratorio. Finlandia Hall, 15:00 www.hurjaruuth.fi Ateneum Art Museum Amos Anderson Art Museum Rough sounds influenced by caba- Helsinki Cathedral Mannerheimintie 13 E Kaivokatu 2 Yrjönkatu 27 ret, avant-garde and gypsy music. Unioninkatu 29 Tickets €59/49 Fri 18 & Sun 20 December Tue, Fri 10:00-18:00 Mon, Thu, Fri 10:00-18:00 Korjaamo, 21:00 Tickets €35/17/10 www.finlandiatalo.fi Beats! Wed-Thu 10:00-20:00 Wed 10:00-20:00 Töölönkatu 51 www.cantoresminores.net A barnstorming contemporary Sat-Sun 11:00-17:00 Sat-Sun 11:00-17:00 Tickets €34/32 Wed 6 January circus performance for the whole Tickets €0-8 Tickets €8/6/4/0 www.korjaamo.fi 28/29/30/31 December Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra family. www.ateneum.fi www.amosanderson.fi HIM Film music with visualisation. Circus Helsinki, 18:00 Fri 18 December The traditional New Year’s Eve gig Finlandia Hall, 15:00 Aleksis Kiven katu 17 A Until Wed 6 January Nyky series. Mannerheimintie 13 E Tickets €10/6 The Young Artists 2009 OTHERS Contemporary music ensemble plays Tavastia Club, 20:00 Tickets €20/13/6 www.circushelsinki.fi An exhibition presenting works of Bergman, Sallinen and Gubaidulina. Urho Kekkosen katu 4-6 www.hel.fi/filharmonia young stir-causing artists. Fri 18 December Sibelius Academy, 29:00 Tickets €45 Sat 19 December Kunsthalle History of Experimental Cinema Pohjoinen Rautatiekatu 9 www.tavastiaklubi.fi Drawing Tiger Like a Dog Nervanderinkatu 3 and Videoart Free entrance THEATRE AND DANCE A dance work basing on a Chinese Tue, Thu, Fri 11:00-18:00 Audiovisual artist Joe Candido www.siba.fi Tue 29 December proverb. Wed 11:00-20:00 gives a lecture in English. Rusalka Thu 17 & Sat 19 December Helsinki City Theatre Sat-Sun 11:00-17:00 Malmitalo, 18:00 18/21/20 December & 4 January Dvorak’s most popular opera. Fusions Ensi linja 2 Tickets €8/5.50/0 Ala-Malmin tori 1 La Traviata Finnish National Opera, 19:00 Irish dance. Tickets €24 www.taidehalli.fi Free entrance One of the most touching works in Helsinginkatu 58 Cable Factory www.hkt.fi www.kinokaiku.fi the entire history of opera. Tickets €29-103 Tallberginkatu 1 Until Sun 10 January Finnish National Opera, 19:00 www.operafin.fi Tickets €15/13 Wed 6 January Ars Fennica Fri 18 December Helsinginkatu 58 www.kaapelitehdas.fi Sacred Monsters Ars Fennica 2009 candidates International Literature and Tickets €28-56 Thu 31 December International dance stars visit present an exhibition in Kiasma. Culture Evening www.operafin.fi Alamaailman Vasarat 17/19/22/26/28/31 December Finland. Kiasma Presenting Iranian literature and A rock group blending klezmer, jazz, & 2/5 January Finnish National Opera, 19:00 Mannerheiminaukio 2 culture. Sat 19 December punk and heavy metal. The Nutcracker and the Mouse Helsinginkatu 58 Tue 10:00-17:00 Caisa, 17:00 The Sounds (SWE) Dubrovnik, 21:00 King Tickets €30–62 Wed-Fri 10:00-20:30 Mikonkatu 17 C New wave -inspired rock. Eerikinkatu 11 An immensely popular version of www.operafin.fi Sat-Sun 10:00-18:00 Free entrance Cable Factory, 20:00 Tickets €10 the Tchaikovsky classic. Tickets €7/5/0 www.caisa.fi Tallberginkatu 1 www.andorra.fi Finnish National Ballet www.kiasma.fi Tickets €38 Helsinginkatu 58 EXHIBITIONS Until Wed 6 January www.kaapelitehdas.fi Sat 2 January Tickets €16–56 Until Sun 10 January Stable Elf’s Christmas Path Manna www.operafin.fi Until Sun 20 December Art & Language The Stable Elf’s Christmas Path lets Sun 20 December A singer with a unique own sound Pasi Autio An artwork by the core artists of visitors explore the zoo at their own AiA inspired by elements from all eras. 17/18/19/20/26/27/29/30/31 Video works about complicated the Anglo-American Art and Lan- pace, following the signs of the elves. An urban ethno-pop ensemble. Tavastia Club, 21:30 December & 1/2/3/5/6 January moments. guage group. Korkeasaari Zoo Café Ursula, 19:00 Urho Kekkosen katu 4-6 Winter Circus Tuike Muu Gallery Espoo Museum of Modern Art Mustikkamaanpolku 12 Ehrenströmintie 3 Tickets €12/11 An annual Winter Circus will delight Lönnrotinkatu 33 Ahertajantie 5 Tickets €7/5/4/0 www.ursula.fi www.tavastiaklubi.fi and surprise spectators of all ages. Tue-Fri 12:00-17:00 Tue 11:00-18:00 www.korkeasaari.fi

Helsinki Travel Tip Proudly sponsored by: Place to meet

NIKLAS SJÖBLOM

Christmas opening times Christmas at Korkeasaari Zoo? SHEEP THIEF

Activities to ﬁ ll those off-days? Transported to Australia in 1828 for the crime of steeling a sheep, Opera for New Year? this man was never to see Europe again. Now his descendents are back. Serving you with criminally good Australian beer, wines and snacks in Helsinki today. There’s plenty to do in Helsinki over Christmas!

Helsinki City Tourist Information compiles a list of opening times over SERVICE BY DESCENDENTS OF CRIMINALS Christmas and New Year. The handy list provides opening times for museums, sights and other attractions in greater detail. Open: 14-02 Sunday-Tuesday 12-03 Wednesday-Saturday

The list can be picked up at the Helsinki City Tourist Information or WHAT'S ON AT THE AUSSIE BAR: downloaded from website 17th December- Thirsty Thursday, 5.50 Cocktails from 7 till 11pm DJ spinning from www.visithelsinki.ﬁ 9:30pm. 18th/19th Weekend, Football and more get in Early, DJ both nights. Monday 21st- Free Poker Tournament from 5:30pm only 27 places, Great Prizes. Wednesday 23rd Live Music, Juanma Draven @ 9:30pm all the way from Spain. Thursday 24th- www.parnells.ﬁ Closed. Friday 25th OPEN OPEN OPEN- Merry Christmas, Party time. M O R E T I P S F R O M Check out the Web site for Football times www.aussiebar.net Ten hilarious Irishmen all over Finland AUSSIE BAR HELSINKI - THIS IS NOT A YACHT CLUB!! Imatra • Helsinki: Hämeentie, Läntinen Brahenkatu Come and have AUSSIE BAR Tel. +358 (0)9 737 373 Jyväskylä: Gummeruksenkatu, Väinönkatu • Kuusankoski www.visithelsinki.fi a Tooheys Salomonkatu 5, Kamppi E-mail: [email protected] or two! 00100 Helsinki, Finland www.aussiebar.net Mikkeli • Pori • Rauma • Riihimäki HELSINKI TIMES TV GUIDE 17 DECEMBER – 6 JANUARY 2010 1919 Helsinki Times TV Guide offers a selection of English and other language broadcasting on Finnish television. thursday 17.12. friday 18.12.SELECTION OF ENGLISH PROGRAMMES ON FINNISH TELEVISION

