Saturday, January 8, 2011

Oulu, Finland

One of the northernmost largest cities in the world
Μια από τις μεγαλύτερες βορειότερες πόλεις του κόσμου
 
Snapshots by Popi Nicolaides - Φωτογραφίες Πόπης Νικολαΐδου

Oulu is a city and a municipality of about 145.00 inhabitants in the region of Northern Finland.
Η Όουλου είναι πόλη και δήμος με 145,00 περίπου κατοίκων στην περιοχή της Βόρειας Φινλανδία.

It is the most populous city in Northern Finland and the sixth most populous city in the country.
Είναι η πιο πυκνοκατοικημένη πόλη στη Βόρεια Φινλανδία και η έκτη πιο πυκνοκατοικημένη πόλη στη χώρα.
Oulu is the largest city in Northern Finland and it’s one of the northernmost largest cities in the world.
Είναι η μεγαλύτερη πόλη στη Βόρεια Φινλανδία και είναι ένα από τις μεγαλύτερες, βορειότερες πόλεις του κόσμου.
The gorgeous Finnish city of Oulu is located on the shore of the Gulf of Bothnia, along the Oulu river.
Η πανέμορφη Φινλανδική αυτή πόλη, βρίσκεται στην ακτή του κόλπου της Βοθνίας, κατά μήκος του ποταμού Όουλου.
The city was founded in 1605, by Swedish kings opposite to the fort built on the island of Linnansaari.
Η πόλη ιδρύθηκε το 1605 από Σουηδούς βασιλείς, χτίστηκε απέναντι στο φρούριο στο νησί της Λίννανσααρι.

It's an active city with numerous theatres, museums and art exhibitions. (Photo: opposite the gorgeous building of City Hall).
Είναι γεμάτη από θέατρα, μουσεία και καλλιτεχνικές εκθέσεις (Στη φωτογραφία μπροστά από το υπέροχο κτίριο του Δημαρχείου).
One possible source for the name Oulu is a word in the Sami language meaning 'flood water', but there are other suggestions.
Μία πιθανή προέλευση του ονόματος «Όουλου», είναι μια λέξη  με την έννοια «νερόπλημμύρας» στη γλώσσα Σάμη, αλλά υπάρχουν και άλλες προτάσεις.
Helen, holding hands with the fat policemen statue (Erected in honour of the policemen) at the market square.
Η Ελένη κρατώντας τα χέρια με το άγαλμα του χοντρού αστυνομικού (φιλοτεχνήθηκε προς τιμή των αστυνομικών) στην πλατεία της αγοράς.
The well known natural beauty of the country, respected and protected at its best whole the year round.
Η γνωστή φυσική ομορφιά της χώρας, που προστατεύεται με σεβασμό, ολόχρονα.
The city has been the capital of Oulu province since 1776.
Η πόλη είναι η πρωτεύουσα της επαρχίας Όουλου από το 1776.
From being a small town known for tar and salmon, Oulu has evolved into a growing modern city.
Από μια μικρή πολύχνη, γνωστή για την πίσσα και το σολομό, έχει εξελιχθεί σε μια αναπτυσσόμενη σύγχρονη πόλη.
There are many artists, writers and musicians resident in the city. A variety of cultural events take place each year;
Στην πόλη ζουν πολλοί καλλιτέχνες, συγγραφείς και μουσικοί. Κάθε χρόνο οργανώνονται μια σειρά από συναυλίες και άλλες πολιτιστικές εκδηλώσεις.
Interesting enough, three former Presidents of the country, Kaarlo Juho Stahlberg, Kyosti Kallio and Martti Ahtisaari come from Oulu.
Τρεις πρώην πρόεδροι της χώρας,  Κάαρλο Τζούχο Στάχλμπεργκ, Κιόστι Κάλλιο και Μάρτι Αχτισάαρι, κατάγονται από την Όουλου.
Bright, warm  summers and cold, snow - rich winters are both present  in the cycle of  seasons.
Φωτεινά, ζεστά καλοκαίρια και κρύους, με πλούσιο χιόνι χειμώνες και τα δύο παρόντα στον κύκλο των εποχών.
Oulu is the most popular place of study in northern Finland.
Η πόλη είναι το πιο δημοφιλές μέρος για σπουδές στη βόρεια Φινλανδία.
It offers an excellent setting for study, work, research and development.
Προσφέρει ένα εξαιρετικό περιβάλλον για μελέτη, εργασία, έρευνα και ανάπτυξη.
I was lucky enough to participate in the interesting, Comenius in-service training program in Oulu.
Ήμουν αρκετά τυχερή να πάρω μέρος στο ενδιαφέρο, Ευρωπαϊκό πρόγραμμα Κομίνιους.
With some good colleagues and nice friends from different European countries during the program.
Με μερικούς καλούς συναδέλφους και φίλους από διάφορες Ευρωπαϊκές χώρες, κατά τη διάρκεια του προγράμματος.
The Finnish education system is an egalitarian Nordic system, with no tuition fees for full-time students.
Το Φινλανδικό εκπαιδευτικό σύστημα προσφέρεται δωρεάν σε όλους τους φοιτητές πλήρους φοίτησης.
Attendance is compulsory for nine years starting at age seven, and free meals are served to pupils at primary and secondary levels.
Η φοίτηση είναι υποχρεωτική για εννέα έτη που αρχίζουν στην ηλικία των επτά, με δωρεάν γεύματα, που σερβίρονται στους μαθητές στην πρωτοβάθμια και δευτεροβάθμια εκπαίδευση.
Education after primary school is divided into vocational and academic systems.
Εκπαίδευση μετά το δημοτικό χωρίζεται σε επαγγελματικά και ακαδημαϊκά συστήματα.
The United Nations Education Index, of 2008, lists Finland amongst the highest in the world, tied for first with Denmark, Australia and New Zealand.
Ο δείκτης επιπέδου παιδείας των Ηνωμένων Εθνών για το 2008, κατατάσσει τη Φινλανδία μεταξύ των υψηλότερων θέσεων στον κόσμο, πολύ κοντά με τις πρώτες, Δανία, Αυστραλία και Νέα Ζηλανδία.
Finland's schools score consistently at the top of world rankings, yet the pupils have the fewest number of class hours in the developed world. Which are the secret of their schools' success.
Τα σχολεία της Φινλανδίας σκοράρουν σταθερά στην κορυφή της παγκόσμιας κατάταξης, αν και οι μαθητές έχουν το μικρότερο αριθμό διδακτικών ωρών στον αναπτυγμένο κόσμο. Ποιο είναι το μυστικό της επιτυχίας των σχολείων τους;
 
