#hiddenaanekoski 2.0 ambassador introduction!

This year, seven new and positive residents of Äänekoski were chosen as #hiddenaanekoski ambassadors. You can follow these inspiring stories here on the blog as well as on different social media channels. Get to know all the ambassadors in this blog post and hit follow on their new accounts!

Heidi Hämäläinen

Hi! I'm Heidi Hämäläinen, a 40-year-old mother in a blended family. We have five children aged 1–19. The head of the family is a born-and-bred Äänekoski local, and I moved to Äänekoski in 2004 from Kanta-Häme. My 40-year-old husband works in carpentry as his day job. I am a practical nurse by training and work shifts as a basic-level paramedic.

Photography has been close to my heart for over a decade. Depending on the situation, I shoot with a hefty DSLR, a small mirrorless mini camera, or just my phone. Other hobbies, as everyday life and work allow, include getting outdoors with the family or on my own, reading, and knitting. Our two dogs also create their own kinds of activities.

As a #hiddenäänekoski ambassador, I offer a look at the everyday family life of regular workers. Whatever happens to be going on at the time. Sometimes we head out into nature for hikes, there are cleaning days, and often we're figuring out what to eat today. Midsummer comes, Christmas comes, and everything in between.

Cheers, Heidi Hämäläinen - you can find me on Instagram @heidimaria_h

Simo

Hi! I'm Simo Terävä, a 21-year-old from Äänekoski. I live near the center of Äänekoski with my girlfriend and my dog. I started mountain biking at the age of 9, and now I compete seriously at the national level. I want to use social media to showcase how beautiful and stunning Äänekoski's nature and its opportunities for exercise are. In Äänekoski it's easy to head out into nature, and I hope my social updates make people even more aware of the amazing spots outdoors. In addition to mountain biking, I enjoy getting outside with our dog, and we often go hiking, for example in Äänemäki and Mörköpolku

Regards, Simo Terävä - follow me on Instagram @simoterava

Anniina

I've spent nearly a decade traveling around Finland for studies and work, but now it's time to return home. The years up north taught me to ask myself where I am away from. At the same time, I learned to appreciate my Central Finland roots. In a few weeks, I'll be packing my things into moving boxes once again, as I become a returnee to Äänekoski. 

I try to keep my feet on the ground and at the same time savor life. I may stop for a long time over an interesting piece of text, music, or a view. For fun I often read or head into nature with my camera. Sometimes not everything can be captured in a photo. Then I pick up a pen and write down the mood. It's interesting to look at my hometown from a mover's perspective. At the same time, it feels especially nice that this time the city is already familiar. Welcome to follow along and see what Äänekoski looks like through my eyes. 

Regards, Anniina Hetesuo - You can find me on Instagram as @annhetes

Amelia

Hi! My name is Amelia Turunen. I am a 13-year-old girl from Mämmenkylä in Äänekoski, and in the autumn I will go to 8th grade at Koulunmäki comprehensive school. In addition to my parents, I have four little sisters, and our family also includes a dwarf lop rabbit. By nature, I am cheerful, active, and energetic. My hobbies in Äänekoski include theatre with Varjolapset, street dance at Koskela, and in Jyväskylä cheerleading with JSA. In my free time I like to be outdoors a lot, hike in different places, bounce on the trampoline, play with my rabbit, and be with friends. I use social media actively and, for example, I like to film TikTok dance videos.

Regards, Amelia Turunen - In the picture I'm on a trip to Naarakoski with my family. I'm on Instagram @mammentytto and on TikTok .amppa

Riitta

Hi, I'm Riitta and I came to Äänekoski almost 11 years ago. I spent the first 4 years in Suolahti, and after my studies I moved to the other side of the bridges, to the Äänekoski urban area. I never thought I'd stay here, but right now I really couldn't imagine being anywhere else.

Of course, every now and then you have to go explore other landscapes, and in recent years I've traveled a fair bit. Travel interests me a lot, so last autumn I started blended studies at Savonia University of Applied Sciences, aiming to graduate as a Bachelor of Hospitality Management.

I'm interested in ecology and ethics, which I try to highlight in my social media amid everyday life. Climate change affects us all, but environmentally friendly actions don't have to be rocket science. I know that no one can change the world alone, but I believe that with our small actions we can help drive change for the better.

I've been a Hidden Äänekoski ambassador since the start of the year, and I'm not entirely sure how I even ended up in this gig. I do know that Sini and Pete had something to do with it, and somehow I was suddenly involved. This spring I've already managed to join a second Hidden Äänekoski hunt and write a couple of updates for the blog as well.

I'll continue along with the new ambassadors, and it's nice to see what kinds of new people and ideas will join in. Now that summer is almost here and the situation is quite exceptional, I believe locals are looking for new tips to see and experience the nearby area.

Regards, Riitta Koivisto - You can find me on Instagram @luonnollisestiparempi

Siiri

Hi! I'm Siiri Lamminniemi, a young person finishing comprehensive school. I like photography and going for bike rides :) It's nice to go cycling and take photos with friends. I also like equestrian sports; it's nice to get involved with the Hiddenaanekoski crew.

Cheers, Siiri Lamminniemi - You can find me on Instagram @sunset_and_nature_photos and on TikTok siiriiiqq_

Olga Kolari

Hi! I'm Olga Kolari, a poet and musician from Äänekoski. I'm a multi-instrumentalist; I play piano, kantele, viola, and harp. Among the kanteles, the Central Finland model is dear to me, and Kari Dahlblom's life's work with it is an important example. I also have the only concert harp in Central Finland that is in private use. I'm interested in locality and Central Finnish folk music as part of broader experiences (nature, local food, building and handicraft traditions). 

As a HiddenÄänekoski ambassador, I plan to visit various heritage environments with the kantele, and, weather permitting, nature trails and nearby forests. In each place you can improvise your own unique music of the moment. As a poet, nature poetry is important to me, and the landscapes of my hometown are a key inspiration. I want to start a new poetry blog where I would write poems in different places in Äänekoski and also tell where each poem was written. 

I'm interested in using poetry and music as part of a genuine local experience, the Central Finland experience. I live in the green area of Hietama, so villages and the countryside are close to my heart. I appreciate nature and space, which aren't a given for someone who has lived in a big city, and I quickly notice the things that are good here. As a mother of two children, I'm interested in activities suitable for kids, whole-family village days and markets, family-friendly excursion destinations, and children's culture. As a Hidden Äänekoski ambassador, I want to highlight child-friendly places and services aimed at families with children

Regards, Olga Kolari - I'm on YouTube Olga Kolari and on Facebook sonicpoet