TV1 MTV3 NELONEN TV1 MTV3 NELONEN

09:30 Coronation Street 09:40 The Young and the Restless 09:30 Coronation Street 09:40 The Young and the Restless 11:05 YLE News in English 10:35 Emmerdale 11:05 YLE News in English 10:35 Emmerdale 11:10 Hetty Wainthropp 12:30 Football SPORT 11:10 Hetty Wainthropp 12:30 Football SPORT Investigates UEFA Europa League précis. Investigates UEFA Europa League goal 14:30 Doctors In Finnish. 14:30 Doctors précis. In Finnish. Marc treats a tennis player 13:00 The Bold and the Beautiful Marc opens up to Kate about 13:00 The Bold and the Beautiful in danger of losing his sight. 14:15 War at Home his relationship worries. 14:15 Happy Hour 15:05 Upstairs, Downstairs 14:45 Doctors 15:05 Upstairs, Downstairs 14:45 Doctors 17:08 Hetty Wainthropp Everything about Romeo Must Die 17:08 Hetty Wainthropp A hair removal nightmare. The Godfather II Investigates motherhood. MTV3 23:30 Investigates 17:05 The Bold and the Beautiful Nelonen 00:20 An affluent madam swings a 17:05 The Bold and the Beautiful An ecstasy pill found from a 18:00 Emmerdale punch at a real estate agent. 18:00 Emmerdale student’s pocket leads to his 18:30 Emmerdale 19:00 Keeping up Appearances 19:30 How Clean Is Your House? 06:30 Children’s Programming dismissal. 20:00 Without a Trace 06:30 Children’s Programming 22:20 My Family 21:00 Mentalist (K13) In Finnish. 19:10 Heartbeat The FBI investigates the In Finnish. Susan decides to pursue Patrick’s past as a medium 08:35 Everybody Loves Raymond Mason is outraged by the case of a disappeared stunt 13:00 Birth Stories a career in writing, and comes back to haunt him. 13:00 Birth Stories neglect of two little girls man. Maya and the twins have Ben is left to rearrange his 22:30 Closer A Korean-English couple are who stay at home alone 22:40 The Shining (K15) FILM been admitted back to the business without help. Until death do us apart. expecting their first child. while their mother and A classic horror film based hospital, and the rest of the 22:55 Ricordati ti me (K15) FILM Part 2/2. 13:30 How to Look Good Naked stepfather sit at the pub. on a novel by Stephen family misses her. A drama comedy about a 23:30 Romeo Must Die (K15) 14:00 Unsellables King. A family moves into a 13:30 How to Look Good Naked family whose young ones FILM Brighton. remote hotel, where an evil 14:00 Open House attempt to pursue their A modernised martial arts 15:00 Property Virgins TV2 spiritual presence turns the Hertford. dreams while their parents version of the all time love 15:30 So You Think You Can Dance father into a violent maniac. 15:00 Property Virgins have already abandoned story in which an ex-cop Time to get serious. 06:50 Pikku Kakkonen Directed by Stanley Kubrick. The story of two Scotts. theirs. Directed by Gabriele looks for his brother’s killer 16:25 Days of Our Lives Children’s programming. Starring: Jack Nicholson. 15:30 So You Think You Can Muccino. Starring: Fabrizio and falls for a hip-hop 17:20 Everybody Loves Raymond In Finnish. USA 1980 Dance Bentivoglio. Italy 2003. artist. Directed by Andrzej 17:50 Dr. Phil 10:30 McLeod’s Daughters 00:55 K-Ville 16:25 Days of Our Lives In Italian. Bartkowiak. Starring: Jet Li, 19:00 Extreme Makeover: Home Luck of the draw. 17:20 Everybody Loves Raymond Aaliyah. USA 2000 Edition 16:10 Don Matteo 17:50 Dr. Phil Family White. Part 2/2. In Italian. SUB 19:00 Wipeout TV2 20:30 Takeshi's Castle 17:23 Pikku Kakkonen 21:00 Wonderland (K15) FILM SUB 21:00 Criminal Minds Children’s programming. 07:00 Children’s Programming Based on real events, this 06:50 Pikku Kakkonen The agents are called to 18:00 Lonely Planet In Finnish. film follows the police Children’s programming. 07:00 Children’s Programming Miami in a pursuit for a This time sporty host 14:40 Janice Dickinson investigation of a brutal In Finnish. In Finnish. serial killer. Manuel Herrero travels to Modelling Agency crime scene, where one man 10:35 McLeod’s Daughters 14:40 Janice Dickinson 22:00 Rescue Me (K15) Mongolia. 16:00 E! Entertainment: E! News was at the centre of it all: 11:50 Animal Hospital: Modelling Agency Secrets are revealed from 22:05 Law & Order Weekend legendary porn star John Supervets 16:00 E! Entertainment: Behind both Franco’s and Mike’s past. A university student gets 18:05 Sturm der Liebe Holmes. Directed by James 12:20 Biathlon SPORT the Scenes 23:20 Frasier killed by a shot fired during In German. Cox. Starring: Val Kilmer. Women’s 15km, Slovenia. 16:25 E! Entertainment: Keeping 23:50 The Office a lecture. But did the bullet 19:00 Will & Grace USA 2003 In Finnish. Up With the Kardashians An attempted coop takes place hit the wrong person? 20:00 Friends 23:25 Dresden Files 15:10 Biathlon SPORT 18:05 Sturm der Liebe in the office as Dwight plans to 22:50 Sopranos (K15) 20:30 The Simpsons The ghost of a murdered Men’s 20km, Slovenia. In German. take over from Michael. Tony feels guilty about the 21:30 Criss Angel: Mindfreak young girl appears to Harry In Finnish. 19:00 Will & Grace 00:20 Reaper fate of his previous lady Tricks with animals. and seems to want justice. 17:21 Pikku Kakkonen 20:00 Friends Two bank robbers have friend. Carmela sets up a 22:00 Numb3rs 00:20 The Godfather II (K15) Children’s programming. 20:30 The Simpsons managed to escape from blind date for Furio. A painting worth $22 million FILM In Finnish. 22:00 Million Dollar Listing hell and Sam comes across is stolen from a museum. The second part of the 23:05 The Intelligence (K15) Scotty Brown meets the money they stole. Soon the theft leads to a classic crime trilogy was 23:50 Car Wars celebrities. YLE TEEMA murder. awarded with six Oscars. 23:00 Stargate SG1 23:00 C.S.I. Miami It sees the family fall apart 00:00 Tonight Show with Conan JIM 16:40 Amazon with Bruce Parry The body of a man found on and Michael develop into YLE TEEMA O'Brien SERIES BEGINS. Parry the street shows signs of a cold-blooded leader. The 00:55 Studio 60 on the Sunset 18:00 Sweat Equity travels along the mighty exposure to radioactivity. new head of the family 10:15 C'est Noël! Strip A luscious bathroom. Amazon River from its first 00:00 Tonight Show with Conan is prepared to kill even Christmas celebrations in 18:30 Superscapes ripples all the way to the O'Brien relatives and friends to France. In French. Vern Glenn plans to create ocean. His journey begins 00:55 It's Always Sunny in ensure his power. Directed 16:50 Michael Palin's TV VIISI an Adirondack mountain in the Andes Mountains of Philadelphia (K13) by Francis Ford Coppola. Hemingway Adventure feel to his backyard and lure Peru and continues into a 01:25 Smallville Starring: Al Pacino, Robert 17:40 Vogliamo anche le rose 18:00 That 70s Show his children outdoors from in dangerous valley of cocaine 02:15 Da Ali G Show Duvall. USA 1972 DOC Hyde moves. front of the games console. growers. Part 1/6. A documentary looking into 18:30 Grounded for Life 19:00 Bizarre Foods with Andrew 21:50 The Mission (K15) FILM the influences of the sexual 19:00 America’s Funniest Home Zimmern 18th century Spanish TV VIISI JIM revolution in Italy between Videos Andrew experiences some Jesuits attempt to protect the 50s and 70s. In Italian. 19:30 8 Simple Rules for Dating of the peculiar culinary ways a remote South American 18:00 That 70s Show 18:00 Hidden Potential 19:35 More Industrial My Teenage Daughter of Iceland. Indian tribe in danger of Everybody shares the 18:30 Carter Can Revelations Europe 20:00 Ballroom Bootcamp 20:00 Customs falling under the rule of pro- household chores at the SERIES ENDS. Part 8/10. SERIES BEGINS. A 20:30 World's Wildest Vacation slavery Portugal. Directed Forman's. 19:00 Canadian Sportfishing 20:30 Don’t Die Young reality series following Videos by Roland Joffe. Starring: 18:30 Grounded for Life SERIES ENDS. 21:50 Le Couperet (K15) FILM ordinary people taught by SERIES BEGINS. This Robert De Niro, Jeremy 19:00 America’s Funniest Home 20:00 Storm Force Unemployed for two years, professional dancers. series reveals wild videos of Irons, Aidan Quinn. UK 1986 Videos 21:00 Criminal Behaviour: A José García comes up with 21:00 The English Patient FILM holidays where things don’t 23:50 Six Feet Under (K15) 19:30 8 Simple Rules for Dating Killing in Greenwich (K13) a bizarre way to guarantee A touching story set at quite go according to plans. My Teenage Daughter DOC employment for himself. the close of WWII, where 21:00 Strange Rituals DOC 20:00 Turner & Hooch (K11) FILM A documentary looking Directed by Costa Gavrasin. a young nurse tends to a Marriage. A loved family flick about into the mysterious murder Starring: Bruno Davert. badly-burned plane crash 22:00 Contender a small town cop who has of a 15-year old girl in an France 2005. In French. victim. His past is shown NEW SEASON BEGINS. This to solve a murder with the affluent neighbourhood. in flashbacks, revealing an series follows 16 boxers on help of the only eyewitness: Only 25 years later was the Programmes on Yle Teema involvement in a fateful love their way towards a million a misbehaving Bordeaux case taken to court. may be viewed in the original affair. Directed by Anthony dollar prize. dog. Directed by Roger 22:00 Los Angeles Ink Minghella. Starring: Juliette 23:00 Takeshi's Castle Spottiswoode.Starring: Tom 23:00 Future Weapons language(s) by changing the Binoche, Ralph Fiennes. 23:30 Ninja Warrior Turner & Hooch Hanks. USA 1989 01:20 Secret Ops digital receiver’s settings. USA 1996 00:50 Secrets of a Crime Museum TV Viisi 20:00 23:00 Farscape 01:45 Pushing the Limit