Greetings from our beloved Finnish friends  -  View here : Endless friendship

Ευχές από τους αγαπημένους μας φίλους, από τη Φινλανδία.
View Video : Oulu, Finland

32 comments:

Cheryl said...

Finland looks cold, but still beautiful. I love all of the photos, Poppy did a great job and it looks like she had a nice time.
Sending hugs from all of us over here in Thessaloniki!!

Cheryl said...

I'm sorry...I spelled her name "Poppy"...I know it's "Popi"....
!!
My apologies :)

Carlos Echevarria said...

Very nice nation...thanks for the post, I love the picture with the round metal soldier!!!

Couture Carrie said...

Gorgeous post!
Would love to visit Finland someday!

xoxox,
CC

kyllimarjaana said...

Yes this it is , our northern country . Soooo defferent . I'm mad at me , why I did not go to Oulu then to meet you and your beautiful wife . I think that was special opportunity and the only one to see you . My daughter was very interested to go too . But something came and I could not go . Picturea are good .

Thanks for the post , yours Kyllimarjaana

Lily said...

Great article. Have heard about the city, but have never been there, as we usually go up the E4 and then north to Ivalo/Inari.
I guess the kids are doing well because they have so few hours of teaching. You can actually get a child educated well enough on only 10 minutes of concentrated daily teaching, if it then does a couple of hours homework. That's what I did with my son, he was home-schooled for something like 9 years and he ended up with better marks than most kids on public schools! The secret is: no suppression and a little qualified help. You really have to get to the root of the child's problems and handled those. And you have to teach a child how to teach himself and how to look up words and where he can find all the information he needs.
We soon got into the situation where our youngest son just ran out of books or things to do. he usually would be able to do a whole year's curriculum in just 2 months and so we took it very easy and he mainly got other things to do which he enjoyed - like I gave him lots and lots of scientific books and magazines and he got a lot of practical teaching in as well. Our first son went through the public school system and I don't think I would do that to him again. Even though he got all his exams, our younger son got the better education and upbringing.
Anyways... thanks for the e-mail with the ISS/NASA-pictures! Those are very much appreciated!
Does Popi have an e-mail-address? I would very much like to hear more about her European School activities. We've all been involved in teaching, but the only one of us who is still teaching right now is my husband - in private school close by. But it would be nice to hear more from her about her work.

cook said...

