How long have you been in Ireland?

I have actually been coming to Ireland since the 1980s but that was because I married a man from Cork who has no farming connection, by the way, though I myself come from a small farm and forest in Finland.

My appointment as ambassador to Ireland came in June 2019 when Finland held the EU presidency.

Where were you before and how long will you stay?

Before taking up this position, I worked for many years in Finland’s Ministry of Foreign affairs in several, mainly international, roles including working at the UN and OECD.

I was most recently chief of cabinet for the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Appointments in this job are usually for three or four years.

What impression does Ireland make on a Finnish visitor?

I have a good insight to the country, having been here so regularly before my appointment. Finnish people have a reputation for being quite reserved whereas Irish people are considered more open and sociable.

We also have five times the land area of Ireland though our population is similar.

We can share lots of knowledge about forestry with Ireland and I expect that Ireland can share plenty on food production with Finland

How are our countries similar and how are they different?

We are both similar and different. We are both relatively small countries with a big neighbour to our east. Finland was ruled by Sweden for 700 years and then for 100 years by Russia before becoming independent in 1917.

We are both exporting countries that depend on rules-based trade. Both of our populations like the outdoors but there is a difference here. In Finland, the entire population has a right to roam – walk, hike and camp anywhere in our many forests. In Ireland people have to stay on paths and roads.

Also, in Finland, planting and managing trees is the first priority on farms while I think in Ireland it is the last priority. We can share lots of knowledge about forestry with Ireland and I expect that Ireland can share plenty on food production with Finland.

How do the Finnish celebrate Christmas and new year

Christmas Eve is the big day in Finland when we put up the tree and cook the big meal which is not always turkey, it can be ham or one of the many casseroles we enjoy in Finland. Oh, and before the meal we will have a Christmas sauna combined with a dip in the lake or a quick run in the snow if no water is nearby.

Many people will also visit church yards and light candles and we enjoy our Christmas carols. Also, Santa calls to us first!