Saturday, January 30, 2016

A bit of hope: Ei rasismia minun nimissäni

Usually this blog is more about the nice outdoor and nature trip that can be done around Helsinki, but let's make a bit of an exception.

2015 has seen a large increase in the number of asylum-seekers in Finland. On the one hand, it has  triggered noble reactions with a lot of help offered to them but on the other hand a large amount of hate speech and racism. For a lot of us, it has been sad to see the atmosphere degrade so much.

This Saturday, a small demonstration was organized in Helsinki: "ei rasismia minun nimissäni" (no racism in my name). Its aim is to oppose hate speech and racism, and more precisely, against the use of women to justify racism.  At the same time, an anti-immigration demonstration was taking place a kilometer from there.

It felt relieving to be there and to be surrounded by people that stand for value of love, openness and acceptance. Among people who believe that we are stronger by sticking together than by focusing hatred on a small and weak group of the society. Among people who believe that being human means something more than defending their own territory and fearing that somebody else take their food. Let's stand for our dignity and let's keep courage and love.

http://blogit.image.fi/leluteekki/ei-minun-nimissani/
30.01.2016





Rohkeutta ja rakkautta. Courage and love.

Sunday, January 24, 2016

More ice.

The skating season has started and I may say well started. Some pictures from Espoonlahti and Lojhanjärvi.








The ice of Santhamina

A lot of new ice could be found in the south of Helsinki. So we made an early departure to launch from the shore of Jollas at dawn to skate Santahamina and Villinki. Without a car, we went there by combining train, metro, cycling, walking before skating, some sort of triathlon. The ice was very close to perfect for skating, the shore full of strange statues of ice made by a combination of waves and cold winds. So sad that the soldiers were just shelling rounds like every day instead of enjoying this rare opportunity. 23.01.2016

















Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Lux Helsinki, city of light

Lux Helsinki

Its time for deep cold and light festival in Helsinki. Usually in these conditions, people rush from door to door so it is pretty pleasant to see the street full of life and people. 08.01.2016