Kippis = Keep Peace!

Juhannus 2007 in Finland Village turned out to be "totemo omoshiroi", very enjoyable. I first went there on duty, because the village needed some helping hands to fix the cabins. I am lucky I went, but it didn't feel like being on duty at all.

People from Koumi town organized their sixth Finnish style Midsummer party at Finland Village. There were about 280 persons, and the evening was filled with entertainment, a lot of good food and drinks. Mayor of Koumi town started the original Koumi style "Juhannuskokko" with my cousins, Aino and Timo, who were visiting us in Tokyo. Besides enjoying the great hospitalyty of Koumi people, they got a change to see Japanese mountains and coutry side also.

We made lot's of new friends from local people, but most surprizing guests came from West Coast USA. A group of artists, who opened their exhibition "Currently West" the following day at Koumi Museum. And there was also an Irish teacher from Koumi school. And a drummer from Senegal performed when the night was dark and the camera catching the rythm. What an international town! What a great party!

The evening produced a new slogan while we were teaching how to say Cheers in Finnish. Cheers in Finnish is Kippis, pronounced Kip = "keep" & pis = "peace". Cheers = Kippis = Keep Peace!

The party was indeed peaceful but otherwise very much like a Midsummer party in Finland. &;-)

Keep peace!

Samuli


ps. Check out also the official page for lot's of photos.
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