Life & society

Imagination galloping wild in Finland

Young Finns are swapping live horses for intricate, handmade hobbyhorses. And the world is following suit!

Grab your skateboard: Finnish architect creates sculpted skate-scapes

For Helsinkian Janne Saario, a childhood passion for skateboarding led to a pro career. Later he became one of the few architects in the world to focus on site-specific skateparks as high-quality urban spaces that inspire skaters and flow with the landscape.

Life & society Politics

Finland announces first recipient of International Gender Equality Prize

Finland is awarding the inaugural International Gender Equality Prize to “a distinguished defender and builder of equality.” It’s the first high-profile prize of its kind in the world.

Life & society Fun

Finnish hobbyhorse phenomenon gains new ground at a gallop

The Finns didn’t invent the stick horse, but they reinvented it. The new version, and the culture, skill, sport and online presence that surround it, have little resemblance to the simple toys you may remember from your childhood.

Life & society Hobbyhorse

Finland presents HRH The Duke of Cambridge with two hobbyhorses for his kids

His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, also known as Prince William, got an unusual gift during his official visit to Finland: two handcrafted hobbyhorses. They’re more than mere toys.

Life & society Finland 100

Finland’s #checkout247 live broadcast makes the mundane mindful

This Finnish phenomenon reveals the glorious tedium of a supermarket checkout. And now it’s going global.

Life & society Education

Finnish arts education inspires action all over the Arctic

Inspiring children to be aware of climate change and its perils is a key aim of Green Actions, a Finnish project that involves schools and universities across the countries that make up the Arctic region.

Life & society Environment

Picture this: All 40 Finnish national parks

Slideshow: From the Baltic islands to the Arctic highlands, photojournalist Tea Karvinen’s inspiring book compiles beautiful images and personal impressions of all of Finland’s 40 national parks. [Editor’s update: As of June 1, 2022, there are now 41 national parks. The newest is Salla, in northeastern Finland.]