Life & society Archives

Finnish city of Vaasa enjoys Unicef recognition for child-friendly urban life

Unicef has recognised Vaasa, a city on Finland’s west coast, as a Child-Friendly Municipality, for taking into account the views of children and young people in planning and decision-making.

Life & society Nature

“Wow” moments in Finnish nature

Walking in the forest daily is a passion for Aino Eeronheimo and Taija Koivuluoma. They’re friends and neighbours in Jakomäki, eastern Helsinki.

Life & society Finnishness

9 years and counting: Finland is first in the World Happiness Report

The World Happiness Report singles out Finland as the happiest country in the world in 2026, for the ninth year running. To celebrate, we seek out people named Onni (Happiness) to ask what makes them happy (see video).

Life & society Happiness

Unpacking Finnish happiness

Happiness doesn’t just happen. In Finland, it’s the result of strong social systems and a culture of wellbeing that has been carefully built over the past 100 years.

Life & society Happiness

The 4-letter word that literally explains Finnish happiness

Finnish happiness expresses itself in one little word, onni – and a host of other words and expressions derived from it.

Life & society Winter

Photos from Helsinki: Creating creatures and castles from snow and ice

During a proper, snowy winter with crisp, sub-zero temperatures, Helsinkians embrace ice and snow sculptures with irresistible enthusiasm.

Life & society Travel

Regenerative tourism in Finland gives travel a deeper meaning

Shovelling snow to save endangered seal pups might not be everyone’s idea of a holiday. But for some travellers in Finland, it’s exactly the kind of meaningful experience they’re looking for.

Life & society Winter

Finnish winter fun: Zooming across a frozen lake on an ice route

Across Finland, ploughed and marked routes on frozen bodies of water turn winter landscapes into public playgrounds. On Lake Tuusula, the atmosphere resembles a festival.

Life & society