Midsummer, that wonderful midsummer celebration makes even well-known Finns feel nostalgic. We called the entertainment giants and asked them about their most memorable memories and how they plan to spend Midsummer.
Former news anchor and reporter Pirkko Arstila87, says that midsummer must have good food, drink and entertainment. His best memories are related to a summer place in Central Finland, where he gathered with a group.
– When I had my own cottage, we always had great midsummer parties. They lasted for many days. There was room in the former farmstead. We had plays, music, singing, dancing and we even painted our own totems there, he describes on the phone.
Midsummer’s Eve also included making midsummer magic, which was a wonderful part of Arstila’s festive program. He immediately casts one of the spells that comes to his mind, with which he can be sure to start a summer swing for himself.
– If there is no groom, you have to run naked through the fields in the summer dew, and you will surely find a groom.
Arstila also reminds that a midsummer guest who goes to others should always have some program in mind.
This Midsummer, Pirkko Arstila plans to spend in her hometown Uusiakaupunki in the company of friends.
– I have a really good recipe for Midsummer’s Eve. You have to stay up all night and drink good white wine and good tea at the same time. You don’t get a hangover, and you don’t get mossy, but you’re in a really good mood, says Arstila.
He recommends green tea and oolong tea as a companion to white wine, as well as his own, newly launched Drama Queen tea.
– I’m used to there being drama even at Midsummer, he says.
There must be drama in Arstila’s midsummer. PINK BROIJER
– When you take turns drinking these and reciting poems, and singing a little by the water, the night will go by as you wish, and you will feel bright in the morning too, he promises.
The tea queen reminds us that, according to research, you can stay awake longer with tea than with coffee, because its caffeine is supplemented by L-theanine, which simultaneously calms and invigorates.
– Follow this instruction, and you’ll make it through the night, he tells Finnish sleepless nights.
Pirkko Mannola: Now the commotion in the kitchen is over
Singer-actress Pirkko Mannola87, remembers that he spent the Midsummer of his youth always at work. The 1958 Miss Finland toured different parts of Finland and performed for crowds.
– Midsummer was a good gig day. Sometimes I was even taken to three or four different places to perform. The small plane was used to go to airports and there were big occasions. I went on the show as a miss, he laughs.
Nowadays, Mannola celebrates Midsummer in a calmer atmosphere. This midsummer, he is enjoying his completed kitchen renovation with his spouse Goran Stubb91, with in Espoo’s Tapiola.
The whole huusholli was in a mess for three weeks because of the renovation.
– Our old kitchen had outlived its time. It was terribly impractical and cubicle-like. I always used to complain when I was cooking that there was no counter space, and there was no space to cook. Even in the middle of summer, you had to keep the lights on so you could see something shining. Nothing worked, he explains.
Mannola says that it was enough to endure the renovation dust, but it was worth it. At the same time, he did a death cleaning and threw away a huge amount of stuff.
Pirkko Mannola’s kitchen renovation was completed in midsummer. Elle Laitila
The renewed look designed by an expert opened up the space and made the kitchen more practical. The color scheme is still white because it pleases the couple.
– Now I no longer make noise when I cook. It is incredibly delicious and easy to cook. LED lights were installed, when age demands that I have to see what you are doing.
Pirkko Mannola says that their Midsummer celebration may also include surprises, because they are not quite sure of their plans.
He quiets down for a moment to listen.
– Göran over there shouts that it depends on the weather, Mannola says.
Legend has it that at the end of the call, he makes a wish to the midsummer weather gods.
– Yes, midsummer requires sun.
Danny: Pamela Anderson tried to visit the cabin
Vocalist Danny’s83, enough memorable Midsummer.
He recalls that in the 1970s he organized some wild midsummer parties in Säkylä with the artists of the D production as front pictures. There were enough exciting situations.
– On one Midsummer Eve, D production rented six planes to Kivikasvoi, Katri for Helena, Markku Aro and partners. The storm prevented flights and there were huge financial losses because they couldn’t get to the agreed concert venues.
For a midsummer concert, he flew himself in a shocking storm with a helicopter. The pilot traveled more than 300 kilometers from Seinäjoki to Kajaani in a tense atmosphere.
– I was going to the party of the Olvi beverage group to perform. I had to be there at two in the morning. In a heavy storm, the visibility was poor and sometimes we had to make circles in the air because of the storm, Danny laughs.
At midnight, shortly before the destination, a strange noise was heard from inside the helicopter.
– I asked what it was, and the pilot replied that you don’t want to know. He told us that we only have five minutes of gas left. We made an emergency landing in Kajaani and made it to the gig.
In Raumameren Midsummer 2007, on the other hand, the schedules went awry. The meeting arranged at Iso D’s Rokinnokan villa while on a visit to Finland Pamela Anderson went wrong with
– When Pamela came in front of my cabin with her boat, I wasn’t there myself. So he left and continued boating in other clubs, Danny laments.
Danny heads to a gig with Frederik on Midsummer. Pete Anikari
This Midsummer, Danny and Helmi Loukasmäki are heading to Lapland for a concert Frederik’s with. They perform together in Tervola in Suukoski’s oasis.
– That’s where the brawlers are in a meltdown in Lapland’s night, Danny says.
For his part, sodas can also be exchanged with Frederik at the concert venue, and a small lip may fly from side to side on stage.
– I might get Frederik the Great to drop by here in Rauma as early as tomorrow, reveals Danny.
In his opinion, it would be a good opportunity to weave Midsummer plots.
– I guess they are Lapland’s biggest kinkers then, the singer paints.
Eino Grön’s wild midsummer memory: Six gigs on the eve
On the conkar of Iskelmäkent With Eino Grön87, traditionally works at Midsummer. Grön’s midsummer memory of Hurji is from the 1960s, when he was an entertainment manager Tauno “Tappi” Suojanen booked him six gigs for Midsummer’s Eve.
– It was quite a colorful activity, laughs Grön.
– We went by helicopter and private small plane. I started from Yyter’s midsummer party, from there we went to Taivassalo near Turku, from there to Säkylä, to Ellivuori ski center and from there to Karkkila… he lists.
According to the singer, the evening culminated in a sauna evening at Tappi Suojanen’s villa. Grön says he got a good night’s rest.
Even this Midsummer, Eino Grön continues with a hardworking attitude.
– I will be in Silversand in Hanko on Midsummer’s Eve, and before that in Hamina on the eve. It’s also a celebration for yourself when the crowd is excited.
– The rest of the week will be spent at the cottage.
The singer plans to include saunas in her midsummer repertoire.
– If the weather is nice, it can be a problem.
Eino Grön hugs an angel on Midsummer. Anniina Nikander