A bit worn out after a highly successful village celebration yesterday, arranged by the Helsinki Pitäjänmäki community association which I am president of.
Well, village is maybe not the right word. This city region has a population of 20,000 and covers everything, from a war veterans’ village to the Helsinki ’silicon valley’.
Lots of people crowded around the library and sports field where the retired bus and tram drivers’ brass band animated the event. Voluntary fire fighters showed their equipment, the sports club held running races starting with three years olds, kids sold their own bakeries, families crowded a large flea market and I counted at least four cafe’s.
Inside the library we could show some unique 5,000 years old artefacts that were found by archaeologists in a park around the corner. Next summer we will continue excavations where our community association will of course participate.
All our main political parties were present with numerous members of Parliament discussing with the villagers. Also the environment minister spent a good few hours here and was especially interested in a project where local fishing enthusiasts are reviving the fish population in the creek that runs through our part of town.
We wanted this celebration to look like our city region itself instead of just being a market day among others. Our community took up the challenge and the result exceeded all our expectations.
A last moment scare when a local thunderstorm was predicted for exactly these hours passed away and we enjoyed a beautiful late summer day. If it was because of the strong support and presence by our parish here in Pitäjänmäki goes beyond my competence to assess 😊
