From Hämeenlinna to Istanbul

Turisas is a metal band from Hämeenlinna, Finland—just about 75 km from where I live in Tampere. They are one of my favorites, because they mix heavy riffs with violin and epic history. Even their name comes from an old Finnish god of war.

One of my favorite songs is "The March of the Varangian Guard" (2011). It tells the story of the Varangian Guard—warriors from the North who traveled all the way to Constantinople (today's Istanbul) to serve the Byzantine emperor.

The lyrics describe people of different beliefs—the cross, the hammer of Norse gods, the crescent moon—marching together toward Miklagard, the Nordic name for Istanbul.

So in a strange but beautiful way, this song connects Hämeenlinna to Istanbul. From small rehearsal rooms in Finland to the old gates of Byzantium. From my everyday Finland to my roots back in Turkey. All carried inside one song.