Songs of Sorrow and Joy

Author and actress Anna-Leena Harkonen celebrated her 60th birthday in April 2025. Song of a Woman with a Wide Embrace, a collection of songs written by Anna-Leena Harkonen and composed by Anna-Mari Kahara, was published to mark the occasion, with live performances. Harkonen and Kahara’s creative partnership dates back to the very beginning of Harkonen’s career. Continue >>

We’ll never have Paris

I once stole an egg from Café de Flore. In times of despair, I sometimes resort to stealing—not that often, though: perhaps once every five years. And I never steal anything that would be a real loss to someone. At the time, I was in Paris with my lover. I call him my lover because it sounds good. A secret rendezvous in Paris sounds even better. I waited a long time for him at a window table. Continue >>

Cat psychosis

I’m in love. His name is Igor. Igor is a cat, a five-month-old Cornish Rex—and he’s not even mine; he belongs to my son. But he lets me take care of Igor. Not enough, though, which is why I now have Taika, a Cornish Rex of my own. Igor has short, silky hair that becomes curlier the longer it grows. I have become an obsessed grandmother. I take pictures of Igor all the time and share them with everyone. Continue >>

Bossing around

I’ve never had a boss. I’m my own boss, and not always a nice one, but at least I know what is going on in my mind. As an actor, directors can be seen as my bosses, and I have encountered a few horror cases, but I have usually contented myself with listening to others’ horror boss stories. Grant committee members can be seen as writers’ bosses. If one of them decides to abuse their position, the author is in trouble. Continue >>