Member-only story
If I seem a little glum at times today, please know that I am not frowning over this convention.
Tampere 2024 has been an event to hold close to the heart and pull out on those days in the future when I need a little extra push to get on.
I see the organisers and they are not drudging through the event while everyone else enjoys; they are upbeat and smiling, radiating cheer and confidence. So often the organising team must feel they are slaves and why on earth did they take on such a task?
Not this time. I know there will be other threads, other voices but let me say personally that this convention has been run well, efficiently, delightfully and elegantly. I have loved every moment.
Like Finland itself, a land that ranks high on my list of places that I love. I saw a notice in Helsinki’s main library — a place of uplifting beauty — that told everyone this building was theirs and if they just wanted to hang out and not open a book, that was fine.
So, thank you, organisers. You have done a splendid job. You have put our happiness and comfort foremost and that caring thought is a beam of sunlight.
As are the attendees. Many of you I have known for twenty…
