Memory is a way of holding on to the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose.

Helsinki, 5 degrees

Yesterday I spent the afternoon getting to know the 16 new HelsinkiMenus that have been put together due to the fact that Helsinki has been Finland's capital for a stunning 200 years! These restaurants have had HelsinkiMenus, characteristics of whole Finland in one city, but this year the menus are based on historical dishes, tastebites from the past. So even for a local like me, these menus offer uncommon tastes!


Though 200 years might seem as a short amount of time for a capital city, Helsinki's culinary history is full of interesting twists and turns! It's difficult to imagine the beginning of the young capital when we had merely three restaurants. Now the metropolitan area hosts over 1 500 restaurants!

When Helsinki became the capital of Finland in 1812 and for the whole 19th century the city outside the immediate center was based on cultivations and crops. The prohibition and depression periods have also affected Helsinki's culinary history. I'll take to the beginning of the Finnish capital through these wonderful images taken by Signe Brander. A female photographer was a rarity in the beginning of the 20th century so these pictures as well as their photographer are unique on the whole.

For a true Helsinkiana like me these pictures are amazing. Some places, over 100 years later, seem similar, even though others have changed dramatically. The white Cathedral, still today the symbol of the city, looks equally stunning still this day!

Take a stroll down memory lane...








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What's your opinion?

  1. Hi dear, thanks so much for your lovely kind comment, it meant a lot to me. The menus sound so great...I'm so interesting to know what the modern and historical cuisine is like. These black and white photos are such an amazing look into the past.

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    1. Happy that you liked the post..you should also maybe once make a post about your local cuisine, I at least would be really interested!

      xxx
      E

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  2. Again, you're making me want to visit your beautiful city so much! Love these pictures, so beautiful. Also loving that SATC clip you posted below!

    Alexandra xo

    http://tovogueorbust.com/

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    1. Haha great that's the plan ;) You should definately think about making a blogger trip to the country of Santa Claus!

      xxx
      E

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  3. These are amazing photos dear! Great post and great blog! :)

    http://samalamode.blogspot.com/

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  4. Aivan mahtavia kuvia, tällaisia on aina tosi ihana katsella..:) Kunpa oliskin vähän enemmän tuollaista nykyään!
    Hehe ja luin tuon saunakyltin ekana englanniksi ääntäen :D "huono sauna"


    Nyt pääsin koneelle & seurailemaan Bloglovinissa! ^^
    Kivaa viikonloppua,

    Satu
    - Indie by Heart

    Ps. Birthday Giveaway

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kiva kuulla et pidät kuvista :) Signe Branderin kuvat ovat kyl niin hienoja, ne henkii vanhan ajan tunnelmaa! Hyvää viikonloppua sinullekin! :)

      xxx
      E

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