Explore Finland Radio Show

This episode is something a little different, I hope you enjoy it. In partnership with Into Seinäjoki & E-P WIISE ry, I interviewed my friend Mohammed Al-Marrani about his journey from the countryside of Yemen to the plains of South Ostrobothnia. He explains his dream of being an entrepreneur, his integration into Finnish society, the help and guidance he received to start his business and his plans to grow Mokka Market in the future. Guest: Mohammed Al-Marrani, Mokka Market https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057121463256 Into Seinäjoki video: https://youtu.be/uCkU1GB0SVE Audio/video: Glenn Murray ----more---- FEELING SOCIAL? Facebook page www.facebook.com/explorefinland Instagram www.instagram.com/markwiltshear/ YouTube www.youtube.com/channel/UCvzxW3QitfJtfFVwDfmAzGw  

Part two of a two-part episode... When I asked about visiting the "Terwaviikko" (Tar Week) event in Kuortane, I was quickly introduced to Michael Hutchinson-Rees, a fellow Londoner in Finland, who is now firmly involved in the Lions Club of Kuortane that organises the weeklong tar-making event that takes three years of preparation. Michael invited me to visit the tar pit in Kuortane a few times across the week, to learn how tar is made and to witness different stages of the tar-making process. In this episode, Michael tells me how the Kuortane "Terwaviikko" event comes together, why it takes three years of preparation, how wood-tar is made and what to expect when I visit during the week of festivities. This episode ends with an audio description of the event. If you want to see the video version (and you probably should) you will find it here: Blog: show notes and links https://explorefinlandpodcast.com/2022/10/16/history-of-tar-making-and-kuortane-terwaviikko/ Guest: Michael Hutchison-Reis and Kuortane Terwaviikko ----more---- FEELING SOCIAL? Facebook page www.facebook.com/explorefinland Instagram www.instagram.com/markwiltshear/ YouTube www.youtube.com/channel/UCvzxW3QitfJtfFVwDfmAzGw

Part one of a two-part episode... When I asked about visiting the "Terwaviikko" (Tar Week) event in Kuortane, I was quickly introduced to Michael Hutchinson-Reis, a fellow Londoner in Finland, who is now firmly involved in the Lions Club of Kuortane that organises the weeklong tar-making event that takes three years of preparation. Michael invited me to visit the tar pit in Kuortane a few times across the week, to learn how tar is made and to witness different stages of the tar-making process. In this episode, Michael explains how wood-tar is produced and the great cultural and historical importance this industry has for the village of Kuortane. Blog: show notes and links https://explorefinlandpodcast.com/2022/10/16/history-of-tar-making-and-kuortane-terwaviikko/ Guest: Michael Hutchison-Reis and Kuortane Terwaviikko ----more---- FEELING SOCIAL? Facebook page www.facebook.com/explorefinland Instagram www.instagram.com/markwiltshear/ YouTube www.youtube.com/channel/UCvzxW3QitfJtfFVwDfmAzGw

I was invited by Päivi Nurmikoski, to visit SF-Camping-Kalajärvi in nearby Peräseinäjoki. She introduced us to the caravan park itself and all the facilities , activities and entertainment for her family, that make them return here almost EVERY weekend, all year long. They love it here, maybe you would too. Blog: show notes and links https://explorefinlandpodcast.com/2022/06/09/sf-caravan-kalajarvi-a-year-round-family-resort/ Guest: Päivi Nurmikoski at SFC Kalajärvi www.caravan-kalajarvi.fi/ ----more---- FEELING SOCIAL? Facebook page www.facebook.com/explorefinland Instagram www.instagram.com/markwiltshear/ YouTube www.youtube.com/channel/UCvzxW3QitfJtfFVwDfmAzGw  

Recorded back in summer 2019, I was welcomed to experience my first sauna festival by the organiser of Kalajärven Saunafestarit, Tero Knaapila. Tero talked me through the origins of this event and what one can expect from a sauna festival. He then took me into his converted motor home sauna (which is still road legal!) before a cooling dip in Lake Kalajärvi. Blog: show notes and links https://explorefinlandpodcast.com/2022/05/09/finnish-sauna-festivals-kalajarven-saunafestarit/ ----more---- FEELING SOCIAL? Facebook page www.facebook.com/explorefinland Instagram www.instagram.com/markwiltshear/ YouTube www.youtube.com/channel/UCvzxW3QitfJtfFVwDfmAzGw  