The English Patient The Shining In a crumbling villa in the Italian A classic horror film starred countryside, a nurse cares for a by the superb Jack Nicholson, badly burned plane crash victim The Shining sees novelist Jack at the end of World War II. The Torrance go on a job interview as patient’s identity is unknown, winter caretaker of the isolated but through flashbacks the story Overlook Hotel in Colorado. of his fateful love affair with a Ignoring the story of the previous colleague's wife begins to unfold. caretaker, who allegedly brutally While the nurse, devotes herself murdered his family before killing to caring for the mysterious pa- himself, Jack accepts the job and tient in an abandoned monastery, together with his wife and son she faces her own demons and heads to the secluded mountain explores her attraction to a Sikh region. Before long, Jack begins bomb expert. Tensions escalate to experience strange changes when Caravaggio, a thief who is of personality and ends up being claimed to know the identity of haunted by the demons of the the victim, appears. The English hotel, resulting in a complete Patient is a beautiful adapta- mental breakdown. The situation tion of Michael Ondaatje's novel takes a disturbing turn for the about the search for identity, worse, when an evil spirit orders filmed with awe-inspiring scen- Jack to ‘straighten’ his family. The ery that includes sweeping only way for his wife and son to desert vistas, crowded village save themselves is through the markets and serene Tuscan son’s unique telepathic gift called roads. “shining". TV Viisi 21:00 MTV3 22:40 20 17 DECEMBER – 6 JANUARY 2010 TV GUIDE HELSINKI TIMES

saturday 19.12. sunday 20.12.SELECTION OF ENGLISH PROGRAMMES ON FINNISH TELEVISION

