Donald turns his Marimekko oven mitt into a hand puppet.

A trip to FINLAND and RUSSIA National Arts Journalism Program, Columbia University March 15-23, 2003

On the bus to another Power Point presentation: Josh and Andras are ready and eager.

Yes, we went to St. Petersburg, Russia, not Florida, for Spring Break. Why? Because we're arts junkies! Thanks to the cooperation of the Finnish government -- and that country's well-known public support of the arts -- the stalwart fellows of the NAJP enjoyed a fascinating (and busy) time in Helsinki, then made the short trek to Russia. Click on the links below for a day-by-day account.

Helsinki highlights St. Petersburg highlights Donald's home page

M.J. and Allan try to get some shut-eye on the flight to Finland.

Photographed by Joshua Seftel and Donald Munro