In this episode, I am joined again by Craterologist, Teemu Öhman, to revisit the subject of Pyhävuori. It's an area overlooking Lake Lappajärvi, that is full of geological interest and historical mythology, featuring trolls, hermits and a sacrificial stone. From the ice age to modern days. Following this recording, Glenn Murray and I went out to explore (and as you can see in the video) get slightly lost on) the holy mountain, Pyhävuori. 0:00:00 Introduction 0:01:15 Where is Pyhävuori 0:01:15 The Preserved Rim of Pyhävuori 0:03:10 The Geology of Pyhävuori 0:07:48 Uhrikivi - the sacrificial stone 0:10:12 The ice age 'Baltic Lake' at Pyhävuori 0:14:09 'Pirun pesä' caves - the Devil's nest 0:15:39 Jaakko Reipakka - the hermit and his hut 0:17:09 Kalliomaalaus – rock paintings 0:19:22 Impact Craterlake Geopark, Lappajärvi 0:21:28 Outro   Show notes and links: https://explorefinlandpodcast.com/2022/02/17/pyhavuori-the-holy-mountain-of-alajarvi/ The Nordic Tourist video "Pyhävuori: Human Sacrifice and the Finnish Mountain Man" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQQIxcXF2OI

Part two of a two part episode (you should probably listen to part one first!) In April 2021, myself and Glenn Murray visited Art & Culture Centre Kalevan Navetta in Seinäjoki. This building has a varied history, an re-invigorated present and, surely, a long future bringing art, craftwork, culture and community to Seinäjoki. In this episode,  Päivi Alaniska and Elina Teitti take me on a tour of the venue. Starting with the areas that are always open to the public; the art & craft workshops, the Taito art shop and Äärella restaurant, we then make our way upstairs and visit the contrasting exhibition spaces Halli and Vintti. Show notes and links

Part one of a two part episode. In April 2021, myself and Glenn Murray visited Art & Culture Centre Kalevan Navetta in Seinäjoki. This building has a varied history, an re-invigorated present and, surely, a long future bringing art, craftwork, culture and community to Seinäjoki. In this episode, I am introduced to the history of Kalevan Navetta by Päivi Alaniska (Project Coordinator at  Seinäjoki City Cultural Services) and Elina Teitti, art educator and acting Exhibition coordinator at Kunsthalle Seinäjoki. Show notes and links

What's On... Southern Ostrobothnia now lives on its own, dedicated feed https://whatsonsouthostrobothnia.podbean.com/ Welcome to this new series in which Mark Wiltshear and Glenn Murray (The Nordic Tourist) shine the spotlight on events, activities and events in the Etelä-Pohjanmaa/Southern Ostrobothnia region of Finland. Whether you live in the area, are paying a short visit or are staying here for a holiday, this essential guide will help you find a variety of new ways to pass your time. In this episode Mark and Glenn go from one extreme to another. Glenn introduces a high-octane skydiving course in, while Mark opts for a, more cultured, visit to a museum. Our guest this time is Lina Mattsson from Selmu ry, who tells us about the Rytmis Junior event at Rytmikorjaamo. Show notes with links to events .

On Saturday 27th February 2021, myself and Glenn Murray, The Nordic Tourist, were invited to a special event on Lake Lappajärvi in Etelä-Pohjanmaa, to witness an attempt at the world record biggest ice carousel. What is that? Listen in as I interview Janne Käpylehto, the modern-day father of ice carousels, who will explain all... Show notes & links

