We Didn't Start the Fire

"We didn't start the fire.
It was always burning
Since the world's been turning.
We didn't start the fire.
No we didn't light it
But we tried to fight it."
- Billy Joel

During our walk to preschool this morning, police were noted on each corner and choppers filled the quiet skies with noise. Since we do not have local TV, I was unable to explain the commotion to the boys until I read the Helsingin Sanomat (the local internet news in English).

The ASEM 6(Asia Europe Meeting) Summit, at which European and Asian heads of state or government will discuss a range of issues, officially takes place in Helsinki September 10 & 11. Among the delegates attending will be China's Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, Japanese PM Junichiro Koizumi, the South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun, and the leaders of the 25 EU member-states.

Not being a fan nor very knowledgeable on current events, this is meaningless to my everyday life...except for expecting chaos throughout the city all weekend. They are expecting at least 30 different demonstrations on Saturday alone including an anti-ASEM demonstration, one for human rights issues, one to draw attention to environmental issues, and a Falun Gong spiritual movement. A few thousand of police officers plan to patrol the city on foot while helicopters of the Finnish Border Guard will serve as an eye in the sky. Red carpets are being rolled out for the leaders entering hotels and buildings along with 90 dark blue volvos reserved for their transportation...and a few armored vehicles upon request.

Maybe we will run into someone famous, get a hand shake or a photo...or just stay at home and avoid all the crowds!