Roses for Graduates

5.6. 1993 our daughter's graduation day

5.6.1999 our son's graduation day

 Thousands of students across the country shall get their report cards, diplomas and student’s caps on Saturday, after graduating from upper secondary school. This year in Finland about 28 000 students  will celebrate their white cap and graduation.

Congratulations to all graduates! Wishing you the best of luck in the future.

Studley Park, Melbourne, Australia

Received on: 29 Apr, 2013

Distance: 15,272 km (9,490 miles)

Travel time: 19 days

Gillian from Canberra, Australia sent me this beautiful art card. The painting is Nicholas Chevalier's Studley Park at sunrise 1861 from National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, a gift of Mrs Dorothy Gurner  in year 1959.

The artist is unknown to me so I had to do some Googling and again I learned new things.
Nicholas Chevalier  was born in Russia in 1828  and he was working in Australia between 1854-67.

Studley Park at sunrise is one of Nicholas Chevalier’s few paintings from the early 1860s that depicts a local scene.  In the late 1850s and 1860s Studley Park in Kew was a popular picnic spot for the people of Melbourne and a site depicted by numerous artists 

From the early 1860s Chevalier travelled throughout south-east Australia and New Zealand in search of dramatic mountain ranges and seascapes for his subject matter.



Singin' in the Rain

Received on: 16 Apr, 2013

Distance: 8,009 km (4,977 miles)

Travel time: 17 days

Chi from Taiwan sent this nostalgic movie postcard and of course I had to search this from YouTube. Accompanied only by an umbrella, Kelly put together one of the most joyous dances ever filmed. Singin' in the Rain is a 1952 American comedy film directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen, starring Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor and Debbie Reynolds.

Debbie Reynolds about 1960

Today the sun is shining and the wind is gentle.
It feels like summer!

I wish all of you a happy and sunny week!

Pietari - St. Petersburg

Received on: 19 Apr, 2013

Distance: 520 km (323 miles)

Travel time: 9 days

I received this card from Maria, she lives in this beautiful city of St. Petersburg.

The card shows the view of the SS Peter and Paul Cathedral, the Admiralty and St. Isaac's Cathedral.

My sister and her family visited St. Petrsburg on April and they sent me also a card of St. Isaac's Cathedral (1818 - 1858). The dome of St. Isaac’s Cathedral dominates the skyline of St. Petersburg and its gilded cupola can be seen glistening from all over the city.

St.Petersburg, The 'Venice of the North', with its numerous canals and more than 400 bridges, is the result of a vast urban project begun in 1703 under Peter the Great. Later known as Leningrad (in the former USSR), the city is closely associated with the October Revolution. Its architectural heritage reconciles the very different Baroque and pure neoclassical styles, as can be seen in the Admiralty, the Winter Palace, the Marble Palace and the Hermitage.

The Historic Centre of Saint Petersburg and related groups of monuments in the immediate vicinity are UNESCO World Heritage sites.

- Hermitage Museum and Winter Palace

- Peter and Paul Fortress

- Tsarkoye Selo with Catherine Palace

- Saint Isaak Cathedral

- Peterhof, the "Russian Versailles" 

Helene Schjerfbeck

 

Helene Schjerfbeck (1862-1946) Dancing Shoes 1882

 

The Dancing Shoes 1882 was sold for nearly GBP 3.05 million, or about EUR 3.9 million at Sotheby’s auction house in London and it is thus the most expensive Finnish painting ever sold in auction

The painting depicts Schjerfbeck’s cousin  Ester Lupander preparing for a dance.

The artist painted two more versions of the same subject. .

 

 

Helene Schjerfbeck: Dancing shoes 1939 or 1940

 

 

Helene Schjerfbeck is one of the most famous artists in Finland and Scandinavia. She was born 1862 in Helsinki, at the age of four she had an accident and injured her hip.This had serious consequences, which would affect her life and artistry. As a convalescent she spent much time painting and drawing.

At the age of 11, she was accepted to an art school, as her talent was early discovered.

As a young artist she had the opportunity to study and paint in France and England. In the beginning her style was realistic, but as time passed and moving into the 20^th century, Helene developed a very characteristic modern style.

 

 

Date of issue: 23 January 2012


 

 





Trier, Saksa

Received on: 15 Apr, 2013

Distance: 1,726 km (1,072 miles)

Travel time: 4 days

Stephi from Germany sent me this multiview card of Trier.

She wrote that Trier is Germany's oldest city and the center of the wine-growing area on the Moselle; Saar and Ruwer rivers. 

The main attraction in Trier is obviously Rorta Nigra Gate.

The Porta Nigra is a  2nd-century Roman city gate and the oldest defensive structure in Germany, it was erected in about 180 AD.   Trier's market square (Hauptmarkt) looks also very attractive with beautiful old  buildings and painted facades, fruit stands, flowers and fountains.

I would love to visit this beautiful German city and Moselle region.

Praha

The Old Town Square of Prague 150 years ago.

