A Month Ago Did A Day Trip To Berlengas Islands, 10-15km Off Portuguese Coast And The City Of Peniche

Laura Pausini Finland

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It was already a while ago when one of the biggest winter sports events FIS Nordic Ski World Championships took place in my hometown, in the city of Lahti, I felt inspired to write about home. This inspiration was strengthened by me moving abroad. 

I’ve always had a contradictory relationship with the place I was brought up. There’s nothing better, warmer than going home but then there’s nothing more agonising than being at home. But as the years go by and the further I’ve gone in my life as in the world, I have learnt to appreciate Lahti’s bittersweet qualities and to see more potential than down sides in it. 

Ten years ago I couldn’t get out of the city fast enough but in these days I’m actually proud of my hometown, its rusty reputation and hard cover - knowing that it takes a lot to see what the city holds inside. As nostalgic my occasional visits are I do remember why I left and haven’t returned to live there. But for a SMALL TOWN lovers I wanted to point out a few things why I am proud to come from Lahti: 

Hidden history

Lahti is cool in a way that you need to know shit to see the real thing underneath the hard cover. Yes Lahti is an ugly city but it used to be traditional wooden small town that burnt down 1870′s and within the unappreciation of the recent decades-  it is what it is. There’s a story behind every statue and park no matter how ridiculous it looks outside.. Okay sometimes the story can make you laugh also. But the point is, there are marks all over the town to tell the story of the city which you need to know how to read. Lahti is definitely at its best during the warm and hopefully sunny spring-summer-fall months but also in February during the annual Skiing sport events when the atmosphere gets an international add in the form of the athletes, media and tourists. 

Lake Vesijärvi

Having always lived within a walking distance from the lake I cannot imagine myself living in a city without any sort of water system. Lahti literally means a “bay” in Finnish so the lake view defines a lot of its character. Besides that the lake offers a waterway to other towns near by (Vesijärvi is connected to Päijänne, the second largest lake in the country) it is a fabulous refreshing site all year round.

Harbour

Today it’s called the living room because everybody always heads to spent their free time there whether it’s for sports, cultural events or drinking/dining out. 100 years ago it was an important industrial area being connected by water and rail. The dominant Sibelius Hall, the lake, charming restaurant boats and wooden details make it one of the favorite spots of the city.

Architecture

Lahti is known to be the promised land of boxes of houses without a hint of character or the era they were built in. But there are some pearls among them: 

Sibelius Hall

The concert and congress center, named after the famous Finnish composer (even though Sibelius didn’t have any real connection to Lahti) was built in 2000. It consists of the old factory and the new wooden part which the latter was at the time it the biggest public wooden building for 100 years. Today it’s been recognized as one of the top ten concert halls in Europe and in the world. The location, the open space and attention to details make together a harmony which I particularly enjoy every time when I step in. 

City Hall

Not the most special buildings in Finland since you can find this same design in Helsinki Railway Station and in the City Hall of Joensuu. And yes the architect was the very same Eliel Saarinen. But it is one of the oldest buildings of the city, standing on top of the hill since 1912 and within its park and several statues it’s one of my favorite areas in Lahti. The interior is also worth seeing for. 

Other sights

Ski jumps

They are impressive when you stand down there, staring up in the sky or on top, looking over the city. Apparently it’s the 7th most popular tourist attraction in Finland and I can understand why. For almost two weeks in February 2017 the world of winter sport lovers headed to this place, it was pretty cool! 

Statues and monuments

Lahti is seriously filled with statues. Over 50 statues and monuments over the town include some important ones as others... not so much. And some which you wouldn’t even think of as an statue or a monument at all. 

(There are two radio towers but only one could fit into this pic)

The most important ones (even though I think they’re not officially monuments but anyhow) being the radio towers of course, the symbols of the city. On top of the hill there’s a lovely graveyard and great park for jogging with awesome views over the city. 

