thisisFINLAND

State of the artificial: Finland expanding free online AI course to all EU languages

“Our goal is to demystify AI,” proclaims the website of Elements of AI, a free online course from the University of Helsinki and the tech firm Reaktor, now available in an increasing range of languages. Our reporter signs up to learn about artificial intelligence and how it affects our lives.

Life & society Nature

In Finland’s far north and far south, life revolves around nature

Life in Finland’s northernmost and southernmost villages offers natural beauty, but it also requires a certain kind of attitude. And you can’t be in a hurry.

Arts & culture Music

Operatic Finnish police officer’s performance resonates online

It sounds like some sort of modern fairy tale: Once upon a time, there was a police officer who turned into an opera singer. Years passed, and he turned back into a police officer. Later, he gained renewed renown on Youtube.

980,000

Amount of trips Finns make to Lapland each year

Source: Statistics Finland

Life & society Environment

Up close and online: View the Finnish wilderness with webcams

Many people have had to spend long periods of time indoors, not to mention curtail travel plans, because of Covid-19 social distancing measures. With live webcams showing Finland’s wildlife and wilderness, you can pass the time and get a travel fix.

Arts & culture Equality

Tom of Finland and IDAHOTB both continue to contribute to pride and acceptance

May 8 is the birthday of Tom of Finland (1920–91), often called Finland’s most famous artist globally. Shortly after that anniversary, on May 17, the annual International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOTB) takes place.

Life & society Festivals

Finnish advice: Keep calm and Vappu on, safely

In the extraordinary circumstances of 2020, Finland’s wild, carnival-calibre celebration Vappu (known as May Day, Labour Day or Walpurgis in English) calls for unusual amounts of creativity so that people can get together while still staying apart. Vappu – this time it’s virtual.

Life & society Webpick

Finnish city of Tampere declares itself sauna capital of the world

Tampereans are known for authenticity and warmth, and the same goes for Tampere’s sauna culture. In the sauna, everyone is equal, as the Finnish saying goes, and Tampere has the largest number of public saunas in Finland. And if you’re the sauna capital of Finland, you’re the sauna capital of the world.

Life & society Health

Kids ask the Finnish government questions in corona info session

For the first time ever, a Finnish prime minister held a press conference in which the journalists asking the questions were schoolchildren. Sanna Marin and her colleagues addressed the nation’s kids directly.

37.2 °C (99 °F)

Record high temperature, measured in Liperi, July 2010

Source: Finnish Meteorological Institute

things you should and shouldn’t know