Light Mapping walk in Helsinki

Oma maa mansikka by Jukka Lehtinen, Pikkuparlamentti.

Last night I took part in the first Light Mapping walk in Helsinki, an illuminating tour nicely guided by an outdoor lighting expert, architect Marjut Kauppinen. It helped us to see the city in a different light and showed the details otherwise hidden in the darkness. One of the beautiful sights was the huge steel statue Oma maa mansikka by Jukka Lehtinen, impressively lighted in front of Little Parliament house.

The walk went from Museum of Natural History to Diana Park. It was a surprise to see how many different colours the streetlights have and also the darkness of the city: most of the city light comes from the official buildings, hotels, shops, stores and restaurants. Does nobody live in the centre anymore?

Wicked is wicked is w...

Maria Ylipää and Anna-Maija Tuokko, photo Tapio Vanhatalo.

The famous musical Wicked had last night it´s premiere in Helsingin Kaupunginteatteri. And what did we experience? Three hours of total waste of sparkling talent, energy and green body paint. The story of a different friendship and different values was hidden somewhere, and I did not understand which is the target audience. I certainly would like to get something from a musical, even to be moved somehow. Not like the couple sitting next to me: they moved themselves out from the theatre during the intermission and I don´t blame them.

Anna is back in town

Anna Ruohonen, our own Parisian designer with the lovely curly hair, has arrived in Helsinki with her new autumn-winter 2010-11 collection, which is, as always, a happy marriage of design and quality. If your favorite fashion colours are black or beige, go to Uudenmaankatu 4-6, inner inner courtyard. There is Anna´s new concept store since April. It is open from Tuesday to Friday at 12-16 and on Saturdays from 11 to 15. Men and women are welcome!

Daniel, the magician of the Finnish fashion scene

Photo © Paula Hietaranta  

The safest way to create something original in fashion is not to look at the current nor coming trends but at your own mind and heart. Our adorable Daniel Palillo was today attending a discussion panel at the fashion trade fair Finnish Catwalk at Wanha Satama and was asked what kind of clothes he is designing. – Those I like myself, he said. Needless to say that they are huge, hugely crazy and make everybody happy, too!

Beggars among us

Photo © Paula Hietaranta

There certainly is a long tradition of begging in Finland. Just look at those old men standing in front or inside of our old churches, waiting to get some coins. OK, they are made of wood, but beggars anyway. So why are we now so sensitive to see beggars in our streets? Would they be more acceptable if they would be begging in front of the churches instead of the department stores?