Blue Wings Pause issue January 2019

Pause issue 1 / 2019

BLUE WINGS BANGKOK’S

MORNING G LO R Y

UN PLUGG E D

Learn to embrace the joy of missing out

I CE LI FE

When Finland’s ­lakes turn into frozen playgrounds

H UTO NG S REB ORN

Beijing’s historical hoods are hip and happening again

T H E A L L- N E W P R I N C E S S F 5 5 E X P E R I E N C E T H E E X C E P T I O N A L®

Boat show 19�–�27.2.2019 Visit us us at at the the Düsseldorf Cannes Yachting Festival, 11th – 16th September 2018

PRINCESS FINLAND +358 500 667754 info@princess.fi www.princess.fi FIND OUT MORE AT PRINCESSYACHTS.COM

Editorial Welcome onboard

TOPI MA N N ER

Chief Executive Officer, Finnair

bluewings.finnair.com

FO KUS M E D I A F I N L A N D Managing editor Amanda Soila Art director Aino Ahtiainen Web editor Shelly Nyqvist Visual designers Sesilja Lindell, Iris Mark Editorial assistant Aino Vähälä English editing Silja Kudel Reprographics Faktor Oy Cover by Steven David Lim

Behind this issue Daniel Allen, Tim Bird, Mark Fletcher, Laura Iisalo, Silja ­Kudel, Alex Leander, Steven David Lim, Don McCracken, Mikko Nikkinen, Paul Paiewonsky, Katja Pantzar, Marko Pasanen, Hernan Patiño, Nardia Plumridge, Camille Romano, Vesa Salmi, Riitta Sourander, and Liisa Valonen Submissions and feedback bluewings@fokusmedia.fi Blue Wings online bluewings.finnair.com issuu.com/finnair_bluewings Editorial Offices Hämeentie 153 C, 00560 Helsinki, Finland, tel. +358 40 630 8253 firstname.lastname@fokusmedia.fi Advertising Sales Jaana Lindvall-Harki tel. +358 40 582 1416 jaana.lindvall-harki@fokusmedia.fi Publisher Fokus Media Finland Printed by Punamusta, Joensuu, Finland 2018 Paper UPM Valor 61g, Cover paper Stora Enso LumiArt 200g ISSN-0358-7703

Editor-in-Chief Arja Suominen arja.suominen@finnair.com Finnair Head Office Tietotie 9 A, Helsinki Airport, 1053 Finnair, Finland, tel. +358 (0)9 818 81, Postal address: P. O. Box 15, 01053 Finnair, Finland Customer feedback finnair.com/feedback or by mail: Customer Relations, SL/403, FI-01053 Finnair finnair.com, finnair.fi, finnairgroup.com

New opportunities new CEO, I am very proud to be a part of ­Finnair’s great team and to help build the company’s future together with all our staff.

Over the past few years, Finnair employees have done outstanding work in renewing and growing the company. They have proven that amazing things can happen when a company is mobilised and directed with a c­ ommon goal in mind.

For example, we’re honoured to have been awarded a 2019 Five Star Global Airline rating by the Airline Passenger Experience A ­ ssociation (APEX), which is based entirely on verified ­feedback given by passengers.

Now with a strong team and mindset in place, we still have great opportunities ahead.

I am truly excited to grow Finnair together with our staff and our customers, and I especially look f­orward to interacting with you to hear what you expect from Finnair.

What are the most important things you consider when choosing an airline? What are your expectations towards an airline such as Finnair?

These are critical matters for us to better understand your needs and to further develop Finnair into one of the most c­ ustomer-centric airlines in the world.

Topi Manner

AS F I NNAI R ’S

I am excited to grow Finnair together with you and our staff.

JANUARY 2019 BLUE WINGS 3

Täysin uusi Kia ProCeed

Bold Move

Alk. 26 171 € Bold move. Itsevarma valinta.

Täysin uusi ProCeed on premium-estetiikkaa henkivä shooting brake: farmarin ja coupén urheilullinen yhdistelmä ja rohkea jatke AutoBildin perheautovertailun voittaneen Kia Ceedin mallistolle. Matala, voimakkaasti laskeutuva kattolinja ja näyttävä GT-line varustelu viestivät ProCeedin urheilullisesta luonteesta. Malliston lippulaivana on urheilullinen 204 hv GT. ProCeed on tyylikäs, yksilöllinen ja itsevarma. Juuri niin kuin sinäkin.

VUODEN TAKUU

Kia ProCeed 1,0 T-GDi ISG 120hv GT-Line SB EcoDynamics alk. autoveroton hinta 22.990,48 € + arvioitu autovero 3.180,71 € + tk 600 € = kokonaishinta 26.771,19 €.

Vapaa autoetu alk. 580 €/kk, käyttöetu alk. 415 €/kk. EU-yhd. kulutus 5,1–7,1 l/100 km, CO2-päästöt 136–169 g/km. Kia-huolenpitosopimus alk. 30 €/kk (sopimusaika 36 kk, 10 tkm/vuosi). Kia-takuu 7 vuotta tai 150 000 km, kolme ensimmäistä vuotta ilman kilometrirajaa. Kia 24h tiepalvelu vuodeksi veloituksetta.

Kuvan auto erikoisvarustein. Tilaa MyKia-uutiskirje ja varaa huolto helposti www.kia.fi.

www.kia.fi @kiamotorsfinland

WAKE UP WORLD

Hästens iconic blue check is 40 this year!

We find that after a good night’s sleep, it’s easier to see opportunities rather than difficulties. When you buy a Hästens bed today, you will get a good night’s sleep as well as a superb complimentary package of Hästens products.

Sleep well, don’t settle for less.

HÄSTENS STORE HELSINKI Mannerheimintie 8, 00100 Helsinki. Puh. 020 780 1370

Contents January

Fuengirola’s Finnish hotel revamp (p. 20)

Santi Srisongkram and Jose Nenonen reimagine Bangkok’s breakfast scene (p. 30)

Moments of zen on a frozen lake (p. 40)

Dream

Explore

Keep your curiosity alive

13

W I S E C RA F T

Nordic tea time

14

G LO BA L PU L S E

Relax & restore

16

U P C LOS E

Think beyond the box

3 0

FI E L D TR I P

Bangkok’s breakfast makeover 40 E SCAPE

Frozen Finland 46 THI NK AG AI N

Swedish fika goes vegan

17

C U LT U R E SWA P

Fashion that loves landscapes

18

CO O R D I N AT ES

53 CONVE R SATI ON

Italy’s dreamiest view

20 PASS I O N PR OJ EC T

Beijing’s courtyard charm with a twist (p. 24)

Healing by foraging 49 SMAR T STUFF

Big ideas, clever solutions Katri Saarikivi on machine empathy

Fuengirola’s Finnish hideout

24 I N S I D E T RAC K

Beijing’s classic courtyards

JANUARY 2019 BLUE WINGS 7

Contents January

Create

Celebrate accomplishments

5 6 C R EAT I V E CO R N ER

Art nation of Vilnius 66 S ID EST EPS

Scottish island tales 70 S H OW R O O M

All about art and design 74 INVEST I G AT I O N

The joy of missing out 78 Q & A

Life in wintry Iceland

Fly

The world of Finnair What’s new Fly the short northern route FI NNAI R PLUS Frequent flyer rewards SHOPPI NG Wish list from the Finnair Shop MY FI NNAI R Passenger stories SKY FOOD Culinary options in the air W E L L NE SS Comfortable flying E NTE R TAI NME NT Stay connected STAFF TI PS Keeping fit on the road HOL I DAY SAMPL E R Sunny Egypt SUSTAI NAB I L I TY Women in tech FL E E T Modern fleet at your service MAPS Helsinki Airport and destination check-list FI NL AND FACTS Fascinating figures

80 FI NNAI R NE WS

82 FI NNAI R SE RVI CE S 83 84 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 98

Mystical views on Isle of Skye (p. 66)

Painter Tadas Trucilauskas is creative to the core (p. 56)

8 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2019

Stylish stay in Stockholm’s Bank Hotel (p. 70)

PHOTO DANIEL ALLEN

Dream

Keep your curiosity alive

Courtyard comeback Beijing’s historical neighbourhoods are seeing a new dawn (p. 24) JANUARY 2019 BLUE WINGS 11

Messukeskus Helsinki #venemessut venemessut.fi

8.

17.2.2019

Kesän merkit Pohjois-Euroopan suurimmassa veneilytapahtumassa.

Osta liput ja tutustu ohjelmaan: venemessut.fi

Wise craft TEXT AND PHOTO LAURA IISALO

Local talents to watch

Nina Rantala and Mirka Olin make their tea blends using freezedried berries and other Nordic ingredients.

Tea for two W H AT WO U L D B E A great way to package the finest offerings of Finnish nature and make it a global hit?

This was the question Nina Rantala and Mirka Olin asked when they set up NORD-T in 2014.

Old friends from childhood, the duo decided to start making tea, already the second most popular beverage in the world. The tea they offer isn’t any old brew, however, but a selection of unique blends highlighting natural Nordic ingredients such as dried birch leaves, spruce sprouts, beetroot, nettles, and wild berries, which are freeze-dried to create strong, sophisticated flavours and to preserve their precious vitamins.

“We were gutted to find that most existing tea blends were made with artificial flavourings. It took us two years of product development to create tea blends with gently treated berries. All you need to do is add water to make them fresh again,” Olin

explains with a steaming cuppa in hand.

NORD-T blends are available in shops and restaurants throughout Finland. Looking to expand in Europe and Asia, the duo has just returned from Japan, a country renowned for its tea culture. Later this year they plan to tour the world with their new concept: the Finnish Tea Ritual. This meditative act evokes an experience similar to enjoying a campfire in the Finnish woods and as part of the ritual, Rantala and Olin tell stories about the origins of their tea to a small audience while serving fresh, aromatic brews and a small bite to eat.

“Tea isn’t just a product – it’s an experience.

We Finns tend to drink our tea very slowly and in silence, often wrapped in a shawl,” Rantala says.

“We want to export the Finnish forest and way of living for the rest of the world to enjoy,” she adds. 

JANUARY 2019 BLUE WINGS 13

Global pulse Ideas for a good life from around the world

Sojo Spa Club’s relaxing charcoal sauna promises to increase blood circulation as well as release toxins.

Book nook

UPBEAT READS As plants and flowers have exploded in popularity so has the art of flower arranging. B LOSSOM – MAKE CR E ATI VE FLOWER

(Cozy Publishing) by Laura Syväniemi with gorgeous photos by Viola Minerva Virtamo, takes you on a learning journey of creating beautiful floral arrangements.

Text in Finnish and English.

Wellness spot

ASIAN SPAS IN AMERICA of embracing Asian spas shows no signs of slowing down in the US, with the popularity of Japanese onsen baths and Korean jjimjilbang inspired bathhouses growing. One of the newest to join the pack is SoJo, which bills itself as “a reimagined Korean bathhouse” combining traditional treatments from a variety of cultures in the modern luxury of an American spa located just outside New York City on the Hudson River in Edgewater, New Jersey. Features include a red clay sauna used for centuries around the world for its medicinal and cosmetic benefits, traditional Korean bathhouse scrubs, a full-service spa, and a hotel with 28 rooms and a fitness centre.

A daily complimentary shuttle bus makes several trips a day from Manhattan to SoJo’s front door and back.

T H E T R EN D

PARK TH E RAPY

For those looking to practice outdoor meditation, take a break from the work day with a stroll through Central Park− regardless of the time of the year.

14 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2019

New York City

MEDITATION ON THE MOVE Two different ways of finding zen: in a city park or inside a bus.

FOR B USY UR B ANI T ES

BeTime, a mobile ­meditation and relaxation bus that holds classes around New York City allows for a little zen on the go. Book a ­session via their app.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE COMPANIES, JACALYN BEALES, STEFAN ULRICH,

AR RANG E ME NTS

COMPILED BY KATJA PANTZAR

Beauty boost

SIMPLE SKIN CARE

Icebreakers

COLD IS GOOD FOR YOU

INS P IRE D BY H ER own skin problems, Finn Kristina Pentti’s newly launched skincare line, Laponie of Scandinavia, boasts vegan skincare products with a range of natural cleansers, face creams, and oils that are made in Finland and Sweden. The gorgeous product packaging design is the handiwork of award-winning designer Aino-Maija Metsola and all the packaging uses recyclable material such as glass and aluminium – cartons are only used if required for transportation.

As the cryotherapy craze booms, did you know that taking a simple cold shower holds many of the same benefits such as increasing alertness, improving immunity and circulation, and decreasing stress?

