Actor Kari Väänänen, who lives in Kemijärvi, tells Iltalehte about his everyday life in temperatures of almost 40 degrees below zero.
Kari Väänänen currently lives in Kemijärvi. Picture from 2022. ATTE KAJOVA
It’s cold, says actor Kari Väänänen on the phone. In Kemijärvi, the temperature has dropped to almost 40 degrees below zero.
Väänänen’s days have been spent carrying wood and heating the fireplace, because in freezing temperatures district heating alone is not enough to keep the house warm.
– Yes, we can manage here, but it’s not terribly warm here, Väänänen describes his home conditions.
– Our roof is in a bit of a bad shape, so the frost comes through. The radiators ran out of pressure, the neighbor went to fix them.
Even if the frost stings, the Winter Landscapes that open out of the window are beautiful. The sun shining from below is glinting from behind the dangers. As spring approaches, the days also start to grow faster.
It has been almost 40 degrees below zero in Kemijärvi this week. Illustration picture. Pasi Liesimaa
According to Väänänen, a good winter temperature would be -20 degrees. The actor laughs at the residents of the south, who are terrified of freezing temperatures of fifteen and twenty degrees.
– It’s still nothing. The eggs don’t stop there yet, Väänänen huffs.
– Of course, that’s what you’re used to.
Years ago, Väänänen spent the winter in Brazil. I even missed the Finnish sleet there. There were only two seasons at the equator: one wetter, the other drier.
The working day has been left behind for Kari Väänänen. Photo from 2020. Inka Soveri
Leg pain
Currently, the 72-year-old actor is spending peaceful retirement days in Lapland. The going is slowed down by a leg paralyzed four years ago due to a blood circulation problem, which still hurts.
– Yes, I walk with it, but I don’t feel like working with it anymore, says the actor.
– Sometimes it’s been a bit upsetting, but human life is such that when you get to this age, problems come. Not for everyone, some people still run marathons, but I don’t.
Otherwise, Väänänen’s health has remained good, although age brings ailments with it.
– While waiting for the lottery win and the burial place, Väänänen laughs.
In Finland, during Epiphany week, we have been able to witness exceptionally cold weather. At the Tulppio measuring point in Lapland’s Savukoski, a winter record low of -42.8 degrees was measured on Friday.