Lanu Park is located next to the harbour on a hill hiding 12 human characters made by Olavi Lanu. Some of his work with the same theme can be found in front of the church in the center and the theater.

Design city

Originally known as a city with a strong sport traditions, design and culture has been rising within Sibelius Hall, highly valued Institute of Design and Fine Arts (which they’ve been trying to put down for years!), the re-use of older buildings such as functionalism buildings bus station and old gas station near the city hall.

(Hello! Diner opened in 2016 in the old gas station- not my pic!)

Rising restaurant and cultural scene

During the passed years there has been some serious rising number of restaurants, cafés and live music venues. Even the old restaurants have taken the live music and shows as part of their business plans to attract customers. I’m super-happy about the live music scene cause I can still remember the time when there were barely places for artists and bands to perform.

(Restaurant Popot (shoes in Finnish) opened in the old shoe store - not my pic!)

They say that the region of Häme, which Lahti is a part of, is slow. Being away so much I see it changed every time I come back. Evolving. Growing. Finding its own way. Still not there yet. Lahti is stil not as attractive as Tampere or Porvoo for example but we’re getting there. Slowly but surely. On FB it’s lovely to see people moving from other parts of the country and telling what a great place it is to live and how much does it offer. How friendly people are. Of course crime and negativity do take place but overall it’s nicely positive. Thanks to the pretty heavy selection of events and fairs all year round - the city is being discovered by thousands of tourists every year and along with city folks they develop this city too. Looking forward to my next visit. 

“Home is where your story begins..”

More Cabo da Roca and Praia da Ursa

What an inspiring speech! "If not me, who?" #emmawatson #ifnotmewho #UN #genderequality

Took this pic a while back and somehow it feels appropriate when you think about the events in Nice and Munich and elsewhere in the world. So many lost lives in so many ways. I wish light for everyone walking in the darkness. 

Treasures of Lisbon streets! 

Helsinki Cathedral decorated in the LUX Light Festival

15 years ago since one of the biggest success story of Finnish music was released :) #nostalgia #helsinki

More yesterday’s walk...

UMK 2023 Song review - Portion Boys

The hype is very real around Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu (UMK), the Finnish national selection for Eurovision and the race to Liverpool continues with glam rock anthem!

Portion Boys - Samaa taivasta katsotaan

Portion Boys have been around for a while. They originally started from Youtube back in 2010 and by releasing regurarly singles slowly but surely made theirselves a name in Finland. Especially the few last years have been succesful for them. They’ve become known as a positive dance-pop group with a lots of personality. 

Samaa taivasta katsotaan represents quite well the band’s musical repertoire and style. It offers a great ending to UMK23 series (as it was released as the seventh and the last track) and also to UMK23 show on February 25th. This is a very rich song, we have several elements and genres mixed in this one and it is the thing that might keep the viewer hooked for the entire 3 minutes but it might also be the thing that breaks charm.

I get the feeling of the song trying too hard. It’s trying to please everyone - we have the rock rap, anthem like instrumental parts, heavy metalish screaming going on. Even the lyrics mention several countries and make references in foreign languages. It’s a mess and it’s up to one’s personal taste whether it’s a mess for your taste. 

The song reminds a bit of Eurovision Movie: Fire Saga by its vibes and with its to be honest Eurovision clichés. Even reference to Latvian Pirates in 2008 has been made in social media. There’s a certain sillyness in here but also the spirit of becoming one despite all our differences. Usually these kind of entries haven’t done very well in ESC.

However,  this might be one of the rare UMK23 entries that I do not wish to advance to ESC. On another year yes but not in 2023 when we have better options. However, I have to admit it does hold the strongest hook in UMK23. This might go against the lovers of Cha Cha Cha as it musically and spiritually stands completely on the other side of the edge. However, I can see this becoming a true Finnhit classic and bringing people together on the dancefloor.

What do you think of the seventh UMK23 track and would you vote for Portion Boys’ Samaa taivasta katsotaan to go all the way to Liverpool? UMK final takes place on February 25th!