thisisFINLAND

New York’s Met Museum showcases beloved Finnish painter Helene Schjerfbeck

Renowned Finnish artist Helene Schjerfbeck is the first Nordic woman painter to be presented in a solo exhibition at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. The show “will be a revelation to Met audiences,” says curator Dita Amory.

A night hike into the heart of Finnish folk music

Kaustinen, a small Finnish town renowned for its rich folk music traditions, welcomes festival-goers with a unique night hike through rain-soaked forests and magical cliffs. As fiddles echo in the dusk, hikers from across the globe gather to experience music and nature under the northern summer sky that never goes dark.

Arts & culture Design

Finnish design by Artek still resonates, nearly a century after the company began

As Finnish design house Artek marks its 90th anniversary, a Canadian reporter reflects on how its timeless furniture helped shape her home and why its legacy endures.

The happiest country in the world since 2018

Source: The World Happiness Report

Life & society Sports

Fit as a Finn: The story behind Finland’s affinity for exercise

From 19th-century gymnastics clubs to today’s ski trails and cycling paths, fitness has long formed part of Finnish life. But what keeps this nation moving through every season? Let’s find out.

Life & society Wellbeing

How Finland’s Housing First model makes real progress against homelessness

Finland has a plan to eradicate longterm homelessness by 2027. We asked three formerly homeless people to share their favourite things about their homes.

Life & society Sports

Life in motion: A visual journey into what an active lifestyle means to the Finns

In Finland, movement is often woven into daily life – not just as exercise, but as a source of fun, resilience and connection. Our photo essay explores how Finns of all ages keep active, from disc golf and swimming to simply walking in the woods.

Life & society Webpick

Calculating how much dairy, meat and veggies people in Finland consume

Stats compiled by the Natural Resources Institute Finland give us an estimate of the quantities Finnish people eat of different foods.

Life & society Sauna

Finnish architect Sami Rintala tells us how saunas got hotter than ever

Inspiration from Finland is prompting a global sauna boom, thanks to architects such as Sami Rintala, whose designs can be found in Japan, Norway, Romania and the UK. He tells us how saunas got so hot.

Hei!

Finnish word for "Hello!"

things you should and shouldn’t know