Who is Migrant Tales?
Migrant Tales is a blog that debates some of the salient issues facing the immigrant and minority community in Finland. It aims to be a voice for those whose views and situation are understood poorly and heard faintly by the media, politicians and public.
The editor of Migrant Tales is Enrique Tessieri together with associate editors Mark, JusticeDemon, Peter of Finland and Susannah.
All of the associate editors have pseudonyms in order to protect them as well as their families from harassment by people who would like to shut us up. This is how bad the situation has become in Finland for those that speak out against racism, xenophobia and social exclusion. We are, however, confident that matters will improve.
Enrique’s Finnish roots come from his mother’s side.
You can get in touch via email: migranttalesblog@gmail.com
nemoo
May 31, 2007
This is a blog aims to invite debate about migration and other issues as well.
suburbanlife
June 16, 2007
I am glad to have found your blog, and plan to read back through your archives. You have much to communicate and you do it so well
michael
September 25, 2008
i come from africa to study but i did’t get job so it make my stay in finland difficult
so i have plan to be emigrat so what do say?
Enrique
September 25, 2008
Hi Micheal, and welcome to Migrant Tales. That is a very big question you are asking — it so big, that it will affect your life for many years. Where do you have a better future? Where do you feel content? I always say that a home is a place where you have a future and found a bit of happiness. Talk to your friends, university professors, but the most important thing is listen to what your heart says. In the end you will probably make your decision based on that.
Katya
July 15, 2010
Dear all!
My name is Katya, I am a producer at RT TV (Russia Today television), a state Russian TV channel broadcasting in English around the globe. We are doing a story on the initiative of the Finnish immigrants to set up an independent Parliament in Finland to help improve dialogue with the Finnish authorities. To illustrate the need for such a body we are looking for a dramatic immigrant story – someone or a family who’ve been facing difficulties in Finland: discrimination or bureacracy that’s made their life uneasy and that shows the lack of dialogue between immigrants and authorities in Finland. If you have any suggestions please contact me on my e-mail or call +7 916 801 75 91. Our crew will be in Finland next Monday, July 19th (in Turku) and Thursday , July 22nd (Helsinki). Looking forward to getting your replies. Best, Katya
Elmi
July 22, 2010
I come from deadland (Somalia), i was 4year travel Somalia, Syria, Turkiya and Greece. Now I’m in finland about one year, My problame i have fingerprint and my sister lives in finland with same house i fuond school. I have two rejected still I apply appeal. What’s immigrant rejected me?
usman ali
July 30, 2010
dear sir i am usman ali from pakistan /lahore nowadays i have complete my 3 year bacholar degree that is BBA now i want to get euorpean immigration because i really live in finland that is my dream land so kindly tell me that how can i get finland immigration
Enrique
July 31, 2010
Hi usman ali and welcome to Migrant Tales. I hope that some of the bloggers will get in touch with you and give you some tips. Maybe you could start by getting in touch with the Finnish Embassy in Pakistan or go directly to website of the Finnish Immigration Service (www.migri.fi).
Surakka
September 25, 2010
To Katja.. I understand that dramatisicism in the media is what draws attention but just a thought..
Instead of fueling the fire with a story about a hard story/case, why not give the other side with a success story or 2 or 100. Tell the stories of how immigrants *have* found a life here and how they did that? This might actually help someone who’s been struggling here.
Monica
April 5, 2011
I am a Mexican who has been living in Tampere 2 years ago.
It has not been easy, I fall in love with a finn and I married him. We had a baby a year ago and now I am looking for work, before I came here I had a very good job in advertising back in Mexico which I left to come here. I dont speak the language but everyone has told me in my field was not necessary.
Today I was rejected from a job with the worst excuse ever. “We need someone with less skills than you and someone who has been born here” So my point is, they only buy Finnish products and they only hire Finnish people even they are the second best choice? What is the point in learning their language, we are always going to be left out?
I am so disappointed it is unbelievable racist still exist in this side of the world.
Enrique
April 5, 2011
Hola Mónica and welcome to Migrant Tales. Somos unos cuantos de América Latina.
–“We need someone with less skills than you and someone who has been born here”
Ouch! That must have really hurt! Who is this person and was there any witness that heard this person insult you in that way?