εξαιρετικό Φοιβο...ιδιαιτερα στα της εκπ/σης...tweet!

M. Loureiro said...

Simplesmente lindo!

Janie said...

It's hard to imagine living that far north, but the city is beautiful! I enjoyed the tour.

Bob Bushell said...

A great country by a brilliant photographer.

Marineide Dan Ribeiro said...

Apesar do frio é um lugar muito interessante!
Bjusss

Traveling Hawk said...

Very good presentation with nice photos! I was only in Turku and Helsinki (it's on the blog, you know) but I liked Finland a lot!

Leif Hagen said...

I visited a friend in Espoo, Finland once which is near Helsinki! It was fun to see Finland then and now in your photos!
Happy New YEAR from Minnesota

Baron's Life said...

Very well done Phivos...excellent work, story and representation. I was there and it is exactly as you tell it.
Thanks for sharing mate

dede leoncedis said...

I was in Oulu, but too many years ago. I love North Europe, and specially Finland, Grazie!

Jael said...

Great pictures and reportage of Oulu.Have been there only once,passing by when returning from Rovaniemi to Helsinki.Kiitos,hyvä postaus!

eleni said...

Μια απορία,Φοίβο:υπάρχει μέρος πού δεν πήγατε;
Το βρίσκω ιδανικό να γνωρίζεις τόσες χώρες,τους ανθρώπους τους,τον πολιτισμό τους.
Είναι υπέροχη χώρα,όχι δεν έχω πάει,αλλά έχω παρακολουθήσει ντοκιμαντερ και ξέρω για το τέλειο εκπαιδευτικό της σύστημα.
Να είστε καλά να ταξιδεύευε!

Magia da Inês said...

Olá, querido amigo!
Essa é uma cidade linda que realmente cuida de suas crianças com carinho e esmero, além de se preocupar com a formação profissional e acadêmica de seus jovens. Esse é o único caminho e exemplo único de um futuro de paz no planeta.
Poppy, você está linda, maravilhosa e solidária nessa postagem, demostra que você se importa e luta pelos pela igualdade, respeito e pelas diferenças dos jovens do mundo todo... parabéns!!!
Beijinhos.
Brasil

Zuzana said...

Beautiful pictures from the cold North and a fellow Scandinavian country.;)
xoxo

DUTA said...

Judging by Popi's description and pictures, Oulu is an"inviting" city, and its educational system - to be envied.
Hope to visit there someday.

magiceye said...

such a beautiful peaceful place!!

María Pilar Bernal Maya said...

I would like to visit Finland sometime...
ks
;-)

Ola said...

I love the cute statue of the policeman:)Nice place to visit

Lydia said...

I love your posts about Finland! Oulu looks like a beautiful place. It is so interesting that three of the country's presidents are from there! I hope to visit someday to hold hands with that fat policeman statue!
My paternal grandfather was from Lapland...if I visited Oulu I would definitely go the extra miles to see Lapland.

MedaM said...

Wonderful, interesting and informative post!

Pattaya Girls said...

yours is the first dual lnaguage blog i've been to human tranlsation is soo much better than those translation widgest some blogs offer.

Rena said...

Αυτό για τα σχολεία να το βλέπουν οι δικοί μας στην Ελλάδα να παίρνουν παραδείγματα!
Ωραίες εικόνες,ευχαριστούμε που τις μοιράζεσαι μαζί μας!

Amanda Summer said...

what a cool place -- i would love to travel to finland one day. thanks for taking us on a virtual tour!

Indrani said...

Wow! Great collection of shots of Finland. I love these glimpses.

Ira Buscacio said...

Felipe, querido,

Adorei as imagens, principalmente, as cores.
Uma semana com realizações e alegrias
Beijosss

Anonymous said...

That policemen statue is super lovely! What a great place!


Camila F.

KitsosMitsos said...

Πολύ κοντά στον αρκτικό κύκλο, πραγματικά.