BEAUTY OF Finnish extremes by Eicca

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Beauty of Finnish Extremes by Eicca from Apocalyptica

A lake as smooth as glass, shores full of almost neon-green birches bursting with chlorophyll. A freshness in the warm air. Birdsong fusing with kids’ laughter echoing from the sauna. Or then again, winter’s blue darkness, creaking snow underfoot, seeing your breath in the air before it freezes into crystals on your coat. The list goes on endlessly. Finland’s summer and winter are two separate worlds that rouse different senses and create distinct atmospheres. For creative people, the seasons are an endless source of inspiration.

Composer Eicca Toppinen is one of the most famous Finnish musicians in the world. His band Apocalyptica and their symphonic heavy metal music has been winning over hearts since 1993. Eicca, who lives in the woods of Sipoo near Helsinki, finds different extremes and their combinations fascinating in his personal life as well.

Helsinki

Helsinki is a modern, pocket-sized European city known for design and high technology. Helsinki’s attractive and unique character comes from its proximity to the sea, as well as its location between the East and the West.

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“I like music that can be beautiful, rugged, bright and dark all at the same time. That’s how I feel about Finnish nature as well. It’s both humble and epic. This land is full of austere and rugged places that also incredibly beautiful.”

“Nature has played a very important part in my life. I used to ride horses when I was younger, now I enjoy sailing and foraging. Simply roaming Finland’s forests nurtures my soul. It helps me understand that there are things in this world that are much bigger than me.”

“Touring has broadened my world view more than anything else. Then again, it has also helped me see how unique Finland really is. The Finnish Archipelago, for instance, is unique in the world. The hills of Eastern Finland also hold a special place in my inner landscape.”

“Life on tour is very social, and privacy and personal space are hard to come by. For me, the best antidote is rural tranquillity. There’s room to breathe here, and yet I can reach central Helsinki in thirty minutes by car.”

“All our seasons have some magical quality about them. They’re so absolute. When it gets dark, it’s really pitch black. Then come summertime, I can’t explain how incredible it feels to ride a bike in the countryside at four in the morning – in full sunlight.”

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BEAUTY OF Finnish extremes by Eicca

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