Remote Finnish smoke sauna draws visitors from near and far

Life & society Sauna

On the shores of Lake Rikkavesi in North Savo, a region in eastern Finland, an age-old Finnish tradition continues to thrive: a smoke sauna heated every Wednesday during summer, open to everyone.

At Kaavinkoski Saunapirtti (Kaavinkoski sauna cabin) on a tranquil evening, soft steam rises from the hot stones. The summer sunlight lingers well into the night, and as many as 50 bathers may gather to share the sauna experience.

It takes volunteers around six hours to heat the smoke sauna each time, so it’s no small feat. Matti Rahunen, chair of the local village association, is happy to talk about the tradition.

“The first thing people should know about a Finnish smoke sauna is that there isn’t any smoke inside it when you come to bathe,” Rahunen explains.

Good things happen slowly

Two men sit in a dark sauna. One throws water onto the stove.

Smoke has darkened the walls of the sauna.Photo: Matti Rahunen

The sauna is warmed with smoke by slowly feeding a fire until the massive sauna stones glow with stored heat. After around five to six hours, all the smoke is carefully vented through the door and roof hatch, the floors and benches are washed, and the sauna is ready to welcome bathers.

Alongside Rahunen, six other volunteers from the Northeast Tuusniemi Village Association take turns preparing the sauna. The tradition is upheld by true Finnish talkoohenki, the communal spirit of showing up and doing your part to keep the community thriving.

Rahunen says that taking a full day to prepare the smoke sauna is enjoyable: a soothing ritual in itself. And, he says, it is never a lonely task.

“Locals know we heat the sauna on summer Wednesdays,” he says. “Throughout the day, one visitor after another drops by to greet whoever is on duty.”

Describing the indescribable

A wooden sauna and outbuilding are on a lake shore in a forest.

The sauna is located on the shore of Lake Rikkavesi.Photo: the Northeast Tuusniemi Village Association

“Some arrive by boat, others while out walking their dog,” says Rahunen. “One summer resident from nearby even flies in at least once each summer by seaplane – landing right there on the lake – and often stays the whole evening to relax in the sauna.”

Monika and Dieter Beyer, from a small town in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, have vacationed in Finland almost every summer for more than 20 years. On summer Wednesdays, Monika can usually be found at Kaavinkoski Saunapirtti, bathing in the soft heat of the sauna, taking refreshing dips in the lake and chatting with Finnish friends she has made over the years.

“I still remember my first smoke sauna here,” she says. “I had memorised a few standard sentences in Finnish. Basically, I knew how to say, ‘I am a German tourist. Unfortunately, I do not speak Finnish.’”

That wasn’t an issue. “I’ll never forget the happy reply I received from the volunteer warming the sauna: ‘That’s not a problem; I speak a little German!’”

Monika Beyer emphasises that a Finnish smoke sauna is an experience like no other.

“This type of sauna is so original, so special,” she says. “No artificial infusion fragrances, just a completely natural, soft smoky scent. It really cannot be compared to other kinds of saunas.”

She savours the experience: “Enjoying the heat, gently ladling pure water on the stones – it’s so relaxing, it’s almost indescribable. It always makes me feel like a new person. Everyone should try it at least once in their lifetime.”

Evening coffee by the lake

Several pots sit on a grill over an open fire.

Coffee brewed in a kettle over an open fire is an essential part of the sauna experience. Many visitors linger afterwards to enjoy the peace and quiet of nature.Photo: the Northeast Tuusniemi Village Association

On smoke sauna evenings, men have their turn at six o’clock, and at half past seven they clear out and the women take over.

“For the first 18 years, women went first,” Rahunen says. “Two years ago, we decided to switch the order around. Which works better? I guess we’ll give it another 16 years to see. Then we will have a basis for fair comparison.”

Two people sit on a wooden bench next to a fire in a wooded area. A lake is in the background.

The grounds of Kaavinkoski sauna cabin include a campfire site on the lakeshore.Photo: the Northeast Tuusniemi Village Association

It’s a social occasion. After the sauna, most people stay to chat, relax and have an evening coffee brewed the traditional way over an open fire. Nokipannukahvi, which roughly translates to “soot-pot coffee” is another Finnish tradition. Many visitors also bring food to grill in the cosy hut by the lake.

