Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

Kaija Koo, Laura Voutilainen, Cheek The Finnish Independence day on December 6 is traditionally celebrated with the glamorous ball in the president's castle. This year Finland celebrated its 95th birthday as we gained independence in 1917. We also had a new presidential couple in charge after 12 years with Tarja Halonen, the first female president. it was pretty close we didn't have a gay president this time around as Pekka Haavisto came close second earlier this year, and his partner Antonio Flores, originally from Columbia would have been "the first lady". Such joy and fun that would have been! Maybe in six years... Anyways, the ball is a little bit "Who's who" in Finland and among this year's some 1800 guests besides all the diplomats, big bosses, political figures, members of parliaments, sportsmen who have made the nation proud over the year there are always some artists for a reason or another. This year among them Laura Voutilainen, Cheek...

Loreen's Euphoria single has gone platinum in Finland and she will be performing not only in Turku later this month (August 19) but also in September in Helsinki. The annual charity concert Elämä lapselle in Hartwall Areena, the Eurovision 2007 venue, on September 12, 2012 will feature besides Loreen a line up of local stars (Cheek, PMMP, Robin, The 69 Eyes, Anna Puu, Diandra, Elonkerjuu, Sturm und Drang, Jippu, Tuuli, JVG...). And the good news to her fans is she will perform also her new single, due to be released in October! Loreen's Euphoria is still in the official Finnish single's chart in top-10 after 21 weeks!

Loreen will be back to Barcelona next Tuesday to perform in Waterpark, as part of the international Gay & Lesbian Circuit festival. More information here . Later this month, on 19th, she will be back to Finland and Turku this time. More information about that here .

Loreen is one of the artists in Nordic Cavalcade concert on August 19, 2012 in Turku Castle. The concert is part of the Linnan juhlat aka Turku Castle Park Festival events August 17-25, 2012 and features also artists like Diandra Flores, Melissa Horn, Saara Aalto and PMMP.  More info here .  It's not her only appearance in Finland this summer as on July 22 she will be in Mariehamn (Åland Islands)

"We must have done something right and not screw it all up" commented Jaana for her and Mikko's invitation laughing. Finland celebrates its 90th birthday and Independance day with the annual reception, this time under the worst possible weather for the fancy hairdos and dresses: strong winds and rain/snow coming down horizontally... No wonder a few "wild" hairdos were to be seen on TV... Eicca Toppinen of Apocalyptica arrived with his actress girlfriend. Katri Helena, proudly displaying brand new Pro Finlandia medal arrived together with Jari Sillanpää , while Jaana Pelkonen came along and looked stunning in her yellow dress by Teemu Muurimäki from Dolce & Gabbana. Also Kaija Kärkinen and Ile Kallio (ESC 1991) were invited once again... Mikko Leppilampi arrived straight from LA with his wife Emilia. He moved to the States right after Eurovision to study and work. Eurovision Dance Contest winners Katja Koukkula and Jussi Väänänen were amongst the fi...