Life hacks

LICENSE TO DOZE

Gel cleanser €18 from laponieskincare.com

The health benefits of taking a short nap during the working day have been proven to have numerous benefits, including increased productivity.

Inspired by this, Tokyo-based IT company Nextbeat has set up sleeping rooms−one for women and one for men−that are computer and smartphone-free zones. Meanwhile, at David Lloyd Clubs exercise studios in the UK, napercise classes are being offered to help busy people combat tiredness.

JANUARY 2019 BLUE WINGS 15

Up close Off the beaten path

TEXT ALEX LEANDER

FI NNAI R FL I E S TO

Stockholm (ARN) eight times a day and to (BMA) five times a day.

Monika Majnik’s mission is to change the eating habits of ­Stockholmers, one healthy portion at a time.

STOCKHOLM

NEW FIKA IN TOWN F

ika is a Swedish institution. Until now, this has meant coffee and a sweet snack, but the global health trend is reinventing the content of this important daily social tradition.

STHLM RAW, a cosy organic vegan café situated in Stockholm’s happening district of Hornstull, has made a mission of taking the fika concept to the next level.

Café manager Monika Majnik and the Unbakery vegan baking house are proud of their healthier, wholesome product line.

“We have changed the fika concept by s­ erving plant-based coffee drinks, using oat milk instead of cow milk, and replacing traditional baked items with raw cakes free of refined sugar and gluten,” says Majnik, a devoted vegan.

16 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2019

The menu takes inspiration from the global vegan trend and the growing popularity of locally sourced organic ingredients such as oats, berries, and greens.

“Many of the items on the menu are the result of experiments in the kitchen where we take wholesome local ingredients and turn them into delicious snacks that nourish your body rather than harming it. We don’t use any processed foods and we even grind our own flour from Swedish grain right here on site,” says Majnik.

The fresh food selection at the café includes ­salads, wraps, smoothies, daily soups, and energising juices and smoothies. But the real stars of the menu are the vegan sweet treats created by STHLM RAW and Unbakery specifically for the ever-important daily fika enjoyment of Stockholm’s in-crowd.

“Cakes are definitely our most popular products.

Our wide selection of healthier raw desserts is what we have become famous for in Stockholm,” says Majnik.

Her personal favourite is their take on the ­Snickers bar. “You simply can’t go wrong with nuts and lots and lots of raw dark chocolate!” 

PHOTOS VESA SALMI, STHLM RAW

The real stars of the STHLM RAW menu are its raw cakes and sweet treats.

Culture swap Destination inspiration

COMPILED BY LAURA IISALO

Wild wonders The most striking art and design finds its inspiration in the distinctive Finnish landscape.

2

1 5

3

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE COMPANIES

4

6

1 — ART WE A R The Reidar Mini Dress borrows its pattern from Lappish painter Reidar Särestöniemi’s colourful scenery. €290 from halofromnorth.com 2 — STO R M I N A BOW L The Weather Diaries pattern by Aino-Maija Metsola captures the ever-changing seasons. €18.50 from marimekko.com 3 — T I M EL ESS RE AD Graphic artist Linda Linko designed the cover for a new English edition of ­Kalevala, the Finnish national epic. €19.90 from nidekauppa.fi 4 — B LUE HUE Inspired by melting ice from Lapland, the blue carafe is a new addition to Iittala’s Ultima Thule collection by Tapio Wirkkala. €143.90 from finnairshop.com 5 — FASCI NATI NG FAUN A The handcrafted Verdant wall sculpture by Matias Liimatainen captures the vivid beauty of wildlife. €5,200 from lokalhelsinki.com 6 — GO L D E N C L ASS I C Mininugget Earrings by Björn Weckström have the look and feel of Lappish gold nuggets. €310 from lapponia.com

JANUARY 2019 BLUE WINGS 17

Coordinates A place to be

N 45°52’24” E 10°52’06” LOCATIO N

Torbole, Italy IT ’S H ARD TO IM AG I N E a more poetic landscape: steep rugged mountains emerging from a lake on a foggy morning. The same view unfolded in front of German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe in 1786 when he arrived in the town of Torbole and saw Lake Garda for the first time. He was smitten with this “magnificent product of nature.” This ­historic village on the north shore of Italy’s Lake Garda still enchants visitors and locals alike with its beauty. Torbole has also become a centre for windsurfing and sailing.

– Heli Sorjonen, Finnish photographer based in Paris

18 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2019

PHOTO HELI SORJONEN

EXPLORE WITH DESIGN FROM FINLAND See it. Feel it. Sense it.

FORM FOLLOWS NATURE

DESIGNED FOR YOU

Finnish design is intertwined with Finnish nature. Influenced by the extremes of this northern land, Finnish design brings joy and elevates the everyday.

Every design carrying the Design from Finland mark is unique, clever, made to last and high-quality. But most importantly, it feels like it’s designed for you.

More than 500 products or services have been awarded with the Design from Finland mark – you can spot it everywhere from candlesticks to clothes and everything in between.

The Design from Finland mark welcomes you to explore how the Finnish nature and its annual cycle inspire Finnish design.

Find amazing design companies, products and nature inspiration at designfromfinland.com/explore

Snow inspires design Lumi, hanki, nietos… Finns have a multitude of words for snow since we tend to get plenty of it every year. No wonder Finnish designers are inspired to create things that endure even in the densest snowfall and the iciest sleet.

And yet, it’s design as unique and elegant as the drifting snowflakes.

The upstairs juice bar showcases the light tones, clean surfaces, and natural materials typical of the hotel’s Scandi style.

20 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2019

Passion project

Spain’s X factor A young Finnish couple take the hotel scene in Fuengirola from the seventies into the present day – and beyond.

TEXT MARKO PASANEN PHOTOS RIITTA SOURANDER

L

FI NNAI R FLIES TO

Malaga (AGP) seven times a week (but not daily) from where it’s a 30 km ride to ­Fuengirola.

ike most of the Costa del Sol coastline, the city of Fuengirola is peppered with brutal concrete tower hotels, infusing the atmosphere with a not-so-fresh whiff of

the 1970s.

“It’s not really a place for younger people,” says Ville Palola diplomatically. He and his wife Aino Palola landed in the region almost by accident while on holiday some five years ago. Amidst Spain’s then-struggling economy, they started seeing opportunities.

“There was a ‘for sale’ sign in practically every window,” recalls Ville. After two years of active reconnaissance, the couple, together with a Finnish investment firm, acquired a derelict 1970s hostel in the older part of Fuengirola.

“It must have been the ugliest building in the whole town,” Aino shudders. “But the location by the central Plaza de España was ideal.”

SCANDI STYLE, SPANISH SHELL The hotel, now Boutique X, was a full year in the planning before the first sledgehammer touched the run-down walls of the old hostel.

“We looked at the concept from every possible angle and asked ourselves what do we have the courage to do?” asks Ville.

The couple’s ambition was to harness the latest technology for maximum efficiency, while preserving the cosy essence of a boutique hotel.

“The two often seem mutually exclusive, but we were inspired by small hotels we’d seen in >

Each of the Boutique X’s rooms has a unique interior, which exude a personal look and feel.

JANUARY 2019 BLUE WINGS 21

Fresh fruit is in ­abundance at the self-service juice bar.

The cosy rooftop terrace offers views of the older, more charming part of Fuengirola.

California, which leaned heavily on technology, but still managed to retain a real human touch,” notes Ville.

Once the concept was clear, the old hostel with its tiny rooms and narrow corridors was all but demolished – only the pillars were left standing.

In its place at the corner of the plaza now stands a white-washed gem of a building with sleek lines, looking very much like it belongs right there. The contemporary Nordic interior was created in-house.

“We wanted each room to have a character of its own, so we used a lot of natural materials and selected design items. We wanted a fresh look and feel,” adds Aino.

BOUTIQUE TECHNOLOGY

Aino and Ville Palola’s vision was to create a ­boutique concept for the future.

The new hotel boasts the most advanced online booking system in existence, plus a fully automated locking system, eliminating the need for reception personnel.

“People said that would be a problem, as guests prefer to be greeted by real people, but we decided to take that risk,” says Aino.

The personal touch is added in other ways. Upon arrival every guest is greeted with a personal ­­ message written in chalk on a blackboard in their room, and fresh fruit is delivered to the rooms regularly.

“We’ve noticed our guests are quite happy with this approach,” says Ville.

The couple’s vision has been vindicated not only by a steady flow of customers, both Spanish and foreign, but also by more official recognition.

The hotel made it to booking.com’s top 30 per cent within only six months, a rare accomplishment for such a new listing.

And the success of Boutique X has already spawned a progeny. The couple are about to open another boutique hotel not far from Fuengirola, in the village of Benalmádena: watch this space. 

B OUTI QUE X LOCATI ON Fuengirola, Spain PHI LOSOPHY The convenience

of technology combined with detailed personal touches B UI L D I NG A tribute to Scandi-

navian light and clarity behind a typical Spanish façade SUR PR I SE A roof terrace and juice bar on the top floor

22 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2019

Inside track Beijing

Reinventing the hutong Beijing’s historical hutong neighbourhoods are getting a fresh start in the hands of leading local architects.

TEXT AND PHOTOS DANIEL ALLEN

24 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2019

Something old, something new

A hutel with history

Located in the Dashilar neighbourhood south of Tiananmen Square, TW I STIN G COUR TYAR D redesign sees a traditional courtyard house completely renovated, with greybrick paving complemented by oak panels, bamboo plants, and white stones. “The key to hutong renovation is to combine the new and old harmoniously,” says Han Wenqiang, founder of Beijingbased architectural practice ARCHSTUDIO that completed the redesign project in 2017.

Recently completed in the Qianmen neighbourhood,

PHOTOS JIN WEIQI

L AY E RING CO U R T YA R D

is a renovated commercial building that has been transformed into a “hutel” (hutong + hotel) by ARCHSTUDIO. This is certainly a building with a history, having reputedly served as a brothel during China’s Republican period (1912-49), and then a bakery.

The beautiful facade presents a row of arched windows and doors, while the interior is a labyrinth of single and double-storey spaces.

FI NNAI R FL I E S TO Beijing (PEK)

daily.

JANUARY 2019 BLUE WINGS 25

3

The innovative roofscape of the micro hutong complex by ZAO/standardarchitecture.

HUTONG TREATS

Small is beautiful TE A TIM E

Opened in 2015, Beijing’s Curvy Corridor Courtyard is an exquisite modern art gallerycum-teahouse-cum high-end eatery. The wide selection of Chinese teas is dispensed from antique metal teapots into delicate porcelain cups.

Curved connection Also a popular eatery and teahouse in its own right, the

Finished in 2013, the MI CR O HUTONG project by Beijing-based atelier ZAO/standardarchitecture is one of the capital’s earlier hutong redesigns. The design team transformed an ultra-small, 35-square-metre hutong space into a hostel, using transparent facades to maximise light and space. “I don’t see a trend for redesigning hutongs. Instead, I see the need of redesigning the spaces,” says Zhang Ke, founder and design director of ZAO/ standardarchitecture.

C U RVY COR R I D OR COUR TYAR D

FO O D IE H AV EN

The Curvy Corridor Courtyard also serves a ten-course menu (diners can also order à la carte). Based on seasonally available ingredients, the menu is the handiwork of renowned chef Jin Xin.

FAN ZO N E

The newly opened Jing Fan Shop is typical of the boutiques of Beijing’s Nanluoguxiang hutong area, although its elegantly minimalist interior is certainly a cut above the competition.

26 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2019

is probably architect Han Wenqiang’s pièce de résistance to date. The project, completed in 2015, has seen five dilapidated courtyard residences, with some predating the Qing Dynasty (1644–1912), combined into one space. “One of our main concerns was to protect the site from temperature change,” explains Wenqiang. “We covered over the space between the roofs to create a curvy corridor, which streamlines the aesthetics of the building.” 

The light and airy interior of the Curvy Corridor Courtyard has seen five original hutong residences artfully combined into one.

Tampere Helsinki Stockholm Riga

1h Bremen

2h Budapest

3h

TAMPERE – BRIGHT FUTURE AHEAD Eco-friendly

Full of experiences

Easy to access

By 2030, Tampere will be a carbon neutral city. This ambitious goal has been taken into consideration when planning all of the city’s infrastructure investments and projects, such as the Hiedanranta city district, where carbonnegative district heating is being produced commercially for the first time in Finland.

Tampere’s new multi-purpose arena will offer unique experiences for both citizens and tourists. The flexible, world-class arena will use the latest digital technology, and it will enable Tampere to host world-class conventions and trade fairs, as well as concerts and sporting events for up to 13,000 people all year round.