TV1 MTV3 NELONEN TV1 MTV3 NELONEN

13:50 Miss Marple: Nemesis 07:45 Children’s Programming 14:20 Inspector Morse 07:20 Children’s Programming Marple is asked to In Finnish. A famous controversial 13:30 Alpine Skiing SPORT investigate the mysterious 11:15 Snowboarding SPORT environmental researcher is World Cup. Men’s giant death of her friend. A portrait of Eero Ettala. murdered on the eve of an slalom. In Finnish. 15:25 Keeping up Appearances In Finnish. important lecture. 14:40 Ski Jumping SPORT 15:55 Holby City 12:30 Polar Express FILM 22:10 Hunter (K13) World Cup, Engelberg. 19:45 Monk A joyful animation about The kidnappers release a In Finnish. The son of Monk’s therapist Steven, who sees his wish Kingpin picture of the boys with the 17:25 According to Jim is skipping school. of experiencing the true Nelonen 21:00 word ‘sacred’ written on 17:55 National Geographic 22:30 Peter Serafinowicz Show spirit of Christmas come their bodies. Programming Snow Dogs Part 4/6. true. Directed by Robert Part 2/2. Two years on the Galapagos TV Viisi 19:00 23:00 Midsomer Murders (K13) Zemeckis. USA 2004. 13:00 Brainiac 23:00 Shrink Rap Islands. The remote islands The Plummer factory Narrated in Finnish. 14:00 Ghost Whisperer Pamela Connolly talks with are known as the cradle for murder. 14:30 Ski Jumping SPORT The legend of the “bloody Tony Curtis. unique animal life. 09:30 Top Design Part 2/2. World Cup, Engelberg. Mary” seems to take young 19:30 The Biggest Loser 09:55 Animal Planet: Ms In Finnish. college girls as its victim. A look behind the scenes of Adventure 15:50 Ski Jumping SPORT 15:25 The Nightmare Before TV2 the coming third season. The survival strategies TV2 Engelberg, second round. Christmas FILM 22:35 C.S.I. Miami of people and animals In Finnish. A brilliant 3D animation 08:00 Pikku Kakkonen The ghost of a dead man compared. 07:45 Pikku Kakkonen 17:00 Ramsay's Kitchen fantasy film by Tim Burton Children’s programming. comes back to haunt. 11:25 Most Extreme Children’s programming. Nightmares about Jack, the evil king of In Finnish. 23:30 24 (K15) This episode reveals which In Finnish. NEW SEASON BEGINS. The Halloweentown, who finds 11:05 Track and Field SPORT animal leader has the most 10:55 Biathlon SPORT Secret Garden restaurant a new meaning to his life Veteran World followers. World Cup. Women’s 7,5km in California is all but when he accidentally ends Championships. In Finnish. SUB 12:00 The Pink Panther super sprint. In Finnish. diminished of customers. up visiting Christmas Town. 12:05 Cross Country Skiing 12:20 Frasier 12:25 Competitive Dance SPORT 21:00 Survivor Directed by Henry Selick. SPORT 10:00 Cow & Chicken 14:20 Desperate Housewives Précis of the Latin Dance Reunion. USA 1993 World Cup. Women’s 15km. 10:30 Futurama 15:20 Grey’s Anatomy World Cup, Slovenia. 22:30 The Marine (K15) FILM 16:55 The Santa Clause 3 FILM In Finnish. 11:00 Animal Park 16:15 Samantha Who? In Finnish. A group of diamond thieves Santa finds himself in front 13:25 Cross Country Skiing 14:00 Family Guy Samantha gets an invitation 13:15 Cross Country Skiing on the run kidnap the wife of a tricky situation once SPORT Meg gets unwanted to her ex-boyfriend’s SPORT of a discharged marine, who again as he invites his in- World Cup. Men’s 30km. publicity. photography exhibition and World Cup sprints. goes on a chase to retrieve laws for a visit and has to In Finnish. 14:30 King of the Hill wants to attend indicating In Finnish. her. Directed by John hide his profession. Directed 14:40 Nordic Combined SPORT 15:00 Candid Camera she has moved on. 14:15 Nordic Combined SPORT Bonito. Starring: John Cena. by Michael Lembeck. World Cup. Ski Jump. 15:30 Baywatch 16:45 Greek World Cup. Ski jump. USA 2006 Starring: Tim Allen. In Finnish. 16:30 One Tree Hill Rusty and Calvin’s In Finnish. 00:15 Raines USA 2006 15:10 Biathlon SPORT 18:00 The F Word friendship is tested. 15:10 Biathlon SPORT 19:00 American Gladiator Men’s pursuit 12,5km. Rugby star Matt Dawson 17:45 Funny Home Videos World Cup. Men’s 10km 20:00 Ripley's Believe It or Not In Finnish. meets Ramsay. 19:00 Takeshi's Castle super sprint. In Finnish. SUB 21:00 Kingpin FILM 16:00 Biathlon SPORT 19:00 Make Me a Supermodel 20:00 Wipeout 16:40 Nordic Combined SPORT A star bowler whose career Women’s pursuit 12,5km. 20:00 Gavin & Stacey 21:00 Spider-Man 2 FILM World Cup. 10km. 14:30 E! Entertainment: Whose was prematurely cut off In Finnish. SPORT 21:00 The Sixth Sense (K15) In this blockbuster hit, Peter In Finnish. Wedding is it anyway? hopes to ride a new prodigy 16:40 Nordic Combined SPORT FILM Parker is beset with troubles 17:20 V75 Trot 15:30 E! Entertainment: Dress to success and riches. World Cup. 10km. In Finnish. A psychological thriller in his failing personal life In Finnish. My Nest Directed by Bobby & Peter 20:00 Orgoglio about a little boy who is as he battles a brilliant 22:05 Tribute (K13) FILM 16:00 Baywatch Farrelly. Starring: Woody In Italian. haunted by nightmarish scientist named Otto A thriller about a former 17:00 Friday Night Lights Harrelson, Bill Murray. 22:35 The Guard encounters with dead Octavius, who becomes child star who renovates The next level. USA 1996 A dispute over fishing takes people and about the child Doctor Octopus after a her grandmother’s old 18:00 Animal Park 23:30 American Chopper on rough measures. psychologist trying to help freak accident gives him farm and awakens the dark A marathon on the 00:30 Consenting Adults (K15) the boy. Directed by M. mechanical tentacles. secrets. Directed by Martha savannah. FILM Night Shyamalan. Directed by Sam Raimi. Coolidge. 19:00 Criss Angel: Mindfreak A suspense drama which YLE TEEMA Starring: Bruce Willis, Starring: Tobey Maguire, Starring: Brittany Murphy, 20:00 Pitchmen: Gadgets to sees a change in the Haley Joel Osment. Kirsten Dunst. USA 2004 Jason Lewis. Glory mundane life of the 10:55 Tickets FILM USA 1999 23:45 Lost (K15) USA 2009 21:00 Hotel Babylon Parker’s when they get A train travels toward Rome. 23:05 Terminator: The Sarah 23:35 Da Vinci’s Inquest Tony is shocked by the news new neighbours who enjoy On board is a professor who Connor Chronicles 00:20 Live: R&R Hall of Fame of his daughter pursuing the life to the full. Directed by daydreams a conversation 00:00 Claire Sweeney: My Big JIM Concert 2009 lead role in a musical. Alan J. Pakula. Starring: with a love that never Fat Diet DOC Performances by Jerry Lee 22:00 Ibiza Kevin Kline, Mary Elizabeth was. Directed by Abbas The British actress 10:05 Amazing Adventures of a Lewis, Stevie Wonder, B.B 23:00 Most Haunted Mastrantonio. Kiarostami, Ken Loach, experiments the Nobody King and more. 00:00 X Files Ermanno Olmi. Starring: consequences of eating what A train ride to New York. Part 1/4. 00:55 Smallville Carlo Delle Piane. Italy/ she likes without exercise. 11:05 Ace of Cakes 01:45 Da Ali G Show JIM UK 2005 01:30 Stargate SG1 11:30 How It’s Made 15:40 European Film Awards 13:35 Steve Schirripa's Hungry YLE TEEMA 10:20 Cooked 2009 Shellfish and linguini. TV VIISI 12:30 Lonely Planet 18:00 Ben-Hur FILM TV VIISI 13:55 Any Given Latitude 19:05 Bratja Karamazovy Bangkok. A historical film and the Thailand’s capital offers In Russian. 18:00 Jon & Kate Plus 8 13:20 Jurassic Fight Club DOC winner of 11 Oscars, Ben- 18:00 Superstars: Clive Owen endless possibilities for a 21:00 Rita Hayworth - Dancing 19:00 America’s Funniest Home 14:10 Border Force Hur depicts the story of 19:00 Snow Dogs FILM night out. into the Dream DOC Videos 15:05 Perfect Weapon a Jewish prince, who is An eventful comedy about 14:20 Against All Odds A documentary of the 19:30 Rachel Allen: Bake! 18:35 London Ink. betrayed and sent into Ted, a dentist from Miami SERIES ENDS. crucial moments in the 20:00 Breaking The Magician’s 20:00 Expedition Africa slavery by a Roman friend. who inherits an Alaskan 15:15 American Hot Rod actress’ life. Code The team journeys ahead He struggles to regain house and eight sled dogs. 18:00 Extreme Fishing 21:58 Gilda FILM 21:00 Shipping News (K15) FILM under the scorching sun on freedom and comes back for He decides to take part in SERIES ENDS. A film noir classic set in A beautiful story about an the Mkata plain. revenge. Directed by William a competition with his new 19:00 Man v. Food South America, where the emotionally-beaten man, 21:00 UFO Files DOC Wyler. Starring: Charlton pets, but it’s not as easy Denver. ex-lover of a sinister casino who with his young daughter The real life UFOs. Heston, Jack Hawkins. as he thinks. Directed by 19:30 Pressure Cook owner’s wife reappears. moves to his ancestral home 22:30 Bait Car USA 1959 Brian Levant. Starring: Cuba 20:00 Flip This House Directed by Charles Vidor. in Newfoundland to reclaim 23:00 Heliloggers 21:25 The Sorceress Gooding Jr. USA 2002 21:00 Biography: Ben Stiller Starring: Rita Hayworth, his life. Directed by Lasse 23:55 Disorder in the Court (K15) A TV opera based on the 22:00 Secret Lives of Women 22:00 Build It Bigger Glenn Ford, George Hallström. 00:45 Fifth Gear music of G.F. Händel. Lead 23:00 Intervention SECOND SEASON BEGINS. Macready. Starring: Kevin Spacey, 01:40 Travel Sick (K15) role by Kiri Te Kanawa. 00:00 Lisa Williams: Life Among Baseball team Washington USA 1946 Julianne Moore.USA 2001 Thailand. the Dead Nationals’ new stadium.

