Interview by Katariina Forsberg
In today’s entry of our blog series we meet Sanna Posti Sjöman, a freelance journalist and editor-in-chief of the Swedish/Finnish arts magazine Sheriffi. She was born in Oulu in the Finnish Lapland, but has lived most of her life in Gothenburg, Sweden. She writes for Swedish and Finnish newspapers and magazines, and produces radio for SR in Sweden and occasionally YLE in Finland. She has lived in New York for about two years.
Q: Why did you move to New York?
A: Because I love this city dearly. I came here 1998 for the first time, and have been coming back ever since. I also got married here, in the Finnish church in Greenwich Village.
Q: What are your three favorite places in the City?
A: The bridges (Brooklyn and Williamsburg) by night, the Wollman skating rink in Central Park in the winters and the Green-Wood Cemetery in Sunset Park. It´s gorgeous!
Q: What’s your favorite restaurant?
A: For Mexican food, Tortilla Flats in the West Village. For Japanse food and sake I like Decibel Sake Bar in the East Village, and for pizza I go to Roberta´s in Bushwick, Brooklyn.
Q: Do you have a favorite store?
A: Ilove thrift stores and flea markets. Chelsea Flea (112 West 25th Street) and Hell´s Kitchen Flea are great. I also like Housing Works Thrift Stores. When I want something really nice, I go to INA and Amarcord Vintage.
Q: What are your favorite things to do on your free time?
A: I see a lot of shows. Some of my favorite bands, including the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Blonde Redhead and A Place to Bury Strangers, are from New York. I also like museums and exhibitions. I go to readings too, and I love the Lower East Side nightlife.
Q: What do you think is the best thing about living in New York?
A: The contrasts. It's a tough but a rewarding city. It demands a lot of you, but it gives back even more. When I'm not here I'm waiting for the next thrill, and when I'm here I live in it.
Q: What about Finland do you miss?
A: Rye bread, Karelian pastries, and salmiakki (strong, Scandinavian liquorice). I also miss the tango dance venues and the darkness and silence of the Finnish Lapland.
Q: Describe New York in three words?
A: “A beautiful catastrophe” (Le Corbusier).
Q: Describe Finland in three words?
A: Has my heart.