As a Russian girl from a Finnish village went through a harassment and insults, but became the first beauty
'05.01.2019'
Source: Eva.ru
Alina Voronkova, a 23-year-old beauty with Russian roots, received the titles “Miss Finland-2018” and “Miss Universe Finland 2018” last year. For just a few days, the girl arrived in Moscow and gave an exclusive interview to the editor-in-chief Evy.Ruin which she told how Russian men differ from Finns, for which she loves Olivier salad, is it easy to become a beauty №1, and why studying in Finnish school became a real challenge for her.
- Alina, first of all I congratulate you on your victory.
- Thank you, I am pleased to receive congratulations on the territory of Russia.
- You have interesting roots: father is Russian, mother is Ingermanland Finnish. And who do you consider yourself - Russian or Finnish?
- I'm still more Finnish, although Russian is my second language. I have Finnish citizenship, I have lived in Finland all my life, but there are nuances that eloquently indicate that I am Russian. For example, I really like Russian food, especially salads with mayonnaise. I love Olivier! I can eat a lot.
I also like to look after myself, like many Russian girls, to keep myself in good shape, to choose stylish things to be different from everyone. In Finland, they pay attention to me, because it is a rather small country, and local women are not accustomed to paying attention to looks and clothes. Of course, we are not talking about Helsinki - this is the capital, there are a lot of tourists there, all bright and interesting. But if we are talking about small Finnish villages, then almost certainly, if you meet a well-groomed girl, then she arrives.
I flew to Moscow and at the airport I was amazed at how beautiful Russian women look - with makeup, high heels, well dressed.
- Yes, we love the statement that "Russian girls are the most beautiful in the world." Do you agree with him?
- Russian women are gorgeous, stunning beauties, this is true. I myself am a blonde, I have green eyes - this is a Scandinavian type of appearance, but the character traits and personality are clearly Russian. Finns can not come and hug, and I, even if just meeting a man, easily embrace, take the hand. Such open behavior is not typical for Finland.
- Besides the fact that you promote beauty, you also have a social mission - you fight bullying and harassment in schools. As far as I know, this story has touched you personally. Tell us how you came to the idea that you would speak out loud about harassment and thereby eradicate it.
- I have a Russian surname - Voronkova. My parents and I lived in the small village of Pertunmaa. Our family was the only one who spoke to each other in Russian. Naturally, my parents speak both Finnish and have built their own business, but for a long time we were treated as if we were strangers. I have long been trying to get the Finns to pronounce my name correctly. Because there I am not Voronkov, but Voronkov. Classmates invented not very good nicknames, teased me. I spoke Russian with my parents on the phone and often hid it from everyone. Or deceived that I speak Russian badly, that my language is mostly Finnish. They used to call me names, find fault, a couple of times it came to battering. I told these cases to my mom and dad, they sent messages to the school, demanded to figure out why such a tin is happening, why they tease the girl, but at school they turned a blind eye.
In the 9th grade, I cheered myself up, went to the director and explained how everyone treats me, they don't want to be friends. And she answered: "What can you do, you are Russian ...". And that is all. The director didn't want to do anything either. Then I realized that I needed to move forward somehow. At the age of 15, after leaving school, she entered the gymnasium and moved to Lahti. There were adult children of other nationalities there, and for the first time I met people who said: "Oh, how cool, you speak Russian." Already in the gymnasium, I began to thoroughly study the Russian language, because I did not know the alphabet, I could neither read nor write. It became a new door for me.
In childhood, mom and dad went to Peter many times. There lives grandmother, father's mother. They came, sat at the table, talked, spent long evenings and drove away by car to Finland. My parents and I spoke Russian all my life, but when I moved away from them and began to live on my own, I realized that my Russian was rather weak, I was wobbling up in words. Nevertheless, even now at the university I study Russian culture.
And now, when I have the opportunity to be heard, I want to talk about the harassment out loud, not silenced this topic, not waved. The more talk about bullying, the less it will be in life.
- Women's question. You know both countries firsthand, you are familiar with national temperaments. Are “Hot Finnish Boys” a myth or reality?
- (laughs). My young man (hockey player - ed.) - Finn from the Finns. If we consider the Russian and Finnish men, they are very different. In Russia, the bouquet and candy period is accepted, and courtship are perceived as the norm. Russian guys want to like more, to make an impression. In Finland it is different: for example, on a first date, both a man and a woman can pay a restaurant bill, this will not surprise anyone. In general, the Finns begin a relationship with friendship, and if everything is good, then they flow into the family, life. Little romance.
With my boyfriend, I feel like a Russian girl, I want attention. I ask him: "Can I have a bouquet at least once every six months?" Sometimes I get it, but sometimes I have to ask three times and in the end buy it myself.
- Alina, you have ahead (at the time of this writing - editor's note) the Miss Universe contest - a competition of a high level and status. Nevertheless, when it comes to beauty contests, many are sure that the first places in them are known in advance. Moreover, they are purchased. How do you feel about this opinion and how did you get to the first place yourself?
- Everything happened honestly. At first we made a written request, sent photos. This year there were 1200 applications. Of these, 50 girls were selected for casting, then 20 was left. And now this twenty has competed since the beginning of summer, we were given various events. And the judges have already looked at how we communicate with people, how we behave in different situations. And only a month before the coronation, a dozen contenders became known, which went on tour, we traveled around the country with the organizers for a month.
The jury was very respected businessmen, Miss Fitness Finland, but neither we nor they personally knew us. In our top ten, only some girls were familiar with the main organizer, and if they won, it would really look unfair.
But we were all in the same position, I was happy to win and that I was able to show my best side.
- And the last question. Soon the New Year, and many Russians will go to Finland - to visit the real Santa. What places would you recommend to visit, which guidebooks don’t write about?
- An excellent question, because I just returned from a tour of Finland, where 10 finalists of the competition went. We drove through many new places I have never been to. Saimaa Lake and a place like Jarvisi Dam has sunk into my soul - this is a hotel, a spa, and there you can fall asleep under the stars. I advise everyone.
Of course, we must visit Helsinki, where I myself recently moved. There you can find nature, culture and museums. For Christmas, the whole of Finland is decorated with shining lights, garlands - very beautiful. And of course, Lapland. This is wonderful: the atmosphere of happiness, childhood, the post office works, and you can write a letter to Santa or, on the contrary, from him.