Meet Glenn Murray, The Nordic Tourist, who will be my collaborator during the upcoming season of Explore Finland Radio Show. In this episode, Glenn introduces me to Katikankanjoni in Finland's Wild West, a natural canyon with running water all year round, even during months of sub-zero temperatures. Katikan kanjoni is located in the area near the Kauhanevan-Pohjankangas National Park in Etelä-Pohjanmaa. This podcast recording has a companion video, in which Glenn and I visit Katikankanjoni. This is published on The Nordic Tourist YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/mDcnqx-DQGc Check out Glenn's VLOG, as we walk through the area to show what the canyon has to offer; beautiful Nordic winter wilderness travel hikes and wonderful ice waterfalls. It really shows that the landscape in the Southern Ostrobothnia region in Finland (Suomi) is more diverse than people believe. Show notes & links

As part of my guided tour around Culture Centre 'Vanha Paukku' in Lapua, we stop for an extended visit in the Lapuanjoki Museum. Museum Director, Sakari Hanhimäki and Cultural Director, Susanna Oversteyns regale me with historical tales of Espionage, Poisoning, Fascism, An Attempted Coup... and Photography!? Includes an intriguing revelation from Susanna's family history. Show notes & links

Part one of a two-part episode, I undertake a tour of the Kulttuurikeskus 'Vanha Paukku' with two expert guides; Susanna Oversteyns, Cultural Director and Sakari Hanhimäki, Museum Director. HUGE thanks also to Anu Haavisto, Leena Sarjola and Anniina Kivimäki for the impromptu, live performance of some haunting Finnish folk music. Mahtava! Show notes & links

Episodes crafted from Mark's original blogs for www.visitseinajoki.fi Show Notes & links

I speak with Olli-Pekka Tuomaala & James McDade from Seinäjoki Rugby club talk about rugby in Finland; the history of the game in Finland, the development of rugby in Finland as a summer contact sport and how Finland is no longer the worst National rugby team. We also discuss the annual snow rugby competition because, if rugby isn’t a tough enough sport, the Finns have found a way to take it up a notch. Show notes & links

Episodes crafted from Mark's original blogs for www.visitseinajoki.fi Show Notes & links

In part two of a two-part episode, I speak with Kalle Valkonen , Co-Founder and Head Distiller at Kyrö Distillery. He gives me a personal tour of the distillery, taking me step-by-step through the distilling processes of both Kyrö Rye Whisky & Kyrö Napue Gin and answering questions, such as: What is malting? And what are the 'heads and tails'? Show notes & links

In part one of a two-part episode, I speak with Miko Heinilä, Co-Founder of Kyrö Distillery. He gives me selected highlights from the history of the village of Isokyrö, including the bloody Battle of Napue. Bringing things into modern times, he explains the origins of Kyrö Distillery, the ups-and-downs of a start-up company and their future plans to become the biggest rye whisky producer. Show notes & links

Episodes crafted from Mark's original blogs for www.visitseinajoki.fi Show Notes & links

In Winter 2018, I was commissioned to make a pilot series of a new podcast; The Ähtäri Zoo Podcast. This episode is a selection of stories from the first three interviews with people powering Ähtäri Zoo: Satu Keski-Valkama, Tourism Development Project Manager Heini Niinimäki, Zoological Director, Anna Palmroth, Panda Keeper I'm sure you will find this a fascinating look, at the workings of a modern-day zoo, search for Ähtäri Zoo Podcast on your podcast player to find all available episodes. Show notes & links

For this episode, I am grateful to Engel Jones for allowing to rebroadcast an interview that first went-out on his 12 Minute Convos podcast in January 2018. Engel is an Entrepreneur & Podcast Host who set himself a goal: 800 recorded conversations in 12 weeks from Sep 19th - Dec 12th 2017. In this conversation, hear me on the other side of the mic (for a change) talking about why I make the Explore Finland Radio Show, the motivation behind founding Xport, writing a blog for Visit Seinäjoki and the relevance of the Diana Ross song ‘Chain Reaction’. If you know me, you won't be surprised that my #12minconvo lasted 18 mins! Show notes & links

Recorded in 2016, I speak to Marjo Matikainen-Källström, Satu Hallonberg and Markku Pulli about Karjalaisetkesäjuhlat; the commemoration of the evacuation of 430,000 people from Karelia after World War 2 and a celebration of continuing Karelian culture. I then speak to Satu (nowadays, Mrs Wiltshear) who shares some of her family's memories as evacuees from Karjala. Show notes & links

