|
Possibly one of Finland’s most eccentric history societies will be eating porridge in the street at 5pm tonight.
‘Jankkiyhistys’ has ten members – including journalists and local academics – who will meet on Rantakatu, near the library, at 5pm to honour the anniversary of Oulu flooding in 1878. They will get together beneath a plaque which indicates how far up the flood waters reached.
According to one of the group’s members, Markus Korhonen, ‘It is supposed to be a very jolly and funny society. And we eat this special dish – Jankkiyhistys – which is a kind of bread porridge . . . typical in the Oulu region.’
‘It is a humorous club,’ enthused Korhonen, ‘which concentrates on folklore and tradition and the history of Oulu.’
‘We have several meetings every year and we choose special historical days to commemorate tragic-comic incidents in Oulu’s history.
Another member of the society, Dr Kaisu Mikkola, wanted to emphasise that people were most welcome to come and watch the performance this evening.
Dr Mikkola explained that around half of the membership is likely to turn-up for the commemoration. The society has been marking ‘tragi-comic’ events in Oulu’s past for eleven years.
Local Celebrity
Markus Korhonen himself is something of a local celebrity. Often seen wearing an eye-patch and dressed immaculately in suit and Homberg hat, Korhonen described himself in another interview with 65DN as ‘not a typical Finn.’
A northern Finnish bon vivant, he has long promoted Oulu internationally.
‘I am often working with international guests and I tell them all about the history of Oulu and its historical connections,’ enthused the 46-year-old. He also conducts various lectures, including one for the international students at Oulu University every year.
Markus has entertained some serious VIPs. ‘I have met the King of Sweden. When he came to Oulu I had to greet him. I have met Princess Margaret of Kent (Queen Elizabeth II’s cousin’s wife) and Prince Otto von Habsburg.’ Markus met Prince Otto when the prince received an honorary doctorate from Turku University who also employ him to do public speaking on special occasions.
Korhonen also met General Franco when he was a child and this kick-started his hobby of writing to dictators to get their autographs.
|
