This episode is something a little different, I hope you enjoy it. In partnership with Into Seinäjoki & E-P WIISE ry, I interviewed my friend Mohammed Al-Marrani about his journey from the countryside of Yemen to the plains of South Ostrobothnia. He explains his dream of being an entrepreneur, his integration into Finnish society, the help and guidance he received to start his business and his plans to grow Mokka Market in the future. Guest: Mohammed Al-Marrani, Mokka Market https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057121463256 Into Seinäjoki video: https://youtu.be/uCkU1GB0SVE Audio/video: Glenn Murray ----more---- FEELING SOCIAL? Facebook page www.facebook.com/explorefinland Instagram www.instagram.com/markwiltshear/ YouTube www.youtube.com/channel/UCvzxW3QitfJtfFVwDfmAzGw  

Part two of a two-part episode... When I asked about visiting the "Terwaviikko" (Tar Week) event in Kuortane, I was quickly introduced to Michael Hutchinson-Rees, a fellow Londoner in Finland, who is now firmly involved in the Lions Club of Kuortane that organises the weeklong tar-making event that takes three years of preparation. Michael invited me to visit the tar pit in Kuortane a few times across the week, to learn how tar is made and to witness different stages of the tar-making process. In this episode, Michael tells me how the Kuortane "Terwaviikko" event comes together, why it takes three years of preparation, how wood-tar is made and what to expect when I visit during the week of festivities. This episode ends with an audio description of the event. If you want to see the video version (and you probably should) you will find it here: Blog: show notes and links https://explorefinlandpodcast.com/2022/10/16/history-of-tar-making-and-kuortane-terwaviikko/ Guest: Michael Hutchison-Reis and Kuortane Terwaviikko ----more---- FEELING SOCIAL? Facebook page www.facebook.com/explorefinland Instagram www.instagram.com/markwiltshear/ YouTube www.youtube.com/channel/UCvzxW3QitfJtfFVwDfmAzGw

Part one of a two-part episode... When I asked about visiting the "Terwaviikko" (Tar Week) event in Kuortane, I was quickly introduced to Michael Hutchinson-Reis, a fellow Londoner in Finland, who is now firmly involved in the Lions Club of Kuortane that organises the weeklong tar-making event that takes three years of preparation. Michael invited me to visit the tar pit in Kuortane a few times across the week, to learn how tar is made and to witness different stages of the tar-making process. In this episode, Michael explains how wood-tar is produced and the great cultural and historical importance this industry has for the village of Kuortane. Blog: show notes and links https://explorefinlandpodcast.com/2022/10/16/history-of-tar-making-and-kuortane-terwaviikko/ Guest: Michael Hutchison-Reis and Kuortane Terwaviikko ----more---- FEELING SOCIAL? Facebook page www.facebook.com/explorefinland Instagram www.instagram.com/markwiltshear/ YouTube www.youtube.com/channel/UCvzxW3QitfJtfFVwDfmAzGw

I was invited by Päivi Nurmikoski, to visit SF-Camping-Kalajärvi in nearby Peräseinäjoki. She introduced us to the caravan park itself and all the facilities , activities and entertainment for her family, that make them return here almost EVERY weekend, all year long. They love it here, maybe you would too. Blog: show notes and links https://explorefinlandpodcast.com/2022/06/09/sf-caravan-kalajarvi-a-year-round-family-resort/ Guest: Päivi Nurmikoski at SFC Kalajärvi www.caravan-kalajarvi.fi/ ----more---- FEELING SOCIAL? Facebook page www.facebook.com/explorefinland Instagram www.instagram.com/markwiltshear/ YouTube www.youtube.com/channel/UCvzxW3QitfJtfFVwDfmAzGw  

Recorded back in summer 2019, I was welcomed to experience my first sauna festival by the organiser of Kalajärven Saunafestarit, Tero Knaapila. Tero talked me through the origins of this event and what one can expect from a sauna festival. He then took me into his converted motor home sauna (which is still road legal!) before a cooling dip in Lake Kalajärvi. Blog: show notes and links https://explorefinlandpodcast.com/2022/05/09/finnish-sauna-festivals-kalajarven-saunafestarit/ ----more---- FEELING SOCIAL? Facebook page www.facebook.com/explorefinland Instagram www.instagram.com/markwiltshear/ YouTube www.youtube.com/channel/UCvzxW3QitfJtfFVwDfmAzGw  

In this episode, I am joined again by Craterologist, Teemu Öhman, to revisit the subject of Pyhävuori. It's an area overlooking Lake Lappajärvi, that is full of geological interest and historical mythology, featuring trolls, hermits and a sacrificial stone. From the ice age to modern days. Following this recording, Glenn Murray and I went out to explore (and as you can see in the video) get slightly lost on) the holy mountain, Pyhävuori. 0:00:00 Introduction0:01:15 Where is Pyhävuori0:01:15 The Preserved Rim of Pyhävuori0:03:10 The Geology of Pyhävuori0:07:48 Uhrikivi - the sacrificial stone0:10:12 The ice age 'Baltic Lake' at Pyhävuori0:14:09 'Pirun pesä' caves - the Devil's nest0:15:39 Jaakko Reipakka - the hermit and his hut0:17:09 Kalliomaalaus – rock paintings0:19:22 Impact Craterlake Geopark, Lappajärvi0:21:28 Outro   Show notes and links: https://explorefinlandpodcast.com/2022/02/17/pyhavuori-the-holy-mountain-of-alajarvi/ The Nordic Tourist video "Pyhävuori: Human Sacrifice and the Finnish Mountain Man" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQQIxcXF2OI

