PE // Unsuccessful setting up a tent and flying around Finland by helicopter – Finnish celebrities talk about their most memorable Midsummer

There are a lot of traditions associated with the Midsummer celebration. Finnish celebrities were eager to reminisce about the midsummer of their lives to Iltalehti. They have contained both fairy-tale moments and unlucky coincidences.

By helicopter

Singer Eino Grön has not forgotten the busiest midsummer of his life. In the 60s, Grön’s midsummer was so packed with gigs that the only option was to use a helicopter transport.

– There were six performance venues around Finland. The helicopter always landed behind the stage in the field. In the morning, we came to the last gig venue and went to the final sauna, Grön says.

Koriseva’s honorable mission

Singer-actress Arja Koriseva has spent many midsummers with stage dancing.

– I have also often had the honor of lighting the Midsummer bonfire on the stage of Syvälahti in Kangasniemi. For many, the highlight has been when a huge bonfire is lit and it burns for a long time, says Koriseva.

The singer describes how lake shores and stages have been his midsummer milieu since he was 13 years old, when he started gigging.

– Through my work, I have also seen a huge number of wonderful sunsets and sunrises. I’ve seen sunsets during my work, sunrises on the way home. I have been able to enjoy the summer nights and their atmosphere, says Koriseva.

This Midsummer, Koriseva is off.

– My daughter is leaving for an exchange, so I want to enjoy myself before she goes away for a year, says Koriseva.

Violent descriptions

Media personality Sampo Marjomaa’s memory takes him to his hometown in Oulu.

– We shot a kungfu-style Finnish film in Hailuodo, where I played a gentleman with the Tauno Palo spirit. There were no mistakes in the filming, Marjomaa tells Iltalehte.

Cain and Aapeli -the fast-paced choreography of the short film was the fate of Marjomaa’s co-star.

– There were volts and vigorous activity. I could pull my brother’s acting Teemu Syrjälä turpaan, Marjomaa says.

This Midsummer, Marjomaa returns to the scene of the crime.

– It’s been five years since filming. New bruises have appeared in between and they remind me of a lively life, Marjomaa laughs.

Marjomaa, who has traveled the world, enjoys the summer in Finland.

– This is the time when I don’t want to leave here. We have been waiting for Finland’s magical summer while sitting in the mud, says Marjomaa.

The forgetfulness of a festival goer

Reporter-presenter Aki Linnanahde says that when he was younger, he was a diligent party-goer.

– I remember Rantarock in Vaasa in 1996. Getting ready for Midsummer started already on Wednesday. Some of my friends had already received a driver’s license, and I myself was swinging on the threshold of coming of age, Linnanahde recalls.

When the midsummer party got to the festival area, there was a problem – and a solution.

– We noticed that the tent poles were not included. The young men solved the problem: those sticks are not needed. We hadn’t joined the army yet, and the realities of life hadn’t hit us, says Linnanahde.

– The tent was set up pretty quickly. The fabric was thrown as a large blanket. We slept with our heads outside, the tent fabric as our blanket. On the first evening, water started to fall, Linnanahde says.

Linnanahde also says that he used to hitchhike to midsummer festivals. The method of travel was not the fastest possible, so the young party-goer didn’t get to the festival hum until quite late.

– One Midsummer we decided to go home before nightfall. We thought that we would push out from under the congestion before the last artist finished, says Linnanahde.

– I went to sleep before leaving. The guys didn’t remember that I was supposed to be there. When I finally woke up, the car had left and the guys were already home, Linnanahde laughs.

Unwanted company

Entrepreneur and ex-miss Emmi Suuronen tells about unwanted midsummer churchgoers.

– I remember when I went to visit the outdoor huts at night and took a flashlight on the way, so that I could see bugs and frogs – and not accidentally step on them. However, the light attracted bats to me with the white shirt, says Suuronen.

– It was a memorable trip, when I screamed while trying to figure out how to run back to the cabin as quickly as possible, Suuronen continues.

On the second Midsummer, Suuronen conjured up spectacular flower garlands with his friend.

– At the end of the evening, I was able to rub my itchy eyes and nose for my allergies, Suuronen laughs.

A surprising Midsummer guest

Actor Valtteri Lehtinen a vision of midsummer night from a few years ago has been imprinted on the retinas. Lehtinen has spent Midsummer at his family’s cabin in the archipelago.

– Everyone had gone to sleep after the Midsummer celebration. It was a cool and chilly morning. I stayed to look at the traces of the party left in the yard from the window of the chamber. The atmosphere was like a Moomin party: the food pots were outside and everyone had stayed in their places. I got the feeling that I want to look at this sight for a while longer, Lehtinen says.

Soon a surprise guest crept into the yard.

– A fluffy-tailed fox came to lick the food trays. The man from Repo arrived quietly and looked great against the seashore. It was like something out of a fairy tale. It was funny that it had no idea that someone was following its entire operation, Lehtinen says.

Midsummer magic and Danny’s company

Artist Helmi Loukasmäki remembers the midsummers of his childhood, which he shared with his cousins.

– We did midsummer magic. We collected flowers under the pillow, Loukasmäki says.

According to traditional belief, if you collect seven flowers and put them under your pillow at night, you will see your future spouse in your dream. Loukasmäki admits that the ultimate idea of ​​midsummer magic was not necessarily clear to him as a child.

– I don’t remember if we even knew then what it was about. We did it out of habit and took a model from the bigger ones, Loukasmäki laughs.

For the past couple of years, Loukasmäki has spent Midsummer in Rauma with the singer Danny, aka Ilkka Lipsanen.

– Being together and good food are the most important. We are having a great time at Rauma’s lovely villa, Loukasmäki says.

This year, Loukasmäki is celebrating a different midsummer, albeit in familiar company.

– I have my first Midsummer gig. We are gigging with Danny’s band in Eastern Finland at Tuusniemi. Hopefully the weather will be good and there will be happy people, says Loukasmäki.