Cheryl Marie Cordeiro

Helsinki harbour, Finland.
Text & Photo © CM Cordeiro 2024

My recent visit to Helsinki brought back a wave of memories from my last trip in 2015, when I attended the GEM&L (Groupe d’Études Management & Langage) conference in the summer of 2015. Helsinki has always held a special place in my heart, and walking around the city harbour this time felt like rediscovering an old friend, albeit with a few delightful surprises.

One of the highlights of my walk was discovering Oodi, the Helsinki Central Library. Opened after my 2015 visit, Oodi stands as a testament to Finnish innovation and design. Nestled in the Töölönlahti area, it is a striking architectural marvel that seamlessly blends traditional and contemporary elements. Its wooden facade, crafted from Finnish spruce, softens the steel and glass structure, creating an inviting and sustainable landmark. Designed by ALA Architects, Oodi embodies Helsinki’s commitment to open, accessible public spaces.

Continue reading “A Walk Through Helsinki: Oodi Library and Allas Sea Pool – Icons of Innovation and Serenity” →

At Kasarmitori with Jari, our touring Helsinki by bicycle guide.
Text & Photo © JE Nilsson, CM Cordeiro, Sweden 2015

I took one last look at the map before stepping out of the door. Kasarmitori Square. Right. I wasn’t sure if I was going to find the place, but thought to try, because that was the meeting point where I read a bike tour of the city of Helsinki would begin. The tours leave in a group of maximum eight persons twice a day, at ten in the morning and at two in the afternoon. I made no prior online bookings at the company’s website, but noted that their bicycles were single geared of Finnish make, and in an identifiable cobalt blue. Easy! All I had to do was to make it to their office, locating it by spotting a row of conspicuous looking chirpy blue bicycles parked just outside. Continue reading “Bicycling through Helsinki” →