Part two of a two part episode (you should probably listen to part one first!) In April 2021, myself and Glenn Murray visited Art & Culture Centre Kalevan Navetta in Seinäjoki. This building has a varied history, an re-invigorated present and, surely, a long future bringing art, craftwork, culture and community to Seinäjoki. In this episode,  Päivi Alaniska and Elina Teitti take me on a tour of the venue. Starting with the areas that are always open to the public; the art & craft workshops, the Taito art shop and Äärella restaurant, we then make our way upstairs and visit the contrasting exhibition spaces Halli and Vintti. Show notes and links

Part one of a two part episode. In April 2021, myself and Glenn Murray visited Art & Culture Centre Kalevan Navetta in Seinäjoki. This building has a varied history, an re-invigorated present and, surely, a long future bringing art, craftwork, culture and community to Seinäjoki. In this episode, I am introduced to the history of Kalevan Navetta by Päivi Alaniska (Project Coordinator at  Seinäjoki City Cultural Services) and Elina Teitti, art educator and acting Exhibition coordinator at Kunsthalle Seinäjoki. Show notes and links

What's On... Southern Ostrobothnia now lives on its own, dedicated feed https://whatsonsouthostrobothnia.podbean.com/ Welcome to this new series in which Mark Wiltshear and Glenn Murray (The Nordic Tourist) shine the spotlight on events, activities and events in the Etelä-Pohjanmaa/Southern Ostrobothnia region of Finland. Whether you live in the area, are paying a short visit or are staying here for a holiday, this essential guide will help you find a variety of new ways to pass your time. In this episode Mark and Glenn go from one extreme to another. Glenn introduces a high-octane skydiving course in, while Mark opts for a, more cultured, visit to a museum. Our guest this time is Lina Mattsson from Selmu ry, who tells us about the Rytmis Junior event at Rytmikorjaamo. Show notes with links to events .

On Saturday 27th February 2021, myself and Glenn Murray, The Nordic Tourist, were invited to a special event on Lake Lappajärvi in Etelä-Pohjanmaa, to witness an attempt at the world record biggest ice carousel. What is that? Listen in as I interview Janne Käpylehto, the modern-day father of ice carousels, who will explain all... Show notes & links

Meet Glenn Murray, The Nordic Tourist, who will be my collaborator during the upcoming season of Explore Finland Radio Show. In this episode, Glenn introduces me to Katikankanjoni in Finland's Wild West, a natural canyon with running water all year round, even during months of sub-zero temperatures. Katikan kanjoni is located in the area near the Kauhanevan-Pohjankangas National Park in Etelä-Pohjanmaa. This podcast recording has a companion video, in which Glenn and I visit Katikankanjoni. This is published on The Nordic Tourist YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/mDcnqx-DQGc Check out Glenn's VLOG, as we walk through the area to show what the canyon has to offer; beautiful Nordic winter wilderness travel hikes and wonderful ice waterfalls. It really shows that the landscape in the Southern Ostrobothnia region in Finland (Suomi) is more diverse than people believe. Show notes & links

As part of my guided tour around Culture Centre 'Vanha Paukku' in Lapua, we stop for an extended visit in the Lapuanjoki Museum. Museum Director, Sakari Hanhimäki and Cultural Director, Susanna Oversteyns regale me with historical tales of Espionage, Poisoning, Fascism, An Attempted Coup... and Photography!? Includes an intriguing revelation from Susanna's family history. Show notes & links

Part one of a two-part episode, I undertake a tour of the Kulttuurikeskus 'Vanha Paukku' with two expert guides; Susanna Oversteyns, Cultural Director and Sakari Hanhimäki, Museum Director. HUGE thanks also to Anu Haavisto, Leena Sarjola and Anniina Kivimäki for the impromptu, live performance of some haunting Finnish folk music. Mahtava! Show notes & links

Episodes crafted from Mark's original blogs for www.visitseinajoki.fi Show Notes & links

I speak with Olli-Pekka Tuomaala & James McDade from Seinäjoki Rugby club talk about rugby in Finland; the history of the game in Finland, the development of rugby in Finland as a summer contact sport and how Finland is no longer the worst National rugby team. We also discuss the annual snow rugby competition because, if rugby isn’t a tough enough sport, the Finns have found a way to take it up a notch. Show notes & links

Episodes crafted from Mark's original blogs for www.visitseinajoki.fi Show Notes & links

In part two of a two-part episode, I speak with Kalle Valkonen , Co-Founder and Head Distiller at Kyrö Distillery. He gives me a personal tour of the distillery, taking me step-by-step through the distilling processes of both Kyrö Rye Whisky & Kyrö Napue Gin and answering questions, such as: What is malting? And what are the 'heads and tails'? Show notes & links

In part one of a two-part episode, I speak with Miko Heinilä, Co-Founder of Kyrö Distillery. He gives me selected highlights from the history of the village of Isokyrö, including the bloody Battle of Napue. Bringing things into modern times, he explains the origins of Kyrö Distillery, the ups-and-downs of a start-up company and their future plans to become the biggest rye whisky producer. Show notes & links

Episodes crafted from Mark's original blogs for www.visitseinajoki.fi Show Notes & links

In Winter 2018, I was commissioned to make a pilot series of a new podcast; The Ähtäri Zoo Podcast. This episode is a selection of stories from the first three interviews with people powering Ähtäri Zoo: Satu Keski-Valkama, Tourism Development Project Manager Heini Niinimäki, Zoological Director, Anna Palmroth, Panda Keeper I'm sure you will find this a fascinating look, at the workings of a modern-day zoo, search for Ähtäri Zoo Podcast on your podcast player to find all available episodes. Show notes & links