100% Finlande
Yes, I know. You want to read about PARIS, not Finland. But consider the possibility that a little break will only help you appreciate Paris more. If you don't have the time or the money to fly somewhere fabulous this weekend, you can take an imaginary vacation to Finland this weekend via the Helsinki a Saint Sulpice market.
The market is part of the 100% Finland festival is organized by the Finnish Embassy in France and the French Embassy in Finland to highlight the "young, modern and innovative" in Finnish culture. It includes 250 events throughout France over a three month period.
The market at Saint Sulpice runs from 17 April to 24 April includes over thirty exhibitors featuring the best of Finnish design, fashion, food and literature. Add musical performances and two photography exhibit and you have all the key elements of a weekend trip: eating, culture and shopping.
The market's website presents a selection of some of the designers whose work will be available at the market. I have my eye on the cotton fabric screenprinted with urban street scenes by Katve de Fokus Fabrik. Other covetable items include slippers made from recycled carpet and printed with a picture of the Helsinki Cathedral (ladies'} or the Helsinki Tramway (mens') from Uusix Verstas, and the "City Boy" portable picnic grill from Selki-Asema.
Along with the restaurant and beer bar, highlights of Finnish cuisine on offer include dried berries, oat breads, reindeer and wild boar.
The muscial performances throughout the week span the wide, wide spectrum from a dance troupe that combines Finnish folk dance with Argentine Tango to a choral group presenting 'serenades a la finlandaise' with a performance of sacred Finnish music from the 15th century to the present. The most intriguing is an impossible to categorize group performing Finnish interpretations of the music of Serge Gainsbourg.
If you want to continue your mini-vacation after visiting the market, head to the Institut FInlandais which this weekend has a festival of short films in conjunction with Helsinki's Women's Film Festival.
http://www.helsinkisaintsulpice.fi/
http://www.institut-finlandais.asso.fr/