Life & society

Expats take part in Finland’s municipal elections, held after two-month delay

This time, it’s personal. It’s local politics all over the nation. Finland’s municipal elections include a larger number of candidates than other levels of politics. Foreign residents can vote or run for office, too.

Life & society Sustainability

Circular economy success: Finland’s recycling programme keeps bottles and cans off the streets

We see how Finland’s deposit system for bottles and cans achieves a recycling rate of more than 90 percent, and how city administrators and event organisers supplement the system with their own resourceful programmes.

Life & society History

Åland marks centenary of autonomy agreement with a year full of events

The 100-year anniversary of a unique and enduring agreement in the Åland Islands is the occasion for a yearlong programme of special events and celebrations.

67.8%

of Finns belong to the Evangelical Lutheran Church

Source: Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland

Life & society Sports

Excitement mounts as Finland’s men’s football team makes its Euro debut

Finland’s appearance in their first major men’s football tournament, in summer 2021, is a dream come true for long-suffering supporters of the Eagle-Owls.

Life & society Family

Finnish society places value on family time and inclusivity

The significance that Finnish people attach to Mother’s Day and Father’s Day may reflect something that goes beyond the holidays themselves. It may be indicative of the way Finland, as a society, views and supports parents and families.

85.4%

of Finns live in urban areas

Source: UN World Urbanisation Prospects

Life & society Cuisine

A whole bunch of brunch for May Day: Finland’s festival of spring arrives

May Day, traditionally the wildest party of the year in Finland, starts on April 30 and continues on May 1, when people take to the parks for a picnic brunch. Chef Timo Lepistö provides us with recipes that fit the holiday. Even in times of social distancing, there will be some version of brunch.

Life & society Environment

Finland’s carbon handprints and roadmaps show path to carbon neutrality by 2035

Finland has set itself the goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2035, one of the most ambitious targets of any country in the industrialised world. Is that feasible, and how does the Finnish government plan to do it? And what’s a “carbon handprint”?

Life & society Environment

Trams roll into Tampere, Finland in time for the city’s carbon neutrality goals

Tampere’s long-anticipated Ratikka tramline brings a new element to the cityscape while helping cut carbon emissions and contributing to the local economy.

Most Olympic medals total, per capita (303 in all) of any nation