In the future, tram lines will serve some of the fastest growing areas of Tampere, as well as the railway station, near which a new modern Travel and Service Centre is being built. The centre will be an intermodal transportation hub in the heart of the city bringing together bus, train and air travel.

www.businesstampere.com @FlyTampere

Photo: SRV/Libeskind/Tomorrow

Malaga

PHOTO STEVEN DAVID LIM

Explore

Think beyond the box

Scrumptious dining and dishes among the homewares at Bangkok café Luka.

Rise & shine A delicious breakfast scene is brewing in the Thai capital (p. 30) JANUARY 2019 BLUE WINGS 29

Field trip Bangkok

Easy like a Bangkok morning The breakfast and coffee scene in the Thai capital gets a delicious makeover.

TEXT NARDIA PLUMRIDGE PHOTOS STEVEN DAVID LIM

30 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2019

Craft coffee within the shabby chic interiors of a neo-Renaissance building at Coffee Craftsman.

JANUARY 2019 BLUE WINGS 31

I

n a metropolis celebrated for its street food, Bangkok has recently seen an insurgence of hip café haunts taking breakfast and brunching to a whole new level. With the traditional four flavours of Thai cooking (sweet, salty, spicy, and sour) m ­ aking way for a more creative palate, the breakfast scene in the City of Angels has a new, taste-led motivation.

HEALTHY START Chitraphan Charanachitta’s eatery is a “happy mistake.” Having taken up running six years ago, she found nowhere in Bangkok open for breakfast at 7 am, a city renowned for its late starts. Desiring craft coffee and healthy fare, Tap, which is her nickname, started cooking her own breakfast dishes. Thus, the

32 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2019

inspiration for Tiny Cup was born within a small shop in Thong Lor. Recipes are inspired by her travels – from Mexican to Moroccan – and she works with local vendors on sourcing high quality products. Her signature blend coffee includes Thai beans, which keeps with the c­ urrent trend in Bangkok.

“Thai people are paying attention, and money, on good coffee,” says the Le Cardon Bleu-trained chef. “There are now many small craft coffee shops around Bangkok.”

Her latest venue, ( NOT JUST) ANOTHE R CUP , with its signature blend coffee and açai bowls, draws in a mix of locals and expats. Its loft design bursts with natural light and wooden communal tables span two floors with a small selection of seats scattered on the terrace. Cold-pressed juices, green

Light-filled loft design at (Not Just) Another Cup.

smoothies, and superfoods overtake the menu.

“I yearn for healthy food that tastes incredible, plus is guilt-free,” she says.

“We are now seeing a trend in Bangkok towards healthy food after years of cheap eats which we know aren’t ­necessarily good for us.” With this in mind, Tap is working on the next big trend – keto plates – to include cauliflower f­ritters with spinach, basil oil, crispy bacon, and poached eggs.

COFFEE WITH COMMUNITY Down the road on a quiet Sathorn side street, AL L GO OD I N T H E H O O D offers a different feel yet follows the same local philosophy. After working in hospitality for eight years, Santi Srisongkram wanted to create his own project – a three room, >

“I yearn for healthy food that tastes incredible, plus is guilt-free.”

CHI TRAPHAN CHARANACHI TTA

JANUARY 2019 BLUE WINGS 33

“It is imperative to work with Thai beans and local roasters for an authentic quality product.”

SANTI SR I SONG KRAM

Santi Srisongkram and Jose Nenonen of All Good in the Hood.

34 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2019

Take a seat: Al fresco dining at All Good in the Hood.

19-bed hostel with a ground floor café.

The name is a nod to the local community spirit around this old Chinese canal district, today in parts untouched by the city’s modern expansion. Its frenetic streets still mix street food with local teak shop fronts selling bric-a-brac located next to hip cafés and contemporary art galleries.

Everything on the menu is sourced locally, with their signature Nitro c­ offee created by a fourth-generation coffee maker from a nearby side soi (street) using beans from northern ­Thailand.

Barista Jose Nenonen is a ­Finnish native, who has been charmed by ­Bangkok for the past year and a half.

His vegetarian tastes have influenced the all-day breakfast menu of eggplant and tomato omelets or plates of mashed purple sweet potato and pumpkin hummus.

“We take our drinks seriously. So,

when we decided to brew our own Nitro coffee it was imperative to work with Thai beans and local roasters for an authentic quality product,” says Srisongkram. With two styles pulled from their draft dispenser, customers can opt for a softer chocolate flavour or a deeper nutty taste depending on their bean preference.

BEAN PASSION What started as a passion project of a three-seat coffee shop within interior furniture studio Niiq, has led to three venues within three years for COFFE E C RA FTSMAN . Desiring a decent cup for themselves and to offer clients ­during meetings, the owners Rangsan and ­Neerapha Narathiwat started their first café and roastery in their studio space near Siam. >

Beans from northern Thailand make the perfect coffee.

JANUARY 2019 BLUE WINGS 35

“We are passionate about Thai coffee making it accessible to everyone.”

NE E RAPHA NARATHI WAT

Beans at Coffee Craftsman come via Chiang Mai and boutique growers from Colombia and Guatemala.

36 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2019

In 2017, the couple expanded to breakfast by opening ­Coffee Craftsman x Yarden. Set within a 70-year-old teal painted teak house ­dating back to King Rama XII, the café bustles with patrons tucking into hearty brunch dishes plus stiff coffee made from their Siam roaster.

“Our personal love affair with coffee unexpectedly started our catering business,” says Neerapha. “Our reputation at Coffee Craftsman meant we were asked to create a café within the Yarden project in Yen Akat, but add food to the menu.”

All-day dining sees plates of Craftsman breakfast (poached eggs, avocado, bacon, and beetroot puree) or garlicky portobello mushrooms on sourdough toast popular with diners, while coffee comes via Chiang Mai as well as from boutique growers in Colombia and Guatemala.

“We are passionate about Thai coffee, and contemporary cuisine, making it accessible to everyone and of world-class quality. I feel honoured to showcase this at our cafés,” says Neerapha.

THAI TAKE ON COMFORT FOOD A café and homewares store in one, LUKA was born as a collaboration between Casa Pagoda owner Philippe Bramaz and four international creatives.

Taking up more than four levels in leafy Silom street, the store-cum-café serves its signature Thai Iced Tea in copper mugs as well as comfort food favourites like their breakfast burrito or bacon & butter French toast.

The menu tilts towards organic and sustainable produce, and the Anglo dishes have a Thai twist. ­Coffee comes

Neerapha from northern Thailand while the food Narathiwat and has a focus on being creative, local, and barista, Roast obviously fresh.

Master Big, of “It is important that there is a balCoffee Craftsman. ance between ambience, food, and ­service,” says Steve Lim, one of the owners. “We have created a café that we would want to hang out in our spare time that also offers a ­welcoming neighbourhood feel.”

The café seamlessly slides into the homewares store making dining among shelves of knick-knacks and leather banquette sofas the norm, while upstairs seats are nestled within the Malou Tea Atelier showroom. In 2018, Luka teamed up with BMW to open a second venture, Luka Moto, just off Sukhumvit Road bringing their same brunch menu north. However, come dusk, the diner serves spicy Laotian >

JANUARY 2019 BLUE WINGS 37

Dining among the furnishings at home wares store-cum-cafĂŠ, Luka.

38 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2019

Pour over at coffee kings Roots.

dishes created by two ex-Laos princes under the guise Funky Lam who use former royal family recipes.

CREAMY CONCOCTIONS Across town, coffee kings R O OTS , are famous for their iced espresso latte. ­Concocted by founder Varatt VichitVadakan, cubes of espresso are layered in a glass and served with a side of milk and syrup; the coffee slowly melting and infusing into a creamy mix. ­Having begun his coffee roaster career by chance, he was inspired by his travels overseas. Returning home, Vichit-Vadakan brought his love of quality caffeine with him.

“Bangkok has seen a boom in specialty coffee shops and western-style cafés,” he

says. “In the past, there were not a lot of local roasters but today you can find great coffee in almost every neighborhood. The climate in northern Thailand is ideal to grow coffee, meaning we have seen a positive impact in growers, and quality, from the cities of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.” Within Vichit-Vadakan’s hip Commons complex you will find a stand-alone Roots counter at ground level, while the upstairs eatery, Roast, caters to an all-day dining menu of comfort foods by chef Johnny Liu. From eggs benedict on crunchy croissants to his beloved namesake Johnny’s Burger, it’s buzzing from opening hour.

This year will see the business expand as the team are to open two more Roast and Roots−introducing their love for ­specialty coffee and fresh home-made food to the Bangkok masses. 

FI NNAI R FL I E S TO

Bangkok (BKK) up to three times a day.

JANUARY 2019 BLUE WINGS 39

Escape

Life on ice

When the waters freeze, Finland’s lakes become an infinite white desert. For some it means a playground for excursions, for others a silent, meditative space.

TEXT AND PHOTOS MIKKO NIKKINEN

40 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2019

Mid-winter rain has made the snow vanish from the lake and tour skater Mikko Kiljunen glides on slippery ice with tender kicks, surveying the thickness of the ice at all times.

Professional fisherman Markku Turtiainen lifts a catch of vendace with his crew. Spring sunshine has turned the ice soft and grey, foreseeing the end of the fishing season.

>

JANUARY 2019 BLUE WINGS 41

Front-row seats for the spring light. People at their island cabins find innovative ways to experience the vast space and light just before the summer arrives.

42 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2019

The early winter sun still rises when Anneli Vitikainen takes to the ice. She carries a snack and a hot beverage flask in her backpack for a quick break before heading to work.

Wind has shaped the snow into a piece of art within this vast landscape.

Its beauty is only temporary, as the shape will vanish as soon as the wind changes or another snowfall starts.

>

JANUARY 2019 BLUE WINGS 43

A hammock, down sleeping bag, ­candles, and a hot water bottle are the only requirements for lounging under the stars in anticipation of the gradually appearing Northern Lights.

44 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2019

After a day of ski touring, evening finds wilderness guide Jaakko-Jukka Heikka and his group sheltering from the cold in the tents that heat up as dinner is prepared.

Gradual movements and the shrinking and expansion of ice make dramatic cracks appear on the surface. But the 15-centimetre thick ice is still safe to skate on. To make sure it carries, Aleksi Lindqvist periodically tests the thickness with a stick.

JANUARY 2019 BLUE WINGS 45

Long Litt Woon’s international hit The Way Through the Woods: Of Mushrooms and Mourning has recently been published in Finnish, in addition to a dozen other languages.

46 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2019

Think again

MENDING MUSHROOMS Can learning about mushrooms help heal a broken heart?

TEXT KATJA PANTZAR PHOTOS PAUL PAIEWONSKY

W

hen Long Litt Woon arrived confidence,” she says. Through foraging from Malaysia to Norway as she also made a new group of friends and became part of a community. an exchange student many Long eloquently charts two journeys years ago, she met and fell in love with a in her book: the “outer journey of local man, Eiolf Olsen, and for the next discovery of the kingdom of fungi three decades their marriage flourished. where I also met the tribe of the Then one day Olsen set off to work and mushroom pickers whom I got to know never returned. He had passed away and later became a member (of the suddenly at work. group) myself, and an inner journey in Grief stricken, Long, an the landscape of grief.” anthropologist, decided to enrol in a Based in Oslo, Long says that “I course on mushroom identification at sometimes joke that I was saved from the Natural History Museum in Oslo, grief by mushrooms but actually, that is which slowly led her on the path back what the book is about: to recovery which she How my outer journey was chronicles in The Way instrumental in pushing Through the Woods: Of “Nature me along in my grieving Mushrooms and Mourning therapy is process.

(Scribe).

“The first connection While the courses and good in so between these two expeditions opened up a many ways.” seemingly unrelated whole new world to her, subjects is how finding spending time outdoors also my first edible mushroom helped her recovery. on my own let me experience joy for “Nature therapy is good in so many the first time after my husband died, ways. The Japanese speak about forest therapy, the healing way of shinrin-yoku. a feeling I thought was gone forever.

The second connection has to do with As you know, the Japanese term refers how mushroom identification demands to the medicinal effect of ‘taking in the all our senses, especially our sense of forest atmosphere’ or ‘forest bathing,’” smell, on alert. When I was in acute she says. sorrow, my senses had all shut down.

“For me, being in the forest regularly Food tasted like paper. I did not hear was also a new, personal milestone as what was said to me, and so on. So, it was not something I had done much mushrooms woke up my senses. And before, being more of a city girl. Besides when one sees the world anew, one the fact that learning about mushrooms gains new perspectives and, in effect, was intellectually stimulating, it becomes someone new,” she says.  meant that I now could forage with

W HO? Author Long Litt Woon, whose recently published book The Way Through the Woods: Of Mushrooms and Mourning (Scribe), has been sold to 13 different territories.

