This episode is something a little different, I hope you enjoy it.

In partnership with Into Seinäjoki & E-P WIISE ry, I interviewed my friend Mohammed Al-Marrani about his journey from the countryside of Yemen to the plains of South Ostrobothnia. He explains his dream of being an entrepreneur, his integration into Finnish society, the help and guidance he received to start his business and his plans to grow Mokka Market in the future.

Guest: Mohammed Al-Marrani, Mokka Market https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057121463256

Into Seinäjoki video: https://youtu.be/uCkU1GB0SVE

Audio/video: Glenn Murray

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• Facebook page www.facebook.com/explorefinland
• Instagram www.instagram.com/markwiltshear/
• YouTube www.youtube.com/channel/UCvzxW3QitfJtfFVwDfmAzGw

Part two of a two-part episode...

When I asked about visiting the "Terwaviikko" (Tar Week) event in Kuortane, I was quickly introduced to Michael Hutchinson-Rees, a fellow Londoner in Finland, who is now firmly involved in the Lions Club of Kuortane that organises the weeklong tar-making event that takes three years of preparation.

Michael invited me to visit the tar pit in Kuortane a few times across the week, to learn how tar is made and to witness different stages of the tar-making process.

In this episode, Michael tells me how the Kuortane "Terwaviikko" event comes together, why it takes three years of preparation, how wood-tar is made and what to expect when I visit during the week of festivities.

This episode ends with an audio description of the event. If you want to see the video version (and you probably should) you will find it here:

Blog: show notes and links https://explorefinlandpodcast.com/2022/10/16/history-of-tar-making-and-kuortane-terwaviikko/

Guest: Michael Hutchison-Reis and Kuortane Terwaviikko

----more----

• Facebook page www.facebook.com/explorefinland
• Instagram www.instagram.com/markwiltshear/
• YouTube www.youtube.com/channel/UCvzxW3QitfJtfFVwDfmAzGw

Part one of a two-part episode...

When I asked about visiting the "Terwaviikko" (Tar Week) event in Kuortane, I was quickly introduced to Michael Hutchinson-Reis, a fellow Londoner in Finland, who is now firmly involved in the Lions Club of Kuortane that organises the weeklong tar-making event that takes three years of preparation.

Michael invited me to visit the tar pit in Kuortane a few times across the week, to learn how tar is made and to witness different stages of the tar-making process.

In this episode, Michael explains how wood-tar is produced and the great cultural and historical importance this industry has for the village of Kuortane.

Blog: show notes and links https://explorefinlandpodcast.com/2022/10/16/history-of-tar-making-and-kuortane-terwaviikko/

Guest: Michael Hutchison-Reis and Kuortane Terwaviikko

----more----

• Facebook page www.facebook.com/explorefinland
• Instagram www.instagram.com/markwiltshear/
• YouTube www.youtube.com/channel/UCvzxW3QitfJtfFVwDfmAzGw