By Joanna Sinclair, July 2026

Aino, Lumi and Pyry: Let’s look at Finland’s naming traditions

Life & society Language

For many foreigners in Finland, first names are an early puzzle. Try saying the name Pyry and the man will smile politely, even though his name means “blizzard” and you’ve just reduced it to a pathetic drizzle.

Add secret baby names and a calendar devoted to name days, and it’s clear that naming works differently here.

“First names carry a lot of tradition, and the whole Finnish culture can be seen in our first names – the medieval times, the pre-Christian times, Russian and Swedish influences, and later influences,” says Minna Saarelma-Paukkala, a docent of onomastics (name studies) and name-day specialist at the University of Helsinki’s Almanac Office.

From Kalevala to the national awakening

Some of Finland’s oldest first names predate Christianity’s arrival. These names, drawn mostly from the Kalevala, Finland’s national epic, still echo through modern birth registers.

“We have many names that come from the pre-Christian times, like Kalevala names – Tellervo, Kyllikki, Mielikki for women and Väinö, Tapio and Ilmari for men,” Saarelma-Paukkala says. “They are very old – thousands of years old – Finnish names.”

These names did not remain in constant use, however. Their revival is closely tied to a moment when Finland was actively shaping its national identity.

“They became especially popular in the mid-19th century, during the national awakening, when people started to take all these old names again,” she explains.

That period helped establish naming as a cultural statement – a way of signalling Finnishness through language and heritage.

Familiar names in Finnish form

An illustration depicts an adult holding a child looking at a framed picture of a tree covered with small notes bearing names.

In Finland, parents may wait months before announcing a baby’s name, taking time to see which name truly fits the child.Illustration: Aino Korpinen

Christianity has also been influential in shaping Finnish names, though often in ways that are not immediately obvious to non-Finns.

Rather than borrowing Christian names wholesale, Finnish usage reshaped them. Many familiar biblical or European names are present, but disguised by centuries of phonetic adaptation.

“About two-thirds of Finns have names that are connected to Christianity, but they are often Finnish forms,” Saarelma-Paukkala says. “Pekka is Peter, Antti is Andrew, Kerttu is Gertrude and so on.”

A culture of creativity

Finland’s naming culture is also marked by a striking openness to invention.

“Because of the national awakening, we became very creative in name-giving,” Saarelma-Paukkala says. “This is something very specific to Finland – that we can create first names simply from the Finnish language. Often they refer to nature – flowers, trees, spices – and you can give a name even if no one else has the same one.”

As a result, Finland has an unusually wide range of first names relative to its population size, with many names belonging to only a handful of people. For example, there are names such as Puolukka (lingonberry) or Sumu (fog).

Secrecy and spirits

An illustration depicts a framed picture of a tree with many small notes bearing common Finnish first names on its branches.

See if you recognise any of these common Finnish names. In Finland, many first names have their own celebration in the name-day calendar – but to be included officially, a name must be shared by at least 500 people.Illustration: Aino Korpinen

One of the most surprising Finnish traditions for outsiders is the custom of keeping a baby’s name secret or undecided after birth.

“The name is kept secret for a maximum of three months,” Saarelma-Paukkala says. “Parents often say they want to see what kind of person the child is first, and then decide which name suits them.”

The practice has roots in Christian tradition, where a child’s name was officially given at baptism, marking their formal welcome into the community. Announcing the name before this ceremony was believed by many to have spiritual consequences.

“The tradition goes back to medieval times,” she explains. “There was this idea that an evil spirit could take the child if the name was revealed before the baptism.”

Few Finns today worry about evil spirits, but the habit of waiting has endured well beyond religion. Many parents value those early, nameless weeks, using the time to get to know their child before deciding which name fits.

Nature names and sound preferences

Nature-based names are especially visible in recent years.

“Nature names are very typical now – strong natural phenomena for boys, like Myrsky, which means ‘storm,’ and beautiful flowers or nature-related names for girls, like Lumi, which means ‘snow,’” Saarelma-Paukkala says.

Sound also plays a role. Certain phonetic patterns are more popular than others.

“Names that begin with vowels are very common now – Aino, Eevi, Aava, Emma, Alvar, Oliver, Elias, Emil,” she says.

Some sounds have become less common, particularly the Finnish rolling R, as well as the vowel sounds Ä, Ö and Y, which are difficult for foreigners to pronounce.

“It’s easier to be Emma or Emil than Päivi or Yrjö,” she notes.

