Paula Havaste
Humanist of the day

Paula Havaste

Paula Havaste is a Doctor of Philosophy, the events manager at the Heureka Science Park in Vantaa and a writer. All of which just goes to show an education in the humanities is perfect for a whole host of activities.

Paula Havaste

Paula Valpuri Havaste (née  Aho)
Born April 15, 1962, Rovaniemi

Master of Arts, 1989 and Licentiate of Philosophy (Finnish Literature), 1991, University of Helsinki
Doctor of Philosophy, 1998, University of Oulu

Programme Director and Events manager 2004-, Heureka Science Park
Assistant, 1990-96, Department of Finnish Literature, University of Helsinki
Publicist, 1997-2004, Finnish National Theatre

Awards and current positions of trust
Kalle Päätalo Award 2004
Laila Hirvisaari Award 2004
Konstiniekka Cultural Award, Nurmijärvi Municipality 2012
Deputy chair, Tieteen tiedotus ry (’Publicising science’)
Board member, Lauri Jäntti Foundation
Board member, Union of Finnish Writers
Member, literature division, Alfred Kordelin Foundation

Photo: Marek Sabogal
Written by Paula Havaste
Translated by John Calton

Science belongs to me, and you. Science challenges and enthuses, offering thrills and discoveries. This is what in the Heureka Science Park share each year with some 300,000 visitors. The huge visitor figures is proof positive of the strong ties Finns have with science.

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If research findings are in some way interesting, the writer can refashion them as a narrative. Working with a publisher has been very rewarding, especially since the expertise offered by Gummerus in the production, marketing and selling of the novels and the poetry collection has broadened my horizons as a…

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I have been publishing literature since 2003. Writing is a cherished, earnest and demanding pastime, because creative writing is somehow never ready. There’s always room for improvement, things to learn and try out, and meanwhile you have to able to ease yourself over the high barbed-wire fence of self-doubt. You…

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