Tampere

 

Tampere

Tampere was founded as a city in 1789.  Geographically it lies in south-central Finland between lakes Nasijarvi and Pyhajarvi.  

The Tammerkoski rapids which connect the lakes have played an important role in the city’s history.  

Tampere was given free city status in 1820, which made it an attractive destination for entrepreneurs.  James Finlayson got permission from the Tsar to open a textile factory in 1819, and Finlayson & Co. grew to become one of the largest employers in the region.  It still makes textiles today, though not in Tampere – our comforter and pillows both have Finlayson tags. 

The presence of the Tammerkoski and the advantageous business climate turned Tampere into the industrial center of Finland, earning it one of its nicknames:  “Little Manchester.”  In fact for sporting events you see the town decorated in flags and scarfs with the nickname “Manse” which is the Finnish equivalent of Manchester.

Tampere has several claims to fame.  It is the town where Lenin first met Stalin.  Apparently Stalin was unimpressed – he thought Lenin would be taller and command a room more dramatically (both strengths of Stalin).  It strikes me quite a dangerous thing to be publically unimpressed with Lenin.  But I guess it worked out well for Stalin.  It worked out less well for millions of others.

Tampere has long produced barley bread – earning it its other nickname which roughly translated means "Barley Bread Town":  The traditional bread is circular with a hole in the middle.  We learned that the hole allowed the bread to be hung on long rods at merchants’ stalls, and also was usually strung on a string to be worn around the neck after purchase.  

This left the buyer’s hands free to buy other things – though I imagine it also proved tempting to sneak a nibble or two on the way home.  Barley also features in the famous Finnish sausage Mustamakkara.  (Black sausage).  

Lenin was apparently so impressed by the flavor of Mustamakkara that he declared “Any people who make sausages this good deserve their independence and freedom.”  Which is the cutest story about something that Lenin definitely never said.  The Soviets did grant the Finns their independence though.  But if we are granting political autonomy for making good food I have a few ideas of some places we can start.

Tampere is organized around neighborhoods, and we look forward to exploring them all and bringing you with us.  We are staying in the Amuri district at the Forenom apartments.  

The tram stop and grocery store are each about a five minute walk.  Two wonderful parks are equally close by.  It has so far proved a wonderful home, in an amazing city.

Lahdetaan tutkimaan!  (Let's go explore!)

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