I speak to Teemu Öhman who is a Craterologist or, to be more precise, an Earth and planetary scientist and lecturer at Arctic Planetary Science Institute. Teemu explained about the creation of Lake Lappajärvi in Etelä-Pohjanmaa, and then gave some recommendations of places to visit in the Lappajärvi area. All of which you can discover for yourself, using the new virtual Craterlake Geotrail commissioned by Järviseutu-Seura ry Show notes & links  

I visit Sankta Maria church in Närpes/Närpiö, and speak to town guide, Marianne Winter. I learn why the church is surrounded by over 100 stables, about the unique Swedish dialect in Närpes and why the Vietnamese name, Nguyen, is the most common surname in Närpes. Show notes & links

I discuss the traditional Finnish Puukko knife with Ethnologist and Bushcraft champion, Marcus Lepola. We talk about it's importance in the history of  violence, love & marriage, and everyday life in Finland. Show notes & links

I speak to internationally recognised culinary authority and TV host, Kristina Vänni, who is also a food writer, TV host, recipe developer, cooking contest expert. We discuss her upcoming cookbook, Homefarm, but also her Finnish roots in Peräseinäjoki, Etelä Pohjanmaa. She tells the  the story of her Great-Grandmother, Josefiina Pitäkranta's emigration to the USA in 1899 and how Kristina came to connect with her distant relatives, her 'return' to Pitkäranta Farm and the inspiration for her book. Show notes & links

Jussi Mustikkamaa, Journalist and sauna-enthusiast, teaches me why swimming in ice-cold water, after taking a sauna, is better than sex or morphine! Jussi explains ALL the benefits of Avantouinti, before taking me swimming in the hole in the ice on a frozen pond. Yep, that's right... Show notes

Brewmaster Jyri Ojaluoma takes me back in time to the re-birth of Mallskoski and their Kuohu beer. We discuss brewing techniques and tricks and review the first Lakeuden Panimojuhlat (Beer Festival) in Seinäjoki, in January 2015. Show notes

Student Film-makers, Tytti Kuusinen & Onni Venäläinen, tell me about the origins and history of the Jussi paiti, plus what they learned while making their documentary 'Pohjanmaan univormu' (The Ostrobothnian Uniform). YouTube: Pohjanmaan univormi film Show notes

4th-Generation Cinephile, Mari Keskinen, welcomes me to the 'Filmiä- ja valoa elokuvafestivaali' at Matin-Tupa Cinema. Founded by her grandfather, Matti, she introduces me to the past, present and future of the cinema that's been in her family for 70 years. Show notes

Matias Lampinen, Executive Director at Kuortane Golf Club, explains the requirements to be able to play golf in Finland, the fun of midnight golf, and his marathon 24-hour, sponsored fund-raiser in 2014. Show notes

This week I get to sit down with Restauranteur, Miia Keski-Nikkola, and talk food, which is no hardship for me; busting some myths, discussing Mother Nature's offerings and looking at traditional, Finnish Xmas Food. Show notes

Tella Lahti, Executive Director of the Finnish Emigrant Museum, returns to take us on a walk through history, at the World of Trails in Peräseinäjoki. A collection of buildings, previously owned by Finnish emigrants, that have been dismantled, moved and reconstructed in South Ostrobothnia. Show notes

Festival promoter and Agent, Juha Koivisto, continues his conversation about Finnish festivals. From the Heavy Metal Midsummer through the invasion of camper vans for Seinäjoen Tangomarkkinat and on to newer, urban events for HipHop and EDM. Show notes

Juha Koivisto, Festival promoter and Agent talks about the history of the 'Provinssi' Festival and how the popularity of domestic music makes it possible for Finnish-only events to sell-out. Show notes

