Arts & culture

Sounds like Finland: Capturing the country’s essence in music

What does a country sound like? Finland set out to answer this question by becoming the first nation in the world to create an official national soundscape. Plug in, press play and experience Finland – no plane ticket required.

Arts & culture Webpick

Adventure of a lifetime: Director Charlie McDowell films Finnish author Tove Jansson’s Summer Book

When American director Charlie McDowell set out to adapt Tove Jansson’s Summer Book in Finland’s archipelago, both he and the legendary actress Glenn Close found themselves profoundly affected by the untouched nature.

Arts & culture Music

Passing the baton: 3 young star conductors from Finland

A fresh generation of youthful conductors from Finland is wowing audiences and orchestras around the world. Each of them has an individual approach and a love of contemporary music.

Number of Unesco World Heritage sites in Finland

Source: Unesco

Arts & culture Technology

Becoming Alan Wake: The Finnish face of a world-famous video game

When Ilkka Villi arrives at the office in the morning, he promptly suits up in a full-body spandex outfit and gets to work pretending to be an action hero.

Arts & culture Festivals

Pop, rap, techno and yoik: Festival in the far north of Finland spotlights Sámi music, culture and languages

The annual festival Ijahis Idja (Nightless Night) in the very northern town of Inari showcases modern and traditional music by Sámi Indigenous people. We talk with several performers about their music and heritage.

500,000

Letters received by Santa every year

Source: Posti

Arts & culture Technology

Finnish university project seeks to understand video game culture

With the increasing popularity and impact of video games on today’s cultural landscape comes the need to study and analyse them, too.

Arts & culture Cuisine

Food first: Finnish festival cuisine emphasises sustainability and artisanal touches

The recipe for the perfect bite? Sustainable, local ingredients turned into world-class artisanal dishes, served with a smile in a laid-back festival setting.

Arts & culture Finnishness

Visit a scenic Finnish lake essential to the country’s cultural legacy

The shores of one picturesque lake were home to a community of Finland’s most significant artists in the early 1900s – a cultural powerhouse whose legacy and influence is still vibrantly alive.

53.2 per 100,000 people

Most heavy metal bands per capita in the world

Source: Business Insider