The Nightmare Before Christmas It is the same routine year after year in Halloweentown; on Hal- loween the monsters come out and perform a real scare. This particular Halloween, the pump- kin king of the town, Jack Skel- lington, bored of the same old, wanders off into the woods with his dog Zero after the Halloween night. Upon the break of dawn, he discovers a clearing of trees with different doors representing various holidays. The Christmas Tree door attracts his attention and upon entrance into the world of Christmas, Jack finds a new meaning for life and must absolutely share it with the citizens of Halloweentown. After hearing the news, they decide to take over Christmas. This brilliantly creepy yet heart-warming animated classic by Tim Burton is a must see for kids and adults alike. Nelonen at 15:25 HELSINKI TIMES TV GUIDE 17 DECEMBER – 6 JANUARY 2010 2121

monday 21.12. tuesday 22.12.SELECTION OF ENGLISH PROGRAMMES ON FINNISH TELEVISION

TV1 MTV3 NELONEN TV1 MTV3 NELONEN

09:30 Coronation Street 09:40 The Young and the Restless 09:30 Coronation Street 09:40 The Young and the Restless 11:05 YLE News in English 10:25 Emmerdale 10:15 Christmas Lights DOC 10:35 Emmerdale 11:10 Hetty Wainthropp 12:20 The Bold and the Beautiful A documentary about 12:55 The Bold and the Beautiful Investigates 13:35 Alpine Skiing SPORT Christmas light enthusiasts 14:15 Alf 14:30 Doctors World Cup, Alta Badia. in Australia. 14:45 Doctors Marc treats a young soldier Men’s slalom. In Finnish. 11:05 YLE News in English Extreme health trends. with back pains. 14:55 Two and a Half Men 11:10 Hetty Wainthropp 15:35 Doctors 15:05 Upstairs, Downstairs 15:40 Doctors Investigates 17:05 The Bold and the Beautiful 17:08 Hetty Wainthropp 17:05 The Bold and the Beautiful 14:30 Doctors 18:00 Emmerdale Investigates 18:00 Emmerdale A worried mother brings her 20:00 Starter Wife 22:50 Band of Brothers (K15) 20:00 Joulu Mielelle Concert Scary Movie 3 overweight son to see Ben. SERIES ENDS. On the eve Emma The combat continues in A fundraising Christmas SUB 21:00 15:05 Louis la Brocante of Lou’s wedding, Molly TV1 21:00 Holland. The German troops concert organised by The In French. contemplates over her cause losses to Winters’ Association of Friends of 06:30 Children’s Programming 17:08 Hetty Wainthropp relationship with Zach, who 06:30 Children’s Programming team even when retreating. the University Children's In Finnish. Investigates seems to only have time for In Finnish. Part 5/10. Hospitals. In Finnish. 13:00 Chicken Little FILM Hetty is in hospital, but still his own project. 08:35 Everybody Loves Raymond 21:00 24 (K15) A loved animation following decides to investigate a 21:00 Prison Break (K15) 13:00 Barnyard FILM 00.00-01:00. The enraged the adventures of Chicken sexual harassment case. Michael and the gang find This animated comedy TV2 Hodges demands the FBI Little who believes the sky 21:00 Emma out that one of the Skylla reveals what happens at a troops to retreat from the has fallen down on him. This enjoyable miniseries cards is kept inside a vault farm when the farmers are 06:50 Pikku Kakkonen Starwood area. Directed by Mark Dindal. is a new adaptation of Jane that is very tightly guarded. not around. Directed by Children’s programming. 22:30 Spooks Narrated in Finnish. Austen’s loved novel. The 22:30 C.S.I. New York Steve Oedekerk. USA 2006. In Finnish. 23:40 Psych 14:30 The Pink Panther story explores the concerns Mac’s team investigates the Narrated in Finnish. 10:35 McLeod’s Daughters 15:00 Property Virgins and difficulties of genteel odd coincidence of finding 14:40 The Pink Panther Jodi and Steven are not 15:30 So You Think You Can women living in old England, the bodies of a woman and a 15:00 Property Virgins getting along. SUB Dance? and follows the life of the shark from the same beach. I’ll believe it when I see it. 16:10 Snowy River: The At the end of the third beautiful, bright daughter of 23:30 Standoff 15:30 So You Think You Can Dance? McGregor Saga 07:00 Children’s Programming round only 16 competitors a wealthy family. Part 1/4. Matt and Emily are called to Harsh truths come bursting Matt tries to help the In Finnish. remain. solve a hostage situation at out of Nigel’s mouth. railway line workers living in 14:20 Janice Dickinson 16:25 Days of Our Lives a youth prison. 16:25 Days of Our Lives poor conditions. Modelling Agency 17:20 Everybody Loves Raymond TV2 00:30 3rd Rock from the Sun 17:20 Everybody Loves Raymond 17:21 Pikku Kakkonen 16:30 E! Entertainment: Victoria 17:50 Dr. Phil 17:50 Dr. Phil Children’s programming. Silvstedt: My Perfect Life 19:00 Extreme Makeover: Home 06:50 Pikku Kakkonen 19:00 Extreme Makeover: Home In Finnish. 18:05 Sturm der Liebe Edition Children’s programming. SUB Edition 19:20 The Hottest Place on In German. Family Rainford. Dunstan In Finnish. Family Rainford. Part 2/2. Earth 19:00 Will & Grace Rainford moved to the US 10:00 Orangutan Diary 07:00 Children’s Programming 20:00 Top Design A team of explorers and 20:00 Big Bang Theory from Jamaica with hopes of Orangutans are amongst In Finnish. Decoration triathlon. scientists study the Danakil 20:30 The Simpsons a better life, but was soon the most endangered 14:20 Janice Dickinson 21:00 NCIS desert in Ethiopia, where 21:00 Scary Movie 3 (K15) FILM after diagnosed with cancer monkeys. Michaela Strachan Modelling Agency An unknown gunman tries the average temperature is In the third part of the and his house was hit by a and Steve Leonard present 16:00 E! Entertainment: 25 to kill Palmer while he is 34.4 °C. horror movie mockeries, hurricane. a series featuring orphaned Biggest Do's and Don'ts investigating a crime scene. Part 1/3. Cindy has to investigate Part 1/2. and rescued orangutans in 18:05 Sturm der Liebe 22:00 The Perfect Vagina DOC 22:35 Third Watch mysterious crop circles and 20:00 America’s Next Top Model Borneo. Part 1/5. In German. The plastic surgery on 00:00 David Nolande video tapes, and help the 21:00 Desperate Housewives 10:35 McLeod’s Daughters 19:00 Will & Grace vaginas is a growing trend in David believes he is close to President in preventing an Susan is sentenced to 16:10 Snowy River: The 20:00 Friends the UK. What makes women the truth. alien invasion. Directed community service, Angie McGregor Saga 20:30 The Simpsons want the painful operation? by David Zucker. Starring: keeps her husband on a 17:23 Pikku Kakkonen 21:00 Cops With Cameras Lisa Rogers interviews the Anna Faris, Charlie Sheen. leash and pokes her nose Children’s programming. A scuba diving mission. patients and surgeons alike. YLE TEEMA USA 2003 in Bree’s relationship In Finnish. 22:00 Journeyman 23:20 Frasier 22:40 Tonight Show with Conan issues. Gaby tries to get 22:05 Hogfather Dan disappears as Jane 00:20 Las Vegas 19:00 Cuéntame Cómo Pasó O'Brien her daughter a place in Based on Terry Pratchett’s organises a fundraising In Spanish. 23:35 Da Ali G Show the school, which ends up novel, this two-part event. He ends up helping a 20:10 Yo ussou N'Dour - Retour à 01:00 Girls of the Playboy effecting Lynette’s future in television film is an woman in 1995. JIM Gorée DOC Mansion an unpredicted way. entertaining fantasy 23:00 Tonight Show with Conan The famous Senegalese 22:00 Sex and the City (K13) adventure. Part 2/2. O'Brien 18:00 Wasted Spaces singer searches for the links 22:35 Sex and the City (K13) 23:40 The IT Crowd 23:55 Bones A chaos in the hallway. between slaves and jazz TV VIISI 23:30 Frasier Hodgins is about to ruin the 18:30 Good Buy, Bad Buy in the US and performs a 00:00 Lost Room credibility of the lab. Guest 19:00 Bizarre Foods with Andrew concert on Île de Gorée. 18:00 That 70s Show Joe runs from his chasers YLE TEEMA Star Stephen Fry. Zimmern In French and English. 18:30 Grounded for Life after his colleague frames 00:50 Blade: The Series Andrew visits a market and 22:00 Blow-up (K15) FILM 19:00 America’s Funniest Home him for murder. 16:20 Walks with the Architect meat raffle in Minnesota and A fashion photographer Videos In French. tastes some of the odd local catches on film what he 19:30 8 Simple Rules for Dating 19:15 Rautatie FILM TV VIISI treats of his own environs. thinks is a murder. The story, My Teenage Daughter JIM Based on a story by Juhani 20:00 Why I Ran taking place in London, has Bridget is chosen to play Aho, this television play 18:00 That 70s Show 20:30 Bait Car been considered to comprise Anne Frank. 15:15 Ian Wright in America depicts the arrival of Red’s last day of work. 21:00 Dallas DNA DOC a study of photography’s 20:00 Jon & Kate Plus 8 18:00 Make a Move the railway into Finland. 18:30 Grounded for Life Michael Wofford and Steven ability to examine reality. 21:00 X-Weighted 18:30 House Hunters Directed by Kari Franck. 19:00 America’s Funniest Home Phillips say they have been Directed by Michelangelo 22:00 Sex Tips For Girls International Starring: Leo Jokela. Finland Videos in prison for years for crimes Antonioni. Starring: Vanessa 22:30 Der Bibelcode (K15) FILM 19:00 Bizarre Foods with Adrew 1973. In Finnish. 19:30 8 Simple Rules for Dating they did not commit. Can Redgrave. UK 1966 An ex-cop’s father is Zimmern My Teenage Daughter the DNA testing prove them murdered. She begins to Andrew visits the markets of Have to get fit. innocent? investigate and finds that St Petersburg. 20:00 Lisa Williams: Life Among 22:00 Heliloggers her father was dangerously 20:00 World’s Most Daring the Dead Chris the rookie gets the last close to unravelling the Rescues Andi, Debi and Dan want chance to impress Gord with Bible’s secret code. Directed 21:00 Crime 360 (K13) a connection to their dead his skills. by Christoph Schrewe. 22:00 Disorder in the Court mother. 22:55 Takeshi's Castle Starring: Cosma Shiva (K15) 21:00 Tough Love 23:25 Ninja Warrior Hagen. 23:00 Takeshi's Castle 23:00 Footballer’s Wives: Extra 23:50 Crime 360 (K15) Germany 2008. 23:30 Ninja Warrior Time 00:40 Secrets of the Crime Museum Blow-up In German. 00:55 Secrets of the Crime Barnyard 23:30 K11 SERIES ENDS. A look at the YleTeema 22:00 Museum Nelonen 13:00 In German. mystery of Jack the Ripper.

