On the 9th of December, a group of several dozen 5th-8th graders, together with four teachers and three parents, made an unforgettable field trip to the Finnish capital Helsinki. The whole expedition was organised by history teacher Igor Kalakauskas.

To go to Helsinki is to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of modern European culture with its unique architecture. The young excursionists saw the famous cathedral in Senate Square, the unusual monument to the composer Jean Sibelius and the rock-cut Temple Church, and visited a Christmas market. Each sight was a vivid illustration of history, geography, music and art lessons.

One of the most memorable and “tasty” moments of the programme was the visit to the guest centre of the world-famous company Fazer. Here, theory met practice in the sweetest way! The young people not only learned about the history of the legendary Finnish brand, but also got a closer look at the process of creating masterpieces of confectionery. The visit culminated in a tasting session, where everyone could appreciate the subtle flavours of chocolate, the variety of caramel and even try traditional Finnish liquorice. The pleasure was boundless!

But there was no need to be bored on the way back. Igor Kalakauskas had prepared a quiz on Finnish history and customs for the young travellers. The youngsters recalled the names of the country’s prominent historical figures, important dates and events, actively competing in their erudition. It was a great way to consolidate the new knowledge acquired during the day.

Photo by Inna Rüü, Maria Leosk, Irma Grigorjeva, Igor Kalakauskas