thisisFINLAND

Made in Finland: Sweden sends Finnish sauna-party band KAJ to Eurovision

In a curious turn of events, Sweden has chosen KAJ, a comedy group from Finland, as its representative for the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest. Finland’s own delegate is Erika Vikman.

Arts & culture Music

Finland’s Eurovision story evolves from trials to triumphs

In the glitzy Eurovision Song Contest, Finland languished as a perennial underdog for decades. Then its fortunes changed dramatically, and it has repeatedly been a serious contender to win the continent’s hearts.

Life & society Sauna

5 Finnish saunas that show there’s a sauna for every taste

There are over three million saunas in Finland – in theory, enough for everyone in Finland to have a sauna at the exact same time! While most of them are privately owned, public sauna culture is also thriving, with a staggering variety of options available. Here are a few outstanding picks if you’re looking to experience the real deal.

Life & society Nature

A secret kingdom of spring: Finnish stick forts come to life

Wherever you go in Finland, you’re never far from a forest or a park. Our photographer takes a walk in the woods and finds imaginative hideouts children have made from branches, sticks and leaves.

Finland emojis

Helsinki-Uusimaa is the most innovative region in the EU

Source: Regional Innovation Scoreboard

Facts, stats and info Webcam

Helsinki South Harbour and surroundings by webcam

Check out what’s happening on and around Market Square and at Allas Sea Pool. Watch the ferries arrive and depart. See what the weather is like in the Finnish capital, and maybe spot some seagulls at cruising altitude.

Arts & culture Art

Vibrant legacy: How artist Reidar Särestöniemi brought out northern Finland’s colours

From modest origins in the northern Finnish village of Kaukonen, Reidar Särestöniemi progressed to fame and recognition. His art continues to resonate with audiences, celebrating nature, individuality and the power of self-expression.

Life & society Finnishness

For Finnish university students, May Day is the greatest time of year – here’s why

May Day in Finland is more than a celebration of spring. It’s a jubilant spectacle in which university students embrace creativity, tradition and community.

Business & innovation Webpick

University of Helsinki research: Prehistoric people may have “heard” rock paintings talking

A number of prehistoric (5000–1500 BCE) rock paintings exist in Finland, mostly in the southeastern part of the country. Surprisingly, the acoustics of some sites may have made them important to the hunter-gatherers of the time.

Life & society Language

With art, motion and emotion, Finnish researchers explore new language-learning paths

Learning a new language can be daunting and is often associated with hours of memorising vocabulary and repeating textbook phrases. But what if it could be more active, creative, fun and emotionally engaging?

in the Sustainable Development Index

Source: Sustainable Development Report

Life & society Language

How livestreaming helped me learn Finnish – and what you can take from my experience

For the past two years, I have subjected myself – and, more importantly, a live audience – to the great and noble quest of learning Finnish. Here’s what I found out.

Life & society Politics

Finland’s election day coffee tradition unites all kinds of voters

Many people in Finland make voting into an outing by stopping for coffee and cake afterwards. We catch up with voters at their chosen cafés to get to the heart of the long-established Finnish custom of election day coffee.

things you should and shouldn’t know