Occasion to celebrate

Alongside first names themselves, Finland has preserved another distinctive custom: the name-day calendar.

Its roots lie in the medieval Catholic calendar of saints, but during the Protestant Reformation the focus shifted from honouring saints to celebrating the people who carried their names. The tradition has since evolved into a calendar in which the most popular Finnish names have a designated day, officially maintained and updated every five years to reflect changing name use.

“You often don’t know your coworkers’ birthdays, but you can look at the calendar and see that it’s Heikki’s name day and congratulate him,” Saarelma-Paukkala says.

The tradition remains surprisingly widespread.

“About 85 percent of Finns say that other people congratulate them on their name day,” she says.

And the calendar is still evolving. To have your name added to the calendar, it must be carried by at least 500 people in Finland, but that doesn’t stop Saarelma-Paukkala from suggesting unofficial name days for people with less common names.

“Sometimes people contact me because their child’s name isn’t in the calendar and they are unhappy,” she adds. “I always try to help them find a good day to celebrate anyway.”

Most popular names (2025)

Most popular names in Finnish (girls)
1. Olivia
2. Linnea
3. Aino
4. Viola
5. Aava
Most popular names in Finnish (boys)
1. Eino
2. Leo
3. Elias
4. Väinö
5. Oliver
Most popular names in Swedish* (girls)
1. Saga
2. Alva
3. Ella
4. Astrid
5. Edith
Most popular names in Swedish* (boys)
1. Edvin
2. Emil
3. Hugo
4. Oliver
5. Felix
Most popular names in other languages (girls)
1. Sofia
2. Eva
3. Emilia
4. Emma
5. Maria
Most popular names in other languages (boys)
1. Muhammad
2. Adam
3. Elias
4. Daniel
5. Liam

* Swedish is one of Finland’s official languages.

Source: Digital and Population Data Services Agency

By Tyler Walton, July 2026

Finnish sauna culture is bringing people together around the world

Life & society Sauna

The Finnish sauna is enjoying a surge in popularity abroad, with growing interest in the UK and the US driven by a desire for wellbeing and real-world connection.

“One of the main factors driving the sauna boom in the UK and the US is the sense of community,” says British journalist and sauna author Emma O’Kelly. “Where else can you go that everyone is welcome?”

She adds, “For Gen Z, sauna is also a place where you can meet other people face-to-face. It’s about connection and getting off the phone and doing something in real time. It’s all good and healthy, and we need it.”

Tea Lindberg, founder of Helsinki’s Furuvik Seaside Sauna, believes sauna is closely tied to the Finnish way of life. “It’s a place where everyone is equal. In the sauna there are no titles or status, just people sharing the same experience,” she says.

“For many Finns, sauna is part of weekly routines. It supports both mental and physical wellbeing and also strengthens social bonds. Families, friends and colleagues gather together, talk openly, and spend quality time with each other.”

Kotona.com, a Finnish lifestyle website covering homes, design, crafts and everyday life in Finland, explores why sauna culture is booming internationally. (Kotona means “at home” in Finnish.)

How Finland is future-proofing encryption for the quantum computing era

Business & innovation Technology

Imagine discovering new battery materials, designing catalysts for green energy, or synthesising novel drug molecules in a fraction of the time it currently takes. That’s the promise of quantum computing – and Finland is at the forefront of constructing it.

In Espoo, just west of Helsinki, teams at VTT Technical Research Centre and IQM Quantum Computers are developing superconducting quantum processors that can tackle problems today’s classical computers simply cannot handle.

Yet for all the technical marvels, this same transformative potential also carries serious implications for cybersecurity. The machines expected to accelerate significant real-world breakthroughs are also expected to break today’s encryption standards – as early as the 2030s.

The threat is real.

“Only by moving to quantum-safe solutions can we ensure digital services remain secure,” says Visa Vallivaara, research team lead at BLimPQC (Beyond the Limits of Post-Quantum Cryptography).

Act now, decrypt later

An aerial photo shows apartment blocks and university buildings surrounded by trees, in front of a bay dotted with islands.

In Espoo, just west of Helsinki, teams at VTT Technical Research Centre and IQM Quantum Computers are developing superconducting quantum processors.Photo: Hanna Saari/Visit Espoo

VTT is at the helm of the three-year BLimPQC project. Launched in April 2025, it focuses on developing quantum-safe encryption and identification systems, along with the key-management tools needed to deploy them.