FAVOUR I TE FUNG US

“My favourite mushroom is the true morel: very rare and therefore, very expensive to buy.”

W HAT’S NE X T? “I am

working on a new book.

However, I can say that it will not be about mushrooms.”

JANUARY 2019 BLUE WINGS 47

HISTORY IN PASTEL COLOURS T H E N O R D I C WAY

EXPERIENCE A WINTER FULL OF COLOUR IN THE OLD CITY OF GDANSK

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Collaborative spaces

MATCH MADE IN CHINA in China is booming and the global office giant WeWork have taken notice.

The New York-based company has recently joined forces with Chinese co-working business, Naked Hub. WeWork started their China ambitions in 2016 with a single office in Shanghai but have now added multiple offices across Shanghai, Beijing, and Hong Kong with plans for Shenzhen, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Chengdu, Nanjing, and Wuhan. The two companies are expected to make a great match due to their similar values in technology, design, and the desire to embrace the social aspect of work.

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All of WeWork’s spaces come with microroasted coffee, bike storage, and craft beer on tap alongside the more traditional amenities.

TOP B LOC K

Sony shows no signs of releasing their grip on the market with 1000X M3, the third iteration of their award-winning noisecancelling headphones.

From €379

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE COMPANIES

Book nook

JOLT OF OPTIMISM

“My new favourite book.”

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Is the constant flow of depressing news getting you down? Take comfort in Steven Pinker’s latest book, Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress, which demonstrates that health, prosperity, safety, peace, and happiness are on the ascent.

TAP AND SK IP

Audio-Technica’s ATHANC700BT QuietPoint® headphones are controlled via the left earcup. Tap or swipe to control functions such as playing music, adjusting volume, track skipping, and call answering. From €131

JANUARY 2019 BLUE WINGS 49

Smart stuff Discoveries for a clever life

Smart homes

COMPOST PATCH The Biovessel turns your kitchen into a mini urban waste-recycling plant.

Manufactured by Taiwanese company Bionicraft, the gadget works its magic on discarded food waste and turns it into rich, odorless compost. All that’s required is some sawdust and earthworms placed into the stylishly designed device, and a little bit of patience.

Biovessel is designed to sit and look pretty on your kitchen counter!

3D Modelling

GET YOUR HANDS GRIBBY Finland-based Grib makes short work of 3D modelling via an intuitive Augmented Reality app (Android and iOS) a reality!

Models are created by drawing a sketch on paper which the Grib app then converts into 3D shapes on your device. Business developer Joh Orengo says, “We’re taking away the limitations to your imagination.”

A key source of meaning in life is making meaningful contributions to others.

FRANK MAR TE L A, PHI LOSOPHE R

Water solutions

CLOUD IN A SHIPPING CONTAINER

Airport city

RUN DOWN TO AN ELECTRIC AVENUE

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE COMPANIES, LAURA IISALO

A REC E NTLY FO R M ED alliance by L.A.based Greentech companies, Skysource and Skywater, earned them the 2018 Water Abundance XPrize with their WEDEW (Wood to Energy Deployed Water) system. It converts thin air into drinking water via an atmospheric water generator that runs on 100 per cent renewable energy which will go a long way towards helping water impoverished communities across the globe. The system comes in shipping container and can produce enough water to meet the daily needs of up to 100 people.

Plans for the first selfsustaining airport city, on the outskirts of Oslo Airport, have been released by the Nordic Office of Architecture and Haptic Architects. Aptly called Oslo Airport City (OAC), construction is set to begin in 2019. OAC will only use energy generated from within the city itself and is supposed to feature selfdriving, electric-style cars roaming the streets.

Hourglass makeover

SANDS OF TIME THE ANCI E NT technology of the hourglass has gotten a modern upgrade from Best Self Company with their Tempo hourglass. The shape and function of the classic hourglass remains but with an adjustable feature of choosing between 5, 15, and 25 minutes, and an automatic reset. All in the name of productivity and mindfulness.

JANUARY 2019 BLUE WINGS 51

OTA PISTEET TALTEEN, JA KOE ELÄMÄSI SEIKKAILU NORJAN RANNIKOLLA!

Norjan vuonot

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Conversation Guest writer Katri Saarikivi

Emotional machines?

B

e honest. Do you ever swear at your computer when it does not seem to understand what you want? Talk back to your navigator when it gives you advice?

Most people answer “yes” to these questions. It seems that we express emotions to our digital tools on a regular basis. There’s just one problem. They do not care.

Why? Because they can’t!

Our tools are becoming smarter every year, superseding human competence.

However, they are still lacking in one realm of human capacity: emotional intelligence.

This is a problem, because according to current scientific understanding, emotions are on all the time, present in all kind of human thinking, decisionmaking, and action.

For instance, in well-known studies of cognitive biases, it was shown that if German music was playing in a wine shop, customers bought more German wine, if French music, more French wine. Unwittingly.

Therefore, if we truly want to understand each other as well as our own actions, we need emotional intelligence. And if the machines we interact with do not understand our emotions, they are lacking highly salient information about the user.

The most obvious problems resulting from this emotional ignorance of machines occur in computer-mediated interaction. When we interact face-toface, things like body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice all provide a wealth of information about

our emotions. These high-speed signals intertwine with the literal content of the message, providing others with insight into whether we are serious, joking, sarcastic, moved, or indifferent.

A significant amount of this information is lacking when interaction is mediated digitally. Instead of dynamically changing gestures and expressions, we have to make do with GIFs and emojis.

This results in a difficulty to understand what others actually mean.

Online discussions easily become unnecessarily heated, cyberbullying is a growing concern, and virtual work teams are rarely as effective as ones that interact head-on.

What to do?

The field of affective computing is trying to fix this by teaching machines to read and respond to human emotions.

For example, machine vision algorithms are becoming better at reading our facial expressions, and sensor technology is allowing for real-time measurement of physiological reactions related to emotions.

Based on these advances, we can train chatbots to seem empathic, robots to gesture emotionally, and slowly broaden the emotional bandwidth of the internet. Perhaps one day your computer will finally understand your tone of voice when you say NOT NOW to the update that starts without asking just as you’re in a hurry to log off.

However, for the time being, it’s best to keep in mind these shortcomings of our intelligent machines and rely on the one cognitive capability that machines are still having a hard time beating us at: empathy. 

KATR I SAAR I KI VI

is a cognitive neuroscientist leading a research project that investigates how people and computers could best interact.

PHOTO LAURA IISALO

If we truly want to understand each other, we need emotional intelligence.

JANUARY 2019 BLUE WINGS 53

LENNOT JA SINULLE VALITUT HOTELLIT Finnair Holidays vie sinut maailman kiehtovimpiin kohteisiin. Lähde muutamaksi päiväksi tai viihdy jopa pari viikkoa, ja viimeistele matkasi ainutlaatuisilla elämyksillä.

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PHOTO LIISA VALONEN

Create

Celebrate accomplishments

Welcome to the art nation Where the most creative people of Vilnius come from (p. 56) JANUARY 2019 BLUE WINGS 55

Creative corner Vilnius

FREE

56 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2019

SPIRITS

“The right to be unique” is enshrined in the constitution of Užupis, a selfproclaimed art nation within the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius.

TEXT SILJA KUDEL PHOTOS LIISA VALONEN

T

Happy nation: Painter Tadas Trucilauskas thrives in the creative workspace of the Užupis Art Incubator.

adas Trucilauskas laughingly concedes that he’s “a stereotypical Užupian” – free-thinking, fun-loving, creative to the core. Both his jeans and floorboards are splattered with a riot of colours matching the canvases he’s finishing for his first major solo exhibition this spring.

But his laid-back appearance belies a streak of tireless perfectionism. “I rework every detail until it’s just right. It can take me up to two years to finish a painting. Luckily this place is so inspiring I don’t mind working long hours,” he says.

The Klaipeda-born painter is one of 17 artists in residency at the Užupis Art Incubator, a shared workspace and gallery dedicated to fostering creativity.

Behind the red doors of the main building is the micro-nation’s “immigration office,” where visitors can have their passports stamped.

“When you cross the river, you arrive in a new country,” says Trucilauskas with an amused smile. >

JANUARY 2019 BLUE WINGS 57

PARLIAMENT IN A PUB

The red door leads to the “immigration office,” where visitors can have their passports stamped.

“Užupis is so inspiring I don’t mind working long hours.”

TA DAS T R U C I L AU S KAS

58 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2019

Covering less than one square kilometre, the Independent Republic of Užupis is a bohemian district similar to Freetown Christiania in Copenhagen. Literally meaning “beyond the river,” Užupis is separated from the Old Town of Vilnius by the Vilnele River. Neglected during the Soviet era, the derelict quarter received an imaginative makeover from artistsquatters who covered the façades with street art and declared Užupis a tonguein-cheek republic in 1997.

Twenty years later, the micro-republic has its own president, currency, navy (three rowboats at last count), and constitution, which features rare gems of legislation such as: Everyone has the right to love a cat.

“And our parliament convenes at Užupio kavine, the riverside pub, every Monday at seven,” shares Trucilauskas.

The winding cobblestone streets are lined with trendy bars and boutiques, yet the Lilliput nation has preserved its whimsical charm despite inevitable gentrification. “When I step outside my studio, I’m surrounded by medieval architecture and woodlands. And there’s always something surprising going on. I just saw the Dalai Lama walking down the street.

He’s an honorary citizen,” he says.

HYPNOTIC MERMAID Down the hallway from Trucilauskas’ chaotic studio is the considerably tidier workroom of Vilija Kvieskaite, a graphic designer whose current main passion is illustrating children’s books.

“After six years of working at a publishing house, I craved more creative freedom. I found it here at the Užupis Art Incubator. Here you can do what you want, and no one judges you,” she says. >

Curiosities at every turn: Statues and upcycled items adorn the courtyard of the Art Incubator.

JANUARY 2019 BLUE WINGS 59

Lilliput charm: Užupis is one of the world’s smallest republics, covering less than one square kilometre in total area.

60 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2019

F I N N A I R F L I ES TO

Vilnius (VNO) three times a day.

Kvieskaite is often found sketching outdoors by the river, preferring “oldfashioned pen and paper” to digital technology, which she uses only for the final touches. “I like old-school techniques and enjoy getting my hands dirty. And the riverside location is so inspiring!

According to local legend, if you stare into the eyes of the mermaid statue by the river, you’ll never want to leave,” she recounts.

Spontaneous cross-pollination of ideas is one of the many upsides of working in a close-knit creative community. “We sit by the river sharing ideas and inspiring each other. I’ve recently started collaborating with the ceramics studio downstairs – I’ve never worked with clay before, but now I’m hooked.”

The eccentric, good-humoured spirit of Užupis is strengthened by the many pop-up events and festivities held throughout the year. Highlights include Užupis Day on April 1, when the republic celebrates its independence (coinciding, not by accident, with April Fools’ Day). On this day of music and revelry, visitors can have their passports stamped by uniformed patrolmen and enjoy a beer from the fountain in the main square.

“There’s always something crazy happening. At Eastertime we roll colourful eggs down the hill, and after Easter, there’s the Day of White Tablecloths, when we picnic outside, even if it’s snowing. It’s fun to be part of such a madcap community,” says Kvieskaite, with a chuckle.

Free at last: Vilija Kvieskaite exchanged a steady job for a more rewarding career as an illustrator.

“At the Art Incubator you can do what you want, and no one judges you.”

VI L I JA KVI E SKAI TE

ECCENTRIC FAMILY Erika Paule, creator of the erikahoc “slow fashion” brand, always allows extra time for every important appointment. Whenever she walks down to the

>

JANUARY 2019 BLUE WINGS 61

Designer Erika Paule is one of over 1,000 artists based in the breakway creative enclave of Užupis.

“The vibe here is warm, easy-going, and openminded.”

E RIKA PAU L E

62 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2019

main square, she can count on having to chat with at least five people along the way.

“It’s hard to explain the vibe of this place. It’s warm, easy-going and openminded. We’re creative people and we all know each other, like one big family,” muses Paule, who is one of 14 designers based at the Kalnas Design Hub, an EU-funded venture run by the Užupis Art Incubator. The hub sits on a leafy hilltop in an ascetic wooden building that blends attractively with the historic surroundings.

“We’re very privileged. We work in a beautiful contemporary space right in the heart of Vilnius, yet we’re surrounded by forests and the unique architecture of the Old Town. And I’m lucky to live right across the street,” she enthuses.