You make a very good point but never, ever let anyone get you down in that way. All of us get hit by punches in life but the most important matter is to pick yourself up. You will be stronger when you do.
If it makes you feel any better, I believe many of us including me have a lot of these types of stories to tell. But don’t let them get you down!
Maisa
April 7, 2011
Dear Monica,
I understand your frustration, you are a professional in your field but find it difficult to find a job in Tampere. I work in the field of recruitment and must say that the person hiring you was a very unprofessional, unethical recruiter in stating that one must be born in Finland. However, a company might find it necessary to demand the Finnish language to some extent in some roles, etc. if the position requires dealing with local customers who prefer speaking Finnish. Also it is not so uncommon to reject a candidate based on being overqualified; if the open position is not a very demanding one, an overqualified person will end up being unmotivated and frustrated.
Having said that, my message to you is do not give up because of one stupid recruiter. If you are talented and persistant, you will find your place!! However, I really do recommend learning the language, it opens up so many more opportunities, helps you understand your new homecountry, make friends, and communicate with the people around you. In addition, it will help you find a job. Just as a little ‘reminder’: would an advertising agency outside of Mexico City hire a non-Spanish speaker very easily? I don’t think so!!
Good luck with your job hunting!!
Monica
April 7, 2011
Thank so much for your words, yes its frustating but this wont make me give up.
Maisa you have very good ponts, good to hear from someone in the other side.
I will continue my search and I am shuse the correct job to me will come.
I will let you know.
And thanks again
Yes
June 1, 2011
Hello Enrique, I wanted to tell you that lately I have been reading some of your posts through the facebook group My Finland is International. I believe it is a good initiative to voice our thoughts as migrants and minorities, however, I am having the sensation that lately, not only your blog but many other sources are focusing a lot in what is “very wrong” in Finland, and on how those “bloody Finns” behave and react to our presence in this country, in my opinion, this is only increasing the gap rather than decreasing it and I tell you in all honestly that that hurts me deeply. I, as never before during the last two past months feel the division of “us vs them” that I had not felt in the 4 years that I have been living here and I wonder if criticism is the answer.
Creating awareness of abuses is for sure something that has to happen, denouncing verbal or physical violence is our civil duty whatever its motivation is, of course also if the original motivation is racism, but I believe we have to be objective and not let ourselves be led by emotions and/or write when we are in the middle of frustration -and in this particular case I am not talking about you but about some very emotional answers to your posts-
Anyway and to summarize, I am by no means saying that you are the initiator of the “us vs them” but given that power that you have to reach people, I encourage you to invite your readers/followers to be objective and as the London metro signs say “mind the gap”, yesterday I happened to share a very interesting conversation with a girl that told me “we are always speaking about tolerance to our believes, but we are intolerant ourselves”… I agree with her, and hopefully this message would reach a larger audience. I also invite us all to be objective in assessing the situation in our own home countries, I have heard many things but two remind close to my mind as I found them so absurd, 1. After the elections a facebook group was created claiming that we all should move to Amsterdam, and I wonder if the initiator and the people who joined were bearing in mind that this “ultra-right” trend is actually very strong and one of the most polemic politicians happens to be Dutch, Geert Wilders. 2. One person whom I had just met told me, I hate everything here, I even hate to turn on TV because I can’t find anything in English -big lie by the way-, so I asked, do you have the channels in English in your home country? and he said, no! but its different… I still wonder how.
Enrique
June 1, 2011
Hi Yes and thank you for dropping by our blog, Migrant Tales. You make some very good points and any serious writer especially during these times should not only be showing the problems but building bridges at the same time.
The “very wrong” you speak of is a reaction to the Perussuomalaiset and what some of their politicians represent. There is a lot of concern that at least from the side of the immigrant community, we will regress 20 years back in time when it comes to acceptance of Finland’s cultural diversity.
But I agree totally with you: “us” is crucial. And if you ask my personal opinion, in many ways the presence of more racism in Finland has brought a lot of people together. We are not only seeing one dark side of Finland but a very positive and noble side.
