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things you should and shouldn't know
Writer explores basic income in Finland, first-hand
Life & societySociety

Writer explores basic income in Finland, first-hand

Finland wants to know if finding a job is easier when unemployment benefits are replaced by a basic income. Author Tuomas Muraja shares his experiences of the basic-income trial, which runs from January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2018.

Tagged in EconomySocial ServicesSocietyThisisFINLAND MagazineWellbeingWork
Finland expects refreshingly unsurprising presidential election
Life & societyPolitics

Finland expects refreshingly unsurprising presidential election

As Finnish voters prepare to choose a president, political reporter Unto Hämäläinen explains why the incumbent, Sauli Niinistö, enjoys such popularity, and what to expect from the election.

Tagged in FinlandPoliticsSociety
Imagination galloping wild in Finland
Life & societyFun

Imagination galloping wild in Finland

Young Finns are swapping live horses for intricate, handmade hobbyhorses. And the world is following suit!

Tagged in FunHobbyhorseThisisFINLAND Magazine
Grab your skateboard: Finnish architect creates sculpted skate-scapes
Life & societySports

Grab your skateboard: Finnish architect creates sculpted skate-scapes

For Helsinkian Janne Saario, a childhood passion for skateboarding led to a pro career. Later he became one of the few architects in the world to focus on site-specific skateparks as high-quality urban spaces that inspire skaters and flow with the landscape.

Tagged in ArchitectureFunSkatingSports
Finland’s ambassador of Christmas
Santa Claus with children in a snowy landscape.
ChristmasSanta Claus

Finland’s ambassador of Christmas

Santa’s an ambassador of Christmas, telling kids across the world about snow, elves, reindeer and more.

Tagged in Santa Claus
My first Finnish Christmas: Cold but cosy
First Christmas in Finland, cottage, skiing, snow, ice lantern
ChristmasModern Christmas

My first Finnish Christmas: Cold but cosy

An Englishman who has lived in Helsinki for decades recalls the magic of his first Christmas in Finland.

Tagged in FinnishnessModern Christmas
Amid preparations at home in Finland, Santa says Christmas deliveries will go ahead
Santa Claus, in a long red coat and a long white beard, stands in a snowy forest with a reindeer.
ChristmasSanta Claus

Amid preparations at home in Finland, Santa says Christmas deliveries will go ahead

Approaching the end of another year filled with coronavirus concerns and travel restrictions, Santa Claus wants everyone to know that he will not be deterred from delivering presents to the world’s children.

Tagged in Christmas funFinlandLaplandModern ChristmasSanta Claus
Finland announces first recipient of International Gender Equality Prize
Life & societyPolitics

Finland announces first recipient of International Gender Equality Prize

Finland is awarding the inaugural International Gender Equality Prize to “a distinguished defender and builder of equality.” It’s the first high-profile prize of its kind in the world.

Tagged in EducationEqualityGenderPolitics
Exclusive interview: Mrs Claus of Korvatunturi, Finland
ChristmasSanta Claus

Exclusive interview: Mrs Claus of Korvatunturi, Finland

Exclusive: Our contacts in the Finnish corridors of power got us an interview with Mrs Claus.

Tagged in Santa Claus
Old-fashioned Christmas fun in Helsinki
ChristmasChristmas traditions

Old-fashioned Christmas fun in Helsinki

Thousands of Helsinki families enjoy traditional outdoor fun and games every December at the Seurasaari Christmas Path.

Tagged in Christmas traditionsFinnishness
Christmas in Finland with the Sibelius family
Composer Jean Sibelius, Aino, Ainola, Christmas carols, Järvenpää, Finland
ChristmasChristmas traditions

Christmas in Finland with the Sibelius family

Jean Sibelius created Finland’s best-loved Christmas songs. See how his family spent the holidays (includes link to audio).

Tagged in Christmas traditionsMusicSibelius
The chosen one
A church filled with people watching the Lucia procession; a group of white-clad girls with wreaths on their heads carrying candles.
ChristmasChristmas traditions

The chosen one

Saint Lucia celebrations light up the winter and warm people’s hearts every year on December 13.

Tagged in Christmas traditions
At home in Finland, Santa tells the world’s kids he has the green light for Christmas
A reindeer with large antlers eats lichen from the snowy ground while Santa Claus stands with a couple other reindeer in the background.
ChristmasSanta Claus

At home in Finland, Santa tells the world’s kids he has the green light for Christmas

Children and adults alike will be glad to learn that vehicles propelled by flying reindeer – and their drivers – are globally exempt from travel restrictions, at least during the holiday season.

Tagged in Christmas funModern ChristmasSanta Claus
Courageous Finnish hobbyhorsing inspires designers
Arts & cultureDesign

Courageous Finnish hobbyhorsing inspires designers

The world’s newest equestrian craze started in Finland. Hobbyhorsing is creative, inventive and independent – all qualities that attract designers, as well.

Tagged in DesignFashionHobbyhorseSlideshows
Finnish hobbyhorse phenomenon gains new ground at a gallop
Life & societyFun

Finnish hobbyhorse phenomenon gains new ground at a gallop

The Finns didn’t invent the stick horse, but they reinvented it. The new version, and the culture, skill, sport and online presence that surround it, have little resemblance to the simple toys you may remember from your childhood.

Tagged in FinnishnessFunHobbyhorse
Finland presents HRH The Duke of Cambridge with two hobbyhorses for his kids
Life & societyHobbyhorse

Finland presents HRH The Duke of Cambridge with two hobbyhorses for his kids

His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, also known as Prince William, got an unusual gift during his official visit to Finland: two handcrafted hobbyhorses. They’re more than mere toys.

Tagged in FinnishnessFunHobbyhorseSports
Finland’s #checkout247 live broadcast makes the mundane mindful
Life & societyFinland 100

Finland’s #checkout247 live broadcast makes the mundane mindful

This Finnish phenomenon reveals the glorious tedium of a supermarket checkout. And now it’s going global.

Tagged in FinlandFinland 100FinnishnessFoodFunSociety
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