The clean lines of her sun-filled studio reflect the timeless look of her mini-

malistic black leather accessories. “I try to reduce extraneous detail and create a constructed appearance for my designs.

And every item is 100 per cent handmade in Lithuania,” she says.

The Kalnas Design Hub hosts a mix of fresh startups and established designers, offering a balance of independence and creative synergy. “I’m blessed to have so many strong women working around me,” she adds.

With rents rising and Užupis rapidly becoming one of the priciest districts in Vilnius, Paule hopes the quirky microrepublic will retain its fierce independence and stave off the invasion of shopping malls and bland internet cafés.

At least the artists of Užupis remain true to the famous symbol on the republic’s flag, the Holy Hand. “The blue hand has a large hole in the centre of the palm as a symbol of integrity, because the Holy Hand cannot take bribes.” 

Fighting gentrification: The quaint winding streets feature cosy cafĂŠs with a vintage feel.

JANUARY 2019 BLUE WINGS 63

be relaxed. be one.

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Sidesteps Scotland

THE ORIGINAL HIGHL ANDS Only a short hop over from the Scottish mainland, two islands have held fast to their Gaelic culture.

TEXT DON McCRACKEN PHOTOS HERNAN PATIÑO

Clouds descend in the Black Cuillin mountains.

T

PHOTO ADAM MORSE

he ever-changing skies that roll over Skye and Raasay mirror the historical layers of settlement and culture that have infused the islands with a special blend of timeless history.

This is a land of legends where nothing is quite as it seems – the mountains come and go before your eyes as the clouds rise and fall so fast that seeing is disbelieving. Forget four seasons in a day, the Gulf Stream blowing in from the Atlantic can deliver them all before you’ve finished your morning porridge.

The Isle of Skye is now connected to the mainland by a bridge, but it is still very much an island, and the short crossing over to Raasay – from the Norse meaning “Island of Deer”– whisks you a world away. History, myth, and legend swirl into one another in a land where storytelling is regarded as an art form on par with traditional music. The Gaelic culture still thrives with one-third of the population identifying as native Gaelic speakers and a lively traditional folk music scene that is supplemented by students attending the local Gaelic university.

Dunvegan Castle still reigns in Skye.

SKYE’S THE LIMIT

The emblematic Highland cattle.

Dunvegan Castle stands high on a rocky outcrop overlooking the sea near the village of Dunvegan on Skye. This ancient seat of the Clan MacLeod has been in the family for 800 years since Leod Olafson, son of the Norse King of the Isle of Man, Olaf the Black, took up residence in the early 13th century. Its prize possession is the silken Fairy Flag, which has been scientifically shown to be over one thousand years old and is held to have been a gift from local fairies. Its magical powers can only be used three times before they run out, and they’ve already been used twice.

One shot remains to save the day, if it ever comes. The castle and gardens are open daily from April to October.

>

JANUARY 2019 BLUE WINGS 67

SPACE TO PONDER Two hundred years ago, 900 people lived in Raasay; today the population is less than 20 per cent of what is was back then. That means there is a lot of free space to roam. Walking to the abandoned township of Hallaig and the ruins of Brochel Castle offers superb views across to the Applecross Peninsula on mainland Scotland, and plenty of space to ponder the passing of time. These paths were walked by the Highlands’ foremost contemporary poet Sorley MacLean, who was born and raised on the island, and a cairn to his memory stands near Hallaig, which was also the title of his most famous poem.

A distillery tour is a must at Isle of Raasay.

HERE’S TO RAASAY MALT! Nobody knows when whisky was first produced on Raasay because stills were always hidden far out of sight of prying eyes. The first legal distillery on the island has just opened its doors, however, and is thankfully easy to find beside the harbour. It’s so new that the first Isle of Raasay single malt has yet to appear, but it’s possible to take a guided tour and pass the time with a whiskytasting dram.

68 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2019

A taste of the finest island whisky lingers into the evening.

FI NNAI R FL I E S TO Edinburgh (EDI)

two times a week during the winter season.

THINK GLOBAL, EAT LOCAL The shoals of herring that once supported a booming industry are a thing of the past due to overfishing, but the sea still yields an abundance of local produce that is exported all over the world. “We keep the best ones for ourselves, of course,” says one waiter with a wink. Shellfish are a specialty, and nowhere will you find fresher oysters, crabs, mussels, and langoustines. Raasay House, which was destroyed by fire in 2009, has now been fully restored to its former glory and features a menu including local loin of venison from deer that roam freely on the island. 

Fairytale landscapes on the walk to Kyle Fladda.

Chef Richard of Raasay House proudly displays his unrivalled venison.

JANUARY 2019 BLUE WINGS 69

Showroom Celebrating creative outcomes

TURNING THE TABLES

COMPILED BY SILJA KUDEL

You can bank on a good night’s sleep in this boutique hotel.

Wood brings fresh ideas to the design table.

CARRY M E AWAY

Crafted by Nikari, the February table designed

by Thomas Sandell is a sturdy marriage of wood and granite. The generous handle makes lifting a breeze. €1,128

Vaults of style

BANK HOLIDAY MANY HI STOR I C B ANKS have closed their doors of late, much to the delight of architects with a knack for creative repurposing. The meticulously restored Bank Hotel on Stockholm’s Nybroviken Quay is a grand example of an old beauty reborn. With soaring pillars, marble floors, and six-metre glass ceilings, the ornate classic architecture provides an exclusive historic backdrop for a luxury getaway or sunsets on the lush rooftop terrace. The 1910 landmark is the latest addition to Stockholm’s growing lifestyle accommodation line-up, featuring bespoke contemporary art in each room.

Q U IE T C H AM EL EO N

Practical perfection: the Mustikka stool from IntoInterior sits inconspicuously on a wall mount until you need an extra table. €249

Book nook

IN SEARCH OF SISU

P L E AS INGLY PLU M P

Is it a diving board or an abstract duck? Sporting an endearing beak, Nikari’s April table is an artisancrafted masterpiece in chubby asymmetry. €2,220

70 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2019

The Finnish Way (Penguin Random House) by Katja Pantzar reveals what makes Finns the happiest people in the world. After moving to Finland, the Canadian-raised writer discovered how to thrive by embracing simple self-care practices and the special Finnish philosophy of “grit.”

360° wild

CRYSTAL COCOON Imagine falling asleep, snug in your sleeping bag, with nothing between you and the wilderness but glass walls. Smart Lucia is a next-generation intelligent glass solution that can be shipped anywhere for use as anything from accommodation to a corporate event venue. Developed by Savon Lasituote, the modular system provides a 360° view of the sky and earth, making you part of a living painting. The glass cocoon is slated to be a big hit among Northern Lights spotters.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE COMPANIES, JENS BERGSTRAND

Become one with nature.

The glass igloo is transported in one piece on the back of a lorry.

JANUARY 2019 BLUE WINGS 71

Showroom Celebrating creative outcomes

V IRTA

Stay safe and visible with Moiko’s reflective mittens, which won a Red Dot award for their ingenious design. €32

TOM T- SHI R T

Sparkle like ice!

Songs of snow

Timeless sartorial elegance in sturdy cotton jersey from Finnish slow-fashion brand Arela. €65

WHITE MAGIC

AILO

Arctic scenery is the star of a new Finnish-French documentary telling the story of a newborn reindeer.

White is a natural winter camouflage for style mavens of the North.

L AVI PI TCHE R

You can almost taste the milk just by looking at Jatta Lavi’s ­porcelain pitcher from Lokal. €27

LUT eMBA [ Yksilöllinen valinta ] Vaihtoehtoisia teemaopintoja alkamassa Hankintojen johtaminen 02/2019 alkaen Lahdessa Tietojohtaminen 04/2019 alkaen Helsingissä LUT eMBA -ohjelman yhteiset opinnot käynnistyvät marraskuussa 2019.

LISÄTIETOJA:

LUT Täydennyskoulutus

Asiakkuuspäällikkö Sari Valkeapää sari.valkeapaa@lut.fi

lut.fi/mba

Rohkeat ajattelevat toisin. Ole yksi meistä.

WALLS THAT SMILE as a bunny rabbit, brighten your office with pastel unicorns, or paint rainbows on your bathroom mirror – MADE OF SUNDAYS makes wildest interior dreams come true with 100 per cent plastic-free, non-toxic wall stickers. “We want to help our customers transform spaces in a way that’s easy, fast, and affordable. With wall decals, you don’t have to worry about changing your mind tomorrow,” says co-founder Thomas Leppä.

D R E SS UP YOUR D OOR

THE GIRL IN TANGO TROUSERS Photographer Elina Brotherus boldly uses her own life as raw material.

W H Y IS TH E CA M ERA YO U R

“Because I can’t draw! The camera does the drawing, I do the rest.”

C H OS E N M E D IU M ?

there’s always a distance between the artwork and the artist.”

W H AT ’ S YO U R FAVOUR I TE

W H Y IS YO U R WO R K A BO U T

PL AC E I N T H E WOR L D?

“When something important happens in my life, the autobiography tends to sneak in. It’s not something I plan. This is my strategy as an artist: to accept the pictures that need to happen. For example, my pictures about involuntary childlessness tell the story of failed IVFs. This is the responsibility of artists in society: to raise discussion around topics that people don’t dare to talk about. But

“I love Japan. I’m thrilled to be going in February. I will join the accordionist Maria Kalaniemi on a tour around Tokyo and project my Tango Trousers videos during her performances.”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE COMPANIES, HANNA PUTZ

YO U ?

Perfect Match

GLASS HALF FULL

W H AT I S YO U R SECR E T

“I play the harpsichord. I even built my own harpsichord! It’s the one my dog Marcello is standing on in the picture.”

TA L EN T ?

SANTTU MUSTONE N

Finnish artist who fuses the digital and organic worlds

G L ASS D E SI G N

Finnish brand renowned for its timeless glassware

PACE E X HIBIT ION

Glass sculpture exhibition at the Iittala & Arabia Design Centre

MEN WHO FELL TO ESPOO Three leading painters of our time, Jonathan Meese, Daniel Richter, and Tal R, kick off a star-studded year at the Espoo Museum of Modern Art with The Men Who Fell from Earth. The title refers to Nicolas Roeg’s 1976 cult sci-fi film starring David Bowie.

JANUARY 2019 BLUE WINGS 73

74 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2019

Investigation

Too much info, not enough wonder To rediscover the joys of life beyond the internet, it’s necessary to face up to the fear of how we think we might be missing out.

TEXT TIM BIRD ILLUSTRATION CAMILLE ROMANO

I

nstant, non-stop availability of communication has many advantages, but it can also trap us in stressful expectation, enslaved by, rather than in control of those compact tech-smart devices in our pockets. This almost universal anxiety has acquired a name – the Fear of Missing Out, FOMO. It can seem that our lives are of little consequence if our sumptuous meals are not presented on Instagram or our smiley social gatherings aren’t broadcast on Facebook. Adding to these pressures of social media, we also scan our email accounts on an unhealthily frequent basis, hungry for a full and mainly spamfree inbox.

However, increasing numbers of people are yearning for life that is not overshadowed by the pressures of constant connection. But how do we achieve a peaceful, disconnected state of mind when we are so deeply gripped by the fear that we are missing out on something? This dilemma is testing the minds of behavioural scientists and psychologists, spawning new strains of self-help literature and academic speculation.

One of the solutions is to embrace the antithesis of FOMO which is the Joy of Missing Out – commonly referred to as JOMO.

Prominent among the JOMO champions is Canadian author and motivational speaker Christina Crook, whose book The Joy of Missing Out: Finding Balance in a Wired World was one result of a self-enforced, 31-day period of online abstinence.

“My ‘fast’ consisted of disabling data on my smartphone and completely turning off my email,” she says. “I chronicled my experience with a letter a day, complete with news clippings, quotes, and thoughts on technology. Each letter was hand- or type-written, mailed, then scanned and posted to a blog by a friend, creating a conversation between friends and open to the world at large.”

This experience, chronicled in a project called Letters from a Luddite, boosted her passion for exploring “the intersection of technology, relationships, and joy” and inspired her book.

INFORMATION OVERLOAD Crook’s decision was the culmination of a gradual year-long realisation that the internet was encouraging a process of emotional disengagement, with her relationships mediated by Facebook and an overwhelming compulsion to keep checking-in online. “I was living in a constant state of >

JANUARY 2019 BLUE WINGS 75

information overload and a vacuum of joy,” she recalls. “I had too much information and not enough wonder.”

Reactions to the “fast” revealed two camps of opinion. The first was manifested by celebration and admiration at the experiment, while those in the second warned Crook that she would simply fade from their radar. “It turns out, when it comes to the use of tech, people have pretty strong feelings about it – and don’t want to be told they should be doing otherwise,” she says.

