FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Here we provide answers to frequently asked questions. Before you apply for our stipend, please be sure to read them carefully. If you have any questions that are not answered here, please feel free to send us an email.
HOW CAN I APPLY FOR A STIPEND?
Please send us a project outline – one or two pages – to the following email address: buero@agenturbrueggemann.de We’ll get in touch with you as soon as possible.
WHO IS IT FOR?
Writers, translators and scientific working people. Conceptual artistic, photographic or compositional work is also possible. Our residency doesn’t have a studio, but a cozy study.
ARE THERE TIMES WHEN I CANNOT APPLY FOR A STIPEND?
Applications to stay are not possible during the period starting from the beginning of June to the end of August and from mid-December to mid-January.
IS THE RESIDENCE SUITABLE FOR WINTER?
Yes, the newly renovated flat has underfloor heating.
WHAT DOES THE STIPEND COVER?
Normal stipends that are not connected to special residence programmes (as our FILI programme) cover all running housing costs but no travel or daily expenses. You can apply for one to three months.
WHAT OUTCOME WILL BE EXPECTED?
A final report of one or two pages – and a few lines in our blue guest book. We‘re pleased if you’re able to work on your project in a concentrated manner with all the wonderful Finnish inspirations.
WILL THERE BE ON-SITE SUPPORT?
The stipend requires that you’re able to live and work independently. We have friendly neighbours that are happy to help. And we’ll provide you with all the info and contacts that are important on the ground – also for check-in and check-out. It’s part of the house rules that you clean the flat yourself and leave it as you found it.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE ALLOWED IN THE FLAT?
We only award stipends to one person or one couple at a time. Unfortunately, the flat is not suitable for families or children. Pets are not allowed.
WHAT EQUIPMENT IS IN THE HOUSE?
In our Satama House flat of 45 square metres, surrounded by a beautiful garden, you’ll find a cozy workspace. A bedroom with a double bed (1.6m), a bathroom with WC, shower, washing machine and hairdryer. Furthermore, a fully equipped kitchen with an oven, fridge, coffee machine and kettle, combined with a beautiful living room. You’ll also find your own cleaning equipment, an iron with ironing board and a vacuum cleaner, besides blankets, pillows, towels and bed linen. Our flat has air conditioning and underfloor heating. A guest bike also belongs to the residency.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I BREAK SOMETHING IN THE FLAT?
Private liability insurance is compulsory for the stipend in case of damages that can’t be repaired without professional help and higher costs. We’ll ask for your insurance during the application process. If you break something small, please let us know and arrange for its replacement or repair at your own cost.
WHAT CAN I DO IF SOMETHING DOES NOT WORK?
We’ll provide you with a list containing all the important contacts regarding house maintenance and you can always call us in urgent matters. In case of bigger damage (e.g. to the water pipes or central heating) please contact our neighbours immediately.
ARE THERE SHOPS AND RESTAURANTS AROUND THE CORNER?
Our Satama House is located in the centre of Ekenäs. The market square is just around the corner with a farmers' and fish market twice a week. A pedestrian zone with numerous shops, as well as a bakery, cafés and restaurants are within walking distance. The nearest large supermarket is at the train station - only a 10-minute walk away.
HOW DO I GET TO FINLAND AND EKENÄS?
Finnair flies from many European destinations to Helsinki (duration 2-3h). You can also fly to Stockholm and take the ferry (Tallink and Silja Line) to Turku (duration 10-11h) – the most beautiful trip through a magical archipelago. If you have time and enjoy being on a ferry you can also travel from Travemünde to Helsinki with Finnlines (duration 29h). There are train connections from Helsingfors/Helsinki (93km) or Åbo/Turku (111km) via Karis/Karjaa to Ekenäs/Tammisaari, for both ways you need around 1-2 hours, please check the VR website. There’s also a direct bus line (Matkahuolto) (2h) from Helsinki to Tammisaari - it starts from the bus station Kamppi in the centre of Helsinki. Public transport is not expensive in Finland.
IS FINLAND A SAFE COUNTRY FOR ME TO TRAVEL TO AND LIVE ALONE?
Finland is one of the safest countries in Europe. There’s practically no theft. No matter what gender: you can feel 100% secure. People may be reserved at first glance but they’re friendly, honest and helpful.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I GET SICK?
You need travel health insurance. The Raseborg hospital with a 24-hour emergency unit is just around the corner.
WHAT ACTIVITIES ARE THERE?
Only five minute’s walk away is a beautiful nature reserve on a peninsula (Ramsholmen) with paths for walking and jogging. Around Ekenäs are extensive forests with well-marked hiking trails – and cross-country ski trails in winter (Västerby). You can go swimming at one of the nice nature beaches nearby. There’s also an outdoor seawater swimming pool at the harbour with a sauna that’s open all year round. In addition, you find an indoor swimming pool and a sauna at the Ekenäs swimming hall (Hop over to the website of Raseborg for more information). The region Raseborg also offers excellent cycle paths as the Coastal Route. Besides our guest bike you can rent bikes at Motel Marine. We can recommend Motel Marine also for your own guests: it’s very close, comfortable and not expensive, located directly in the harbour. Archipelago boat trips can be booked through the local guide Matti Piirainen - a real must! In case you would like to learn Finnish or Swedish you can visit language courses at Raseborgs Kulturinstitut.
WHAT KIND OF CULTURAL NETWORK OFFERS EKENÄS?
You can get in touch with numerous local cultural institutions – we’ll provide you with a contact list. The Pro Artibus Foundation offers an artist residency in Ekenäs where two selected Finland-Swedish artists get a stipend for three years. Just visit their interesting Gallery Elverket around the corner. We cooperate with the neighbouring Villa Skeppet – built by the Finnish architect Alvar Aalto for his friends Christine and Göran Schildt, a writer and art historian. The director of the Villa Skeppet is also the chairman of the Schjerfbeck association. Just get in touch with her in case you’re interested in the art of the Finland-Swedish modernist painter Helene Schjerfbeck who lived in Ekenäs from 1925-1941. Wonderful guide Anne Ingman offers Helene Schjerfbeck tours in Ekenäs. And in the EKTA museum you’ll find a special Schjerfbeck exhibition. In Fiskars Village – a great place to visit with original Finnish handcraft and design (30km by bus from Ekenäs) – there’s a cool residency (visit the webpage of Onoma for more information) for professionals from all creative businesses, nationalities and ages. They’re open for an exchange. And the Goethe Institute in Helsinki is happy to get in touch and invite you to their events, as well as FILI (Finnish Literature Exchange). A couple of contemporary authors and artists currently live in Ekenäs whom you might get to know when you’re in town. Ekenäs has a well-equipped library, a nice book store and a literature festival in November, called Bokkalaset.