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Showing posts with label Finland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Finland. Show all posts
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Finland Closes Shop for Midsummer published today 12:27 PM
Finland Closes Shop for Midsummer
Image: Rinna Härkönen
Saturday June 20 is Midsummer's Day, known in Finnish as Juhannus (St John's Day). One of the biggest celebrations of the year, it brings most of the nation's business and services to a halt, beginning on Friday around midday.
Traditionally celebrated with food, drink, song, saunas and bonfires, Midsummer is the only holiday when the Finnish flag flies around the clock, from 6 pm Friday till 9 pm Saturday. The holiday is celebrated on the weekend closest to the actual Summer Solstice, which this year happens to fall on Sunday.
Shops:
Retail stores may remain open on Friday, Midsummer's Eve, until 1 pm. They are closed on Saturday. On Sunday shops may open from 12 noon to 9 pm.
Kiosks, petrol stations, small shops in rural areas and those under Helsinki's main railway station can set their own hours, so some may be open on Saturday.
Alko:
State alcoholic beverage outlets are open on Friday until 1 pm; closed on Saturday and Sunday.
Post offices:
Post offices close on Thursday by 6 pm. They re-open on Monday June 22.
Some other businesses, such as shops and filling stations, may offer postal services according to their own opening hours.
Banks:
Banks are open normally on Thursday, but then closed until Monday.
Rail service:
VR trains operate on special holiday schedules. Many normal departures are cancelled on Friday and Saturday.
Most run on regular timetables on Thursday. On Friday they generally operate according to Saturday schedules. On Saturday and Sunday they follow Sunday timetables. However there are many exceptions.
For instance, all day trains between Seinäjoki and Kokkola in western Finland are cancelled due to track work. Most will be replaced by buses. Some overnight express trains are also cancelled.
Local train transport:
Midsummer does not bring major changes to VR's local train services. Friday's trains run on Saturday schedules; Saturday and Sunday on Sunday timetables.
Long-distance bus services:
On Thursday, coaches run on regular schedules, with the addition of some extra Friday departures. On Midsummer's Eve, they drive according to Saturday timetables, with limited departures after 2 pm. There is restricted traffic on Midsummer's Day. On June 21 it reverts to the usual Sunday schedules. However some early morning departures are cancelled.
Highway and maritime help:
The Automobile and Touring Club of Finland offers emergency road help around the clock. The hotline number is 0200-8080 (toll call).
The Finnish Lifeboat Institution offers emergency help at sea. Their hotline is 0204 1000. Those in trouble on inland waters (or on land) should call the regular emergency number, 112.
YLE
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Friday, October 10, 2008
The Nobel Peace Prize for 2008 to Martti Ahtisaari, the Former Finnish President!
Announcement
The Norwegian Nobel Committee
The Nobel Peace Prize for 2008
The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2008 to Martti Ahtisaari for his important efforts, on several continents and over more than three decades, to resolve international conflicts. These efforts have contributed to a more peaceful world and to "fraternity between nations" in Alfred Nobel’s spirit.
Throughout all his adult life, whether as a senior Finnish public servant and President or in an international capacity, often connected to the United Nations, Ahtisaari has worked for peace and reconciliation. For the past twenty years, he has figured prominently in endeavours to resolve several serious and long-lasting conflicts. In 1989-90 he played a significant part in the establishment of Namibia’s independence; in 2005 he and his organization Crisis Management Initiative (CMI) were central to the solution of the complicated Aceh question in Indonesia. In 1999 and again in 2005-07, he sought under especially difficult circumstances to find a solution to the conflict in Kosovo. In 2008, through the CMI and in cooperation with other institutions, Ahtisaari has tried to help find a peaceful conclusion to the problems in Iraq. He has also made constructive contributions to the resolution of conflicts in Northern Ireland, in Central Asia, and on the Horn of Africa.
Although the parties themselves have the main responsibility for avoiding war and conflict, the Norwegian Nobel Committee has on several occasions awarded the Nobel Peace Prize to mediators in international politics. Today Ahtisaari is an outstanding international mediator. Through his untiring efforts and good results, he has shown what role mediation of various kinds can play in the resolution of international conflicts. The Norwegian Nobel Committee wishes to express the hope that others may be inspired by his efforts and his achievements.
Oslo, 10 October 2008
The Norwegian Nobel Committee
The Nobel Peace Prize for 2008
The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2008 to Martti Ahtisaari for his important efforts, on several continents and over more than three decades, to resolve international conflicts. These efforts have contributed to a more peaceful world and to "fraternity between nations" in Alfred Nobel’s spirit.
Throughout all his adult life, whether as a senior Finnish public servant and President or in an international capacity, often connected to the United Nations, Ahtisaari has worked for peace and reconciliation. For the past twenty years, he has figured prominently in endeavours to resolve several serious and long-lasting conflicts. In 1989-90 he played a significant part in the establishment of Namibia’s independence; in 2005 he and his organization Crisis Management Initiative (CMI) were central to the solution of the complicated Aceh question in Indonesia. In 1999 and again in 2005-07, he sought under especially difficult circumstances to find a solution to the conflict in Kosovo. In 2008, through the CMI and in cooperation with other institutions, Ahtisaari has tried to help find a peaceful conclusion to the problems in Iraq. He has also made constructive contributions to the resolution of conflicts in Northern Ireland, in Central Asia, and on the Horn of Africa.
Although the parties themselves have the main responsibility for avoiding war and conflict, the Norwegian Nobel Committee has on several occasions awarded the Nobel Peace Prize to mediators in international politics. Today Ahtisaari is an outstanding international mediator. Through his untiring efforts and good results, he has shown what role mediation of various kinds can play in the resolution of international conflicts. The Norwegian Nobel Committee wishes to express the hope that others may be inspired by his efforts and his achievements.
Oslo, 10 October 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Wolf cave, Kristiinankaupunki, links
Some links to Wolf cave, my favorite place in my home town!
(Has to do with Neanderthalians, like the previosly blogged article too!)
http://www.susiluola.fi/eng/index_eng.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf_Cave
http://edu.krs.fi/matkailu_turism/english/index.php?sivu=luonto&a=esite_alaotsikot&b=luonto_b
http://edu.krs.fi/museo/english.html
www.susiluola.fi
http://www.hs.fi/english/picture/1076153747068
http://www.visitfinland.com/w5/index.nsf/(Pages)/pori_Tour
http://remotecentral.blogspot.com/2007/05/wolf-cave-kristiinankaupunki-finland.html
(Has to do with Neanderthalians, like the previosly blogged article too!)
http://www.susiluola.fi/eng/index_eng.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf_Cave
http://edu.krs.fi/matkailu_turism/english/index.php?sivu=luonto&a=esite_alaotsikot&b=luonto_b
http://edu.krs.fi/museo/english.html
www.susiluola.fi
http://www.hs.fi/english/picture/1076153747068
http://www.visitfinland.com/w5/index.nsf/(Pages)/pori_Tour
http://remotecentral.blogspot.com/2007/05/wolf-cave-kristiinankaupunki-finland.html
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