The day before the party some joined for a working party at the village.
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Matti Esko and wife Pirjo joined in painting the terraces.
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Arisa Kawasaki showed her skills with the paint brush.
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Marko Saarelianne mixes color.
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Clas Bystedt and Arisa Kawasaki paints the blue.
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Matti Esko sweeps the brown-red color surpevised by wife Pirjo
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Mayumi and Morris Saarelainen blowing bubbles in the nice sunshine.
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Enjoying a barbeque dinner after had days work.
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Arisa and Matti testing their strength.
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The locals start erecting the main kokko.
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The kokko is taking shape.
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A Finnsh real army tent was part of the attractions.
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The crew erecting the tent, from left Reijo Munther, Ilkka Salmenius, Mikko Koivistionen, Moris and Marko Saarelainen.
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Also this year Mikko Koivistoinen brought his tent sauna.
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Assemblying the chimney.
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It's the real thing; benches and a wood gheated stove.
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Mikko cutting sauna wood.
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Completed!
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Testing the tent sauna before start of the party.
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Preparations for the kokko on the lake.
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And preparing for the stage.
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The main kokko almost completed.
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Before the party there was a kantele performance in the concert hall.
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View over the village area with preparations almost completed..
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A local girls brass band entertains.
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Koumi Suomi Association chairman Tamio Koike opens the party.
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Reijo Munther adresses the audience on behalf of the Embassy. Arisa Kawasaki acting as interpreter.
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Matti Esko and wife Pirjo lighting candles in memory of those who lost their lives in the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami.
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Taiko drum performance.
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Young and old enjoying the party in fabulous summer weather.
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The army tent also served as a theater for animated Finnish children's movies.
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Tamio Koike and Nozawa-san at the Koumi Suomi Association booth
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The Finnish booth with some items sold for the charity project...
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...as well as the Finnish favorite summer food, grilled sausage.
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Marko-san buys sausage from wife Mayumi.
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Hiroaki Sugawara enjoys a beer in the warm weather.
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Ariyama-san and wife preparing Minestroni soup.
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Mrs. Ariyama and satisfied customer.
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Painting local souvenirs.
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Prepareing food sets..
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Yakisoba stall.
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Enjoying food and drinks in the setting sunlight.
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The small kokko reflecting on the lake.
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Start of the main preformance.
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Marko Saarelainen with some 'technical assistance' form son Moris, itroduces Matti Esko.
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Matti Esko starts his preformance.
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Having a good time!
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Young admirer looking on
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Perhaps her partly Finnish blood makes her dance to the music
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The last tune.
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A llocal chorus group performing.
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A lot of candles.
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The 'fire men' getting ready.
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Lighting up the kokko
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Matti Esko does his share.
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Smoke rising towards the evening sky.
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Matti Esko and Reijo Muther after job well done!
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Looks almost as the log cabin is on fire., but it is not.
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The fire was so intense that the grass caught fiore and water had to be brought in.
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Matti Esko being interviewed.
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Another local group performing.
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The lake kokko is being prepared to be lit up.
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Fireworks and lake kokko.
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The Finns do some karaoke style singing assisted by Matti Esko.
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Getting assistance from the youn ones.
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Unsure if they enjoy the singing or just admire the guys...
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Young customer buying a candle with what is left of kokko in the background.
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A local band making last performance of the evening.
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Dancing along.
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Some well deserved relaxation fro the organizers.
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Party continues after the program inside the log house.
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