Post-detox readjustment can be traumatic. “I returned to technology after my 31 days were up with fear and trepidation: I was nervous to reengage online, I didn’t want to fall into old habits.

Like reintroducing food after a water fast, I had to take it slow.

Ironically, at the suggestion of a colleague, I signed up for Twitter half a year after the experiment in an effort to promote ideas. Having three very small kids helped keep me offline a lot: I already needed three extra arms.”

As is the case with other habits, a digital detox is not much use if addicts throw themselves back into it when the detox finishes.

“I don’t believe in detoxing, if it means leaving your normal environment and then returning after a ‘cold turkey,’” says Danish psychologist Svend Brinkmann, the author of a soon-to-be-published book, also titled The Joy of Missing Out. “We need to rearrange our everyday lives and environments rather than simply ‘detoxing’. We need to focus on our surroundings rather than our inner strength and willpower. Our habits reflect our practices and life patterns, so we need to change these rather than going on retreats.”

already have. “Some would say that it is inherent to human nature to always strive for more, but I believe that it reflects certain cultural conditions in contemporary consumer society,” he says. “Products are sold with inbuilt obsolescence and everything from jobs to romantic relationships is increasingly temporary. We are told to constantly seek more, and the problem is that it never ends, so it often leaves us with feelings of emptiness, meaninglessness, and depression,” notes Brinkmann.

The antidote to the quandary, he believes, is to learn to live a more moderate life. He suggests JOMO as a path to follow, attempting to practice this in his own life, for example, by strictly restricting the number of weekly activities in which to engage.

Christina Crook’s approach is to fill the offline time with other activities. She advocates a weekly tech sabbath consisting of a day, or even just an afternoon, completely unplugged. This can remind us, she says, that the online world keeps going without us, puncturing our sense of self-importance.

“Carving out regular time away from our devices opens up space to reconnect to other joys: relationships, sports, artistic pursuits, community involvement, volunteerism, hobbies,” she says.

In Brinkmann’s view, the key is to avoid temptation and develop a strategy to disengage.

This is much more efficient, he insists, than trying to develop the will-power to resist. He recommends uninstalling apps and placing smartphones and tablets where an effort is required to find them if you want to check social media. Never keep your device near your bed and try using blocker software that only allows you to check at intervals.

In premodern religious cultures, Brinkmann concludes, the main problem for people was: How can I be saved and achieve eternal life? Today´s secular cultures face the problem of how to focus to achieve something valuable in this life. “Technology and other tools can help us in this pursuit,” he says. “But only if we consciously decide how to use them.” 

“We are told to constantly seek more, and the problem is that it never ends.”

THE QUEST FOR MORE As a professor of psychology at the University of Aalborg, Brinkmann has approached JOMO from a research standpoint, seeking answers to why people are always looking for more, regardless of what they

76 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2019

TAKE IT EASY IN GOA T H E N O R D I C WAY

BEAUTIFUL BEACHES THAT DAYDREAMS ARE MADE OF

Starry skies, endless beaches and a diverse cultural history give Goa its distinctive, relaxed charm. Finnair flies from Helsinki to Goa twice a week.

Book your flights at finnair.com

Globetrotter On the road with a blogger

Horseback trekking in the quiet Westfjords.

Thermal spring for two on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

Geyserspotting with the kids in Haukadalur.

Winter in the West-fjords tends to get particularly snowy.

Author Satu Rämö fell for the imposing beauty of island nation Iceland.

HOW D ID YO U E ND U P I N I C EL A N D?

W H AT CA PTI VATE S YOU MOST AB OUT

I first came here as an exchange student in 2003. I kept coming back and on one of those trips, I met my husband-to-be.

LIFE THERE?

WINTE R IN IC E L AN D, C H I L L I N G O R

Magical, definitely. The ­Icelandic horses are plump and fluffy and wonderful to ride in the ­wintry ­landscapes. The weather is brisk and windy, but the hot springs are always blissfully hot.

M AG ICAL?

78 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2019

I am forever enchanted by the volcanoes, the glaciers, and the tough little horses. The Icelandic p ­ eople might be few in number, but they all seem to have this wonderful energy in everything they do.

S H A R E A SECR E T SPOT I N I CE L AND?

The ­natural thermal spring in the ­valley of Heydalur in the Westfjords is ­amazingly relaxing. 

SATU RÄMÖ

is a Finnish author and economist who lives in Iceland with her family and runs a blog (in Finnish) about her life on the island nation. salamatkustaja.com

PHOTOS SATU RÄMÖ, BJÖRGVIN HILMARSSON

Land of ice and fire

Fly

PHOTO FINNAIR

The world of Finnair

Inspiring journeys The world is your playground with Finnair’s extensive network JANUARY 2019 BLUE WINGS 79

World of Finnair Highlights of the month

Porto OPO

Finnair flies to Porto (OPO) two times a week during the summer season.

80 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2019

PHOTO CHARL VAN ROOY

MARVELLOUS MAZE

There’s something distinctly charming about the Portuguese city of Porto – a terraced maze of pastel-coloured houses and terracotta roofs. Situated on hill slopes with spectacular views over the Douro River, the medieval old town is a delight to get lost in. As if it were designed for culinary seekers, Porto tickles all the senses with its famous port wine cellars and imaginative Portuguese cuisine.

World of Finnair Highlights of the month

Hassle-free departure HEL updates H E L S INKI AIRP O R T is undergoing a renewal and as the development programme enters a new phase, there is a lot going on.

Starting January, Terminal 2 experiences the majority of expansion work. The terminal expansion will house check-in, security control, baggage drop, and a meet-and-greet area for passengers.

has recently launched a service with AirPortr for Londonbased travellers. For Finnair customers who have already checked in online, baggage can be collected from any London location up to three hours prior to departure. This means you can travel hands-free to the airport, and head straight through security without queueing at baggage drop-off. It’s also possible to use AirPortr’s city delivery service when arriving to London. Just pre-book a delivery location and your bags will be waiting.

FI NNAI R

The construction work will also affect traffic routes. Parking will no longer be available in the P1 and P2 parking halls with vehicles being redirected to the other three car parks. Finavia will operate a free shuttle bus between the parking areas and the terminal. It is advised to arrive at the airport early and reserve parking in advance if driving.

FINNAIR ON SOCIAL MEDIA

We are replacing individual milk portions served on Finnair short-haul flights with Finnish milk, poured from a carton. This means we create 9,300 kg less plastic waste a year.

FINNAIR

To offer you an even better lounge experience in the future, we are renovating and expanding our nonSchengen lounges until May 2019.

FINNAIR

Hello everyone, it’s @aleksandrablinnikka and I’m going to tell you next how I combine flying with sports.

FI NNAI R

JANUARY 2019 BLUE WINGS 81

World of Finnair Services

STAY CONNECTED

Fly the short northern route

FI NNAI R CHAT Finnair Live chat is available on weekdays 7 am to 10 pm, on Saturdays 9 am to 6 pm, and on Sundays 10 am to 10 pm (Finnish time).

chatbot, affectionately known as Finn, who is ready to help plan your journey via Finnair’s global Facebook Messenger account.

ME E T FI NNAI R ’S

FI NNAI R APP Tap your way through your journey. Log in with your last name and booking reference or your Finnair Plus username and password.

All Finnair A330 and A350 aircraft offer Wi-Fi connections.

SKY HI G H W I - FI

WITH A MODERN FLEET, extensive route network, and world-class service, Finnair offers a comfortable and convenient way to travel.

Finnair is one of the world’s oldest airlines.

Since then, the company has grown from a small carrier to one that is a respected member of the international airline industry.

Finnair’s route network includes 19 destinations in Asia, eight in the Americas, and 100 in Europe. In ESTAB L IS H E D IN 1 923 ,

2017, Finnair carried almost 12 ­million passengers. And during the 2018 summer season, Finnair will operate 97 flights a week to Asia, of which 38 flights are to China and 38 flights to Japan.

Finnair’s modern and ecofriendly fleet consists of over 60 aircraft, most of which are Airbuses.

W ECHAT

Scan and follow Finnair’s official WeChat account.

SMART PACKING

TIPS FOR A SMOOTH TAKEOFF

Pack too much?

Avoid excess baggage fees by paying in advance for extra allowance at special pre-paid prices directly from finnair.com.

Carry-on allowance

Ski vacation prep

Self-service bag drop

Finnair customers can take onboard one carry-on baggage and a personal item such as a backpack that must be placed under the seat in front of you.

Get ready for ski season. A snowboard or ski bag is considered one piece of baggage. You can pay for your excess­ ­baggage fee at pre-paid prices via ­finnair.com.

Print your bag tag at the self-service kiosk, go to the self-service bag drop, scan your boarding pass, scan your bag tag, and send your bag through.

82 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2019

Liquids rule Liquids are allowed through security in containers (max 100ml) packed in a transparent resealable 1-litre plastic bag.

World of Finnair Frequent flyer program

Finnair Plus membership THE FINNAIR PLUS program allows

FI

N

N

A JO IR IN .C A O T M /P L

U

S

you to earn both tier points and award points when travelling with Finnair or a oneworld airline and award points from services provided

by Finnair Plus partners.

A WORLD OF BENEFITS for free by filling in the form online at finnair.com/plus.

As a Plus member, you get access to valuable benefits and rewards. Earn points for flights and services and use them both at home and abroad.

You can use your Finnair Plus award points for additional Finnair services such as seat selection, J O IN FINNAIR PLU S

WHAT’S NEW THIS MONTH? meals, and extra baggage payments. The number of points you pay depends on your flight and the chosen service. You can pay for travel extras at the time you book your reservation or later through the Manage Booking tab.

Go to finnairshop.com to find Finnair gift cards, partner services, and award vouchers.

BEST FROM PARTNERS

Upgrade with less

Finnair Plus Family&Friends makes earning points more fun and social. J­ ust create a Finnair Plus Family&Friends group, invite family members and friends, and then track your progress towards the travel goals you set. You can also transfer Finnair Plus award points between group ­members free of charge. Save up for your dream reward and travel the world together! finnair.com/plus

Use your Finnair Plus points to make your trip even more comfortable. Receive a 30% point discount when you upgrade your travel class. Upgrade your flight to northern Europe with 5,000 award points and to the rest of Europe with 7,000 award points. Sales period runs January 3-23, 2019. finnair.com/plus

Shop and earn Apply for a Finnair Plus ­ co-brand credit card and start earning Finnair Plus points from everyday purchases. Select your card from multiple options. finnairshop.com

JANUARY 2019 BLUE WINGS 83

World of Finnair Deals of the month

7 reasons to love finnairshop.com L:A BRUKET

THE FINNAIR SHOP is your one-stop shopping

site to pre-order products before your flight, buy Nordic design items delivered directly to your seat, and use your Finnair Plus points for various Finnair Plus partner services.

No 167 broccoli seed serum, 50ml. Available at finnairshop.com for seat delivery.

€45

MAGISSO Quick citrus juicer.

Available at finnairshop.com for seat delivery.

BALMUIR

€32

Milan scarf (60x200cm).

Available at finnairshop.com for seat delivery.

€99 V SA E 29 % JANUARY DEALS

NEW YEAR NEW OFFERS

SUUNTO Suunto 9, multisport GPS watch. Available in finnairshop.com for seat delivery.

N

EW

€499

84 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2019

Winter favourites are here! Between January 1-13, 2019, receive 20% off onboard shopping and pre-orders for Finnair flights flown during this time.

Please visit finnairshop.com, check the catalogue in the seat pocket, or ask a cabin crew member for more information.

World of Finnair Deals of the month

RETAIL THERAPY

KALEVALA JEWELRY Canth silver pendant 80cm.

Available at finnairshop.com for home delivery.

€220

SHOPPING MADE EASY! Now you can use your Finnair Plus points to pay for your pre-order products and o ­ nboard purchases! Go to the complimentary Nordic Sky portal onboard – the ­pre-order webshop is always open on Wi-Fi connected Finnair flights. Find the best deals on ­tax-free ­products and enjoy special Finnair Plus offers.

4X WAYS TO SHOP

IITTALA Ultima Thule set of two 20cl glasses and one 50 cl pitcher.

Available at finnairshop.com for home delivery.

ONB OARD

Shop online via your own mobile device during the flight using the complimentary Nordic Sky portal.

€143.90

PR E - OR D E R

Pre-order online before any Finnair flight. finnairshop.com

HOME DELIVERY

Use Finnair Plus points to shop for products delivered directly to your home.

AWARD VOUCHER Redeem a €50 gift card to Neste.

