Disbelief floats away as a real Finnish mermaid called Riia enchants audiences with appearances at spas and swimming pools across the country. She even runs classes for aspiring young mermaids.
For many Finns, winter is the time for swimming in freezing water, in holes cut in the ice. There’s even a national championship. What on earth makes people want to do this?
The municipality of Säkylä is making a name for itself with kicksleds – a fleet of 100 of them in 2017, to match Finland’s celebration of 100 years of independence. What’s a kicksled? It’s traditional Finnish snow-how in action.
Finland launches International Gender Equality Prize
On International Women’s Day, March 8, 2017, Finland announced its new International Gender Equality Prize, highlighting the country’s role as a leader in gender equality issues.
Endangered Finnish seals get winter help from locals
A Finnish nature lover shows us what his winter looks like: shovelling snow on a lakeshore to help the rare Saimaa ringed seal overcome problems caused by climate change.
Although climate change, as noted by the Finnish Meteorological Institute, is evident in Finnish winter temperatures, ice in the Baltic Sea remains an annual obstacle for sea traffic. A fleet of icebreakers clears the shipping lanes (slideshow).
Finland cooks up special menu for centenary celebration
One hundred years after achieving independence, Finland serves up a celebratory menu. The accompanying recipes and how-to videos mean you can also replicate the delectable dishes.
Icebreakers are a great showpiece of Finland’s Arctic know-how. Take a cruise with icebreaker Sampo and try floating in the icy sea – an ice-breaking experience not to forget!
A great adventure: Finland begins basic-income experiment
Between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2018, Finland is piloting a basic-income programme with 2,000 people to see if it holds the key to increasing employment and simplifying the social security system.
Sweat, tech, energy and food are on the agenda when Finland celebrates its centenary with events around the world. Pick one and meet and greet the Finns and their country.
