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Scandanavian culture anyone ?

The churches of Norway and Finland are hosting their Christmas fayre next week in Rotherhithe. Hot Glogg and reindeer stew is available on the menu. I imagine reindeer tastes much like beef ? www.sjomannskirken.no/kirke/london/kalendar/julebasar-2024I went to the Swedish one last year - delicious salmon and sauces.

Anna Kirkpatrick ● 25d10 Comments

These Scandanavian Xmas fayres are on still on this weekend in Rotherhithe. I visited today - met the lovely and talented artist that paints the cards in the Finnish church upstairs. I recommend the cherry sponge cake/gateau in the Norwegian church - and do go and look at the boat suspended from the ceiling in there , a local person told me its to represent the fact it was a Norwegian sailors chapel. There are nice Christmas presents on sale in both fayres. Enjoy.

Anna Kirkpatrick ● 19d

The Finnish Fair is on again next weekend.We were there on Friday to support our Finnish friend who had a stall selling her fabulous knitted woollen hats, scarves, shawls and ‘snoods’.  As well as reindeer stew there were open salmon sandwiches and mulled wine and much else. The Finnish Church is a short walk from Rotherhithe Overground station (now on the Windrush line!)

Peter Evans ● 22d

To be pedantic, Finland is not part of Scandinavia, but part of the Nordic countries which also includes Iceland as well as a few autonomous territories.

Liz Ihre ● 22d

Jim,  the 5th symphony is fantastic- the final chords are thrilling. I really like the 1st symphony too.

Stewart Jones ● 23d

To broaden my Scandinavian experiences one year I decided to have a 5 day City break in Sweden Stockholm).I booked the trip ... but because of an Air Traffic Controller's strike in Sweden I was asked to take an Air Flight to Oslo Norway first, and then take a train to Stockholm. That was fine and enjoyable. For my return journey to London ...I was put onto a jolly overnight ocean going ferry to Helsinki (again!) and after that bonus day ... returned to Heathrow.So three Cities for the price of one!My first inkling of Finland came at the time of the Olympic Games in 1952 when Chris Chataway battled away with Emil Zatopek in the 5000 meter race.Perhaps listen to Sibelius's 5th Symphony all the way through to have a taste  of Finnish nationalism.

Jim Lawes ● 23d

Finland is magical so do visit if you can. Such a special place. Memories of National day on the island of Seurasaari brings smiles to us both. The architecture in Finland is wonderful and shows an innocence of folk memories mixed with good design. Avoid matsolatikka! Can't remember  the exact spellings of these Finnish terms but it's basically sweet beef mince with raisins. Truly awful. Apart from that Finland is one of those rare places on Earth that revives the spirits just by existing and makes you joyous just to be alive. It is I think still voted as one of the happiest countries in the world and justly so!. Do visit.

Katrina Black ● 23d

Well worth a visit but really, really expensive. Don't plan on having more than one or two drinks on an evening out and watch out for added room charges.

N V Brooks ● 23d

Little Siberia by Finnish author Antti Tuomainen is a wonderful book.https://crimefictionlover.com/2019/08/little-siberia/

Marlene Plimley ● 23d

Hi Jim,Have you seen the films of Finnish director Aki Kaurismaki? He's one of my favourite directors, and the main reason I'd like to visit Finland one day. It sounds from your post that it's well worth a visit.CheersDominik

Dominik Klimowski ● 24d

I'm a fan Anna ...ever since I went on a short break to Finland in the 1980s. Finland, being sandwiched between Sweden and Russia has fine style.Arriving in Helsinki on Vappu Dayat the end of April ...finding the whole City in celebratory mood with most of the population out on the streets in processions ... with an inner and outer circle of people ...one circle walking clockwise and the other anti- clockwise. It was so sociable.I took a trip to Tampere in the midlands once... to have a look around the City... and found myself at a Cathedral where Handel's Messiah was being sung in Engish!I've been to Turku and Porvoo as well.The Norwegian and Finnish Churches in Albion Street in Rotherhitheare fascinating as you suggest and I've been many times... mingling with those Scandinavians at their Christmas Fairs.Across the Baltic Sea from Finland to Tallin in Estonia is memorable too ...and visits to towns that had been previously been "out of bounds till 1989" were obviously special.The huge Choral Celebrations in each of the Baltic States add to one'sdelight at following those cultures too.I'm too elderly to make those trips again ...but so long as my memorybank continues to work ...I'm happy. Kittos!Finally ...Finland's National Day is on the 6th December. I recall going to London's Royal Festival Hall on that day ... some years back. A Finland Day concert of Sibelius music ...full of Nationalist passionand the delicate whiff of "Georgio"purfume all around. Bliss!

Jim Lawes ● 24d

Reindeer tastes like a subtle venison. Not as gamey or strong.  If the Finnish church is serving Karjalanpaisti then do try it, it, a thick stew of pork, beef and mutton and very tasty.

N V Brooks ● 25d