Use your ­Finnair Plus points or a combination of money and points (available in finnairshop.com).

€39 + 4,000 p

VOUCHE R S

Use Finnair Plus points to redeem a voucher for restaurants, hotel stays, car rentals, and much more.

JANUARY 2019 BLUE WINGS 85

World of Finnair Flying stories

Flying stories

Q&A

IT’S THE CUSTOMERS who make Finnair

and that’s why we’ve dedicated this page to your travel stories.

SHAR E YOUR Finnair

moments on Instagram!

Use #feelfinnair, if you want to be featured.

Meet the frequent flyer.

ANTTI KOSONE N

Finnair Plus member from Finland FI NNAI R PLUS TI ER

Gold W HI CH FI NNAI R PLUS B E NE FI T D O YOU U SE

mariavanonen Took my boat freak pup to Venezia, she liked it. #italy

virpula Breathtaking moments – I’m alive! #breathtakingviews #lapland

MOST? Access to a Finnair lounge. With the lounge benefit, my holiday starts already at the airport!

I F YOU COUL D TRAVEL ANYW HE R E , W HERE WOUL D I T B E ? New Zealand. Nature and quality wines make a perfect combination.

FAVOUR I TE D E STI NATI ON?

Malaga.

TOP TI PS FOR MAL AGA?

piecesofmytravels Happy Friday! Hope you’ll have a relaxing weekend!

Chongqing, China. October 2018

veerabianca ”One day if I go to heaven, I’ll look around and say – it ain’t bad, but it ain’t San Francisco.” #dreambig

TAKING PHOTOS AND VIDEOS ONBOARD your travel experience? The use of small cameras or mobile devices for photography and video to capture your own travel moments is welcome onboard Finnair flights. Please respect the privacy of others onboard, and always ask the WANT TO S H A R E

86 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2019

crew and your fellow passengers for their consent before including them in your memories. And as always, please follow crew instructions: crew members can prohibit photography or video if it disturbs other customers or the crew’s work, or causes a safety concern.

1. Visit the idyllic Pueblo Blancos, which are the traditional white villages of Mijas Pueblo and Benalmádena.

2. Experience a unique tasting menu at Le Moi EventCuisine: wonderful setting at an old ranch and food beyond imagination.

3. For the adventure seeker, escape the heat to Barranco Blanco, a Robinson Crusoe-style jungle river. Wear shoes that can get wet and bring a waterproof bag.

World of Finnair Sky food

Eat well FANCY A SNACK ONBOARD? Finnair offers a wide selection of seasonal and healthy options that combine the best of the Nordics, Europe, and Asia.

3 WAYS TO A TASTY MEAL Complimentary beverages Complimentary coffee, tea, water, and Finnair’s signature blueberry juice are always served on Finnair flights.

SI G NATUR E ME NU.

Business Class passengers on Finnair longhaul flights can enjoy Signature Menus prepared by chefs from top restaurants.

S KY B I STR O.

Pick of the month When flying in Finnair ­Business Class on most long-haul flights, you can choose your main course in advance. Finnair’s chefs ­combine fresh Nordic tastes with ­international culinary traditions. Pre-order at least 24 hours before your flight.

Passengers on Finnair flights within Europe and the Middle East can mix and match favourite tastes from the onboard Sky Bistro menu.

FINNA

SKY BISTRIR O

PR E - OR D E R .

Passengers on Finnair flights within Europe and the Middle East can choose sandwiches, salads, breakfast, or dinner in advance from the Nordic Bistro menu.

CHEF OF THE SEASON A UNI QUE FUSI ON cuisine awaits Business Class passengers on Finnair flights from Seoul to Helsinki. Seoul-based chef Sung-Yeol Nam has designed a carefully crafted signature menu that puts a modern take on classic Korean dishes−focusing on the fresh and seasonal.

JANUARY 2019 BLUE WINGS 87

World of Finnair Wellness & comfort

Onboard wellness

3X TIPS FOR CABIN COMFORT

STAY HYDRATED It is recommended to drink 1-2 decilitres of water every hour. If possible, minimise the amount of tea, coffee, and alcohol you drink.

HEALTHIER AIRCRAFT

The Finnair A350 combines the latest technology with advanced passenger comfort features to help you rediscover the thrill of flying. An advanced HEPA filtering system changes the cabin air every two to three minutes ensuring comfort and health for all passengers. Large windows let natural light flow into the cabin and LED technology emits lighting and colours that are customised to fit the time of day, destination, or season. The noise level is 16 decibels below the standard requirement, so resting and relaxing while onboard is easy.

GET SOME SLEEP The best way to tune out is to wear an eye mask and ear plugs. Keep warm, too – have a jacket or blanket handy in case you need it.

2X COMFORTABLE UPGRADES NORDIC BUSINESS CLASS Finnair’s Business Class seats let you fully recline on your intercontinental flight. The seats transform into a 200 cm (6’6”) horizontal bed, so you can enjoy a good night’s sleep.

88 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2019

ECONOMY COMFORT Finnair’s Economy Comfort seating in the front of the Economy Class cabin makes intercontinental travel even more pleasurable with 8–13 cm (3–5 inches) more legroom.

GENERAL WELLBEING Try to bring something to snack on.

Fruit and veggies are always a great healthy option. And remember to wear comfortable clothing.

World of Finnair Flight mode

Stay connected THE NORDIC SKY Wi-Fi portal is available

on all intercontinental flights and gives you access to news, destination information, and Finnair services. You can use the portal to connect your own devices to the internet.

HOW TO GET STARTED FINNAIR APP – YOUR TRAVEL COMPANION

1

Get boarding passes, book flights and travel extras, view your Finnair Plus balance, and much more with the Finnair app. The app supports your Finnair journey all the way from home to your destination and back!

urn your T device to flight mode and ­enable Wi-Fi

2

Join the Wi-Fi ­network Nordic Sky

3

Open the browser of your choice

4

Start exploring at nordic-sky. finnair.com

1 HOUR

3 HOURS

12 HOURS

7.95€

11.95€

19.95€

You can purchase or redeem internet access directly from the portal.

WHAT’S PLAYING VE NOM

NI G HT SCHOOL

Tom Hardy stars as one of Marvel’s greatest and most complex characters.

A man must attend night school classes in order to earn his diploma.

JUL I E T, NAKE D

YOUNG SHE L D ON

The story of Annie, the girlfriend of Duncan, and her romance with singer Tucker Crowe.

This single-camera comedy gives us the chance to meet Sheldon Cooper in childhood.

THE HOUSE W I TH A CLOCK I N I TS WAL L S

2 B R OKE G I R L S

The tale of 10-year-old Lewis who goes to live with his uncle in a creaky old house.

Two young women waitressing at a greasy spoon diner strike up an unlikely friendship.

JANUARY 2019 BLUE WINGS 89

World of Finnair Staff tips

Portugal has some of the best waves in Europe.

Rhodes is known for windsurfing.

Mount Huashan is one of the Five Great Mountains of China.

Active vantage point

HI KE M O UNT H UAS H A N

If you’re in awe of Mother Nature and an epic vista view, don’t miss this mountain top hike east of Xi’an, China. The trek will definitely double as your leg day workout because it’s all about stairs! You’ll see.

PAD D L E O U T IN P OR T U G A L

The coast is a perfect place to learn how to surf. There

are loads of beaches for beginners as well as for pro surfers. So put on a wetsuit and hit the water. Enjoy sun, sea, and good vibes.

W I N DS U R F I N R H O DE S

If you want to learn a new sport, try windsurfing. There are many places that rent equipment and offer lessons.

There’s nothing better than

90 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2019

feeling the speed of your windsurfer gliding across the clear blue water.

CYCL E SAN FRANCI SCO

There are great cycling paths both in and outside of the city. Despite the hills, you can bike to the key landmarks, parks, and historic sites−even across the Golden Gate Bridge.

AL E KSAND RA ­B L I NNI KKA is a ­Finnair

flight attendant and ­service motivator in addition to a professional windsurfer (World and European champion in Raceboard Windsurfing Class).

PHOTOS ALEKSANDRA BLINNIKKA

As an eternal optimist and athlete, Aleksandra Blinnikka is always on the move. She says the best way to appreciate a city is to explore it all from hiking to paddling to windsurfing.

World of Finnair Holiday sampler

Experience more with Finnair

TOP 3 BEST OF EGYPT Immerse yourself in sun, sand, and culture. Choose your vacation package at aurinkomatkat.fi.

(Available in Finnish only)

SAHL HASHE E SH. This stylish Red Sea resort village boasts some of the most famous ­diving spots in Egypt. The piers are perfect for long evening strolls and sunset views.

EXPLORE FINNAIR HOLIDAYS THE STORY OF A LIFETIME is waiting for you. Flights,

hotel, unique experiences, and triple amount of Finnair Plus points can now be found from one place. Finnair Holidays is available in Estonia, Finland, and Sweden. Find your story at finnair.com/holidays.

Intriguing destinations

Triple Finnair Plus points

Finnair Holidays opens the door to the most intriguing places in the world. Choose a theme for a unique holiday experience.

You can earn three Finnair Plus tier and award points for every euro used on your Finnair Holidays experience.

This small town is a jewel on the Red Sea. The turquoise lagoons entice water sport enthusiasts with snorkelling and kitesurfing activities.

E L G OUNA.

Flights, hotel, and a holiday experience Finnair Holidays is an easy way to find flights, hotels, and unique experiences all in one place.

HUR G HADA. There’s something for everyone at this busy Red Sea resort town, from deepsea diving to exploring the exotic old town with its bazaars and markets.

JANUARY 2019 BLUE WINGS 91

World of Finnair Sustainability

From left: Maria Lumiaho, Kristina Pääkkönen, Andra Blaj, Leena Wooller, and Marja Ojala.

Ready, set, hack has a proud record of promoting equal opportunities.

A gratifying example was recently demonstrated when a Finnair all-woman tech team won the New Distribution Capability (NDC) Corporate prize in the International Air Transport Association (IATA) AIR Hackathon held in Finnish Lapland.

The round-the-clock event had teams collaborating on software projects, devising solutions, and pitching them to experts. The Finnair team created a shop-inshop experience for online travel agencies and search engines that will benefit customers, agencies, and airlines alike.

FINNAIR

“Hackathons are traditionally male-driven events,” says Maria Lumiaho, Design Director, Finnair Digital Solutions. “We used this opportunity to empower more women to consider a career in tech. Our team name was AY27, which refers to Finnair’s airline code and the percentage of women working in tech in Finland.”

Lumiaho adds, “It was great to see so many teams from all over, from both the corporate world and private sphere, travel to Lapland.

Finland drastically lacks developers and technical professionals in general. The hackathon allowed us to bring both Finnair and Finland to the forefront.”

BETTER PLANET Finnair’s sustainability strategy is built on three principles – cleaner, caring, and collaborative.

DO GOOD Finnair Plus members can make point donations via finnairshop.com to • The Finnish Association for Nature Conservation • Crisis Management Initiative (CMI) • The Association of Friends of the University Children’s Hospitals • The Cancer Society of Finland • The Finnish Red Cross • UNICEF Finland • Hope • UN Women

90+ YEARS AND COUNTING 1 92 3

1 924

Finnair, known as Aero, is founded

Finnair receives its first aircraft: Junkers F 13

92 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2019

1 9 47

1952

1968

1969

1980

1992

Finnair air hostesses take to the skies

Helsinki ­ irport opens A

Finnair reveals its new logo and name change

First Finnair trans-Atlantic flight to New York City

Blue Wings launches

The Finnair Plus program is introduced

World of Finnair Fleet

AIRB U S A35 0- 9 0 0

Number 12 + 7 on order Seating capacity 297-336 Length 66.8 m Wingspan 64.75 m Cruising speed 903 km/h Maximum cruising altitude 13,000 m AIRB U S A330-3 0 0

Number 8 Seating capacity 289/263 Length 63.6 m Wingspan 60.3 m Cruising speed 870 km/h Maximum cruising altitude 12,600 m AIRB U S A32 1

Number 19 Seating capacity 196–209 Length 44.5 m Wingspan 34.1 m Cruising speed 840 km/h Maximum cruising altitude 11,900 m

* gradual roll-out by 2019

AIRB U S A32 0

Number 10 Seating capacity 165 Length 37.6 m Wingspan 34.1 m Cruising speed 840 km/h Maximum cruising altitude 11,900 m

* gradual roll-out by 2019

AIRB U S A31 9

Number 8 Seating capacity 138 Length 33.8 m Wingspan 34.1 m Cruising speed 840 km/h Maximum cruising altitude 11,900 m

* gradual roll-out by 2019

E M B RAE R 1 9 0

Operated by Norra Number 12 Seating capacity 100 Length 36.2 m Wingspan 28.7 m Cruising speed 850 km/h Maximum cruising altitude 12,300 m

ATR 72

Operated by Norra Number 12 Seating capacity 68/72 Length 27 m Wingspan 27 m Cruising speed 463 km/h Maximum cruising altitude 7,620 m

1 995

Finnair’s website launches

1 999

1 999

2 004

Finnair joins oneworld alliance

Arrival of ­ irbus A320 A

Online check-in opens

2 013

Launch of Marimekko for Finnair ­collection

2 014

2 015

2018

Finnair celebrates its 90th anniversary

Arrival of ­ irbus A350 A

Finnair celebrates its 95th anniversary

JANUARY 2019 BLUE WINGS 93

World of Finnair Airport info

55

54

53 52

SOUTH PIER GATES 54–55

2ND FLOOR

BUS GATES 51 A–D

FINNAIR LOUNGE FINNAIR PREMIUM LOUNGE

34

NONSCHENGEN AREA

T2

33 GROUND FLOOR

BUS GATES 50 A–M

Security control

NONSCHENGEN AREA

32 32a

Welcome to Helsinki Airport

2ND FLOOR

TRANSFER SERVICE 3

TRANSFER SERVICE 2

Border control

CHECK YOUR GATE and departure time on the airport monitors. All Finnair and Nordic Regional Airlines (Norra) departures are located in the same terminal. If you do not have a boarding pass for your connecting flight, please contact the transfer service desks in T2.

