Life & society Archives

Allegro speeds up Saint Petersburg line

The new, high-speed train Allegro cuts more than two hours off travel time between Helsinki and the former city of the tsars.

Life & society Education

Finns score high again in PISA

In the 2009 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), Finland maintains a place near the top of the tables in all categories: reading, mathematics and science.

Life & society Environment

Finnish bioenergy show-how grows

Green energy promoters around the world are watching eastern Finland, Europe’s leading region in sustainable wood energy.

Life & society Slideshows

Quiet corners in the Finnish capital

We open a book that takes you off the beaten path in Helsinki, in words and photos – see the slideshow.

Life & society Cuisine

Big fuss about small beers in Finland

Finland offers beer-lovers a growing number of tasty alternatives to the generic uniformity of the big global brands.

Life & society Travel

Roughing it in exotic Finland

The co-author of a new guide to Finland tells how the book was made, drops travel tips and reveals what’s best about the Finns.

Life & society Travel

See Helsinki with a spring in your step

Personalised jogging and Nordic walking tours give busy visitors a fresh view of the city – and some healthy exercise.

Life & society Environment

Finland’s most uplifting scenery

Kvarken Archipelago: Thousands of islands are gradually emerging from the sea off Finland’s west coast – and Unesco has noticed.

Life & society