How Finland’s Moomins moved from beloved books to coveted mugs
Arts & cultureDesign

How Finland’s Moomins moved from beloved books to coveted mugs

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the first Moomin book, which introduced a cast of characters that gained international fame. We talk to the designer behind one of the most unusual Moomin success stories: the mugs that you can find in almost every Finnish household. They’re so popular that someone even wrote a master’s thesis about them.

2015

Helsinki Fashion Week held for the first time

Source: Helsinki Fashion Week

New audiences continue to find Finland’s number one painter, Helene Schjerfbeck
Arts & cultureVisual arts

New audiences continue to find Finland’s number one painter, Helene Schjerfbeck

Early in 2020, record-breaking attendance at Helsinki’s Ateneum Art Museum and the release of a feature film signalled that artist Helene Schjerfbeck is getting much-deserved attention from audiences of all ages. We talk with actor Laura Birn and curator Anna-Maria von Bonsdorff.

2005

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

Tom of Finland and IDAHOTB both continue to contribute to pride and acceptance
Arts & cultureEquality

Tom of Finland and IDAHOTB both continue to contribute to pride and acceptance

May 8, 2020 marks the 100th birthday of Tom of Finland (1920–91), often called Finland’s most famous artist globally. Shortly after that anniversary, on May 17, the annual International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOTB) takes place.

1902

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