N E W S L E T T E R

Kuopio, Finland – Kallavesi lake seen from the Puijo tower

# 0 4  H E L L O  A G A I N

(see previous newsletters here)

t o p i c s  o f  t h i s  n e w s l e t t e r :

(with some timely content from the archives)

• World AIDS Day — Dr Aldo Marchesini

• Christmas Is Nigh—and so is the traditional nativity scene

• Finland turns 104

Doctor Aldo Marchesini

W O R L D  A I D S  D A Y  1  D E C  —  D R  M A R C H E S I N I

Dr Marchesini is one of the excellent proofs of the fact that nowadays people with HIV can lead a perfectly normal life. Marchesini is Italian surgeon and priest living and working in Mozambique (he's been living in Africa since 1970s), and he contracted HIV through his work nearly two decades ago.

Marchesini is specialized in repairing vesico-vaginal fistulas that very unfortunately are a significant problem in developing countries; addressing them is also included in the UN Millennium goals. Marchesini is very passionate about his work, but he's also aware of his age (he turned 80 this year), and he tries to train younger generations whenever he can.

In winter 2020, when the pandemic started, Marchesini happened to be in Italy, where he then had to remain for several months due to the travel restrictions. As soon as it was possible, he returned to Mozambique and back to work. Quite unsurprisingly, he soon contracted the coronavirus, ending up as patient at his own workplace. Fortunately he recovered and returned to work once again.

In 2014, Dr Marchesini won the United Nations Population Award together with Johns Hopkins Programme for International Education in Gynaecology and Obstetrics.

(The photos have been taken in 2013.)

La Stele

L A  S T E L E

One of the staples of Italian Christmas decorations is the nativity scene that comes in various sizes, shapes and styles. La Stele is a historic bottega in Milan that has been making nativity scene figures and accessories as well as other religious figures since the beginning of 20th century.

Few years ago, there also was a quite heated political row around the nativity scene and more precisely around the discussion whether they should be displayed in schools or not. (Well actually, this discussion seems to return, in a form or another, every year ahead of Christmas.)

Sunset at a lake – Café Vanille, Suomenlinna, Helsinki

F I N L A N D  T U R N S  1 0 4

If you've been trying to find an excuse to publish something about Finland, the country's Independence Day is on December 6th!

(This is the 104th one; Finland became independent in 1917.)

 

Let's be in touch soon! A presto! Ollaan pian yhteydessä!

 

CONTACT ME
Instagram
Twitter
Linkedin