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 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

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

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

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 .

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

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

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

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

Episodes crafted from Mark's original blogs for www.visitseinajoki.fi 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

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 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