Postcard from the eastern side of Staroměstské Square

Received on: 12 Apr, 2013

Distance: 1,493 km (928 miles)

Travel time: 3 days

I received this card from Milan.

She lives in small town Cernosice near Prague and castle Karlštejn.

Thank you Milan, again I learned lots of new things and words in Czech!

The Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí) is one of two main squares in Prague. The Old Town Square dates from the 12th century and started life as the central marketplace for Prague. Over the centuries buildings of Romanesque, Baroque and Gothic styles were erected around the market, each bringing with them stories of wealthy merchants and political intrigue.

The Church of Our Lady before Týn (Kostel Matky Boží před Týnem), a characteristic dominant of the Old Town, was constructed from the 14th to the beginning of the 16th century. The two spires of this powerful looking, Gothic church can be observed from all over Prague.

Second on the left is the Golz-Kinský Palace wich was built in the years 1755-1765

The father of Franz Kafka had a small shop on the ground floor of the Palace.



Kevään kukkia - Sping Flowers

Received on: 13 Mar, 2013

Distance: 1,603 km (996 miles)

Travel time: 6 days
Heidi from a little town in western Germany sent me this beautiful watercolour  flower paintingt.  She writes that after this dark and dull winter she can't wait to to start outdoor activities in her garden.  I think today her garden is full of flowers blooming.

Turku, Finland 23. 5. 1973 from me to my father

Today some Anemone hepaticas ( Sinivuokko) are still blooming in my garden. It is  among the first flowers to bloom in the spring but now its time for white Anemone nemorosa ( Valkovuokko ).

 Crete, Greece in May 1996, unused

Wild meadow flowers near Ierapetra in Spring.

 ( unused )

Tilos, Greece in May 2011, unused

 Poppy time..
( unused )



It's Time to do Some Gardening

Birhtday cards from May 1958

Now it’s time to get busy in the garden.

It’s time to get flowers, trees and shrubs planted,

 walls, fences and greenhouses built, patios and arbours installed.

Or perhaps it's time to enjoy the sun, sit on garden bench listening birds singing.

I think I'll choose the garden bench  :)

For more cards visit Beth's blog and Postcard Frienship Friday

The Battleship Texas & San Jacinto Monument

Received on: 8 Apr, 2013

Distance: 8,382 km (5,208 miles)

Travel time: 9 days

Laarni from Houston sent me this card of The  Battleship & monument
 which are very special to the city of Houston and a great site. 

Thank you Laarni!

The Battleship Texas &  San Jacinto Monument

Soon after World War II, ownership of Battleship Texas, (last dreadnought in existence), was transfered to the state of its namesake to be used as state historic landmark. The battleship is now permanently moored near the San Jacinto monument - the site just east of Houston where Texas won her independence from Mexico in 1836. The San Jacinto Monument is 15 feet taller than Washington Monument making the world's tallest monument.

Cameron Highlands - Malaysia

Cameron Highlands - Malaysia

Received on: 2 Apr, 2013

Distance: 9,152 km (5,687 miles)

Travel time: 26 days

Bunga Tiga Bulan  Hydrangea macrophylla - Jalohortensia

Chinyee from Kuala Lumpur sent me this beautiful card of misty morning at Sungai Palas Tea Plantation. She writes that the weather in Kuala Lumpur is very hot about 34 degrees Celcius at noon.

I hope the weather is a little cooler in Cameron Highlands. Being high up the mountains means it's cold and humid, with lots of mist in the early mornings and late evenings, but it sure looks beautiful.

Cameron Highlands, the smallest district in the Malaysian state of Pahang, was discovered over 120 years ago by Sir William Cameron. As a place with mild climate and temperatures around 18°C, it was considered to have the perfect weather conditions for establishing tea plantations. After almost 50 years, the region was finally developed and from the 1930s onwards, Cameron Highlands became Malaysia’s most popular hill station.

  

Hyvää Äitienpäivää - Happy Mother's Day

Today mums can expect a bunch of flowers, a self-designed card or even breakfast in bed.

Flags fly across the country today in honour of Mother's Day, which has been celebrated in Finland since 1918.  Since 1946 "The Order Of The White Rose" first class medals have been distributed to distinguished mothers in Finland.



Kuinkas sitten kävikään - Moomin, Mymble and Little My

Cards from  Tove Jansson's book - Moomin, Mymble and Little My

 

On kello viis' kun varhaiseen

kaupasta maitokannuineen

käy kotiin Muumipeikko pien'

On pitkä taival metsätien.

Puut kolkon korven kohisee

ja tuuli ähkyy, huokailee.

Yö vaihtuu aamuun hämärään,

vaan kuinkas sitten kävikään?

 

Here’s little Moomintroll, none other,

Hurrying home with milk for mother.

Quick, Moomintroll, it’s nearly night.

Run home while there’s a bit of light.

Don’t hang around in woods like these.

 Strange creatures lurk between the trees.

 The wind begins to howl and hiss.

