Demonstrating and partying

What a lovely Saturday. I spent it in Helsinki, the weather was great, all kinds of good things happened and I got to spend time with many of my friends.

My main reason for being in Helsinki was the anti-austerity demonstration (I find it becoming that the Finnish national media company mainly reports how the demonstration affects traffic and that nine people got detained for occupying a street nearby). In a nutshell, the demonstration was against the cuts that the government is planning because they would mainly affect the people already having problems getting by such as students, unemployed, pensioners, and families with children. And on the other hand, the government is planning on putting more money on guns and big companies. Basically, I think, they're making all the same mistakes as during the 90's depression. But I don't think we can expect more.

The demonstration itself, however, was quite enjoyable and inspiring. There were people from all age groups and all backgrounds. People had a lot to say and the Finnish Rhythms of Resistance groups were setting the pace for the march. And did I mention the sun! I saw the Finnish rapper Paleface performing after the march but sadly I missed Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät (you know, the band from Eurovisions). I was too busy waiting to get food from Sen Chay, a crowded vegetarian restaurant near to Hakaniemi Market Square.

After the demonstration, it was time to find our way to Oranssi (literally as I'm totally lost in Helsinki if I need to leave the city center). The occasion was the release party of the Queer Calendar 2016 and the Tähtirakkaus ("Star Love") manifest of the Mustikka collective. The calendar is very nonnormative which means that it may not be that functional but the pictures are just lovely! The evening had very little to do with official stuff (in Finnish I would say pönötys but I have no idea what could be the equivalent in English) and more to do with having fun, music, poetry (Susinukke Kosola's poetry was quite extraordinary, I highly recommend it for Finnish speaking people), danceoke, DYI workshops and the best vegan brownies I've ever tasted. Many of my friends were there too so I really enjoyed myself even though I'm really bad at staying awake late nowadays. More of these, please!

Peace, love & power!