I went to Tampere, Finland last weekend to meet up with the author Mikael Davies. He writes modern fairy tales set in a world half way between the dark Finnish forests and the woodlands of Devon. A very inspiring trip, I hope I will return.
Mike introduced me to Kalevala, a 19th century work of epic poetry. The story begins with the traditional Finnish creation myth.... the creation of the earth, plants, creatures and the sky.
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| The Defence of the Sampo, Tempera 1896 |
The illustrations by Akseli Gallen-Kallela (1865-1931) took me to another world, after a week back in England I feel as though part of me is still there in that landscape.
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| Pirkanmaa park in Tampere |
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| cardamon doughnut and coffee |
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| view from the doughnut tower |
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| smoked salmon, small white fish(!), grilled veg & garlic sauce from the market |
