Greetings to all who are reading this and following the Paulo Cello Competition

I’ll be writing this blog for you throughout the competition. The place where I write it is right at the heart of the competition – the competition office in the Sibelius Academy Chamber Music Hall. As well as being the competition’s press officer I’m one of the competition secretaries. This is the third time in my 27 years that I’ve worked for a music competition, the previous ones being the Mirjam Helin International Singing Competition and the Jean Sibelius Violin Competition.

Right now I’m sitting in the empty office following the hall rehearsals on the monitor. The Paulo Cello Competition began today – all the plans and memoranda are at last going into action before the very eyes of us organisers. Our driver has clocked up record mileages since yesterday, fetching a steady stream of competitors and members of the jury from the airport. The contestants have registered, and the media have been round, too. There was great excitement as the lots were drawn for the order of performance. “Number One” lay skulking in the bowl until almost the very end before being picked out by Finnish Jussi Vähälä. The air was absolutely electric as the cameras flashed and the media pressed for interviews. There were a few signs of shyness and nerves, but, which was nice to note, also a warm and cheerful atmosphere. Many of the competitors already know one another. Some are here at the competition for the second time and are even staying with the same families as they did last time.

The mood is not so reminiscent of a competition and I haven’t seen anyone glowering. On the contrary, I can sense more of a feeling of ‘all being in it together’ in the relaxed attitudes and smiling faces. Added to which, here in the office we are trying to make the competitors feel as much at home as possible. There are cloths, candles and plates of biscuits on the tables. Here the contestant is above all our guest and our friend!

The next few days promise to be full of glorious cello music. The more I listen to the hall rehearsals, the more convinced I am of this. The contestants have put in such tremendous effort. I feel greatly privileged to be able to enjoy the wonderful playing and presence of these artists.

I won’t write more today. We won’t really know how things are going until tomorrow. Above all I hope all the competitors, too, will be able to enjoy being here.

I’m happy that you’re reading my blog. What sorts of things would you like to know about? Please be free with your comments. You can ask just anything.

Friendly regards,
Eeva