TURKU SG 2018 *SATURDAY-SUNDAY*

Final Group performance at closing ceremony. I was in the middle tree branch.

Finland Gymnaestrada event is over and I have got back to normal life! That few days in Turku was like living in some bubble. If you know what I mean. Like you’re some kind of star in gymnasts own little world…

The closing ceremony was on Sunday at Turku. We had over 1100 gymnasts on our head Group performance (”Life Force” =Elämän voima) and over 4000 gymnasts on the final Group performance (where almost all gymnasts were in).

Our half at court made it really well but I herd there were some problems on the other half of court. Well, something always happens but nothing too bad…and it seems to be that if rehearsal goes well, then the show is not so perfect, like this time. Anyway the integrity was fine which is the most important thing.

”Lumo (-charm)” show. My room mate’s friend was in this performance.

Our part felt very short (this show was shorter than our last Group performance) and too soon it was all over. Right after when I saw the crowded audience and got the perfect mood, the performance was over…

It was fun but tough day. It was first very warm and sunny day which made it so hard. We waited there in sunny, burning court so long. I was little bit scared I will get heatstroke. I had burned already my neck quite badly and my eyes were running probably because of my (too old?) make up and because of sun. So besides heatstroke I was also scared of that I don’t see anything while the show…

Also we didn’t have water while we waited on our lines but one of my team mate’s was so fair that bought a bottle of water for me on the kiosk which was in front of our waiting lines. (I didn’t have my money with me there).

Our women on the evening show at ”Marli-arena”.

Saturday 9.6.

Let’s get back to Saturday…As Friday, also Saturday started with good breakfast with fairly portion coffee ofcourse (cause I never sleep well at new placies that was needed).

I was so happy we had much more free time than Friday. We had only two hours rehearsal and it went well. The settings seemed to be clear and for the first time it felt really easy to do that it gave me certainty.

After our rehearsal we ate at market with my room mate and went to see ”Lumo” (=charm) gymnastic competition where her sister were competing. After that we went to Turku cathedral where I was first time in my life. That is really beautiful and unique. There is also old dignitarys graves.

In the evening we went to watch a hall show were part of our girls were performing with performance: ”Autumn”. After that show we went to eat with our team to the restaurant near our hotel. Nice and eventful evening!

Turku Cathedral

”LIFE FORCE” (=ELÄMÄN VOIMAA)

At Sunday I had to wake up early cause we had dress rehearsal at 9.30. and that room should been gived away at midday. It was hustle again. I did even forget my charger to hotel room and I had to get back while I was already on my way to the court…and you know the rest.

In the end I want to thank the audience which made this experience so great again! They were fully with us! They clapped and whistled to us! Even though I was before the show very tired and strengthless I got the energy from audience and did enjoy fully! When you see and hear the audience then you realise it’s all real and you’re really performing (and not just practising)!

Big thanks also to all who were making this event true! I got unforgettable memories!

Hope you too had a great weekend!

(More photos coming soon!)