Secret Lives actor Esko Kovero recalls his past Christmases in an interview with Iltalehti.
It’s Christmas 1988. Actor Esko Kovero’s youngest, petite Mikko– son, was a couple of months old, big sister Laura two years old. Peinokasi was introduced to the relatives at grandma’s house, where they gathered to celebrate the holidays.
There was something special about spending Christmas with a little baby. It was Encrypted lives The best Christmas in the life of Kovero, known as Ismo Laitelana.
Esko Kovero is a lover of traditions in his Christmas celebration. Pete Anikari
Kovero fondly remembers Christmases from when the children were still small.
– My children probably came to their mother, because gifts were very important to them. Sometimes the number one gifts on the wish list were not to be found in Santa’s workshop. Back then, Barbie’s vacuum cleaner or a specific Lego building set were searched all over Finland with a big fork. That’s where you could make Christmas really, really serious, Kovero says in an interview with Iltalehti.
33-year-old Esko Kovero poses with Santa Claus in Turku at Christmas 1991. Esko Kovero’s home album
Esko Kovero with his children Laura, 5, and Miko, 3, at Christmas in Turku in 1991. Esko Kovero’s home album
Was after little Eskok’s gifts. It was a big pity when Santa Claus turned to leave. The child saw from the shape of the packages that the eagerly awaited pair of skis was not wrapped in paper.
– Then the knock was heard again. Santa had made a mistake. He apologized profusely and said that here is one more package for Esko. Järvinen Erikoiskilva was there, Kovero recalls.
Kovero estimates that he was five or six years old at the time.
– We went on those skis for many years, he smiles.
In 1993, Christmas was celebrated in Tampere. Son Mikko in father Esko’s arms, daughter Laura sits next to Santa Claus. In addition to Santa Claus, the buck’s elf also came to visit. Esko Kovero’s home album
Esko Kovero’s children Laura and Mikko decorating the Christmas tree in Tampere in 1994. Esko Kovero’s home album
When he got older, Kovero himself got into gift giving, as Santa’s assistant, of course. Kovero was very nervous, whether the neighbor’s children would recognize the familiar young man under his suit.
Kovero was silent and tried to change his voice so that he would not be recognized. The gifts were distributed and everything seemed to be going well. Then Kovero took the mittens off his hands to wave at the children.
– They recognized me by my bare hands. I hope it didn’t ruin their Christmas.
To Kovero’s relief, the children played their parts modelly until the end.
– The next day they said that the goat’s assistant had Kovero’s Esko’s hands, Kovero laughs.
Later on, Esko Kovero himself got into the gift-distribution process. Pete Anikari
Christmas table
Today, Kovero, 67, does not identify as a Christmas person. From another country is his spouse, who starts celebrating Christmas right at the beginning of November. The common-law partner is used to spending his family Christmas with a large group, unlike Kovero, who grew up in a small family and is used to more modest holidays.
This year too, Christmas will be celebrated with a large group of relatives. A cottage has been rented for the entire group for the holidays. The table is laid according to the knotty principle.
Kovero himself is a fan of traditional options when it comes to Christmas dishes. The actor fills his plate with ham, fish and Karelian pies. Instead, for example, Kovero thinks there are “too many” Christmas boxes on the family’s Christmas table.
– I wonder if each vegetable needs to have its own box. I think it would be fine with less. But I have adapted to the wishes and decisions of the majority. I taste each one and say it’s good, says Kovero.
Esko Kovero’s Christmas table includes both ham and fish. Pete Anikari
For Finns’ Christmas, Kovero wishes for peace and hope despite the dark times. Christmas peace in mind even with a wet heart, as they say in Karelian.
– There is no life without hope. Although at the moment it might seem that everything is going in the wrong direction, I trust that the sun will still rise from this.