“The transition to quantum-safe encryption methods takes time, so the work must start immediately,” Vallivaara says.

“Some people think you need a quantum computer to do post-quantum cryptography, but you can run it on a normal laptop.”

In a head-and-shoulders photo, a man, Visa Vallivaara, looks into the camera.

“The communication that we send now on the internet…can already be stolen and later broken with a quantum computer,” says Visa Vallivaara.Photo courtesy of Visa Vallivaara

The required shift is often compared to Y2K – but broader and more complex. Y2K, which stands for “year 2000,” referred to the fear that tech systems would fail when the year changed from 1999 to 2000, confusing computers that were using two-digit year codes (“99”). The current threat has its own unnerving name: “harvest now, decrypt later” (HNDL).

“The communication that we send now on the internet – when we exchange encryption keys and then send classified information or health data – can already be stolen and later broken with a quantum computer,” Vallivaara says.

Those who start preparing early will avoid a situation where upgrades need to be done in a rush, or once data may have already been compromised.

Outsized impact

A person wearing a lab coat and gloves makes adjustments to a delicate-looking machine full of metal parts and wires.

An employee is working with a quantum computer test cryostat in VTT’s research laboratory.Photo: VTT

Finland’s best-known exports, such as Nokia and Supercell, have earned global fanfare. But the country’s deepest mark on the digital world may be less visible.

“When you’re paying with your credit card, chances are when the transaction goes through all the big banking systems around the world, our solutions make sure that it’s secure and authenticated properly,” says Suvi Lampila, an SSH (Secure Shell) fellow at SSH Communications Security.

In a head-and-shoulders photo, a woman, Suvi Lampila, looks into the camera.

“In cybersecurity, Finland has been a far bigger player than what you might expect,” says Suvi Lampila of SSH Communications Security.Photo courtesy of Suvi Lampila

The cybersecurity company launched its Secure Shell protocol three decades ago. The result? Today, more than 95 percent of internet servers have SSH installed.

“In cybersecurity, Finland has been a far bigger player than what you might expect,” Lampila says. “Many of the fundamental security technologies powering the internet have strong origins here.”

The Finnish way

A person wearing a protective suit and a mask looks into a high-powered microscope in a lab.

Several companies and organisations are collaborating on the BLimPQC (Beyond the Limits of Post-Quantum Cryptography) project. Photo: IQM

The BLimPQC project unites cybersecurity companies like SSH, universities and government agencies, reflecting Finland’s public–private approach to digital resilience.

“If we compete too much internally, we lose out to bigger countries,” says Vallivaara, “so we have a long tradition of collaboration between industry, academia and government.”

It’s a timely instinct. “Even the biggest companies in the world are not going to be able to tackle this PQC transition on their own,” Lampila says.

“It definitely helps that when you are collaborating on a project like this, you feel that we’re heading in the right direction together,” she says. It doesn’t end up that “we come up with a great idea and there’s no practical implementation. It’s a cross-pollination from different sides.”

Finland’s famously non-hierarchical working culture doesn’t hurt, either. Good ideas eclipse hierarchy. “It doesn’t really matter who comes up with it, as long as it’s a good idea,” says Lampila. “The barrier to advancing certain things is a lot lower in our society.”

By James O’Sullivan, July 2026

Riding whitewater rapids in northern Finland’s summer wilderness

Life & society Travel

Water splashes across our faces as someone beside me screams with excitement. The raft hurtles towards a boulder, swerves away at the last second, and shoots down the rapids.

Earlier that morning, on the shore of the Kitka River near the village of Käylä, close to the Arctic Circle, wilderness guides Tuomas Törmänen and Joonas Koskinen brief the group on the adventure ahead.

A rafting guide wearing an orange helmet speaks to a group of adults and children gathered beside inflatable boats on a riverbank in northern Finland.

Experienced guides like Tuomas Törmänen (left) provide a quick introduction before we head onto the river.

Seven rapids await us today, all of them suitable for beginners. Safety comes first.

“Keep your hands and feet inside the raft at all times,” says Törmänen. “And paddle when I tell you.”

Life jackets on, helmets secured, boots tightened, and we are off.

First rapids, first screams

A guide sitting at the back of an inflatable raft shields his eyes from the bright summer light while using the outboard motor to steer across calm water bordered by forest.

