thisisFINLAND

Citizens’ initiatives prove popular in Finland as an expression of democracy

More than a decade of experience shows how citizens’ initiatives, in which ordinary voters ask the legislature to create or alter a law, have become a popular expression of democracy in Finland – particularly for young people.

Life & society Winter

Icy resolve: Creating the world’s widest ice carousel on a Finnish lake

Janne Käpylehto’s newest project – making the largest ice carousel in the world – amounts to a masterclass in sisu, the untranslatable Finnish word that signifies courage and endurance. And we’ve got it on video.

Arts & culture Performing arts

For Finnish Culture Day, six videos transport you to festivals and arts events across Finland

We celebrate Finnish Culture Day, February 28, with six videos that invite you to experience cultural events – mostly music festivals, but we also throw in some dance and architecture.

in the Human Capital Index

Source: World Economic Forum

Business & innovation Work

CEO of Finland’s Supercell believes in work-life balance and an international workforce

Mobile game developer Supercell, headquartered in Helsinki, is known for its emphasis on employee wellbeing. Cofounder and CEO Ilkka Paananen shares his ideas about the work environments of the future.

Arts & culture Architecture

Creating architecture and art from ice and snow in the Finnish far north

A rare, fascinating kind of construction expertise is on display in the wintery landscape of Finnish Lapland. We head north for a look at buildings made out of snow and ice.

Business & innovation Technology

Finnish space sector maintains upward trajectory

Finland’s strengths in research, technology and cocreation make it fertile earth for space innovations. And did you know that sustainability is a thing in space, too?

Business & innovation Webpick

Finnish researcher looks for climate answers in cold water

When you’re an academic researcher and assistant professor in water engineering at Finland’s Aalto University, as Eliisa Lotsari is, it helps to have a passion for cold water.

Arts & culture Cuisine

Michelin-starred Finnish chef gets creative with plant-based food

Chef Kim Mikkola and his team achieved a Michelin star at their Helsinki restaurant, Inari, with vegetarian dishes accounting for 95 percent of the menu. (Article includes recipe.)

Number of Finns who have won a Nobel Prize

things you should and shouldn’t know