21 September 2007
Leading Finnish cultural figure awarded Freedom of the
City
Finnish Euro-politician, author, satirist and media personality
Lasse Lehtinen was today (Friday, 3.00pm) honoured with the
Freedom of the City of London, sponsored by the Lord Mayor John
Stuttard and Alderman Roger Gifford.
The colourful Finnish personality and prolific creative has led
a varied life – with activities ranging from representing Finland
as an MEP to formerly hosting the country‘s “Who Wants to be a
Millionaire?” TV quiz show.
Lord Mayor John Stuttard, a confirmed Finnophile, said:
“Lasse’s talents are immense and varied and his humour and
energy underline the innovation and creativity in which Finland
abounds. Some people wrongly seem to believe that Finland is a
forest hanging with Nokia phones – and I hope Lasse’s Freedom will
help bring Finland’s real cultural breadth and creativity to the
attention of more people in the UK.”
Lord Mayor Stuttard, who represents the UK-based financial
services industry as elected Lord Mayor of the Square Mile business
district, holidays every year in Finland, a country which has
bestowed on him the honours of Knight and Commander of the Order of
Finland. While Chairman of the Coopers & Lybrand
Scandanavian Group after 1985, Lord Mayor Stuttard brought Nokia to
the London Stock Exchange, as well as supervising other major
deals.
Lasse Lehtinen has written columns for the tabloid Ilta-Sanomat,
and authored literary portraits of politicians, social satires,
non-fiction and novels. Some of the titles of his books are,
freely translated: “The Trusted Man”, “The White Man-eater”,
“Thatcher and I: the London Travel Notes”, “The appendix of Europe:
Diagnosis and Prescriptions”, “The Maker of the Ex-President: a
Diary.”
Lehtinen’s friends have also written a book about him - “Tasavallan
tulppa” (“The Plug of the Republic”)
His doctoral dissertation caused considerable controversy when it
focused on the (rather iconic) former President Kekkonen
An independent TV producer from 1993, he also became known as the
host of the popular show “Anteeksi kuinka?” (“Excuse me?), of the
men’s show “Wroom”, and, especially, of the game show “Haluatko
miljonääriksi?” (”Who wants to be a millionaire?”).
Lehtinen is also known as a co-writer of the political satire
“Hyvät herrat” (“Dear Gentlemen”) which featured several prominent
politicians talking about hot subjects in sauna (half- or
completely naked). Among these politicians, was current President
Tarja Halonen.
Not afraid to confront difficult issues with his vigorous style,
Lehtinen’s satire has been labeled as a racist, chauvinist, and
hedonist; he once famously said re the Euro-fight about the
definition of vodka: “This is a battle of the vodka belt against
the wine belt. In between lies the beer belt, which will get to
decide.”
Ends
Notes for editors
The Lord Mayor is the annually-elected head of the City of
London Corporation which provides local government services for the
Square Mile, the financial and commercial heart of the UK, and
which is committed to maintaining and enhancing the status of the
business City as the world's leading international financial and
business centre through its policies and services. Its
responsibilities also extend far beyond the City boundaries and
include management of the Barbican Centre, Central Criminal Court
at the Old Bailey, 10,000 acres of open space including Hampstead
Heath and Epping Forest, three wholesale food markets, as well as
acting as the London Port Health Authority.
About the Freedom of the City:
The Freedom is a ceremony of great antiquity, was functionally
significant throughout the mediaeval era and remains an important
link with City traditions of open and honest trade and good
behaviour. All current Freemen are given a copy of the "Rules for
the Conduct of Life" issued by Lord Mayor Sir John Barnard in 1737.
Freedom of the City of London gives two benefits to the recipient.
If a Freeman's children are orphaned they may be educated at The
Freeman’s School at Ashtead in Surrey, at no cost to the family. Or
if in old age a recipient is destitute they may qualify for housing
in the Alms houses. Many of the traditional privileges associated
with the Freedom, such as driving sheep across London Bridge, to be
hung with a silken cord if convicted of a capital offence, to go
about the City with a drawn sword, to be married in St Paul's
Cathedral, to be buried in the City and to be drunk and disorderly
without fear of arrest, have long since disappeared.