Security check

11

GATE AREA

12

1ST FLOOR

28

T2

CHECK-IN 240–270

14

Security check

TRANSFER SERVICE 1

25

15

16 17 18 19

20

21

22

23

PHARMACY

T1

TOURIST INFO BAGGAGE STORAGE

27

HE L SI NKI AI R POR T has 35 automated border control gates for travellers flying to or from destinations outside of the Schengen area. Fifteen are located in the departure hall; 15 are located in the upstairs arrival hall; another five are available in the downstairs arrival hall (for EU/EEA/CH citizens only).

Passengers from the EU, EEA, CH, Japan, and South Korea with biometric passports can use the automated border control gates. Australian, Canadian, New Zealand, and U.S. citizens with biometric passports may use the automated border control upon departure only. All other nationalities must use the manned border control booths in the departure and arrival halls.

Those passengers travelling with infants, baggage trolleys, or wheelchairs must use the manual control lane.

26

Security check

13

31a-e 30

29

FINNAIR CHECK IN/ SERVICE DESKS 201–229

CHECK IN 101–114

31x 31

SCHENGEN AREA

Border control

GATE AREA

2ND FLOOR

HAPPY LANDINGS

GROUND FLOOR

FINNAIR LOUNGE

24

THE FI NNAI R CI TY BUS

to the Helsinki Railway Station leaves from T2 every 20 minutes, stopping also at T1. Travel time is approx. 30 minutes. €6.30

3RD FLOOR

THE R I NG RAI L L I N E

connects Helsinki Airport to downtown Helsinki via train.

There is direct access from the corridor between T1 and T2.

1ST FLOOR

WIRE L E SS I N T ER N ET

PL AY R O O M

NON- SMOKI NG

Helsinki Airport offers free Wi-Fi throughout the airport.

Children’s playrooms offer toys, videos, and baby care facilities.

Smoking is prohibited outside of designated smoking rooms.

94 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2019

World of Finnair The Nordic way

Fly the short northern route FLY VIA HELSINKI and take the most direct route between Europe and Asia.

Thanks to Helsinki’s location, Finnair’s northern route is a geographically convenient way between Europe and Asia. The northern route also offers competitive travel times to destinations in the US from many European cities.

The Helsinki Airport is efficient, compact, and easy to navigate, making it ideal for transferring between Europe, Asia, and the US with short transfer times.

JANUARY 2019 BLUE WINGS 95

World of Finnair

Domestic and European destinations

Tromsø Reykjavík

From Helsinki

Ivalo

Iceland Kittilä Rovaniemi

Finnair Destinations New Finnair Destinations 2018/2019

Umeå

Norway Oslo Bergen Edinburgh

Manchester United Kingdom

Visby

Gdansk

Madrid

Ibiza Menorca Palma de Mallorca

Malaga

Belarus

Bulgaria

Varna

Turkey

Greece Skiathos Mytilene Preveza Athens Kos Zakynthos Santorini

Corfu

Antalya Dalaman Alanya Cyprus Rhodes

Catania Malta

Madeira Funchal

Chania

Heraklion

Canary Arrecife Islands Tenerife Norte Fuerteventura Tenerife Sur Las Palmas From Helsinki

Great Circle Estimated distances / km flight times

Alanya/Gazipasa 2722 03:45 Alicante 3034 04:25 Amsterdam 1525 02:35 Antalya 2638 03:50 Arrecife 4518 05:55 Athens 2490 03:40 Barcelona 2632 03:55 Bergen 1112 03:30 Berlin 1123 02:00 Billund 1060 01:50 Bologna 1976 03:00 Bordeaux 2417 03:30 Brussels 1651 02:40 Budapest 1481 02:20 Catania 2636 03:45 Chania 2756 03:50 Copenhagen 895 01:40 Corfu 2329 03:25 Dalaman 2639 03:40 Dublin 2030 03:10 Dubrovnik 2027 03:00 Düsseldorf 1512 02:25 Edinburgh 1717 02:40 Eilat 3457 04:45

Samara

Moscow

Naples

Alicante

Yekateringburg Kazan

Minsk

Amsterdam Poland Hannover Berlin Netherlands Warsaw Brussels Germany Düsseldorf Belgium Kraków Prague Frankfurt Czech Republic Paris Stuttgart Vienna Salzburg Munich Zurich France Geneva Innsbruck Austria Budapest Hungary Switzerland Slovenia Bordeaux Venice Ljubljana Verona Lyon Milan Croatia Pula Bologne Nice Pisa Rimini Split Italy Dubrovnik Rome Barcelona

Spain

Portugal

Kajaani

Great Circle Estimated distances / km flight times

Ivalo 931 01:35 Joensuu 360 01:00 Jyväskylä 235 00:50 Kajaani 464 01:20 Kemi/Tornio 609 01:35 Kittilä 823 01:25 Kokkola/Pietarsaari 391 01:10 Kuopio 335 01:00 Kuusamo 667 01:15 Mariehamn 282 00:55 Oulu 514 01:05 Rovaniemi 697 01:20 Tampere 143 00:35 Turku 150 00:35 Vaasa 348 00:55

Lithuania

Copenhagen Hamburg

London

Porto

Kuusamo

Saint Petersburg Tallinn Tartu Estonia Latvia Riga

Stockholm

Denmark Billund

Dublin Ireland

Kemi Oulu

Finland Kokkola Kuopio Joensuu Sweden Vaasa Jyväskylä Tampere Turku Helsinki Mariehamn

Gothenburg

Russia

Paphos Israel Tel Aviv-Yafo

Eilat From Helsinki

Great Circle Estimated distances / km flight times

Frankfurt 1543 02:35 Fuerteventura 4578 06:05 Funchal 4310 05:45 Gdansk 768 02:00 Geneva 1994 03:00 Gothenburg 785 01:25 Hamburg 1 172 02:00 Hannover 1278 2:15 Heraklion 2777 03:55 Ibiza 2897 04:00 Innsbruck 1701 02:35 Kazan 1521 02:30 Kos 2620 03:45 Kraków 1 186 02:00 Las Palmas 4700 06:10 Lisbon 3369 04:50 Ljubljana 1713 02:40 London 1863 03:10 Lyon 2081 03:10 Madrid 2950 04:25 Malaga 3357 04:35 Malta 2822 04:15 Manchester 1817 03:00 Menorca 2688 04:05

96 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2019

From Helsinki

Great Circle Estimated distances / km flight times

Milan 1953 03:05 Minsk 734 01:15 Moscow 876 01:40 Munich 1577 02:30 Mytilene 1471 03:35 Naples 2283 03:25 Nice 2202 03:25 Oslo 766 01:30 Palma de Mallorca 2777 04:00 Paphos 2898 04:00 Paris 1900 03:05 Pisa 2093 03:20 Porto 3117 04:20 Prague 1322 02:10 Preveza 2397 03:25 Pula 1865 02:55 Reykjavik 2429 03:50 Rhodes 2668 03:45 Riga 382 00:55 Rimini 1993 03:00 Rome 2235 03:25 Saint Petersburg 301 01:00 Salzburg 1592 02:30 Samara 1698 02:35

From Helsinki

Great Circle Estimated distances / km flight times

Santorini 2660 03:40 Skiathos 2353 03:30 Split 1956 02:55 Stockholm 400 01:00 Stuttgart 1637 02:45 Tallinn 101 00:30 Tartu 245 00:50 Tel Aviv-Yafo 3230 04:25 Tenerife Norte 4691 06:10 Tenerife Sur 4745 06:10 Tromsø 1078 01:55 Umeå 459 01:20 Varna 1911 02:55 Venice 1847 02:55 Verona 1903 02:55 Vienna 1462 02:30 Vilnius 633 01:15 Visby 481 01:25 Warsaw 940 01:40 Yekaterinburg 2098 03:05 Zakynthos 2526 03:55 Zurich 1781 02:45

Winter season 2018–2019 Finnair adds flights to popular winter destinations in Lapland, including new non-stop flights from London, Paris, Tallinn, and Zurich London Gatwick – Ivalo 2 weekly flights London Gatwick – Kittilä 1 weekly flight Paris – Kittilä 1 weekly flight Tallinn – Kittilä 1 weekly flight Zurich – Kittilä 1 weekly flight

World of Finnair

Intercontinental destinations

Beijing Seoul South Korea

Xian

China

Nanjing

Nagoya Osaka

Japan Tokyo

Fukuoka

Shanghai

Chongqing Delhi Dubai United Arab Emirates

Guangzhou

India

From Helsinki

Hong Kong

Bangkok 7912 09:45 Beijing 6325 07:55 Chongqing 6736 08:40 Delhi 5229 06:50 Dubai 4537 05:55 Fukuoka 8060 09:30 Goa 6328 08:50 Guangzhou 7693 09:30 Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) 8510 10:50 Hong Kong 7821 09:35 Krabi 8350 10:20 Nagoya 7780 09:40 Nanjing 7165 09:35 Osaka 7751 09:30 Phuket 8312 10:05 Seoul 7050 08:40 Shanghai 7410 09:05 Singapore 9272 11:30 Tokyo 7849 09:45 Xian 6421 07:50

Thailand Bangkok

Goa

Vietnam Ho Chi Minh City Phuket

Krabi

Singapore

Chicago San Francisco

Great Circle Estimated distances / km flight times

New York

United States From Helsinki

Los Angeles

Miami Mexico Puerto Vallarta

Great Circle Estimated distances / km flight times

Chicago Havana Los Angeles Miami New York Puerto Plata Puerto Vallarta San Francisco

7139 09:15 8703 11:15 9016 10:35 8342 11:10 6626 08:45 8410 11:15 9960 12:30 8724 10:45

Havana Cuba Puerto Plata Dominican Republic

JANUARY 2019 BLUE WINGS 97

FINLAND FACTS Nature

188,000 lakes

75%

land covered by forests

Government

1917

Sovereign parliamentary republic

1995 area

390,908 km2*

Monthly avg. temperatures in Helsinki (2017):

Member of EU since January 1995

200 members

elected for four-year terms

Parliament *includes water area

whooper swan

land used for agriculture

Population

5.5

million

Languages SÁ

President

SE

Economy

Education

GDP

(2017*)

€224

FI

billion

the annual change in volume 2.8% *preliminary

88% speak Finnish 5.2% speak Swedish 0.04% speak Sámi

elected every six years; current president is Sauli N ­ iinistö, who was re-elected to a second term in January 2018

Currency

EURO

Fun facts

72%

14

Universities *incl National Defence University

of students have ­studied beyond basic ­education

25

Universities of applied sciences

Consumption of coffee per capita

9.6kg*

12.3 l*

*per year

National food: rye bread

Ice cream consumed per capita *per year

98 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2019

2,000,000* saunas *estimate

(October 2018)

*preliminary

390,000*

overnight stays by foreign travellers

SOURCE: STATISTICS FINLAND ILLUSTRATION: ANGELINA LUZHINA

7%

National bird

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SUUNTO 9 •

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•

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•

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Oy Osk. Lindroos Ab Helsinki Airport Schengen, gate 27, +358-9-354 0500 Helsinki Airport Non-Schengen, gate 33, +358-9-354 0510 www.lindroos.fi