Robbie
July 21, 2011
Hi! My name is Robbie and I have been living in Rovaniemi for nearly five years with my wife and three year-old son. I moved to Finland from the United States where I was studying English composition and writing and also had a very good job working for a fortune 50 company. I moved to Finland because people had told me that it would be easier for me because of my English skills and because I had moved a lot as a child with my family. I was assured by many people that finding a job would be easy and that I would be able to integrate into the culture easily. I cannot do anything except laugh at all of that hog-wash that was fed to me over five years ago. Integrating into the Finnish culture has been painstakingly difficult and learning the language in my early 20′s has not been easy at all. I don’t know how people that immigrate in their 30′s and later are able to adapt. Jobs, especially in Rovaniemi, are controlled by a sort of “old boys’ club” in which it has to do with who you know or who you blow to get a job. I left a job in which I was making a very good living in home improvement sales management and basically became a manic depressive until I was given an opportunity by a FOREIGN company to show my abilities after having several interviews and sending out over 100 applications. I have learned much about the world and the people in it since moving abroad, but I must say that if faced with the same choice again; I would have absolutely insisted that my wife move to the USA rather than I move to Finland. Yes, Finland has very good social services that support their citizens, but many people are lazy and lack the initiative to pursue their dreams. Students would rather study for the better part of a decade and milk the government for every euro that they can instead of working hard and beginning their careers before turning thirty. The destructive cycle that the government has provided with giving money to alcoholics and then taxing alcohol so excessively just adds fuel to the fire and doesn’t solve any problems. We very well might have issues in the USA with immigration and laws against immigration, but when you take a step back and look at both situations as a whole, Finland’s issues are miniscule in comparison to other western countries yet they act like fascists when dealing with their issues. It’s intimidating and frightening and these are just a few reasons why once my wife has completed her schooling, we will be moving to the USA. Say what you want, but there are more people that want to get into the USA than any other country.
Enrique
July 21, 2011
Hi Robbie, and thank you for dropping by Migrant Tales. Hey, we have all been where you are: should I live in Finland and hinder my career or move abroad and get a better start? In which country will my children get a better education and for free? Will my wife find work? Will she be happy? Those are big issues but they work themselves out when you set your priorities straight. You are lucky because you can decide which country would be better for your career and your family’s happiness.
Rovaniemi is a small place and you are just another example of how this country and the system squanders its human talent. Moreover, the reaction of some FInns and large political parties like the PS show how lost their are with respect to immigration. A good example in Rovaniemi is Hemmo Koskiniemi, whom we’ve written about before. But hey, there isn’t any racism in Finland and the more hardline PS supporters will place the blame on you for not getting a job (sic!).
vincebel
July 21, 2011
- should I live in Finland and hinder my career or move abroad and get a better start? In which country will my children get a better education and for free? Will my wife find work? Will she be happy? -
so true, i ask this myself every day. first the kids then i move out of FInland. but no because of racism, just because its easier to work in a an english speaking country (or french or both…Canada??)
Tuukka H.
July 31, 2011
Dear sir (referring here to the host of this blog),
on the off chance you should find yourself in Helsinki, I would welcome the chance to meet you face to face and debate any number of points raised on this website. I’ll go as far as play according to the eternally-hallowed rules of Finnish culture and suggest this: on said evening, the drinks are on me. Even worse (from my point of view), I suggest that most enjoyable of places, the bar known as Kaisla, as the locale for said meeting. If you feel said challenge/invitation amenable, I shall welcome your input, hopefully as much in advance as is humanely possible (a busy schedule means that surprises are sheer hell to pay homage to…).
Best regards,
T.H.
Comrade
August 17, 2011
Ha! Russia Today or Propaganda Today? Anything to make their more prosperous neighbor look bad! Still sore from the Winter War no doubt!
Asian
September 7, 2011
What language should be use here ? Finnish or English
Rocker
March 18, 2012
is Migrant Tales and Enrique the same person?
Migrant Tales
March 18, 2012
That’s me Rocker. Enrique is Migrant Tales.
Porelela
April 3, 2012
Cinq explosions très fortes et espacées se sont produites à partir de 8 heures et jusqu’à 10 h 45. Des détonations plus légères et à intervalles irréguliers étaient encore perceptibles vers 13 heures.
Bilan provisoire:
Au moins 150 personnes morts et 1500 blessés.
