Helsinki Extends Invitation to Pamela Anderson to Embrace Finnish Heritage
The city of Helsinki is making a bold move to encourage Pamela Anderson to reconnect with her Finnish roots by offering assistance in reclaiming her ancestral name. In a recent interview with Vogue Scandinavia, Anderson expressed a strong attachment to her Finnish grandfather, Herman Hyytiäinen, whose name was changed to Anderson upon immigrating to Canada in 1908.
Expressing her desire to go back to her roots, Anderson mentioned to Vogue, “Sometimes I don’t want to be Pamela Anderson. I want to be Pamela Hyytiäinen.” However, she lamented that she faced challenges in changing her name.
In response to Anderson’s sentiments, Helsinki Partners, a marketing agency under the City of Helsinki, has launched a campaign to support Anderson in adopting the name Hyytiäinen. The campaign includes online advertisements and billboards near Anderson’s residence on Vancouver Island. The promotional video features Finnish actor Janne Hyytiäinen, humorously proposing three methods for Anderson to officially become a Hyytiäinen: through marriage, adoption, or a legal name change.
Dubbed “Operation Make Pamela a Hyytiäinen,” the campaign aims to showcase Helsinki as a welcoming destination, emphasizing Finland’s reputation as the world’s happiest nation. Notably, billboards along the highway in Ladysmith, B.C., where Anderson grew up, have been strategically placed to catch her attention and encourage her to explore her Finnish heritage.
Soila Lehkonen, head of brand and public relations at Helsinki Partners, described the initiative as a heartfelt invitation for Anderson to experience Helsinki firsthand. Even though Anderson has not responded to the campaign, Helsinki remains hopeful that she will consider visiting Finland, regardless of her decision to change her name.
While Anderson has indicated her preference to retain her current surname, Helsinki is eager to showcase its city and culture to her. Lehkonen expressed readiness to assist Anderson in any way if she decides to pursue a name change in the future.