Now, guess what happens after this…

 

Translation by Sophie Hannah

 

In a delightful, curious game of what comes next, Moomintroll travels through the woods to get home with milk for Moominmamma. A simple trip turns into a colorful adventure as Moomintroll meets Mymble who has lost her sister Little My. Along the way, they endue the hijinks of all the charming characters of the Moomin world including the Fillijonks and Hattifatteners. Will Moomin ever make it home safe and sound?

 

Yes he did and there was Moominmamma picking up berries and waiting for the children to come home. Unfortunately during Moomintroll's and Mymble's exciting adventure through the woods the milk had turned into buttermilk. But Moominmamma comforts them saying: From now on we'll drink juice.

 More about Tove Jansson and Moominvalley's residents here

 



Mallipuoliso - Der Mustergatte - Model husband

 Received on: 20 Mar, 2013

Distance: 1,597 km (992 miles)

Travel time: 4 days

I received this card from Marie. She lives in a little town of Meckenheim near Bonn.

 She doesn't know the film, Der Mustergatte, but she likes the art of the postcard.

I also like this postcard and the film is unfamiliar for me too,

so I had to ask help from Mr. Google. 

Der Mustergatte (released in the U.S. as "Model Husband"), the 1937 Wolfgang Liebeneiner German romantic marriage comedy starring Heinz Ruhman, Leny Marenbach, Hans Sohnker, Heli Finkenzeller, and Werner Fuetterer

Banker Billy Bartlett is a man with fixed habits and rules. His only passion is crosswords. During a trip to Venice he meets Margaret, recently separated from playboy Fred Evans. They marry, but soon Margaret becomes bored. Billy’s friend Jack suggests that he should make her really jealous – he would also tell his wife Dolly all the time that he would be in the Club ..Margaret goes out with Billy, and Dolly feels betrayed and wants to take revenge: by compromising with Billy in the eyes of Billy. It starts a very lovely scene how the innocent and faithful Billy and Dolly come closer, which is more a consequence of unfamiliar alcohol than intentions. In their wrecked apartment they are finally found by Margaret and Jack......



Laituri 21, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Kanada - Pier 21

Heather lives in countryside of Ontario, Canada and the nearest big city is Toronto. She sent me this interesting card of Canadian Museum of Immigratiom at Pier 21. She wrote that her parents went through Pier 21 when they came to Canada. 

A Half million service person left here to fight on the European front, though not all would live to see Pier 21 again. Cheering crowds often welcomed home those who did.

Received on: 18 Mar, 2013

Distance: 6,252 km (3,885 miles)

Travel time: 11 days

Thank you Heather!

Between 1928 and 1971, over one million people passed through the immigration facilities at Pier 21 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Many of these immigrants were leaving behind difficult lives and hoping for something better in Canada: some were fleeing poverty and political oppression in their own countries, while others came to seek a new life for their families.

My childhood friend Matti went through Pier 21 in 1956, he was six years old.
I wonder what was in his mind then, was he  excited or afraid.
 He and his family settled in Sudbury, Ontario and Matti still lives there.

Pier 21 is now an immigration museum with a variety of interesting exhibits chronicling the experiences of the new arrivals.

Kazan, Tatarstan, Venäjä

Profit house of  E.G. Voronkov and A.G Kalyagin 

1st half of XIX century, reconstructed in 1862, 1913 - 1915.

Received on: 14 Mar, 2013

Distance: 1,693 km (1,052 miles)

Travel time: 33 days

I received this postcard from Kapitalina who lives in Kazan city in Russia. She writes that Kazan is very beautiful with many historical buildings an famous places.

Kazan is the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan and the third capital of Russia. Vladimir Lenin, Leo Tolstoy, and Rudolph Nureyev all have lived here. With a population of about 1.3 million (2011 census), rich history, deep culture and strong economic influence, Kazan hold the title of "The Third Capital of Russia" . 

 Located between Europe an Asia, having both Russian and Tatar populations, Kazan peacefully blends Muslim and Christian cultures, over half of the city's population is of Tatar ethnicity. Tatar influences, including the Muslim religion, are strong in this city. There are also many other religions represented in Kazan. for example, in the city center there are is a synagogue and new catholic church. 

Enni Id - ITE-taiteilija



The small home of Enni Id (1900-1992), a naivistic artist of Padasjoki, is a total work of art rich in colour. It is painted from floor to ceiling with the artist's favourite themes: floral and plant ornaments and cats. Oil paintings by Enni Id also took as their themes angels, devils and the peasant uprising known as the War of the Clubs. The general public came to know her works through a showing of naivistic art at Kunsthalle Helsinki in 1973. 

Enni always had a passion for sketching and painting, but during the time she lived in marriage with her husband, this desire could not be realised. However, when in 1966 she became a widow, she took the opportunity to follow her passion, and she started painting.

This became kind of an outburst.



Enni Id's house has been legated to the community and it is nowadays is being cared for by the local village action association. The house is open for the public during summer time 

ITE- taiteilija Enni Idin tarina löytyy täältä .

 

More postcards on Beth's Postcard Friendship Friday