14 July 2014

#679 Finland


For more info about Finland, see received postcard #582.

About some facts written on the postcard.

The Moomins (SwedishMumintrollFinnishMuumi) are the central characters in a series of books, and a comic strip by Swedish-speaking Finnish illustrator and writer Tove Jansson, originally published in Swedish by Schildts in Finland. They are a family of white, roundish fairy tale characters with large snouts that make them resemble hippopotamuses. The carefree and adventurous family live in their house in Moominvalley, though in the past, their temporary residences have included a lighthouse and a theatre. They have had many adventures along with their various friends.

Tove Marika Jansson (Finland Swedish pronunciation: [ˈtuːve ˈjaːnsɔn]; 9 August 1914 – 27 June 2001) was a Swedish-speaking Finnish novelist, painter, illustrator and comic strip author. For her contribution as a children's writer she received the Hans Christian Andersen Medal in 1966.

Brought up by artistic parents, Jansson studied art from 1930 to 1938 in StockholmHelsinki and then Paris. Her first solo art exhibition was in 1943. At the same time, she was writing short stories and articles for publication, as well as creating the graphics for book covers and other purposes. She continued to work as an artist for the rest of her life, alongside her writing.

Jansson is best known as the author of the Moomin books for children. The first such book, The Moomins and the Great Flood, appeared in 1945, though it was the next two books, Comet in Moominland and Finn Family Moomintroll, published in 1946 and 1948 respectively, that brought her fame.

Starting with the semi-autobiographical Bildhuggarens dotter (Sculptor's Daughter) in 1968, she wrote six novels and five books of short stories for adults.

Janne Petteri Ahonen (born May 11, 1977 in LahtiFinland) is a Finnish ski jumper who competed in the World Cup between 1992 and 2011. He is often considered as one of the most successful athletes in the history of ski jumping.

Ahonen's most notable achievements include five World Championships (normal hill 1997, large hill 2005, team large hill 1995, 1997 and 2003), two World Cup overall victories (2002–2003 and 2004–2005) and a record-breaking five victories in the Four Hills Tournament (1998–1999, 2002–2003, 2004–2005, 2005–2006 and 2007–2008). He is the all-time leader in World Cup points, podiums (108) and Top 10 appearances (245). With 36 World Cup victories, Ahonen is the all-time fourth, behind Gregor SchlierenzauerMatti Nykänen and Adam Małysz. In 2005, Ahonen was named the Finnish Sports Personality of the Year.

Halti (FinnishHaltitunturiNorthern SamiHáldiSwedishHaldefjäll) is the highest fell in Finland, at 1,324 m (4,344 ft) above sea level, and thus the highest point in the country. The Halti fell is located in the municipality of Enontekiö in the province of Lapland at the border between Finland and Norway. The summit of Halti at 1,365 m (4,478 ft) is actually in Norway and it is known as Ráisduattarháldi. That peak is located on the border between the municipalities of Nordreisa and Gáivuotna–Kåfjord, about 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) north of the border with Finland.


Date of Issue: May 6, 2013 - Nuuksisoo National Park

Thank you, Heli !

Received on: July 9, 2014

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