Midnight sun and Moomins!
One Show star Jean Johansson reveals just why she is smitten by fantastic Finland
MY LOVE affair with Finland started 18 years ago when my boyfriend (now husband) took me to his homeland for the first time, and I’ve been smitten ever since. Here are my favourite things to do in the land of the midnight sun…
TERRIFIC TURKU
SITUATED on the southwest coast, this is the oldest city in Finland. It’s not as well known as Helsinki but it matches the capital for its beautiful architecture and being cool without trying. It has two very different vibes depending on which time of year you choose to visit.
In the winter it’s extremely cold and dark most of the time, but winter suits this historic city and I love nothing more than wrapping up warm and shuffling round the cobbled streets.
At about 6pm it’s peaceful and calm as everyone goes about their business, while candle-lit shops and cafes glisten along the Aura River, which runs through Turku. The castle is worth a visit; it’s medieval, spooky and is home to 18th Century costumes, jewellery and ceramics.
The city is transformed in summer. You will find packed boat-restaurants, picnics in the parks and festivals. The daylight stretches long into the evening and the bustling riverside comes alive. The DBTL music festival in July is great for some oldfashioned Finnish rock.
MOOMIN WORLD
TURKU’S neighbouring town, Naantali, is home to Moomin World, based on the stories of Tove Jansson. We took my son Junior when he was small and he loved it. The weird and wonderful lives of these odd-looking characters were part of my son’s bedtime routine for many years, so it was lovely to meet them in person, as it were. I especially enjoyed getting a Moomin hug!
The big blue house is a wonder, there are theatre performances throughout the day, a fairytale trail and Moomin Pappa’s boat. This is not your average theme park but it is perfect for your little ones.
A FASHION PHENOMENON
THE Finnish fashion label Marimekko has an interesting heritage dating back to 1951 when the first store opened in Helsinki. Known for its bold prints, patterns and loose-fitting designs, the brand became an international phenomenon in the 1960s when Jackie Kennedy bought seven dresses and wore one of them on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine.
My favourite pattern, on my homewares, accessories, dresses and even wallpaper, is Unikko, the rebel flower.
SANTA’S HOME TOWN
I HAVE to mention the country’s most famous Finn – Santa Claus. Rovaniemi is the home town of Mr C and you can visit him not just at Christmas but every day of the year in Santa Claus Village. Magical is the only way to describe this area. Think huskies, reindeer rides, an Igloo hotel and a Snowland restaurant.
The best time to visit is December 23 because you can watch Santa as he leaves to deliver gifts around the world.
Jean Johansson presents Animal Park and The One Show on BBC1.