"Anna"-magazine 18 May 4th 2006

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"Anna"-magazine, issue #18 May 4th 2006

Tarja Turunen and her husband Marcelo Cabuli share their time between Kuusankoski and Buenos Aires. The former Nightwish-singer doesn't think about the past any more, but feels excited about her solo career - and working in her garden.

WHAT DOESN'T KILL MAKES YOU STRONGER

I feel...
- Peaceful and happy. The sunshine affects my mood; my mood is very good when I wake up in the morning. I'm not even stressedabout the upcoming work, though I know that the time will come.
Tarja Turunen and her Argentinina husband Marcelo Cabuli swoosh into the suite of a hotel in Helsinki for the interview. Turunen sighs something about "running constantly with one's hair flying behind her."
When Turunen was oustered from Nightwish with the infamous letter, many people were left wondering if she was never to rise again. Now there isn't a sign left of the tear-shedding rock-artist we saw at the press conference. As solo artist Turunen keeps breaking the borders between music styles: Last weekend she sung the Bee Gees classic "Tragedy" in the musical "Spin" at the Svenska Teatern.
Neighbours in Kuusankoski and in Buenos Aires have been able to enjoy catchy tunes, while Turunen rehearses at home. Days will be busy after "Spin" with the upcoming concert at the Savonlinna Opera Festival with Raimo Sirkiä and some other concerts with various ensembles.

I am excited about...
- My future solo career, says Turunen. I'm also waiting for the work with my solo album. Right now we are in the planning phase. WE are looking for songs, and if everything goes well, it will be released in 2007 already.
The hoolabaloo last fall did show that Turunen can bear quite amount of stress. She says that worrying about little things has been left behind. Changes opened new doors.
- My thoughts are in the future. It keeps me mentally balanced. I must say that the old proverb "What doesn't kill, makes you stronger" really has a meaning! Turunen bursts in a happy laugh.

I'm stressed with...
- Ants! I have tried to spray pesticide in my house in Kuusankoski. Think about this: Ants built a nest under the floor of my neighbour's house so that the floorboards practically exploded!
Another reason for stress has been writing. Turunen began as a columnist in the Karjalainen newspaper a couple of moths ago. Writing isn't so easy when there is more Spanish and English spoken in the house instead of Finnish.
- Sometimes several days pass by without me speaking a single word in Finnish.
The column got ready after all, and the subject was tango. Tarja Turunen agreed to write columns, because her roots are important to her. She was born in Kitee, and her closest family still live in North Carelia. Turunen feels sad because of long distances she is unable to visit the palce of her origin as often as she would like to.

My financial situation is...
-OK. My eyes are pleased with everything beautiful - not so much with ornaments and glitter, but rather with modern and simple style. It affects my wallet.
- Marcelo isn't left much behind me when it comes to do shopping!
Tarja Turunen likes most to go shopping in Buenos Aires. The glowing white designer-blouse, jeans and sharp tipped boots she is wearing have all been purchased there. The only disadvantage in shopping in south America is the difference between seasons: At the moment it is winter season down there, summer clothes can be found again after six months.
Also a sum of money goes for travelling. Last year Turunen and Cabuli spent a month in Costa Rica with friends, this year they'll be going to Venezuela.

In my outlook I'm bothered with...
- Everything! she squaels. The pretty doll-like singer thinks that she'd be beautiful only when "covered with thick layers of make-up."
Turunen has not always been satisfied with her body. When she was young she complained her thick calves to her mother. She thought she couldn't dress in short skirts due her "soccer player's calves."
- Now my calves won't irritate me any more, but Marcelo can testify that I still feel every centimeter as an extra burden.
Swimming and going to gym are my most preferred training methods. Turunen says that she has been sometimes even more slender but now she hasn't got enough time for physical training.
- Despite my self-criticism I can tell that I'm one of the ladies who will go to the grocery store wearing a jogging suit and no make-up. If I see someone there who knows me, we'd go chatting the usual way, no problem, she assures.

At home we have discussed...
- About renewing my garden. I'm anxiously waiting to start working in there.
Turunen and Cabuli enjoy staying in Kuusankoski. They bought a home from there a couple of years ago. Nature, peace and silence in the small town make the best balance for the constant anxiety of Buenos Aires.
Local people have welcomed the couple well. Older gentlemen tip their hats and people passing by in cars wave eagerly to them.

I love...
- My family, warm relations, close encounters and the situation that I can be open.
Husband Marcelo still tells beautiful things to his wife several times a day.
- If he'd forget it, I might not say anything - but certainly it would feel strange. For the luck, in our relation there hasn't been a day when beautiful words were lacking.
Also friends are important to Tarja Turunen. It has been nice to realize that the old relations are still there after many years.
How about the boys in Nightwish?
- Let's put it this way: They have not called me yet. And I don't expect them to. For obvious reasons I might be waiting for them to contact me, not vice versa, but the issue is over and doesn't keep haunting me. I have left it behind me.

I feel peace...
At home, within it's comfort. There I can let steam out. Even while I rehearse at home, I will not bring worries in there.
In Buenos Aires Turunen and Cabuli live in a flat. Neighbours haven't reacted Turunen's singing rehearsals, but they keep mentioning proudly that a Finnish singer lives in the building.
- Knowing that I will have work in the future also comforts me a lot. I don't need to feel anxious, but I can face the future with calm mind.