Ci-dessous, les premières images de Brazzaville.
http://www.zenga-mambu.com/fiche.php?id=2983
http://www.zenga-mambu.com/fiche.php?id=3013
Porelela
April 3, 2012
Article publié le : 04/03/2012
Point de la situation à 20 heures:
“J’ai donné instruction au Centre de crise du Quai d’Orsay en liaison avec les autorités congolaises d’envoyer une aide d’urgence qui parviendra rapidement à Brazzaville”, a indiqué M. Alain Juppé (ministre français des Affaires étrangères) dans une déclaration.
Bilan provisoire:
Au moins 200 personnes ont été tuées et des centaines blessées.
Ci-dessous, les images de Brazzaville (âmes sensibles s’abstenir).
http://www.zenga-mambu.com/fiche.php?id=2984
Au lendemain des explosions du dimanche 4 mars dernier au régiment blindé de Mpila, la ligne de “défense” des autorités congolaises se dessine avec cruauté et cynisme: ni responsables, ni coupables.
Sans enquête indépendante, le gouvernement congolais, s’empresse, par le biais de son porte-parole, de faire croire à l’opinion publique nationale et internationale, que ces explosions seraient dues à un court-circuit. Une fois de plus, les congolais sont dans la détresse. Ils découvrent, stupéfaits, l’extrême militarisation de ce régime. La gestion calamiteuse de cette catastrophe par le gouvernement congolais illustre leur marque de fabrique.
Toutefois, il est intéressant de rappeler, que ces explosions qui ont causé tant de pertes de vies humaines innocentes, et d’innombrables dégâts matériels, ont été dans un premier temps, minimisées par le Ministre de la Défense. Ce dernier parlait de quelques dégâts matériels mineurs. Le summum de l’improvisation a été atteint par le président de la République lui-même. Inconséquent, ce dernier a demandé à nos compatriotes (déjà très pauvres) de fournir des médicaments au mouroir du centre universitaire hospitalier de Brazzaville. Ces philanthropes seraient rémunérés à la saint glin-glin!
Alors que le Congo n’a pas d’ennemis à l’intérieur de son pays, et n’est guère menacé à l’extérieur, comment expliquer un stock incommensurable et impressionnant d’armes de “destruction massive” dans un quartier populaire? La seule explication qui vaille est celle de la culture martiale et putschiste de ce régime. Si cette approche est la leur, elle est loin d’être celle du peuple congolais, qui n’aspire qu’à la démocratie, avec son corollaire, le principe de l’auto-détermination des peuples.
“Gouverner, c’est prévoir et anticiper”. Ces obus et autres armes de destruction massive, ont bien été achetés, acheminés et stockés à Mpila, avec l’aval explicite du gouvernement congolais. Avec un peu de bon sens, les autorités politiques congolaises auraient prévu cette catastrophe. C’est le principe de précaution: celui de l’action, du pragmatisme, et de l’évaluation du risque. “On parle de précaution quand le risque est mal évalué, peu maîtrisable ou encore inconnu”. Ce principe est souvent compris selon la maxime: “Dans le doute, abstiens-toi”. Ce qu’à ignorer le gouvernement congolais.
C’est pourquoi, le professeur de philosophie Hans Jonas “parle même d’imaginer le pire d’une action pour se faire peur. Certes, la peur ne rend pas pas forcément sage. Mais c’est un exercice sage que de se détourner de la fascination des objectifs immédiats. On ne doit pas attendre que des accidents se produisent pour évaluer les risques”.
Ainsi donc, quoi qu’il dise et quoi qu’il fasse, le gouvernement congolais doit mettre un terme à la fois à son discours homéopathique, et à sa fuite en avant. Sa responsabilité dans cette catastrophe est évidente. Ces armes n’ont pas atterri dans le régiment blindé de Mpila par la volonté du Saint-Esprit. Cette fois-ci, les responsabilités doivent être clairement établies, et les sanctions doivent être proportionnelles au drame national.
http://www.zenga-mambu.com/fiche.php?id=3019
Article publié le : 06/03/2012
Auteur: Direct Brazzaville
Les autorités congolaises ont décrété un deuil national de plusieurs jours après les dramatiques explosions survenues dimanche à Brazzaville, dont le bilan a été réévalué à près de 200 morts et 1.340 blessés. Selon une déclaration du ministre de la communication, Bienvenu Okiemy, le deuil durera «jusqu’à la date officielle des obsèques qui sera communiquée ultérieurement».
