I am a romantic through and through, in complete contrast with my highly technical and thoroughly logical job. I don't go looking for logic in art. Maybe it's a sense of ease and effortlessness I'm after? Is romance ever easy? Good art sweeps you along, envelops you completely. I love beauty. Sometimes I think modern life is just so ugly and hard.

päivi's festival picks:

17.8. - 25.8.

chamber music at the city hall

It will be fascinating to hear the famous Stradivarius and other rare instruments played by these young Finnish virtuosos.

21.8. & 22.8.

Philharmonia orchestra, Esa-Pekka Salonen

A fabulous opportunity to hear the virtuoso pianist Yefim Bronfman, violinist Leila Josefowicz and the dazzling London Philharmonic. It'll be interesting to see how Esa-Pekka Salonen has settled in to his new role.

30.8.

the Helsinki baroque orchestra

An unmissable chance to hear Haydn and Mozart's finest performed by a leading Finnish soprano.