10. Håkan Jäntti for president!

People have asked me how I prepared for this trip. My only preparation was to rewatch all episodes of "Sjukt lokal lokal-tv" on Youtube, a channel that makes funny compilations of Finland-swedish local news.

So I really, really wanted to visit Malax, Kyrkbacken, Yttermalax, Åminne, Petalax and other beautiful places that are often seen on this youtube channel. But I never expected to meet Mr Malax-TV himself, Håkan Jäntti, who has been making tv since 1982!

Some friendly Malax-people, like Susanna and Eva, guided me to his home, and he invited me, a total stranger, for a beer at his porch while he told me the exciting 40 year history of this channel. An example is that in the early 80's they rented VHS-tapes of Western-movies and broadcasted them on local tv, which of course wasn't legal!

"All people in Malax could recite every Clint Eastwood-line, because the movies were playing on repeat", he told me.

At one point they made a gallup poll to see how many people in the area were watching Malax tv, and it turned out somehow that they had a viewership of 105%. 😁

After the beer he took me to the Malax-tv-studio, showed me the equipment and the rebuilt ambulance they use as a tv van on the field. It felt like visiting a holy place, since I have seen the studio so many times on youtube.

It was also very interesting to hear his opinions about "Sjukt lokal lokal-tv". He told me that the show has stepped over the line many times, and made fun of individuals in unnecessary ways, because the footage is heavily edited to create comedy.

But at the same time he is glad for the extra publicity that it had brought to Malax TV. All in all he was happy that "Sjukt lokal lokal-tv" exists, and that made me very glad to hear! The world would be a much happier place if everyone was like Håkan Jäntti.

It was an unforgettable day, where I also visited the Fallen Soldier monument in Malax, in honour of the local men who died defending the country during the Winter Wars.

Later during the evening, when I biked through Petalax, I was invited for "fika" by a couple in their beautiful garden. Chocolate cake, coke, fruits. Amazing. I will never forget this day, so thank you so much, Malax and surrounding villages, you are my favourite people in Finland!