Advent Calendar, Day 8

statue of jean sibelius
Statue of Jean Sibelius, Järvenpää, Finland

Today one of the Finnish treasures of the century is celebrated, the composer Jean Sibelius. It’s also a day for Finnish music. He’s one of the best known people abroad. Especially for classical music lovers. He composed ‘Finlandia‘ which is usually played on special occasions. You can hear the song in ‘Die Hard 2: Die harder’ and other places as well. This is a flag day to remember the day he was born.

His home is ‘Ainola‘ where he and his wife Aino lived. There’s more about the place and photos in the link. Very interesting reading I must say.

Here’s a few photos I took when I was there in summer 2012. I used to study in the same town but only walked past it. I wanted to show my parents the town so we went to see this a bit closer on the same trip.

ainola_tuusula
Ainola, home of Jean Sibelius
sauna
The sauna
inside a sauna
Inside the sauna

Ainola was a really nice place. It was in the middle of a forest. It had a big garden with flowers. I could imagine how they would had walked there everyday. Maybe entertaining guests. I could definitely live in a place like this. Peaceful and quiet. So if you’re want to see Finland in the summer, visit this place. I wish I could have went inside the house that is now a museum but unfortunately we didn’t have time.

Advent Calendar, Day 7

reflection from a mirrot on the ceiling

I don’t protest if I hear Christmas songs but I do protest them when it’s 2 months in advance. Today I listened to them. I have a list on Spotify with modern songs. I also like those traditional ones though. You don’t hear moderns songs on the radio that often. If you really want to listen to songs you want to hear, you should make a playlist on streaming sites like Spotify. Legally of course.

So when is the right time to start listening to Christmas tunes? Closer to Christmas the better, I say. Before that it’s annoying and by the time the real holiday comes, you’re already bored with them. It shouldn’t be like that but it is. I don’t know what the rush is. The same with when to end it. Some stop playing them after Christmas day but still Christmas. In Finland, Sweden and Estonia Christmas ends on St. Knut day which is January 13. But people seems to want to get rid of Christmas as soon as possible. It is strange, people can’t wait for it and yet they can’t wait to get rid of it. Sometimes I wonder the behaviour of certain people. They have no respect for traditions anymore. That’s the way it goes in the modern world and you can’t change that.

I’m not gonna do anything differently. I respect traditions and I’ll keep it that way. People can put their Christmas decorations away right after Christmas Eve if their that hasty. I’m gonna enjoy it until January 13. I’m in no hurry. The same with songs. I’ll listen to them every day until then. Christmas and the songs are only once a year. You can listen to other songs all year around.

Advent Calendar, Day 6, Independence day

google logo with Finnish flag
Google remembers Finland

Today it’s Independence day of Finland. 99 years of those. Next year it’s 100th. This post could go on and on about what independence means to me. But it’s not. I should actually be working on a website for a client so I don’t have time for a longer post.

I’m just gonna say this.

Happy Independence day Finland!

Hyvää Itsenäisyyspäivää Suomi!

Glad Självständighetsdag Finland!