The war brought the tragic childhood memories of Esko Salminen, 81, to the surface

Actor Esko Salmisen, 81, everyday life has been even calmer in recent years. After a moderate approach to the changes in working life caused by the corona pandemic, the actress has managed to slow down and consider reducing the number of jobs.

A new rhythm

When theaters were closed due to the corona pandemic, Esko, who worked with passion, found himself in a completely new situation, as did numerous actors. There was no work, even if the enthusiasm to do it had been found.

– I decided to treat the situation in such a way that when I no longer have that guarantee in force, then here are the benefits of a pensioner. However, I have enjoyed myself, reading in silence, watching movies and sitting on the balcony, Esko laughs.

A new, calmer everyday life has also meant that Esko and his wife, an actor Aino Seppo have spent very close time together at home.

– Yes, it has meant disputes that ignite from zero to one hundred in one moment, but you have to knock a tree when you have always been able to apologize within a day, so some kind of balance is maintained, Esko says with a twinkle in his eye.

Esko has not been ill with the corona, but his health has occasionally traveled.

– I have had such a small illness recently, but now I have recovered from it as well. I haven’t had a corona and I’ve kindly taken all the vaccinations. But here, when you are already living with just bonuses, you have to accept that the older a person gets sick more easily.

An even calmer everyday life has led the actor to consider reducing the number of works in the future as well, even though the theaters are open again.

– I have started to think that it might not be terrible to retire. In that case, one would just have to think about how one would be able to activate oneself.

Although the reduction of work has been on the mind recently, Esko did not have long to consider when he was asked to take part in the Helsinki City Theater’s support concert for Sunday in Ukraine. On Sunday, he steps onto the stage of a familiar theater after a break. In the concert, he interprets Shakespeare and Eino Leinoa.

Gloomy memories

Although Esko’s stage at the Helsinki City Theater is very familiar, this time there is a special feeling in his chest.

– This war is a completely creepy thing, and it should not be part of anyone’s life. The saddest thing here is that the children are suffering, he sighs.

The reason why emotions have surfaced in a special way since the war in Ukraine dates back to Esko’s own childhood. The actor was born in 1940, in the middle of a war.

– With this creepy world situation, I have wondered how the first five years of my own childhood were filled with war. I used to go to the bomb shelter when I was little, Esko recalls.

Esko’s family lived right in the center of Helsinki, in Kruununhaka. The bomb shelter was not always delivered on time.

– That’s when the windows came in and we all went to the bathroom. I remember Dad being on top of us like a chicken at the time.

During the bombing of the Continuation War, Esko traveled with his sick mother Kyllikki Väreen with Kauhava to safety from Helsinki. He has no memories of those moments himself, but a late actor Raili Veivo said he once remembered a sad vision.

– Raili told me that he remembered how he himself came from the station to Kaisaniemi Park, the houses were burning in the background and in the park the woman had shrunk on top of her suitcase. Next to it, the little boy shouted, “Help us! My mother is sick and I can’t stand it. ”

Raili had later realized that that mother was Esko’s mother, and the anxious son was Esko himself. Her mother had had a seizure.

– Personally, I only remember the fire of that fire when a big house burned behind us.

– I have learned from those times that a person learns how to live in whatever circumstances. However, one only has to keep living. But yes, it all came to sleep even as a child, Esko sighs.

The actress hopes that everyone will carry their cards in their own way to help the Ukrainians.

– We must now harness all our efforts to help the refugees. I think the Finns have taken it very hard to help the Ukrainians, and I hope that this will continue.

In addition to Esko Salminen in the Sunday to Ukraine support concert on Sunday, April 24th. seeing numerous deserving performers Riitta from Havukainen Vuokko to Hovatta. Proceeds from the support concert will be directed to Ukraine through the Unicef ​​Emergency Relief Fund of Finland in full.