Kuusamo is famous for its snowy winters, but summer visitors can enjoy the midnight sun, when daylight stretches late into the night.

“Oh wow! This is better than a theme park ride,” shouts ten-year-old Luukas.

The first rapid, Käylänkoski, is behind us. Long and relatively gentle, it still feels exciting for someone more used to dry land. I have to admit that I spent much of it paddling with my eyes shut.

After the rush, the river calms. There is time to admire the scenery drifting past: pine forests, sandy banks and crystal-clear water with fish visible below the surface. Summer cottages peek through the trees along the shoreline.

Trees line the edge of a calm river in northern Finland, their reflections shimmering in the still water beneath a pale summer sky.

Kuusamo lies just south of the Arctic Circle and is easy to reach by plane or bus.

Finland is filled with pristine lakes, rivers and rapids, and people are eager to enjoy them. Around Kuusamo, several tourism companies – including Basecamp Oulanka, our guides for the day – safely take visitors onto the water. There is plenty of space for everyone.¨

Luukas has travelled to Kuusamo with his family from southern Finland to spend the summer holiday with his grandparents. The family had talked about rafting for years, especially because their mother had tackled much larger rapids around Europe.

Now that the children are old enough, three generations are finally making the trip together.

“I’m really looking forward to the biggest rapids,” says 12-year-old Mai dreamily.

Spinning through the whitewater

Two inflatable rafts carrying people in safety gear float on a river under bright daylight in northern Finland.

Kuusamo offers rafting adventures for every skill level. On the easiest routes, no previous experience is required.

A goldeneye duck suddenly takes flight nearby as we approach Peurakoski, the next rapid.

First we paddle hard. Then Törmänen shouts, “Let go!”

Everyone pulls their paddles into the raft. The boat swings sideways into the rapid, bouncing wildly and spinning with the current. Water crashes over us as rafters scream and laugh at the same time.

Then everything settles again.

Three people wearing red life jackets sit in an inflatable raft on a river, with pine trees lining the shore behind them.

Arto Kajava (left) was born and raised in Kuusamo. His grandchildren Nooa and Mai love spending time in the northern wilderness.

Eleven-year-old Nooa pours water from his boot back into the river. His socks are soaked.

During the rafting season, Törmänen guides around 100 trips down these rivers. He knows the area’s rapids, ridges and peaks by heart.

Born and raised in Kuusamo, he once tried living in southern Finland for a few years before returning north.

“There’s a proper winter here,” he says. “I missed that. This is my place.”

Facing the toughest rapids

Water splashes from a person plunging into a river.

Did someone fall overboard? Not quite – one of the rafters simply got too warm and wanted to cool off.

Törmänen starts the raft’s motor to cross calmer stretches of the river. By now, navigating the rapids is beginning to feel almost routine.

Then comes Harjakoski – the wildest rapid of the day.

On the international scale of I to VI, it is classified as grade III: difficult. Steep drops, high waves and a rough ride lie ahead.

See what whitewater rafting is like in the heart of the wild Finnish wilderness.Video by Tuomas Törmänen

Everyone seems slightly nervous. Phones and cameras are sealed inside waterproof bags. People wedge their boots more firmly into the raft.

“Paddle!” Törmänen shouts above the roar of the water.

The raft surges forward as waves crash over us. My stomach drops as the boat plunges downward.

And then, suddenly, it is over. A huge sense of relief follows.

A perfect ending

Rafters in red life jackets pause on the water beside swimmers during a summer rafting trip on the Kitka River.

Even late in the evening, the northern sky never fully darkens.

After the final rapid, many of us jump into the river for a swim. The water is around 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit) and feels wonderful against our skin.

Many travellers have already discovered Lapland’s exotic winter, but the northern summer remains a hidden treasure. There is gentle warmth, endless light, extraordinary nature and, above all, silence.

A child in the water grips the edge of an inflatable raft during a summer rafting trip in Finland.

Mai hopes the family will return to the rapids again soon.

An adult helps a young rafter back into the boat while floating on a forest-lined river.

Arto Kajava helps his grandson Luukas back into the boat after he jumped into the water to cool off.

By the time we reach the village of Juuma, we have travelled 14 kilometres (8.7 miles) along the river.

“It was so much fun,” Luukas says with a grin.

“We’re definitely coming back next summer,” Mai adds.

On the shore, two reindeer lie lazily in the sun.

