thisisFINLAND

Finnish Arctic weather expertise takes trip to Pacific tropics

We talk with a Samoan and a Finn about a four-year cooperative effort between the Finnish Meteorological Institute and 14 Pacific island nations to improve critical weather forecasting and warning capabilities.

Christmas Santa Claus

Sending Santa letters in Finnish Lapland

Ever wonder where letters to Santa Claus wind up? We pay him a visit in Finnish Lapland at Santa’s Main Post Office.

Arts & culture Environment

In Finnish climate change film, the future still exists

British Finnish documentary film director John Webster takes a new approach to a topic that is important to him and a few billion other people: climate change. Spoiler alert: Don’t abandon hope.

Arts & culture Education

Finnish teens put art to the test

A nationwide programme called Art Testers lets every single eighth-grader in Finland experience art – and express their opinions about it, too.

Life & society Education

Finnish arts education inspires action all over the Arctic

Inspiring children to be aware of climate change and its perils is a key aim of Green Actions, a Finnish project that involves schools and universities across the countries that make up the Arctic region.

Life & society Environment

Picture this: All 40 Finnish national parks

Slideshow: From the Baltic islands to the Arctic highlands, photojournalist Tea Karvinen’s inspiring book compiles beautiful images and personal impressions of all of Finland’s 40 national parks. [Editor’s update: As of June 1, 2022, there are now 41 national parks. The newest is Salla, in northeastern Finland.]

Life & society Cuisine

Crunch or cringe? Finnish companies cultivate insect cuisine

How would you feel if you found yourself facing a plate of food made from bugs? At an insect cuisine tasting event, the crowd seems anxious but eager. Insect eating looks set for a breakthrough in Finland, especially as regulations are changing. And we’ve got recipes!

Arts & culture Literature

Aleksis Kivi paves the way for Finnish lit

Every year on October 10, the Finnish flag is raised in honour of author Aleksis Kivi (Oct 10, 1834–Dec 31, 1872), who wrote the first novel in Finnish. The anniversary of his birth is also celebrated as Finnish Literature Day.

Arts & culture Film

How to speak Finnish, according to the new Blade Runner

Finland is, um, honoured that the Finnish language appears in “Blade Runner 2049.”

Life & society Education

In Finland, the world’s largest parent-teacher meeting and other education ideas

The HundrED project discovers inspiring educational innovations in Finland and all around the globe, and shares them.

Life & society Society

Finnish punctuality: hot or not?

We asked five people who live in Finland whether being on time is hot – or not.

Life & society Politics

Real bridge-builder became Finland’s first female government minister

Miina Sillanpää rose from poverty to become one of the first women in the Finnish Parliament and an influential social advocate who helped the cause of women, the elderly and the disadvantaged. Finnish flags fly on October 1 in memory of her contributions.

Arts & culture Dance

Household Dance Protocol choreographs chores in Finland

Sandrina Lindgren combines housework and dance in her Household Dance Protocol project in Turku. You may be amazed at what you discover if you include playfulness and movement in your daily chores.

Business & innovation Health

The medicine world needs great data, and Finland’s got it

We plunge into Finland’s extensive network of biobanks and research centres.

Arts & culture Design

Design nation Finland also becoming illustration nation

Helsinki Design Week, September 7–17: Design means more than simply ceramics and other household items. We talk with Kustaa Saksi, one of many gifted Finnish illustrators you should keep your eye on.

Life & society Education

100 years of Finnish education success stories

Four generations of a Finnish family tell about their school experiences. Over the years, Finnish education has constantly evolved, and now Finland is entering a new learning phase again.

Arts & culture Design

Design and conquer: Global focus on Finland for Helsinki Design Week

Q&A is the 2017 theme for the annual Helsinki Design Week, so we ask some Finns who live and breathe design what makes it so fun.

Finnish Arctic weather expertise takes trip to Pacific tropics

Sending Santa letters in Finnish Lapland

In Finnish climate change film, the future still exists

Finnish teens put art to the test

Finnish arts education inspires action all over the Arctic

Picture this: All 40 Finnish national parks

Crunch or cringe? Finnish companies cultivate insect cuisine

Aleksis Kivi paves the way for Finnish lit

How to speak Finnish, according to the new Blade Runner

In Finland, the world’s largest parent-teacher meeting and other education ideas

Finnish punctuality: hot or not?

Real bridge-builder became Finland’s first female government minister

Household Dance Protocol choreographs chores in Finland

The medicine world needs great data, and Finland’s got it

Design nation Finland also becoming illustration nation

100 years of Finnish education success stories

Design and conquer: Global focus on Finland for Helsinki Design Week

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