Editors: This story is ideal to attract people to Finland during its festival year, commemorating fifty years since the death of Sibelius

 

FINLAND – FUNLAND

Finnish Wives aren’t worth their weight in gold. Most husbands are after their weight in beer. At least that’s the prize in the annual wife-carrying contest in Sonkajärvi, eastern Finland.

Somehow Finland has developed a sober image in the eyes of the rest of the world. Less laid-back than the Danes, less charismatic than the Swedes, more uptight than the Russians, the Finns are not seen as much fun at all. That is, until you get to know them.

++++++

This article continues with details of the many ‘fun’ things to do in Finland – staying icebound in a snow castle, visiting Santa beyond the Arctic Circle, enjoying opera in an ancient castle, taking part in Sibelius-themed tours (it’s the fiftieth anniversary of his death this year and Finland is in fine form to celebrate their most famous musician) or meeting reindeers in Lappland and the famous fictitious Moomin family in Turku. And for ‘light’ relief, of course there is always the wife carrying.

++++++

 (finishes…)

In the 19th century when the wife-carrying custom originated, the ladies often had to be soundly subdued first before being dragged off to the brigand's home base.

Today it's all done in fun. You don't even have to BYO wife - any female over 17-years-old will do. And although you may snatch someone else's partner, the expectation is that you'll give her back afterwards. 

©Sally Hammond 2007

Picture Credits: ©Gordon Hammond 2007

(Sally and Gordon Hammond travelled as guests of Finnish Tourism)

………………..

Please contact Sally Hammond for a pricing schedule or to discuss purchase of this article.

• Currently the article runs to approximately 800 words plus Factfile (fact-checked and updated free with the sale of this article).

• The length of the article may be changed according to editorial needs, and the Factfile may be expanded, however if substantial additional work is requested it will affect the final cost of the article.

• Pictures are available.