From a global point of view, 2013 will go to history as a rather gloomy year. The economic recession worsened during the year, with unemployment and poverty in its wake. Youth unemployment reached new records. The devastating hurricanes, inundations and landslides in Southeast Asia and the Caribbean will go to history. Corruption has continued to flourish in most parts of the world. Tragic high speed train and bus crashes with hundreds of victims were reported.
Christmas in The Air
by Marianne Lindahl •
During the past 12 years I have never before stayed in Finland until the beginning of December.
Invasion of Scandinavian Seniors
by Marianne Lindahl •
Scandinavian ‘greyhounds’ love the Costa del Sol. Most of the estimated 80.000 Scandinavian dwellers on the Costa live west of Malaga, in Torremolinos, Benalmádena, Fuengirola,Mijas, Marbella, and Estepona.
Competition Between Neighbours
by Marianne Lindahl •
Sweden and Finland are engaged in all kinds of mutual competitions in athletics, flootball, poker, wife carrying etc. The most important of these fights is no doubt the so-called Finnkampen.
Night of the Arts
by Marianne Lindahl •
Every year in August since 1988 the streets of Helsinki are filled with art enthusiasts, performance lovers and the culturally or otherwise curious, not to mention those who just like to go out, get a bit drunk and join the party.
Cuddly Sing-along and Melancholy Tango
by Marianne Lindahl •
Sweden and Finland offer fantastic musical events during this summer, with chamber music, opera, jazz, rock festivals, you name it. There are gigs and festivals for every taste, but I would like here to take up two of the most typical and folksy summer festivities; Sing-along at Skansen in Stockholm (Allsång på Skansen) and the Finnish Tango Festival in Seinäjoki , Southern Ostrobothnia.
Harassment in Cyber Space
by Marianne Lindahl •
Internet harassment and in particular hate email is of constant agony for many victims. Luckily there are laws that one can call upon, but when the bullying or outright threats are anonymous, it is extremely difficult to trace the culprit.
Back North
by Marianne Lindahl •
It’s warm and sunny in Helsinki. The birches have small leaves, and the lawns are astonishingly green for the season. People have abandoned their dull winter wrappings for brighter summer dresses. The café terraces by the Esplanade Park near Helsinki’s famous market place are full of people enjoying the sunshine, sipping coffee, soft drinks or beer. From my window I can hear a band playing jazz in the park.
Spring Gossip
by Marianne Lindahl •
Spring has finally come to Almuñécar. The weather is like summer in Scandinavia. From our kitchen window we see a ‘vega’ that is greener than I can remember. Yellow, pink and white flowers and bushes are all over the place.
Football Euphoria
by Marianne Lindahl •
Last week, during my and Nils Öhrvall’s art exhibition at Casa de la Cultura in Almuñécar, a member of the culture house staff asked me from where I was. When he heard that I was from Finland, he said “Oh that’s the country playing against Spain in Gijon on March 22 in the World Cup qualifiers. Finland is not a big football country. I bet the game will end 6-0 for Spain”.