Preparations start in the beautiful weather.
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The Finns are "rigging up" something....
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...which proved to be a tent sauna.
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The locals strat erecting the main kokko.
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Matsubara-ko tourist association head Kurosawa-san. gives a welcome speech.
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Jukka Pajarinen adresses the audience on behalf of the Enbassy. Marko Saarleainen acting as interpreter.
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Koumi-machi Mayor Arai-san gives his greeting.
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A local school brass band entertains.
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Local children performing "kiyariuta", songs which are part on the Onbashira festival (which is famous for sliding huge logs down the mountain)
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Preparing soba the "real way"
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Selling local souvenirs and some Moomin goods.
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Stalls providing food and drinks for the participants.
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Finnish style cinnamon rolls and Karelian pies are also sold.
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...as well as the Finnish favorite summer food, grilled sausage.
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Painting local souvenirs.
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Mikko Koivistoinen explains about his tent sauna.
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Marko-san interviewing Haruko Hashimoto on how a Japanese has experienced sauna in Finland.
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Young dancers.
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The 'fire men' getting ready.
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Jukka Pajarinen llighting up.
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Getting some help from Marko-san.
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Fire catching on.
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Admired by a lot of people.
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Fire quite close to one of the log houses but still at safe distance.
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View over the village area.
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Smoke rises over the beautiful landscape.
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Looks almost like an argument, but Marko-san is trying to explain where the people with these strange traditions come from to a group of Chinese working in the area as farm helpers. Finland was not really on their map...
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A Japanese lady making a Midsummer wish, or prayer, to Veli Solehmainen....
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Some brave local men tried to tent sauna. Seems that they enjoyed it,
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A lot of cancles and a local group singing.
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Interesting combination...
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The 'lake kokko' being prepared.
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The smaller kokko sailing out on the lake.
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Candles everywhere.
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Participants enjoying the evening.
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Kantele (a traditional Finnish instrument) players.
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The small kokko reflecting on the lake.
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Hiroaki Sugawara from Finn-Tour explaines about travelling to Finland.
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Some ladies tried the tent sauna, but with clothes on.
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Firedance
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Ladies enjoying a beer after having sauna.
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Veli grilling sausages on what is left of the kokko.
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Looks delicious!
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Party continues after the program inside the log house.
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Having a good time!
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The sauna addicts
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Fresh the next morning, Sugawara-san and wife enjoying Nordic Walking
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