Raija Oranen would like a continuation of the favorite series Puhtaat, valkeat lakanat, but the television bosses disagree.
Raija Oranen has written books about five presidents. He has tried to portray as truthfully as possible how Finland has fought against Russia under the leadership of its decision-makers.
Because of this, he has followed the events of the last few months in a completely different way, when Russia has been at war in Ukraine.
– I am absolutely terrified. This is a monstrous war, monstrous Putin. We are threatened with the destruction of Europe and a terrible famine, Oranen describes his feelings.
Oranen states that it would be a lie to claim that it is only Putin’s war. Russian rule has been on the back burner for centuries. Tyrant after tyrant has held power.
– Anyone who does not stand up against Putin is partly to blame. No one else can stop this war and tyranny except the Russians themselves.
– Without strong sleeping pills, I wouldn’t sleep at all. It’s incomprehensible that something like this can still happen.
Oranen is happy that he has managed to write his historical novels in such a way that there is nothing in them that should be changed or regretted. They tell how this situation got to be.
In recent years, Raija Oranen has focused her production on historical novels. Heidi Heikkilä
Moneybag
However, the presidential books have now been left behind, at least for now. A new novel will be published on Monday, the focus of which is a factory worker and a mountain advisor Gösta Serlachius (1876–1942).
Writing about Rahaporho was a new experience for Orase. the name of the novel, Majortells the theme of the work: what is bigness in little Finland.
– As a writer, I am by no means a judge or a critic. I have to find the essence of the subject and the eye openings through which he looks at the world, Oranen reflects.
Major tells the story of Finland from the end of the 19th century to the years of the Continuation War. Gösta Serlachius managed successful wood production plants. World War I, the Russian Revolution and the Bolshevik takeover and World War II came. The border closed and Serlachius lost the Russian market.
Serlachius was caught by the Reds several times and survived. Finally, he walked up to Mannerheim and announced that he was available.
– He was not a soldier, but Mannerheim made him a colonel.
For Raija Orase, it was interesting to look at the world through the eyes of a moneylender. Heidi Heikkilä
Serlachius also supported his country significantly financially.
– It hadn’t occurred to me before that what these wars are paid for. Gösta was one of those who scraped their wallets to the very bottom and gave everything for their country.
End of life arrangements
In his own case, Orase is currently making end-of-life arrangements. By the author and Steep-spouse’s purpose is to get rid of their small assets in debt.
– The goal is that all we have left is a rental apartment, Oranen says.
Oranen does not want the couple’s children to have to take care of their parents’ affairs when it is time for them to leave. Only the copyright remains as a legacy.
Raija Oranen is currently trying to get rid of her worldly possessions. Heidi Heikkilä
At the moment, Oranen lives on a small entrepreneur’s pension and ever-decreasing sales income. Book sales decrease and the season shortens. The author receives 70 cents for the audio book.
He has not been granted an artist’s pension, at least so far. That’s what he wonders about: after all, he has a career as a writer spanning 50 years and a hundred works.
– I would really need it. When the day comes that I can’t write anymore, I don’t know what I’ll eat, for example. That day may be very close.
– For some reason, people like to buy junk, the hobby of more demanding literature is weaker. My audience is very highly educated. There aren’t that many of them in Finland.
Don’t worry about TV
Oranen’s extensive career also includes the early 1990s hit series Ruusu aika and Puhtaat valkeat lakanat. Oranen would like to do more television work. Over the years, he has offered several ideas, but the production companies have not been interested.
– There was talk that a sequel to Lakanoi would be made, but nothing has been heard, he laments.
– After I had made these two big series, which were hugely successful and appreciated by the critics, the road was closed. It was said in several meetings that Oranen has had enough success.
Raija Oranen would like to do more television work. Heidi Heikkilä
Oranen can’t say why they don’t want to take on his projects. However, the public would be interested.
– It was very difficult for me to understand that jealousy exists. If you don’t know how to manage relationships, lobby and corrupt the right parties, then you will be left without, Oranen sighs.
The work front has really not been spared from challenges. For example, Oranen made an opera. One setback followed another, the composer died and finally Oranen fell off the sledge. The opera still sees the light of day, without the contribution of the author.
– At this point I have to say that fortunately I am not in Ukraine. It’s not good to complain.
50 years married
Despite the difficulties, Oranen’s career is extensive and successful. When you ask him what he would still like to do in his life, he has one answer: to live forever, if only his strength were a little better and his troubles less. Make TV and movies, write a novel Sauli from Niinistö.
Life has been with Jyrki Oranen for more than 50 years. Heidi Heikkilä
One has traveled side by side since the beginning. Jyrki and I will be married for 50 years next year.
– Oh yes, what year is it? Oranen is left thinking about the wedding day when asked.
Oranen describes half a century of marriage as a fifty-year war. The work keeps both spouses so busy that little quality time is spent together.
– There have been and still are all kinds of things. I can’t live without Jyrki, I’m completely lost, she says of her spouse.
Raija Oranen Iso (Otava) will be released on July 25.