Here, for example, is Papukajan Zagulan Polku, that is Parrots' Lane Zaguly.
The Parrot Zagula was quite real: he lived without any worries on this street in the mansion of Mrs. Manefa (Mani) Multanovska on the banks of the Vantaanjoki River.
Манефу всі називали капітаншею -(kapteeniska) – бо, приїхавши до Гельсінкі незрозуміло звідки у 1920 х, вона представилася вдовою капітана. Мултановська була вродливою, багатою й життєрадісною. Вона погано говорила фінською, хоча прожила в Гельсінкі 30 років, тож ніхто достеменно не знав подробиць її минулого.
The parrot, on the other hand, spoke Finnish perfectly, although he mostly swore. Nancy's pet dog was afraid of the parrot and obeyed him more than Manefa herself. It is said that the parrot is buried in a silver box on the site of the former Multanovska mansion.
The captain was well versed in eccentrics: she traveled in the world in a carriage drawn by four snow-white horses, kept a bear as a pet, and recently - shot a shotgun, which she put next to her bed at night. She shot, by the way, masterfully - she even won a thoroughbred horse in a shooting competition. She bought Manef perfume only at Stockmann, and sweets - only at Fazer.
Apparently, she was not expected back home. Once she came across her own obituary in the newspaper, but she simply laughed and threw a party. Manefa often organized loud parties with a gramophone. The neighbors enviously peeked over the fence, but the guests spoke Polish and Russian, so the Finns stayed away.
Perhaps that is why the parrot's name is immortalized, but the captain's name is not. But she is remembered in Helsinki: the hill where Multanovska's luxurious mansion stood is now called Captain's Hill. The mansion is long gone, but there are nice townhouses, one is even for sale. I hope not the one under which the parrot is buried.