my teeth on edge quite as much The Snowman, famous for hav- you don’t like The Simpsons, The as the forced bonhomie we are all ing no speech in it and being ac- Bold and the Beautiful, Emmer- expected to share and the crap companied by the most annoying dale or Hello Kitty then you are adverts we get trying to cash in song ever. Away from YLE 1 and bang out of luck with MTV3, my On the twelfth on our enforced consumerism. 2, Teema is showing on the same friend. day of Christmas Anyhoo, as the nation’s favou- day at 16.55 the last part of Mi- In a similar fashion, Nelonen rite media television has a lot to chael Palin’s In the Footsteps of has established an impressive the telly gave to me... live up to. Supposed arbiter of Hemingway. Even if you missed selection of Pink Panther reruns good taste and preserver of the the earlier episodes it’s a good and mainly naff movies. We can NICK BARLOW nation’s culture YLE is obviously choice for post-Xmas lunch di- at least heartily recommend the Christmas! Yaaaay! I used to ab- gearing up to justify the forth- gesting. animated Tokyo Godfathers on solutely LOVE Christmas; love it coming mandatory ‘media tax’ If YLE is the doting grandmoth- Christmas Day, although without to bits I did. As an innocent wide- by being practically the only net- er who tries hard but still doesn’t knowledge of Japanese or Finn- eyed youth, staring with wonder work to show anything vaguely give you the present you re- ish you’ll just have to wait until at all the pretty lights on the tree, Christmas-related. Since the fes- ally want, MTV3 and Nelonen are later when they show Showgirls I felt that nothing could disturb tive season is all about tradition, more like the unthinking distant – a truly classy piece of schedul- the serenity and sense of awe YLE isn’t breaking with the habit aunts who always give you a pair ing. I recommend the dozens of with which we celebrated these of a lifetime and is broadcasting of socks, just because they can’t imported shows from Japan and most sacred of days (and not just three perennial favourites on the be bothered thinking of anything America on Jim as an alternative. for Christians either – don’t for- 24th. One of these is the Christ- else, and everyone needs socks Or, you could not watch telly at get the pagans were here first), mas Peace ceremony live from anyway. They must be stuck in all. Instead, eat food, open pres- stuffed our faces with unneces- Turku castle. The second one is some kind of time warp because ents, play a board game, drink too sary foodstuffs, and sank into a the 1946 movie It’s a Wonderful I’m sure last Christmas they much, and go to bed surrounded comatose state of bliss in front of Life with James Stewart. had almost identical schedules. by recriminations and arguments. the telly. These days, as you can Thirdly we have the animated Clearly determined to rinse their Just like in the good old days. probably guess, little in life sets short film of Raymond Briggs’ purchases for all they’re worth, if Merry bloomin’ Christmas. 22 17 DECEMBER – 6 JANUARY 2010 TV GUIDE HELSINKI TIMES

