Happy birthday Tampere!

On Oct. 1, 1779,  Tampere was established under the king of Sweden, Gustav III, by that time Finland was not independent country but a part of Sweden. Since 1955 people celebrate the city’s birthday on that day and the last weekend of September. This year is 234rd Anniversary. There are many public events at the city hall, public library, police station, health center, and schools. At the harbor the fish markets sell salmon dishes, smoked, marinated salmon, sardines, other many kinds of white fishes. Most of the museums offer free admission to everybody. People visit the city’s historical events and enjoy fish lunch with family and friends.

Ikeya in Finland

 Of course Ikeya is Swedish company, but somehow it sounds like Nordic country's furniture and living shop to me. However Ikeya shop opened just last year here in Tampere, my colleague told.
So I took the bus for this weekend's excursion. The store building, parking, and the entrance everything is similar looking as I got used in Los Angeles.  Placement setting for the furniture, kitchen items, or children's corner are exactly same even though everything is written in Finnish. Cafeteria is also same condition, that special meat ball plate with mashed potato and lingonberry jelly, smoked salmon, coffee and sweets. Price of things is almost same as in USA, too. But I saw more colorful items here compared in the State. Well,  is this for Finland people? Or export delivery permit the choices? Now I feel I must to go to Sweden to find the birthplace store there..... anyway I found a jar of black caviar so cheap. Only 1.95 euros, wao!!

free market

Another sunny weekend again!  With my colleague from Italy, Eleonora and her friend who lives here in Tampere walked to free market. Blueberry, strawberry, lingberry, cranberry, mushroom, potato, carrot, beets, cabbage, pumpkin, all those fruits and vegetable harvested by local farmers were coming here for citizens.  The square was crowded with families, friends who are enjoying nice relaxed weekend.

They are also having lunch there. Tampere is famous for black sausage made by the pig blood. People eat with lingberry jam and drink milk together. Someday I may try the black sausage but not now….