Les autorités estiment que plus de 5.000 personnes sont sans-abri après la destruction de leur maison. Elles sont hébergées dans trois sites spécialement aménagés: la cathédrale, une paroisse et un marché couvert. Au Centre hospitalier universitaire (CHU), des patients dorment sous deux tentes dans le jardin.
Ci-dessous, les dernières images de Brazzaville:
http://www.zenga-mambu.com/fiche.php?id=2991
Migrant Tales
April 3, 2012
Hi Porolela and welcome to Migrant Tales. We don’t hear a lot about Congo (Brazzaville) but would be interested in knowing more about your country and your experiences in Finland.
Porelela
April 4, 2012
Hi,
I want to thank you and I would like also to let you know that the Congo Brazzaville is the country where people do not live in peace. Each year people die like dog and people live without hope. I remember when I was small in 1993 there were a civil war until 1997-1998. I have seen people dieing because of political problems and but governance. You know when you are kid and you have lived a bad life in your own country, it means that you will always remember about it. If Congo Brazzaville was a country of peace without killing people, no person can run away from there and look for a place of peace. I feel always shocked when I relate this story, because I am Congolese. Killing people is not a good thing,everybody know it, but it is what happen every years in Congo Brazzaville. There is no freedom of speech in Congo. No body can say something against those in power in Congo Brazzaville.People living in poverty and there is no hope for tomorrow in Congo.
About my experiences in Finland.
First of all. I want to say that Finland is a peace country. The life in Finland is not easy for all foreigners.You can meet good or bad people. When I came in Finland it was very hard and hard for me because I could not speak the language “Finnish”. It was also difficult that people trust me about what I was saying concerning my home country. I know that we have different cultures, but, I think that different cultures make one people,if we can talk about United Nations. I share also the same opinion.
Just some question people often ask in the street
Where are you from?
What are you doing here?
Why did you came here?
Finnish people are not wrong to ask these kind of question and they have right, but sometimes it is difficult to answer if you do not have peace in your mind.
There are all other ways to know people.
Every where you go in this world life is not easy. You can meet good and bad people. But what people need is the peaceful life.
Porelela
April 4, 2012
I have seen people dying because of political problems and governance in Congo Brazzaville
Migrant Tales
April 4, 2012
Hi Porolela, without peace life is very, very difficult. I lived a couple of years in Argentina during the civil war and those terrible years still follow me sometimes like a shadow. That “shadow” can take the form of a book project that may take forever to write. You are always writing it but never finish it.
War was also very near to the Finns back in WW2. I am especially worried by young Finns who speak of war with bravado but have never seen or experienced such a terrible thing.
Peace is a wonderful thing, Porelela. I hope it will help you build a new and successful life in Finland.
You are active in a lot of things, aren’t you?
Porelela
April 5, 2012
Yes, I am,but, I like to be involved in good things for a better future of people .You are right to say that peace is a very important thing. I think all people want to have a peaceful in their life. In my opinion, I would like to say that “the world needs the good people and also the good leaders”. Without the good leaders no body can hope and live . I know my self that it is not easy to live with people who do not share the same culture with you.But say only that “yes” my mind is open now and I will follow the same road with you, then, every things will be alright.
Porelela
April 9, 2012
Ole hyvä, katsella näitä videoita lataamalla nämä linkit.
Varoitus: nämä kuvat ovat järkyttävät.
http://www.zenga-mambu.com/fiche.php?id=3061
http://www.zenga-mambu.com/fiche.php?id=3060
http://www.zenga-mambu.com/fiche.php?id=3059
http://www.zenga-mambu.com/fiche.php?id=3058
Porelela
April 14, 2012
Two lawyers were arrested in Brazzaville, 30 March 2012.
Shame on the Congolese justice: Images of lawyers handcuffed.
http://www.zenga-mambu.com/fiche.php?id=3065
http://www.zenga-mambu.com/fiche.php?id=3066
http://www.zenga-mambu.com/fiche.php?id=3069
http://www.zenga-mambu.com/fiche.php?id=3070
http://www.zenga-mambu.com/fiche.php?id=3071
http://www.zenga-mambu.com/fiche.php?id=3072
http://www.zenga-mambu.com/fiche.php?id=3073
http://www.zenga-mambu.com/fiche.php?id=3075
http://www.zenga-mambu.com/fiche.php?id=3077