My FOCUS ON FINLAND Padlet. by Graeme Barclay https://padlet.com/graeme_barclay/4lbv17j2alx9 Some blog I have to make for school. en-us 2016-09-25 18:49:59 UTC 2023-01-21 02:11:05 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Xmastree.png Test Post graeme_barclay https://padlet.com/graeme_barclay/4lbv17j2alx9/wish/126229690 This is a test post.]]> 2016-09-25 18:59:18 UTC https://padlet.com/graeme_barclay/4lbv17j2alx9/wish/126229690 Bike. graeme_barclay https://padlet.com/graeme_barclay/4lbv17j2alx9/wish/126568498 Yesterday I went to collect my bike from Kouvola train station only to find someone had stolen my seat. Thank goodness they didn't steal my pedals because that would be one uncomfortable journey.]]> 2016-09-27 07:11:49 UTC https://padlet.com/graeme_barclay/4lbv17j2alx9/wish/126568498 1st Sharewall Exercise graeme_barclay https://padlet.com/graeme_barclay/4lbv17j2alx9/wish/127742096 1. Was there something utterly surprising for you after you learned a bit more about Finland?
I was quite surprised that Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim, lauded hero of Finland, didn't actually speak Finnish that well.
2. Do you remember what was the first question you were asked after arriving to Finland?
"Do you want to go to sauna?"
3. How do you meet and greet people in your country?
In Scotland, we headbutt each other into submission then kick them when they are on the ground.
4. Add anything you want to share with us!
When I was younger I used to live in a house with a red front door.]]> 2016-10-02 18:18:33 UTC https://padlet.com/graeme_barclay/4lbv17j2alx9/wish/127742096 graeme_barclay https://padlet.com/graeme_barclay/4lbv17j2alx9/wish/127792136 2016-10-03 07:19:42 UTC https://padlet.com/graeme_barclay/4lbv17j2alx9/wish/127792136 graeme_barclay https://padlet.com/graeme_barclay/4lbv17j2alx9/wish/127792254 2016-10-03 07:20:20 UTC https://padlet.com/graeme_barclay/4lbv17j2alx9/wish/127792254 LAN Party graeme_barclay https://padlet.com/graeme_barclay/4lbv17j2alx9/wish/129350417 Went to the LAN party over the weekend here and it was awesome.]]> 2016-10-09 18:25:33 UTC https://padlet.com/graeme_barclay/4lbv17j2alx9/wish/129350417 Forest Walk graeme_barclay https://padlet.com/graeme_barclay/4lbv17j2alx9/wish/130210551 I went walking with my dog today in the forest.  There were other walkers.  I said "Hello" to them all and they all looked very confused as to why someone would do that. Finland.

]]> 2016-10-12 17:17:43 UTC https://padlet.com/graeme_barclay/4lbv17j2alx9/wish/130210551 Presidents of Finland graeme_barclay https://padlet.com/graeme_barclay/4lbv17j2alx9/wish/132275342 Kaarlo Juho Ståhlberg 1919 - 1925
Lauri Kristian Relander 1925 - 1931
Pehr Evind Svinhufvud 1931 - 1937
Kyösti Kallio 1937 - 1940
Risto Ryti 1940 - 1944
Gustaf Mannerheim 1944 - 1946
Juho Kusti Paasikivi 1946 - 1956
Urho Kekkonen 1956 - 1981
Mauna Koivisto 1982 - 1994
Martti Ahtisaari 1994 - 2000
Tarja Halonen 2000 - 2012
Sauli Niinistö 2012 - Present ]]> 2016-10-21 06:52:08 UTC https://padlet.com/graeme_barclay/4lbv17j2alx9/wish/132275342 Sauna graeme_barclay https://padlet.com/graeme_barclay/4lbv17j2alx9/wish/138962142 The sauna has been used by Finns across Finland for thousands of years. Water that is thrown on the hot stones gives off a vapour known as löyly. In harsh conditions, sauna was available to in order to wash and to relax. In addition, saunas were used as places where women could give birth due to the sauna usually being the cleanest place in the house. Sauna were also used for purification rituals before marriage. Bodies of the deceased were washed and prepared for burial in the sauna also. The sauna was also considered, by some Finns, to be the holiest place in their home and was considered terribly important for their wellbeing. The sauna is at the heart of major events in a Finn's life.

In Scotland, there is no sauna equivalent.  It could be argued that pub culture is on equal footing with the sauna.  However, sauna culture is very unique.  Interestingly, the sauna is closely associated with gay culture, especially in Glasgow.

]]> 2016-11-20 20:48:26 UTC https://padlet.com/graeme_barclay/4lbv17j2alx9/wish/138962142 The Past of the Nation graeme_barclay https://padlet.com/graeme_barclay/4lbv17j2alx9/wish/139646889
Was there something surprising to you?
The character of Väinämöinen is Elias Lönnrot's epic poem The Kalevala was J.R.R Tolkien's inspiration for Gandalf.

Do you know what the current demographics of the population looks like?
The population of Finland is 5.4 million people. 17 inhabitants per square kilometer. 85% live in towns and cities. 
]]> 2016-11-23 18:51:16 UTC https://padlet.com/graeme_barclay/4lbv17j2alx9/wish/139646889 Verla graeme_barclay https://padlet.com/graeme_barclay/4lbv17j2alx9/wish/139754587  Verla is a 19th century mill village.  Located at Jaala, Kouvola in Finland it has operated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.  It is a museum and allows people to follow the technological process from timber cutting and pulp production to board drying, sorting and packing.  The mill and its machines are well preserved and located in their original places. ]]> 2016-11-24 12:48:12 UTC https://padlet.com/graeme_barclay/4lbv17j2alx9/wish/139754587 Everyman's Rights. graeme_barclay https://padlet.com/graeme_barclay/4lbv17j2alx9/wish/140027648 What are the rights about?
Do you have the same in your home country?

All nationalities have the legal right to be able to freely enjoy the Finnish countryside, with some exceptions.

In Scotland, there is a very similar attitude towards being able to enjoy the land freely. There are no trespassing laws in Scotland and only certain areas are prohibited (Military areas, for example).
]]> 2016-11-27 16:07:45 UTC https://padlet.com/graeme_barclay/4lbv17j2alx9/wish/140027648