Our German guests

Last week 6th October to 10th October some German students visited our high school. They came from Germany from Torgau, where we have our friendship school. The German students stayed that week in host families. Most of the senior high school German readers and some of the junior high school German readers the were hosts. We senior high school German readers had a similar trip to Germany last spring and we also stayed there in host families. Now it was the Germans' turn to travel and speak a new language and our time to be the hosts. It was also our time to use our language skills in both German and English and maybe learn some more and also teach some Finnish for the Germans.

               On Monday we left for Helsinki to fetch the Germans from the airport. After that we made a little sightseeing tour in Helsinki. We visited for example the Sibelius monument, Helsinki Cathedral, Helsinki´s market hall, the port and the Temppeliaukio church. After sightseeing we headed back to Hämeenkyrö and the Germans were divided in their own host families.

On Tuesday morning our school's headmaster gave a little welcoming speech and showed our school to the Germans. After that we had a little coffee moment in our school canteen. The Germans weren´t so excited about salty liquorice but Finnish chocolate they liked. Then we Finns had a normal school day, but the Germans made a little sightseeing tour in Hämeenkyrö. They visited inter alia Maisemakahvila, Timi´s pine and Mannanmäki.   

On Wednesday we were in the school for just a couple of lessons and then we left for Tampere. It was a bit rainy weather, but that didn´t disturb us much. We went to Tampere´s art museum to watch the Moominvalley. There we saw some Tove Jansson´s drawings and Moomin books and the miniature of the Moominhouse. After the museum we visited Tampere´s library Metso quickly and then we headed to the center. Then we visited the factory Finlayson area and we went there in the museum too. The rest of the day we had some free time in Tampere and the Germans could for example do some shopping there.

On Thursday the Germans were just in our school and visited different lessons. Thursday was their last day in Finland, so we had a little social evening in Särkijärvi. We ate there and the Germans had an opportunity to try the sauna and swimming. Those who didn´t come to the sauna, played some ball games outside. We had a very nice evening there. The Germans were excited to try the sauna and thought it was nice. The swimming they liked too, even though they thought that the water was very cold.

On Friday morning we needed to say goodbye to our German guests.  But before our guests left for the airport we took a group picture in front of the F.E Sillanpää statue. Then there was some hugging and thanking and then they had to leave back for Germany. I hope our guests had a nice week here and that they could someday travel back to Finland to see even more.





written by Miranda 2B

Artists from all over the Earth

On January 16th and 17th we had visitors in our English lessons. Four different kinds of artists around the world came to tell us about their works in arts and their January in Finland.

The artists live as guests at the Arteles Creative Center in Haukijärvi during their stay in Finland. The hostess and owner of Arteles is Inga Mustakallio. Arteles was founded in 2009 and there visitors can enjoy Finnish nature. You can find more information about Arteles in its website www.arteles.org

Tom Hogan, from Australia, is a guitarist and sound artist. He composes and performs, designing for theatre and film, and produces music and radio plays. His compositions concentrate on finding unique sounds and using them in conventional harmonies.  Tom gave us two pieces of improvisation and he tried to talk as fast as he could and that turned into a very fast speaking!  He was really fun! Tom’s website address is www.tomhogan.com.au

Laura Batch, who is from Australia too, is a versatile artist. She makes sculptures, photographs, draws, paints and makes videos. She also paints with a live model, makes still lifes of various materials and explores voices. Laura is studying art at Victorian College of the Arts. Laura's artistic process consists of site searching and studies, by placing herself in an unfamiliar landscape and culture and how she learns and navigates her body and mind around this new context via the use of art. Laura’s website address is www.laurabatch.com

Laura Wright, from Portugal, is a photo artist. She showed us a lot of pictures she had taken. She had also taken many pictures here in Finland. Laura has had many exhibitions in 2009-2011. Laura’s website address is www.lauracarlotta.com

Christopher “Chris” Wille, from America, is an artist who has been inspired by technology, science fiction, warfare and dystopian themes. He showed us some of his work. Christopher’s website address is www.chriswille.com

The artists encouraged us to follow our dreams and not to give up. It was a great visit, and they praised that they had a nice time, too. So, take a brush or a pen or a computer in your hand and start to create something new and exciting! 
 

              Tom, Inga, Chris, Laura W. and Laura B. at F.E.Sillanpää Upper Secondary School


Written by Maiju Aalto, 2A