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Tom was born Touko Laaksonen in Kaarina, southwest Finland in 1920.
He signed his erotic work “Tom” and when his drawings were first published in 1957, the now world-famous “Tom of Finland” was born.
The name Touko Laaksonen was kept for family and colleagues; both friends and fans have always simply called him Tom.
Touko’s Name Day is
24th May
Touko, c.1935
Finland is one of the countries in Europe which celebrates Name Days (called Nimipäivä in Finnish). The tradition of celebrating Name Days dedicates a name or names to every calendar day of the year. A person then celebrates a Name Day on the day in the calendar where his or her given name appears.
In Finland, Name Days can be celebrated in the same way as a Birthday, where the individual having the Name Day will receive greeting cards, flowers or gifts from friends and family. Everyone appreciates good wishes on their day.
Hyvää Nimipäivää!
Marina Green Park | 11a-10p
TOM OF FINLAND (Touko Laaksonen, Finnish, 1920 – 1991) © Tom of Finland Foundation
