The Matchmaker

In the 19th century, Russians from the town of Kostomuksha would take their goods across the border to peddle them in Finland. Today, local television advertises Finnish goods. And Kostomukshans (over half the 30,000 residents work at the local ore processing plant) love to spend their salaries in Finland.

Katya Bytsytsina, a handicapped, single mother, found opportunity in this cross-border connection. Katya is fluent in Finnish, so it was natural that she would be asked to translate a letter from a Russian woman to her Finnish beau. Shortly thereafter, the woman received a very enthusiastic response from her Finn: “You are so good, so beautiful you have such a rare soul ... “ Apparently nothing was lost in the translation.

A phone call ensued. Katya interpreted. An invitation from Finland followed and soon the newlyweds sent Katya a warm “thank you” cable.