thisisFINLAND

Making sweet, sour loaves and blazed fish by the sea: western Finnish recipes

Geography and culture are reflected in these recipes from western Finland, where sea buckthorn grows along the Baltic Sea coast and the Ostrobothnia region is known for its potato farming tradition.

Life & society Media

Finland applauds and supports press freedom and its role in democracy

Press Freedom Day, held annually on May 3, reminds people all over the world that a free and independent media is necessary for a well-functioning democracy. The World Press Freedom Index appears on the same day. In 2024, it ranks Finland at number five.

Business & innovation Sustainability

22 for April 22, 2022: A Finnish Earth Day list

Every year, April 22 marks Earth Day all over the world, reminding governments, businesses and citizens to take action on environmental issues. For April 22, 2022, here’s a 22-item listing of promising progress that is happening in Finland.

3.3 million

Amount of saunas in Finland

Source: Unesco

Life & society Cuisine

Rolling out pies, rye bread and other essential eastern Finnish recipes

We visit eastern Finland to find recipes for blinis that require two days to make and dark rye bread that takes three or four days. And we reveal the secrets behind baking Karelian pies, berry pies and more.

Life & society Equality

Finland tops World Happiness Report for fifth time in a row, highlights trust, wellbeing and freedom – other Nordics in top 8

Finland leads the 2022 World Happiness Report, with the other Nordic countries keeping it company in the top eight. What are the values and systems that contribute to keeping Finland at the head of this list?

Life & society Environment

Weathering winter in Finnish waters: Wildlife copes with changing Baltic Sea

Climate change is affecting average water temperatures and amounts of ice cover in the Baltic Sea. That influences the lifecycle and survival of fish and other wildlife, but not always the way you might think.

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.

Arts & culture Slideshows

Finnish wildlife photographers continue to garner international recognition

People in Finland often speak of a close connection to the natural world. That may be one reason why the country’s nature and wildlife photographers continue to gain followers and win awards. (See photo show.)

495,145

Number of summer cottages in Finland

Source: Statistics Finland

things you should and shouldn’t know