Päivi Paappanen
Humanist of the day

Päivi Paappanen

Päivi Paappanen is a punk rocker and a globetrotter who became a Master of Arts in anthropology and a director of a publishing house. She is more than able to withstand the cold Finnish winters with the help of a good book.

Päivi Paappanen

Päivi Tuija Inkeri Paappanen
Born May 9, 1965, Haukivuori

Master of Arts (cultural anthropology), University of Helsinki

Publishing Director 2011–, Like Publishing Ltd
Publishing manager 2006–11, Like Publishing Ltd (Like became a subsidiary of Otava Publishing Company on January 1, 2006)
Director of publishing 2004–05, Oy Like Publishing Ltd
Editor in chief 2001–04, Kääntöpiiri (subsidiary of Like)
Publishing editor 2000–04, Oy Like Publishing Ltd
Finnish translator 1997–2000

Photo: Anna Salvatierra
Written by Päivi Paappanen (Riitta-Ilona Hurmerinta, ed.)
Translated by Matthew Billington

From globetrotter to publisher

When I graduated from the upper-secondary school of a little country town, I was so hungry for experiences and the call of the open road was so strong that I never once considered college. I had to get on the road and fast. What made it easier to travel the world was that the international brotherhood of punk rock took care of its own. Wherever I went, there was a place to stay, friends, help if I needed it.

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My best memories from the University of Helsinki

My most vivid memories from the university are from Latin American Studies seminars and evening get-togethers. The students all had different majors, but our common interest in Latin America gave our studies a real purpose. At the time there weren't many students or teachers there, and I became friends with many of them. Many of the friendships and acquaintances I made then are still strong today.

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My dream

My dream has nothing to do with my work or improving the state of the world. Maybe it's kind of commonplace and totally selfish, but it involves my eventual retirement.

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