Erasmus in Kuopio, Finland

Ice hockey in Kuopio Ice hockey is more than a simple sport in Finland, it is a true hobby which is part of the Finnish culture. In Kuopio, at the Olvi Areena we have the chance to attend to many exciting ice hockey games. Olvi Areena : The matches take place in Kuopio town centre in a 5,200-capacity ice rink dating back to 1979.  It's a great place to watch hockey matches. Kalpa :  Kuopio's ice hockey team is Kalpa (Kalevan Pallo), which was founded in 1929 and has around twenty players, including one French player, Hugo Gallet. The team has a very high standard, playing in the Liiga since 2005 and finishing 7th out of 16 in this year's rankings.  We had the opportunity to see 3 of the team's matches during this championship, one against Helisnki, another against Tampere and the last against Lahti. The last match of the season took place on 9 March 2024! Tickets :  Ticket prices are very affordable, ranging from 6 euros to 30 euros. We used to take the free places f...

  Tampere   With a group of friends, I went to Tampere for a weekend. Located about 170 kilometers north of Helsinki, Tampere offers a blend of natural beauty and cultural charm that's both inviting and accessible.   History of the city Tampere's past is closely tied to its industrial roots. Once a bustling center of factories and mills, the city now preserves its industrial heritage through museums like the Vapriikki Museum. Here, visitors can explore artifacts and exhibits detailing the city's industrial past. Beyond its industrial history, Tampere boasts a thriving cultural scene. The city's theaters, galleries, and cultural centers offer a range of performances and exhibitions, providing insights into its rich cultural tapestry. Tampere's transformation began in the early 19th century with the onset of the Industrial Revolution. The city's numerous rapids along the Tammerkoski River provided abundant hydropower, which was harnessed to drive the m...

 Today we're going to discover one of our favorite and best-known activities in Finland: ice skating .  Ice tracks with the town of Kuopio at sunset Ice skating in Finland : Ice skating is very popular in Finland. During the winter (October-April), there are ice rinks in every town. Many Finnish schools even have their own rinks. So it's easy to skate in winter.  You can also skate on frozen lakes. However, the lakes are covered in snow, so machines are needed to remove the snow. In Kuopio, from January to March, there are large circuits maintained on the ice.  When we came to Finland, we bought ice skates for the first week. So every week we go ice-skating on Lake Kuopio.  Kuopio Ice marathon : The town of Kuopio is well known in Finland in winter for hosting the Finland Ice Marathon. It's a race organized every year on Lake Kuopio. This year, it takes place on February 24, 2024. That's why the ice tracks are maintained and open to the public every day.  I...

    Finnish roads Despite Finland's harsh winters and snowy roads, the country has very few accidents. Several reasons explain this.  First, Finland spends a lot on roads, ensuring they're well-maintained by clearing snow and seeding the ground with specific gravel to deal with snow and ice. Also, Finnish drivers receive tough training, especially on driving safely in winter. They learn things like keeping a safe distance, driving at the right speed, and handling icy roads.                                                                  Gravel on the ground Moreover, Finland strictly enforces traffic laws and gives big fines for breaking them, which makes drivers follow the rules. They also use advanced technology like road sensors and weather forecasts to give drivers real-time info, helping them drive bette...

  Finnish specialities We've been in Finland for over a month now, so we've had the chance to try a number of Finnish specialities.  Karjalanpiirakka : We started by tasting one of the savoury specialities called Karjalanpiirakka (Karelian pies) made with grapes. We tasted the rice pies and the potato pies.  Korvapuusti : The other specialities we tried were sweet pastries including korvapuusti, a cinnamon-based cake flavoured with cardamom. This cake is one of our favourites, and we eat it very often. Runebergintorttu : This speciality is a cylinder-shaped pastry topped with raspberry jam and a crown of icing. The pastry is made from almonds and dipped in rum, cognac or liqueur. On top, there is a raspberry jam-based filling with icing. This is a very sweet cake with a high almond content. Pepparkakor : It's a dry cake that means "pepper biscuits". These Christmas biscuits also contain cinnamon and cardamom.  Kaurakeksi : These small circle-shaped biscuits are ma...

  Kuopio tower Nestled in the heart of the picturesque city of Kuopio, Finland, stands proudly an iconic architectural symbol: the Kuopio Tower. Towering over the landscape with its sleek silhouette, this tower offers more than just spectacular panoramic views; it embodies the dynamic and modern spirit of the region.   The Kuopio Tower, also known as the "Puijo Tower," is a modern landmark, a testament to Finland's architectural evolution. Designed by architect Helmer Stenros, it was completed in 1963 and boasts an impressive height of 75 meters. Its minimalist yet elegant design gives it a remarkable presence in Kuopio's urban skyline.   Description of the view Step aboard the panoramic elevator and be whisked away to the heights of the Kuopio Tower. Once at the top, you'll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the city and its surroundings. The shimmering lakes, lush forests, and characteristic red rooftops of Kuopio stretch as far as the eye can se...