After the grand opening back in Helsinki, the Truck travelled to Tampere, slap bang in the middle of Finland. The Truck stopped in the heart of the city so that the ability park was set up in the most beautiful part of town.

Having seen the Helsinki people in such high spirits, I was curious to see if all the Finnish had the same good humour and quick laugh. I wasn’t disappointed: After the opening speech of Mr. Lasse Eskonen, Mayor, City of Tampere and Ms Outi Koskinen, information Officer on Europe, the rap band “World Wide Connection” got the show off to a cracking start and next the theatre group, Snorkkeli, performed an improvised play. The public was invited to spontaneously shout out their every idea or whim – and the theatre group performed it immediately. This was a lot of fun, especially when the word “hyperventilation” came up…

Tampere was the city where the Truck Idol Karaoke Competition took place for the first time. After the performance of the disabled people’s dancing group “Villa con Amore”, the public was keen to get up on that stage themselves. And I must say that there are so many talented singers in Tampere!

One singer inspired the next and the next and so on; now I’m such a big fan of Finland! It’s a pity I have to leave now, but new and exciting places are beckoning and I’ve never been to Sweden before…