Arts & culture

Magic in the Finnish summer air

Every year, music festivals fill cities, fells, forests and lakesides with live music and a peculiar kind of charm that can only be felt in the summertime. Let’s unpack the reasons that make Finland the promised land of summer festivals – and look at some unique festival experiences for those who have seen it all.

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.

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.

2015

Helsinki Fashion Week held for the first time

Source: Helsinki Fashion Week

Arts & culture Music

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 Visual arts

Looking for paradise: Finnish artist Tove Jansson’s paintings go far beyond the Moomins

Even dedicated fans of Finnish artist and writer Tove Jansson’s Moomin characters may know little of her painting career and its role in her life. We show you around a major exhibition – and uncover some info about one of the Moomin books, too.

2005

The year Helsinki Design Week, Scandinavia's biggest design fest, was founded

Arts & culture Innovation

Art you can be a part of: Designers discuss Finnish video game Alan Wake and the evolution of games

They reflect society, they make us cry, they make us hold our breath in anticipation. Video games combine several forms of art, but they’re built on the power of interactive storytelling. Makers of the global hit series Alan Wake from the Finnish video game developer Remedy Entertainment tell us how it’s done.

Arts & culture Nature

The Finnish island where Moomin author Tove Jansson used to live still inspires artists

Finnish artist and author Tove Jansson, creator of the Moomin books, spent almost 30 summers on Klovharun, a tiny island in the Gulf of Finland. Since then, hundreds of artists have enjoyed week-long residencies at the isolated, inspiring location.

Arts & culture Webpick

100 or so books from Finland: See what the Finnish Literature Exchange suggests

The Finnish Literature Exchange (FILI) lists more than 100 up-and-coming books from Finland. The bulk of them are so new that they haven’t been translated yet, but they offer a tantalising view of what’s on the way.

1902

The year Francisco Tárrega composed the waltz that later became the Nokia ringtone