thisisFINLAND

New kind of election in Finland selects decision-makers for wellbeing services

January 23, 2022 is election day for a completely new category of election, anticipating the reform of social and health services that takes effect on January 1, 2023. Foreign residents of Finland have the right to vote and to run as candidates.

Arts & culture Slideshows

The return of Lux Helsinki reminds viewers of brighter days ahead

Our photo show samples the glow of a festival of open-air light installations that offset the winter darkness in the Finnish capital.

Life & society Sports

Finnish American helps Finland lead in cheerleading

World champion cheerleader Kayleigh Karinen had already lived in the US, Chile and Spain when she decided to settle down in Finland, the country of her ancestors.

100%

Literacy rate in Finland

Source: CIA World Factbook

Life & society Culture

Explore Finland online: Sit back and enjoy the show

Here are options from all over Finland for seeing world-class art, architecture and performances without leaving home. Sometimes restrictions, cost or sheer distance can keep you from making a trip to see a show or an exhibition.

Arts & culture Film

Finnish film from East Africa savours international acclaim

Somali Finnish film director Khadar Ayderus Ahmed describes the tribulations and triumphs of creating a movie about a haunting idea that simply wouldn’t leave him alone. It’s the first entry from Somalia for Best International Film Feature at the Oscars.

Life & society Equality

Turkish organisation that combats violence against women receives international award in Finland

Finland has awarded the International Gender Equality Prize, the first high-profile prize of its kind in the world, to the We Will Stop Femicide Platform – an organisation doing groundbreaking work to combat violence against women in Turkey.

Business & innovation Webpick

Ideas for a better life: Millennium Technology Prize livestream and online innovation forum

The 2020 Millennium Technology Prize winner is announced at a livestreamed ceremony on May 18, 2021. The ceremony is followed by a virtual event, the Millennium Innovation Forum, held online on May 19.

Life & society Nature

The Northern Lights colour the skies over Finland

Finland’s natural scenery includes, by any measure, some of the most beautiful views in the world: blue lakes, emerald forests and snowy winter landscapes.

in the World Happiness Report

Source: UN World Happiness Report

things you should and shouldn’t know