Kuusamo and the Kitka River

Wooden duckboards form a narrow path through the forest towards a calm lake in northern Finland.

In the far north of Finland, summer still feels like a hidden world.

Kuusamo is located in northeastern Finland, just south of the Arctic Circle.
The region is known for forests, rivers, hiking trails and outdoor activities throughout the year.
Whitewater rafting routes in the area range from beginner-friendly family trips to more challenging rapids.
During midsummer, the midnight sun keeps northern Finland bright late into the night, with only a few hours of twilight in Kuusamo.

Text and photos by Emilia Kangasluoma, July 2026

5 reasons to love Finnish oats

Life & society Food

They’re sweet, savoury and everything in between

The average Finn consumes nearly ten kilograms of oats each year. Oats’ incredible versatility makes them the ultimate culinary chameleon, equally at home in sweet treats and savoury dishes. Classic Finnish oat foods include porridge, hearty breads, biscuits, flaky pies and pancakes.

Refined oat products also offer sweet and savoury options to satisfy every taste. Finnish shop shelves are stocked with oat crisps, liquorice, pasta and meat-like oat protein products, among others. There are also numerous oat-based dairy alternatives such as oat drinks, ice cream and yoghurts, as well as cheese substitutes.

They bring comfort

Eating oats is inherently nostalgic. Starting your morning with oat porridge is a tradition passed down through generations. Breakfast porridge is comfort food at its finest, bringing familiarity to daily life and evoking childhood memories. The numbers back this up: the National Porridge Survey commissioned by Raisio Group in 2019 showed that nearly every other Finn eats porridge on weekday mornings.

Finns enjoy their morning porridge in countless ways, but nearly every approach shares two things: simplicity and letting the oats shine. To enjoy your porridge like a Finn, just add a pat of butter, a drizzle of milk or a handful of berries. Finnish tradition doesn’t believe in drowning porridge in sweetness – perfect balance comes from respecting the ingredient itself.

They’re healthy

In Finland, oats are usually eaten as wholegrain, meaning they contain all the nutrient-rich parts of the grain. Beta-glucan, the water-soluble dietary fibre found in oats, has been proven through research to lower cholesterol levels. Oats are high in fibre, which promotes intestinal health and supports beneficial gut bacteria.

Additionally, they are a good source of antioxidants and selenium, which plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy immune system and helping the body fight off infections – in short, a true superfood.

They are a source of constant innovation

Finland ranks as the world’s second-largest oat exporter (after Canada) and produces 13% of all European oats. The country is also a world leader in oat research and product development.

Meat substitutes and plant-based proteins are among the fastest-growing categories in the food industry, and Finnish companies like Raisio, Valio and Fazer have been at the forefront of this trend for several years.

In addition to creating entirely new products, Finnish oat innovators have also focused on developing gluten-free and allergen-friendly options, offering alternatives for people with various dietary restrictions and allergies.

They’re yummy

Every Finn learns to make these simple crispy oat cookies in secondary school home economics classes. You’ll need:

4 dl (1.7 cups) rolled oats
2 dl (0.85 cups) sugar
1 tsp vanilla sugar
2 tbsp wheat flour
2 tsp baking powder
100 g (3.5 oz) butter (melted and cooled)
2 eggs

Preheat the oven to 200°C (392°F). Mix dry ingredients in a bowl. Add butter and stir. Add eggs and mix until combined.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Drop the dough onto it in small spoonfuls (about 2/3 tbsp each). Place 9 – 12 per sheet, leaving plenty of room for spreading. Bake for 6 – 7 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool completely, the cookies will crisp up as they cool.

By Veera Kaukoniemi, ThisisFINLAND Magazine
Illustration: Hilla Ruuskanen

Unusual speed dating in Finland offers a new way to meet people

Life & society Fun

Wednesday night at the legendary Helsinki restaurant Ilves is anything but quiet. The air buzzes with possibility. Strangers wander in, some chasing love, others simply avoiding a lonely evening.

Tatskatytöt – literally “tattoo girls” – is the name used by a duo of tattoo artists, Salla Ollakka and Lee Su Ling. What began as a project has grown into a movement, a series of social events that unite people at bars, festivals and museums across Finland. Their mission: to create safe, lively spaces where everyone feels welcome, no matter who you are or whom you love.