In this episode comes something a little different. This was the first episode of the Finnish Football Show, which was recorded & broadcast live in November 2015. Join Mark (@explorefinland), Rich (@escapetosuomi) and Mark (@FCSuomi) for the first episode of the Finnish Football Show series, where 3 old blokes sit and talk about football. In Finland Show notes Agenda Great hopes for HJK Helsinki in the closed season Freddy Adu joins KuPS The HJK vs HIFK derbies, and the atmosphere at Ilves in Tampere 'Keke's Day Off' - Keith Armstrong goes AWOL from Ilves The National team's failure to qualify for Euro 2016, and the demise of Mixu Paatelainen Pekka Lyyski wins his first trophy at IFK Mariehamn. After 22 years! Eero Markkanen's two years in Madrid The final day of the season! RoPS providing the top scorer and the Veikkausliiga player of the year 2016 – SJK in the Champions League and in a new stadium

Päivi Virtaniemi, Entrepreneur and co-founder of Wirtalan Jäätelö, explains how ice cream is made at Wirtalan Jäätelö and gives a surprising answer to the question 'What is South Ostrobothnia's favourite flavour?' You will never guess 😳 Show notes

Lari Paski, Supporters Liaison Offer at SJK, returns to the pod to reveal his highlights from following SJK Seinäjoki in 2015. Spoiler alert, it has a very happy ending! Show notes

Andrenalin-junkie Jokkis Driver, Emilia Uutela, explains the basics of Jokamiehenluoka/Jokkis/Finnish Folk Racing, before getting behind the wheel on race day. Show notes

Pekka Hautala, Football commentator and Frisbee Golfer explains the rules, techniques and tactics of Frisbee Golf, before I join him on the course in the CityFrisbee Golf competition in Seinäjoki. Show notes

Piia Kleemola-Välimäki and Mika Virkkala, from the Sibelius Academy give me a short introduction to traditional Finnish music including Iskelmä, Choral, Rautalanka, Folk... and Rap. Spotify – Explore Finland: Ep.18 Finnish Music Playlist Show notes

Tella Lahti, Executive Director of the Finnish Emigrant Museum, in Peräseinäjoki, tells about Finland’s historical emigration, where people came from, where they eventually settled and some that made their fortune and came back again. Show notes

There is something in the air in South Ostrobothnia. In this episode, I speak to Jarl Matti & Mikael two members ofApollo FC,  a new football club in Seinäjoki which has the noble aim of raising money for charity, while also providing a destination for retired footballers. Show notes

This episode is a continuation of the conversation from episode 13. I talk with Junyi (Winnie) Ding & Betti Csiba about their experiences of moving to Finland, business culture in South Ostrobothnia, what Betti and Winnie do in their free-time and, of course, the weather. Show notes

I speak to Henna Rantasaari, Green Party Candidate ahead of the 2015 General Elections here in Finland. In her 2nd appearance on Explore Finland, Henna explains how the political system works, how the Parliamentary seats are allocated and how the Government is formed. Show notes

In this episode, I meet Junyi (Winnie) Ding & Betti Csiba, who tell me about life as an international student at Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences (SeAMK). Many thanks to Miia Koski from SeAMK for arranging, and participating in, the recording. Show notes

In this episode, I speak to race organiser Kristiina Vaalasmaa ahead of the VillaAPR Icerace at the Botniaring race track in Jurva, Etelä-Pohjanmaa. Listen as she tells me about the meeting, the track and the facilities, before I visit the APR Icerace in February 2015. Show notes

*Floorball, Unihockey, Innebandy. In this episode I get an introduction to the game of Salibandy from Tuukka Kiviranta, who plays for the high-flying SPV team from Seinäjoki. Tuukka explains the rules and tactics of the game and tells me about the history and recent success of SPV. Show notes

It will take more than a 30 minute podcast to get ME into peak fitness but, in this episode, I get a guided tour of the Olympic Training Centre in Kuortane from Olli-Pekka Karjalainen, Olympic athlete and European gold medal winner. Show notes

Jaakko & Martti take me around the Koskenkorva Museo, as I learn about the history of distilling in Koskenkorva, as well as the distinctive local clocks, Könnikello. We then take another, brief tour around the saunas at Koskenkorva Trahteeri until we end up at the 'vodka tap'! Intrigued? Show notes