Explore Finland Radio Show

Into Seinäjoki: Entrepreneur Story – Mokka Market International Food Shop

This episode is something a little different, I hope you enjoy it.

In partnership with Into Seinäjoki & E-P WIISE ry, I interviewed my friend Mohammed Al-Marrani about his journey from the countryside of Yemen to the plains of South Ostrobothnia. He explains his dream of being an entrepreneur, his integration into Finnish society, the help and guidance he received to start his business and his plans to grow Mokka Market in the future.

Guest: Mohammed Al-Marrani, Mokka Market https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057121463256

Into Seinäjoki video: https://youtu.be/uCkU1GB0SVE

Audio/video: Glenn Murray

Read the rest of this entry »

Kuortane Terwaviikko: Preserving South Ostrobothnia’s Tar-making Tradition

Part two of a two-part episode...

When I asked about visiting the "Terwaviikko" (Tar Week) event in Kuortane, I was quickly introduced to Michael Hutchinson-Rees, a fellow Londoner in Finland, who is now firmly involved in the Lions Club of Kuortane that organises the weeklong tar-making event that takes three years of preparation.

Michael invited me to visit the tar pit in Kuortane a few times across the week, to learn how tar is made and to witness different stages of the tar-making process.

In this episode, Michael tells me how the Kuortane "Terwaviikko" event comes together, why it takes three years of preparation, how wood-tar is made and what to expect when I visit during the week of festivities.

This episode ends with an audio description of the event. If you want to see the video version (and you probably should) you will find it here:

Blog: show notes and links https://explorefinlandpodcast.com/2022/10/16/history-of-tar-making-and-kuortane-terwaviikko/

Guest: Michael Hutchison-Reis and Kuortane Terwaviikko

Read the rest of this entry »

The History & Tradition of Tar-making in Kuortane

Part one of a two-part episode...

When I asked about visiting the "Terwaviikko" (Tar Week) event in Kuortane, I was quickly introduced to Michael Hutchinson-Reis, a fellow Londoner in Finland, who is now firmly involved in the Lions Club of Kuortane that organises the weeklong tar-making event that takes three years of preparation.

Michael invited me to visit the tar pit in Kuortane a few times across the week, to learn how tar is made and to witness different stages of the tar-making process.

In this episode, Michael explains how wood-tar is produced and the great cultural and historical importance this industry has for the village of Kuortane.

Blog: show notes and links https://explorefinlandpodcast.com/2022/10/16/history-of-tar-making-and-kuortane-terwaviikko/

Guest: Michael Hutchison-Reis and Kuortane Terwaviikko

Read the rest of this entry »

SF-Caravan-Kalajärvi: A Year-round Family Resort & Activity Centre in South Ostrobothnia

I was invited by Päivi Nurmikoski, to visit SF-Camping-Kalajärvi in nearby Peräseinäjoki. She introduced us to the caravan park itself and all the facilities , activities and entertainment for her family, that make them return here almost EVERY weekend, all year long. They love it here, maybe you would too.

Blog: show notes and links https://explorefinlandpodcast.com/2022/06/09/sf-caravan-kalajarvi-a-year-round-family-resort/

Guest: Päivi Nurmikoski at SFC Kalajärvi www.caravan-kalajarvi.fi/

Read the rest of this entry »

Finnish Sauna Festivals - live at Kalajärven Saunafestarit 2019

Recorded back in summer 2019, I was welcomed to experience my first sauna festival by the organiser of Kalajärven Saunafestarit, Tero Knaapila.

Tero talked me through the origins of this event and what one can expect from a sauna festival. He then took me into his converted motor home sauna (which is still road legal!) before a cooling dip in Lake Kalajärvi.

Blog: show notes and links https://explorefinlandpodcast.com/2022/05/09/finnish-sauna-festivals-kalajarven-saunafestarit/

Read the rest of this entry »

Pyhävuori – The Holy Mountain of Alajärvi

In this episode, I am joined again by Craterologist, Teemu Öhman, to revisit the subject of Pyhävuori. It's an area overlooking Lake Lappajärvi, that is full of geological interest and historical mythology, featuring trolls, hermits and a sacrificial stone. From the ice age to modern days.

Following this recording, Glenn Murray and I went out to explore (and as you can see in the video) get slightly lost on) the holy mountain, Pyhävuori.

0:00:00 Introduction
0:01:15 Where is Pyhävuori
0:01:15 The Preserved Rim of Pyhävuori
0:03:10 The Geology of Pyhävuori
0:07:48 Uhrikivi - the sacrificial stone
0:10:12 The ice age 'Baltic Lake' at Pyhävuori
0:14:09 'Pirun pesä' caves - the Devil's nest
0:15:39 Jaakko Reipakka - the hermit and his hut
0:17:09 Kalliomaalaus – rock paintings
0:19:22 Impact Craterlake Geopark, Lappajärvi
0:21:28 Outro

 

Show notes and links: https://explorefinlandpodcast.com/2022/02/17/pyhavuori-the-holy-mountain-of-alajarvi/

The Nordic Tourist video "Pyhävuori: Human Sacrifice and the Finnish Mountain Man" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQQIxcXF2OI

A Tour of Art and Culture Centre Kalevan Navetta

Part two of a two part episode (you should probably listen to part one first!)

In April 2021, myself and Glenn Murray visited Art & Culture Centre Kalevan Navetta in Seinäjoki. This building has a varied history, an re-invigorated present and, surely, a long future bringing art, craftwork, culture and community to Seinäjoki.

In this episode,  Päivi Alaniska and Elina Teitti take me on a tour of the venue. Starting with the areas that are always open to the public; the art & craft workshops, the Taito art shop and Äärella restaurant, we then make our way upstairs and visit the contrasting exhibition spaces Halli and Vintti.

Show notes and links

The History of Art and Culture Centre Kalevan Navetta

Part one of a two part episode.

In April 2021, myself and Glenn Murray visited Art & Culture Centre Kalevan Navetta in Seinäjoki. This building has a varied history, an re-invigorated present and, surely, a long future bringing art, craftwork, culture and community to Seinäjoki.

In this episode, I am introduced to the history of Kalevan Navetta by Päivi Alaniska (Project Coordinator at  Seinäjoki City Cultural Services) and Elina Teitti, art educator and acting Exhibition coordinator at Kunsthalle Seinäjoki.

Show notes and links

Introducing the What's On in Southern Ostrobothnia podcast - April 2021 [PILOT]

What's On... Southern Ostrobothnia now lives on its own, dedicated feed https://whatsonsouthostrobothnia.podbean.com/

Welcome to this new series in which Mark Wiltshear and Glenn Murray (The Nordic Tourist) shine the spotlight on events, activities and events in the Etelä-Pohjanmaa/Southern Ostrobothnia region of Finland. Whether you live in the area, are paying a short visit or are staying here for a holiday, this essential guide will help you find a variety of new ways to pass your time.

In this episode Mark and Glenn go from one extreme to another. Glenn introduces a high-octane skydiving course in, while Mark opts for a, more cultured, visit to a museum. Our guest this time is Lina Mattsson from Selmu ry, who tells us about the Rytmis Junior event at Rytmikorjaamo.

Show notes with links to events

.

World Record Ice Carousel & Ice Festival on Lake Lappajärvi

On Saturday 27th February 2021, myself and Glenn Murray, The Nordic Tourist, were invited to a special event on Lake Lappajärvi in Etelä-Pohjanmaa, to witness an attempt at the world record biggest ice carousel. What is that? Listen in as I interview Janne Käpylehto, the modern-day father of ice carousels, who will explain all...

Show notes & links