Thu 12/17 wednesday 23.12. −14 −21 TV1 MTV3 NELONEN −18 Thu 12/17 Fri 12/18 Sat 12/19 Sun 12/20 Mon 12/21 Tue 12/22 Wed 12/23 −19 09:30 Always Greener 09:40 The Young and the Restless 0 −3 −3 +2 −2 +1 +3 An Australian drama series 10:35 Emmerdale −20 following the adult life of 12:55 The Bold and the Beautiful +16 +17 +15 +19 +13 +12 +13 −14 −18 two siblings. 14:15 Class +33 +32 +30 +29 +28 +28 +30 11:05 YLE News in English Duncan and Richie finish −12 11:10 Hetty Wainthropp their renovation. Fri 12/18 +6 +8 +3 +6 +9 +14 +9 Investigates 14:45 Doctors −5 −5 −3 −1 +2 +3 +4 14:30 Doctors 17:05 The Bold and the Beautiful −15 An old man is brought to 18:00 Emmerdale −3 −6 −5 −1 −1 +1 +5 the surgery by his daughter, 20:00 Miracle of the Hudson −16 but Helen is reluctant to Plane Crash DOC Note by Note 0 −2 −1 +1 −1 +3 +4 treat him. In January 2009, a US TV2 22:55 −10 −2 −3 −3 −1 −3 +1 +5 15:05 Louis la Brocante Airways plane hit a flock −11 of geese during take off In French. 06:30 Children’s Programming −15 +20 +21 +22 +25 +26 +20 +21 17:08 Hetty Wainthropp and lost both its motors. In Finnish. −18 Investigates Incredibly the pilot was able 08:30 Everybody Loves Raymond −13 −5 −4 −5 −7 −2 +2 +4 An old tall-case clock to save all 155 passengers 13:05 Cars FILM −13 causes a headache for by crash landing in the A loved animation from +21 +20 +19 +20 +20 +20 +19 Hetty. Hudson River. the Pixar studios follows Sat 12/19 +20 +22 +24 +22 +20 +20 +21 19:55 Last of the Summer Wine 21:00 C.S.I. the journey of a hot-shot Barry is bothered about his A skydiver has an accident race-car named Lightning −17 −2 −2 −2 −2 −2 +4 +3 intruding neighbour. and is rushed to hospital. McQueen, who after a failed −9 22:00 The Ruby in the Smoke 22:30 Ice Road Truckers race begins to understand the −1 −1 −4 −2 +3 +6 +8 (K13) Last loads on the icy roads. true meaning of friendship −15 −1 −1 −1 0 +1 +2 +4 Based on a novel by 23:30 Mythbusters and family. Directed by John Philip Pullman, this 00:35 3rd Rock from the Sun Lasseter, Joe Ranft. USA −13 +13 +15 +15 +14 +16 +17 +19 Victorian adventure sees 2006. Narrated in Finnish. −15 a young woman receive an 15:10 The Pink Panther −18 +9 +13 +9 +18 +8 +9 +13 SUB −11 anonymous note sending 15:30 So You Think You Can −12 +17 +14 +12 +6 +16 +16 +12 her on a mysterious quest. Dance? 00:35 Peter Serafinowicz Show 07:00 Children’s Programming Mia Michaels’ performance +4 +3 +1 +1 +2 +2 +2 In Finnish. makes the judges sight with Sun 12/20 +17 +18 +17 +18 +17 +14 +13 14:20 Janice Dickinson delight. TV2 −14 Modelling Agency 16:25 Days of Our Lives +18 +19 +22 +19 +17 +20 +20 16:00 E! Entertainment: Fat Free 17:20 Everybody Loves Raymond −15 06:50 Pikku Kakkonen Fiancés 17:50 Dr. Phil +10 +7 +2 0 0 +8 +8 −18 Children’s programming. 18:05 Sturm der Liebe The joy of Christmas. +17 +16 +18 +15 +14 +17 +18 In Finnish. In German. 19:00 Wipeout −15 10:00 Orangutan Diary 19:00 Will & Grace 20:00 The Bachelorette −15 +30 +31 +27 +25 +24 +26 +28 Steve helps in the rescue of 20:00 Friends Wild West style. a famished orangutan and 20:30 The Simpsons 21:00 Enemy of the State FILM −13 −14 +15 +15 +14 +16 +16 +15 +18 its babies. 21:00 Catwoman FILM Robert Dean is a young −11 −13 −10 −9 −7 −8 +1 −4 10:35 McLeod’s Daughters A young woman meets the lawyer who by chance comes Father’s Day. violent end of her life in a across evidence on the Mon 12/21 −16 −19 −12 −9 −12 −14 −7 16:10 Snowy River: The dark alley. While seemingly murder of a high powered McGregor Saga lifeless, a mysterious flock of politician. When he discovers −17 −5 −5 −5 −1 −1 +7 +4 17:23 Pikku Kakkonen cats surrounds her and she that the government is 0 0 0 0 +1 +5 +1 Children’s programming. wakes up with the skills of a behind the murder, he finds −15 In Finnish. catwoman eager to solve the his own life under threat. −8 −8 −8 −6 −7 −6 −1 −15 20:00 The Choir - Boys Don't crime she was a victim of. Directed by Tony Scott. −16 Sing Directed by Pitof. Starring: Will Smith, Gene −1 0 −1 +3 +4 +5 +4 Gareth Mahone tries to Starring: Halle Berry. Hackman. −15 +3 −4 −8 −6 −5 −6 −5 come up with a solid plan USA 2004 USA 1998 to get the boys interested 23:00 C.S.I 23:45 Frasier −10 −12 +32 +28 +28 +29 +30 +27 +26 in music. 23:55 C.S.I 00:15 Lincoln Heights −9 Part 2/4. 00:50 Tonight Show with Conan +9 +6 +6 +4 +9 +12 +12 Tue 12/22 22:55 Note by Note DOC O'Brien −2 −4 −2 0 +3 +7 +4 This documentary follows JIM −18 the construction of the +30 +30 +28 +29 +28 +31 +30 world famous Steinway- TV VIISI 18:00 Renovation Realities −17 −5 −4 −5 −5 −6 −2 +1 grand piano while musicians Robert Hopkins is a captain comment on what they 18:00 That 70s Show of a cruise ship who −16 −10 −11 −16 −13 −13 −12 −8 expected from it. The doorman’s rules. attempts to surprise his son −16 18:30 Grounded for Life with a renovated houseboat. −11 −14 −12 −11 −13 −10 −4 −17 Henry's birthday is ruined by The surprise however +6 +5 +7 +8 +9 +10 +9 YLE TEEMA Lily's greed. doesn’t quite go to plan. −14 −14 19:00 America’s Funniest Home 18:30 Man Land −13 +5 +5 +4 +4 +5 +4 +6 22:00 Six Feet Under (K15) Videos 19:00 Bizarre Foods with Andrew Lisa’s fate turns Nate to 19:30 8 Simple Rules for Dating Zimmern Wed 12/23 +5 +6 +3 0 +1 +2 −10 behave self-destructively. My Teenage Daughter Guangzhou, China. −2 −2 −1 0 0 +7 +8 Ruth and George’s marriage 21:00 Foolproof (K11) FILM 20:00 Chopper Challenge −18 announcement raises Kevin, Sam and Rob pass SERIES BEGINS. Nine controversial feelings within their time by planning motorcycle designers face a −21 Ruth’s family. extremely polished heists in challenge of building an all −20 Thursday 12/17 23:00 Retour à Gorée theory. Everything changes time custom bike in 30 days. −18 Youssou N'Dour traces when a gangster blackmails 21:00 Modern Marvels: Coin the links between African them into pulling off a real Operated DOC −15 9:20 am 3:10 pm 10:23 am 2:03 pm slaves and jazz music in the multi-million dollar heist. 22:00 Chop Shop US. The journey ends in a Directed by William Phillips. SERIES ENDS. −6 −9 9:34 am 3:19 pm 11:01 am 1:23 pm concert on Gorée Island. Starring: Ryan Renolds. 22:55 Takeshi's Castle −5 In French and English. Canada 2003 23:25 Ninja Warrior 9:39 am 3:02 pm 00:40 Police Patrol

a selection of films on television during the holidays:

