One of my fondest memories of Helsinki in september 2003 was of having a beer at the cafe Ursula, which looks out on the Suomenlinna-the giant Swedish built 18thcentury island and fortress complex that was intended to keep the Russians out. So we went to lunch and were delighted to be entertained by a student band of troubadours who played out a ribald musical version of the story of the 3 wise men with the political twist of Tsar Nicholas substituted for Herod. Clearly this was an old Finnish Christmas tradition as diners laughed heartily and sang along with the actors.
Tokyo String quartet gave a sunday evening concert in the House of Nobility where I took my doctorate in 2003-the walls contain the coats of arms of Finns elevated to branches of the Swedish nobility. Nice to be back under these less stressful circumstances.
Riita's son Eero is the modern dance Billy Elliot of Finland. I was privileged to attend a dress rehearsal of a new dance. Here he and his dance partner, Esete, perform feats of strength, flexibility verging on escapology as they entwine themselves in and out of a vertical bath tub.
The cast debrief the session in almost accentless English in deference to their mono-lingual guest.
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