thisisFINLAND

Finnish Valtavalo sells lighting as a service

Valtavalo, a manufacturer of LED tubes, sells lighting as a service, rather than purveying lamps as products. This is an excellent example of the circular economy concept, based on buying a service rather than a physical product.

Arts & culture Music

Music brings together people from all over, at Finland’s Flow Fest

We talk to some of the numerous visitors from abroad at Helsinki’s Flow Festival. What brought them to Flow, and what are their impressions? Also, see our slideshow for a glimpse of festival ambiance.

Life & society Climate

Finnish schools emphasise climate change education

Teaching about the environment and climate change forms an important part of the curriculum in Finnish schools. We look at one school that is also taking action by utilising renewable energy.

Arts & culture Festivals

Festivals fill Helsinki in August

People in Finland sure like a good festival, and the Finnish capital conveniently offers a whole bunch of them in August, when the Helsinki Festival and its partner events seem to be everywhere in the city.

Life & society Nature

Finnish summer in the city: garden getaways

When you hear the words “Finland” and “nature,” you may think of the country’s large expanses of forest and numerous lakes. On a different scale, allotment gardens offer many Finnish city-dwellers a way to spend time surrounded by nature.

Life & society Cuisine

Culinary pleasures across Finland

Food innovators combine Finland’s culinary tradition with an international, urban style. The focus is on local food and ecological values.

Life & society Slideshows

Western Finnish town of Pori hosts jazz and big ideas every summer

They say that all of Finland takes a break in July, since that’s the most popular month for summer holidays. This isn’t the case in Pori, a town on the west coast (see our slideshow).

Life & society Language

Let your Finnish-language animal run free

Splendiferously long words, complex grammar, inscrutable sayings – the Finnish language contains many idiosyncrasies that fascinate and challenge learners. For a light interlude, take your Finnish to new heights of animalistic self-expression.

Life & society Human rights

Helsinki Pride Parade – a party for all

On the last Saturday of June Helsinki sparkles with colours. For over ten years, that’s when people have gathered to march together at the Pride Parade to celebrate equality and human rights. (See our slideshow of the parade.)

Arts & culture Theater

Outdoor drama forms a vital part of Finnish summer

Finns are always determined to savour every second of the intense short summer – and that extends to a fondness for the summer theatre.

Life & society Education

Getting an international education in Finland

Finland offers a wide choice of international schools for temporary and permanent residents, in English and other languages including French, German, Spanish and Russian.

Arts & culture Film

“I have to get me some of this”: Finnish films and TV series you should watch

More than 40 Finnish films premiered in 2018, and Netflix is discovering popular Finnish TV dramas. Our list of recommendations points you to the boldest new Finnish cinema and streaming.

Life & society Equality

Spreading the word about equality, with the Finnish pronoun “hän”

Equality forms a core value for Finland and its people, and this may have something to do, in part, with the Finnish language. It covers both “he” and “she” with a single gender-neutral pronoun: “hän.”

Life & society Sports

Finnish footballer Teemu Pukki scores a big season

Supporters of Norwich City Football Club and the Finnish national team have something – and someone – to sing about.

Business & innovation Sustainability

Finland aims to bid farewell to rubbish dumps

Recycling waste saves natural resources, produces raw material for the circular economy and generates new business opportunities.

Arts & culture Fashion

Bold Finnish fashion designers attract global attention

Aalto University’s spring fashion show, held every May in Helsinki, is on the agendas of international journalists, scouts, bloggers and anyone else who’s into apparel. What’s behind the most recent success of Finnish designers?