Video of the visit to the National Museum
Crown prince Akishino and crown princess Kiko were presented Akseli Gallén-Kallela's fresco "The Defence of the Sampo" from Kalevala at the Museum's ceiling, and told about the Kalevala mythology. Kalevala is a 19th-century work of epic poetry compiled by Elias Lönnrot from Karelian and Finnish oral folklore and mythology. It is regarded as the national epic of Karelia and Finland and is one of the most significant works of Finnish literature.
The fresco:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipe..._of_the_Sampo"_(musée_national,_Helsinki).jpg
The couple was also introduced to the maternity package and its history. The package presented to the couple dates back to 1993 and includes clothing and medical supplies.
The Maternity package is a kit granted by the Finnish social security institution Kela, to all expectant or adoptive parents who live in Finland or are covered by the Finnish social security system. The package contains children's clothes and other necessary items, such as nappies, bedding, cloth, gauze towels and child-care products. It was first issued in 1938 to parents with a low income. Since 1949 it has been given to all mothers-to-be.
The contents of the maternity package were of particular interest to Princess Kiko, who asked curiously about the various items found in the package and their intended use.
Of particular interest in the world has been the fact that many Finnish babies are sleeping their first months in the maternity box. Princess Kiko was also interested about this. She was surprised.
- Really? The princess was amazed.
Suomalainen erikoisuus häkellytti Japanin kruununprinssiparin – prinsessa Kiko henkäisi hämmästyksestä_ ”Todellako_” - Viihde - Ilta-Sanomat
Suomessa vieraileva Japanin kruununprinssi kohauttaa kotimaansa konservatiivisia piirejä – pani jo 90-luvulla kalafestarit Clintonin edelle _ Yle Uutiset _ yle.fi
Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko of Japan Arrive in Finland – Will Explore the Country Till Friday _ Finland Today
The couple doesn't give interviews during their visit in Finland.
A short clip of their visit was shown at our main News some minutes ago. A few people were waiting for them in front of the National Museum. The media has told that since the schedule of the couple's visit isn't public, there won't be much people at the places to see them.
After the visit to the National Museum Akishino and Kiko visited Ateneum Art Museum, photo at Ateneum's Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/AteneumArt...1562093763./10157406925582899/?type=3&theater
A group of japanese saw the crown princess of their country for the first time - from all places in Finland.
A group arriving from Japan, Chiba University to Helsinki toured the city on Tuesday until they had to rub their eyes at the Cathedral.
- A car went by and our crown princess waved from there, Taishi Masumitsu is astonished.
Masumitsu is traveling to the University of Riga for a conference with her study mates Taiga Mikam, Yuanyuan Hen and Professor Yoko Mizokam.
A couple of days of stopping in Helsinki offered the opportunity to see the crown prince couple for the first time.
- They're always speaking at the New Year in Tokyo, but we've only seen it on television. Besides, there is always a huge number of people here, so they can only be seen from very far away, Mizokami says.
- I read the news that they are here, but I still didn't think I could see them.
Seeing the royals was fun and it became a good Instagram video for friends, but it didn't cause any bigger feelings at the university group.
- The imperial family doesn't interest me, or other young people, Mikami says.
However, according to the group, the interest in the imperial family has recently risen in Japan, as the power was transferred historically last spring to the new ruler, Emperor Naruhito.
- We now have a new emperor, and people are interested in the change of regime, Mizokami says.
Japanilaiset matkailijat kiertelivät nähtävyyksiä Helsingissä, kun yhtäkkiä ohi lipui tärkeän näköinen auto_ ”Sieltä vilkutti meidän kruununprinsessa” - Ilta-Sanomat
A royal surprise by the Japanese Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, awaited some people.
Although the Crown Prince of Japan is not as familiar to the Finns as the western royals, it did not reduce the princess enthusiasm - on the contrary.
For the same reason, Mikko and Milla Manninen were on a hurry when they heard from the radio that the Crown Prince couple was on the National Museum. Juulia, 6, should see a real princess.
- Princesses are a big thing for us, the parents tell.
A big suprise waited Juulia and brother Eelis, 10, at the museum.
At the end of their visit, the crown prince couple walked around the museum shop, where the princess approached the siblings, shook hands and exchanged a few words with the children. Crown Princess Kiko opened the conversation with a classic finnish start of conversation
- The princess asked do I come here often, Eelis says.
The encounter was memorable, Eelis is enthusiastic.
- It was pretty exciting.
The only disappointment was the princess's clothes. Juulia was very keen on the crown and the princess dress, but she was wearing a suit.
- The princess was now working, so she had to have a working suit, Milla Manninen tells to her daughter.
Not one, but two waves from princess. It's enough to tell friends for a long time, 12-year-old Iida Holm thinks.
Iida looked with her mother Kirsi Holm downstairs from the National Museum to the second floor, when the princess looked straight to her from the balcony and waved at the girl. The same happened in the museum's shop.
The coincidence crowned the holiday of the family visiting Helsinki.
- Now this became a very memorable holiday, says Kirsi Holm.
Matilda, 11, Alisa, 9, and Katriina Liljelund, who followed the departure of the Crown Prince Couple from the National Museum, saw the royals waving too.
- They looked pretty ordinary. But beautiful.
- At least they felt royal when the press and the security guards were around them all the time, Matilda laughs.
At the Helsinki Cathedral, Laura Nieminen and her daughters Enna and Eini also saw a glimpse of the dignitaries.
The crown prince couple was not familiar yet, but Enna immediately recognized the Japanese flag flown in the car.
- It was nice because we haven't seen a princess before, the girls felt.
Juulia, 6, ja Eelis, 10, kokivat melkoisen yllätyksen museossa –Kuninkaalliset - Ilta-Sanomat
