Locals amused by "Lordi Square" in Finnish city of Rovaniemi

City Board's gesture is perhaps a little overblown

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While the home town of heavy band Lordi - the Finnish city of Rovaniemi, located on the Arctic Circle - is proud of the winners of this year's Eurovision Song Contest, the citizens feel that the decision to name a square after the band is an overstatement, albeit a fun idea.
      The decision to change the name of Rovaniemi's Sampo Square to Lordi Square, made by the City Board a week ago, spawned some controversy in the city, and led to a heated debate in the media.
     
"The City Board has apparently gone crazy over the victory in the competition", laughs Niina Larikka.
      She feels that the idea of changing the name is fun, even though it is completely crazy, and suspects that it will take some time before people get used to the new title.
      In Larikka's view, the square should be made more Lordi-like - not just by name. "How about a Lordi statue? We could then place a student cap on the head of the statue on May Day Eve amidst the traditional revelries".
     
Sulo Tapio suspects that the whole naming idea is just an advertising stunt. "The City Board expects that the name of the band will attract tourists", Tapio assumes. He believes that the citizens will continue using the old name also in the future.
     
Jari Inkerö does not regret the loss of the old name.
      "Lordi's victory was so unbelievable that it is right that the band is to be honoured in this way. People will get used to the new name of the square, and at least children will adopt it right away", Inkerö says confidently.
     
On the other hand, Inkerö's friend Toni Heikkilä does not agree with the opinion.
      While having nothing against the band itself, Heikkilä does not understand the decision of the City Board.
      "The victory in the Eurovision Song Contest was not such a big deal after all", he argues.
     
While being happy about the victory, Maritta Laukkanen would not have wanted to abandon the name of Sampo Square. "It is good that the band will be honoured, but another place would have been better", she notes.
      The new name is to be made official at a public ceremony in the square on June 9th.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Lordi homecoming party was largest-ever public gathering in Helsinki (30.5.2006)
  Lordi meet press and PM - welcome-home concert for fans on Friday evening (23.5.2006)

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