From “slow-friending” sessions to pub quizzes, bingo and group games, the events are designed to break the ice and foster genuine connections. Run in both Finnish and English, they draw a mix of locals, international students and people who have recently moved to Finland.

Returning to real life

Pairs of participants sit opposite one another along a long wooden table in a dimly lit bar, leaning in to talk over drinks and small candles during a structured social event.

Restaurant tables glow with candlelight, roses bloom and question cards await.

In a screen-obsessed world, real connection is becoming rare. That may be why Tatskatytöt thrive: They offer something you can’t scroll past. Meeting face-to-face isn’t always easy, but sometimes all it takes is a time, a place and some sisu (that special Finnish combination of courage and perseverance).

At six o’clock sharp, the organisers start signing up the crowd. In less than 15 minutes, both speed-dating rounds are full. Friends and curious passersby fill the place – not just hopeful romantics.

Hiski Ruusulampi arrives early. He knows how quickly the place comes alive, having already experienced five of these events. Ruusulampi is not looking simply for love, but for authentic interactions, which he feels are rare these days.

A man with a numbered sticker on his shirt leans forward in conversation across a small table, with a glass of beer, a prompt card and a single white flower in a bottle between him and his partner.

Hiski Ruusulampi has attended several Tatskatytöt events and says he values the chance for in-person conversation.

The atmosphere is warm and playful. Themed icebreakers and the gentle encouragement of the hosts make the events welcoming, even for the shyest guests.

Who shows up and why

A young woman with long blonde hair smiles across the table at her conversation partner in a warmly lit venue, while other attendees chat in the background.

Heta Rantakokko has attended more than ten Tatskatytöt events. Her advice? Step out of your comfort zone and into the real world.

Tatskatytöt strive for real inclusivity. They want to be “warm and approachable,” says Ollakka. “We support all rainbow communities, so we want to offer events for them, too.” The Tatskatytöt community is for everyone – you’ll see people from young adults to those in their 60s at the events.

Dating apps? Tried and tired. Swiping matches that never turn into dates is exhausting.

Another participant, Heta Rantakokko, says the event is interesting because it sparks conversations with people you’d never meet otherwise. Like Ruusulampi, she’s not chasing love – just a fun night out and a wider social circle.

Drinks, a lit candle and a floral decoration sit between two people in conversation across a cosy bar table.

The bar setting helps, Heta Rantakokko says. The concept also works well in other settings, such as Helsinki’s Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art.

The organisers were sceptical about whether their idea would work in Finland, so they aimed to make it inviting.

After each round, participants note the numbers of people they would like to see again. If there’s a match, Tatskatytöt handle the introductions later. There are no awkward rejections, just good vibes.

Two women with tattoos on their arms sit side by side at a wooden table, smiling beneath pink bunting in a warmly lit venue.

Tatskatytöt hope to inspire bravery in the face of loneliness.

As the night winds down, guests are already asking about the next event. Some who arrived solo head out with new friends, while others are happy to know they have a place to return to whenever they’re ready to try again.

By Céilidhe Becker, May 2026
Photos by Emilia Kangasluoma

Want in? Check out Tatskatytöt on Instagram, Facebook or Menokone for event details.

Idyllic Finnish cottage features vintage design and enchanting gardens

Life & society Lifestyle

A winding gravel road leads to the former harbour of the Strömfors ironworks in Loviisa, a town on the southern coast of Finland, about 85 kilometres (50 miles) east of Helsinki. A slope rises, dotted here and there with red-ochre cottages.

They once housed the ironworks’ dockworkers and formed a village of their own. In one idyllic little cottage, with white-paned windows, a family now spends time year-round.

“The exterior is protected and, to us, perfect,” says Pia Lohikoski. “We want it to look old inside as well. This is our cottage, and I’m putting in the things I like and enjoy!”

The Lohikoskis have furnished the cottage with nostalgic pieces and rustic country items. Pia collects all kinds of vintage objects and loves flea markets, so the kitchen is full of retro jars, colourful dishes and pieces from Finnish ceramics brand Arabia from decades past. The walls wear traditional, colour-rich wallpaper.

“On our first visit, I walked between these boulders,” says Lohikoski. “It was raining. I fell in love with the yard – it has a fairytale-forest feel all year round.”

The home is featured on Kotona.com, a Finnish lifestyle site covering homes, design, crafts and everyday living in Finland. (Kotona means “at home” in Finnish.)

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