Thursday 24.12. Saturday 26.12. hires a bodyguard to watch her Sunday 3.1. When a new doctor creates a back. Inevitably a passionate and possible cure for the condition, How the Grinch Stole Christmas The Last King of Scotland tragic relationship develops. he tests it on one patient who A fantasy based on a book by Based on true events, this film Sub 21:00 miraculously awakens. After his the famous Dr. Seuss. On a tiny follows a young Scottish doctor, initial success, the hospital staff snowflake floating through the air, Nicholas Garrigan, as he travels to From Here to Eternity allows him to wake the other exists the town of Whoville, home Uganda in search for adventure. Awarded with eight Oscars this patients on the ward, who all make of the Whos. The town is cheerfully Half by accident he ends up in the classic film follows the troops remarkable recoveries. But the preparing for the coming of inner circle of the new president, in Pearl Harbour in the months miracle soon proves passing, as Christmas, but their joy is threatened Idi Amin, and lives it up while preceding the Japanese attack. one by one, the patients return to by the nasty Grinch who in his hatred the country is torn apart by the YleTeema 18:00 their solitary, trance-like worlds. plots to steal Christmas. Friday 25.12. brutal leader. Slowly the naivety Nelonen 16:30 MTV3 12:10 of Garrigan begins to fade as he The Godfather III (K15) comes to terms with the truth about Saturday 2.1. The Departed (K15) Notting Hill The third and last part of the his beloved friend. Filled with Hollywood’s star actors, The simple life of a sympathetic Godfather trilogy is built around MTV3 22:25 Sense and Sensibility this action flick follows two rivals bookshop owner changes forever the head of the family, Michael Based on Jane Austen’s loved from opposite sides of the law as when he meets the most famous Corleone, who in vain attempts novel, this film follows the they work undercover within the film star in the world. Shot in the to get out of the vicious circle of Sunday 27.12. relationship dramas of two Massachusetts State Police and the appealing setting of London’s never-ending violence. The young sisters in old England. The pair Irish mafia. Violence and bloodshed Notting Hill, this film is at the same and ambitious Vincent Corleone is The Bodyguard (K15) are the titular opposites, with Awakenings boil when discoveries are made, and time a beautiful love story and an willing to keep the family in power A classic romantic drama thriller one all sense and the other all A touching drama about the the moles are dispatched to find entertaining comedy. at all costs. about a famous pop star who sensibility. victims of encephalitis who suffer out their enemy’s identities. MTV3 20:00 Nelonen 23:25 receives threats from a fan and TV1 13:45 from perpetual catatonic state. Sub 21:00 HELSINKI TIMES CLASSIFIEDS & SERVICES 17 DECEMBER – 6 JANUARY 2010 232323

TRANSLATIONS HOME MAINTENANCE Finland info

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The Anglican Church in Finland Holds services in English every Sunday morning at 10:00 at Mikael Agricola church Tehtaankatu 23, 00140 Helsinki Follow Helsinki Times on www.anglican.fi All are Welcome! http://twitter.com/helsinkitimes WELLBEING

EXPAT VIEW Traditional Chinese Wellness Center

Guy Windsor came to Finland in 2001 to open the School of European Swords- manship, and has been swinging swords and writing books ever since. He lives in -30% Helsinki with his wife and two daughters.

her nurses gently stroking Paying taxes for proper care her while talking to me about a procedure she was about to PERHAPS the most telling ques- I know that an emergency cae- The odd thing was, I wasn’t do. Across from Katriina was tion for an expatriate is “would sarian takes about 20 minutes, worried. There was a risk of another little baby, being choose to have kids here?” And so when I was still waiting 45 brain damage, of course, but held on a nurse’s chest. for those that already have minutes later, it was clear that that’s true of any birth. I just Whatever else may be said children, if your child’s life is in things had not gone well. felt that everything that could about Finnish culture, they be- danger, do you think “I wish I A midwife came to tell me or should be done was being lieve absolutely that babies was back home”? that I had a daughter. My ini- done, so I was free to focus need love. They will even cite Last Christmas I discov- tial reaction was “yes, I know, on Michaela, whose condition studies to prove it. They make ered my answers to those she’s at home being looked was not nearly so stable. The every effort to get the par- questions. My wife was 39 after by her godfather, what nurse took a photo of the baby ents involved, even in the ICU Christmas special offers weeks pregnant with our about my wife?” but before I and gave it to me. I went back (changing a nappy in an incuba- until 23.12.2009 second daughter when she said anything, I realised that to the waiting room. tor without fouling the wires is was taken into hospital with she meant I had another one. After about an hour, a pretty tricky). And these highly Back and Neck Massage 28€ [39€] 30min pre-eclampsia. So, when her She had been born uncon- doctor came to tell me that competent, busy professional placenta ruptured, she was scious, having lost blood and she was in critical condition, people seemed to love my little Foot Relaxing Massage 43€ [59€] 50min in the right place, and was in been deprived of oxygen, and and about two hours later, girl. As a parent, nothing could Meridian massage [69€] 50min surgery minutes after pass- was in the intensive care unit the same doctor came to tell be more reassuring. 50€ ing out from blood loss. I ar- at the children’s hospital next me she would live. A year on, both Katriina Christmas cheers and wellbeing. rived at the hospital to ﬁ nd door. My wife was still being In all that time, I never and Michaela seem none the her room a mess of scattered operated on as the bleeding once thought “I wish we were worse for their experience, A wellness present for you and your equipment, with a clear path had not stopped. back in Britain”. and this Christmas seems set special someone. to the door and her bed gone. I went to see the baby, and In the ten days before my to be much less dramatic than Tel. 09 2784201 A nurse found me, and ex- talked to the doctors there. girls came home, the thought last. Thinking about what we Fax. 09 2784211 plained (in perfect English) She was already on a respira- still hadn’t crossed my mind. owe to the state-funded med- Iso Roobertinkatu 8 LH 1 that Michaela had lost con- tor, and had dozens of wires My enduring image of new- ical services here, I smile qui- 00120 Helsinki sciousness and was in surgery. coming out of her. born Katriina is of one of etly as I pay my taxes. Welcome! E-mail: [email protected] www.liangtse.fi In this series expatriates tell about their lives in Finland. 035535-0951

ISSUE 51 (130) 17 DECEMBER-6 JANUARY 2010 • ISSN 1796-8321. Price €3 (sis ALV). Helsinki Times can also be read at www.lehtiluukku.fi

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LEHTIKUVA / REUTERS / BRIAN SNYDER SUNDAY New England Patriots cheerleaders perform during the Patriots NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Foxbor- ough, Massachusetts on 13 December.

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY

LEHTIKUVA / REUTERS / PAWEL KOPCZYNSKI LEHTIKUVA / REUTERS / HUGH GENTRY LEHTIKUVA / REUTERS / ALLEN FREDRICKSON

Sculptures from the art installation ‘The Pulse of the Earth’ are pic- Professional surfer Kelly Slater (in orange) pulls into the barrel as Children play in a pile snow left by a plow in Waukesha, Wisconsin on 9 tured outside the congress centre, before the opening of the United Reef McIntosh (in red) watches after they dropped into a 40-foot December. Much of the Midwest is forecast to have blizzard conditions Nations Climate Change Conference 2009 in Copenhagen on 7 De- wave at Waimea Bay during the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitation- and more snowfall, local media reported on Wednesday. cember. The installation is a part of an initiative to put focus on the al surf contest on the North Shore of Oahu in Haleiwa, Hawaii on consequences of global warming. 8 December.

THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

LEHTIKUVA / AFP PHOTO / DON EMMERT LEHTIKUVA / REUTERS / KIM KYUNG-HOON LEHTIKUVA / AFP PHOTO / MARIO LAPORTA

Protesters carry a flag draped coffin through the streets of Man- Capybaras sit inside a hot tub at the Saitama Children’s Zoo in A bulldozer is moving a dead whale on a beach in Foce Varano, hattan on 10 December in New York. Members of the New York Higashimatsuyama, north of Tokyo on 11 December. The zoo of- near Foggia, southern Italy on 12 December. Nine whales were City chapter of the War Resisters League carried cardboard coffins fers the “hot spa” to its family of capybara, the largest living ro- stranded on a beach in Puglia and only two managed to swim through mid-town Manhattan in a solemn and silent procession, to dent in the world, in the winter season to entertain zoo visitors. back to deeper waters. dramatise the human costs of the war in Afghanistan.