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from the https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/14/finland-happiest-country-world-un-report dept.
https://www.marketplace.org/2018/09/07/world/worlds-unlikely-capital-heavy-metal
More than that — could they find the city in the country with the highest concentration of heavy metal bands? Could it be a contest where cities were ranked on how metal they are?
So, they sent an email to, of all places, the Finnish government.
"They sent us an email like, 'Would you be interested in this?' and we said 'Of course'," said Meira Pappi, a country branding specialist for the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Finland. A contest to find the world's heavy metal epicenter? A perfect opportunity to promote Finnish culture and boost tourism. An investment of $47,000 from the government and local cities allowed them to build a website, make merchandise and promote their national quest to find the city with most metal bands per capita. A city to crown the Capital of Metal.
Lemi, a municipality with just 3,000 residents, emerged as that place because it had 13 metal bands.
Your humble ed. has spent nearly a quarter of his life in Finland, and can attest to their interest in metal, and it certainly hasn't gone unnoticed:
- https://jakubmarian.com/number-of-metal-bands-per-capita-in-europe/
- https://www.gislounge.com/map-of-heavy-metal-bands-by-country-per-capita/
Curiously, there does seem to be a correlation between metal being popular, and being an affluent, advanced society. Tell that to your mum when she asks when you're going to cut your hair!
(Score: 2) by Snotnose on Friday September 14 2018, @07:11PM (2 children)
Back in '90 or so I took a week long cruise in Russia. Spent 36 hours in Helsinki before it started. I got to my hotel about midnight, which was noon my time. Decided to see the city, found a texas bar there. Not kidding, they had sand of the floor, fake cacti, some fake cows in it, and some skeleton steer heads on the walls. With a metal band. A pretty good one, even though I had no idea what the lyrics were.
I think all us metalheads know that, for whatever reason, Finland pumps out more than it's share of Really Good Stuff.
I've heard rumours some hotshot programmer used to live there, but can't quit recall his name. Linus Van Pelt or somesuch.
When the dust settled America realized it was saved by a porn star.
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Friday September 14 2018, @07:20PM
It's a natural reaction to all the pietists and Laestadians. I'd bet we'll see some crazy shit come out of the middle east if they ever get freedom of expression.
(Score: 2) by FatPhil on Saturday September 15 2018, @10:55AM
Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people; the smallest discuss themselves