thisisFINLAND

Warm winter makes rescuing Finland’s Saimaa seal many degrees more difficult

Climate change presents fresh challenges for Finland’s already endangered Saimaa ringed seal population and those trying to save it. We visit them on the lakeshore.

Life & society Science

Finnish science sheds light on aurora borealis dune effect

The identification of a new type of aurora borealis, or Northern Lights, has placed Finnish space science at the centre of intense global media interest.

Arts & culture Art

In Helsinki, Amos Rex showcases the new generation of artists

The triennial Generation 2020 exhibition offers an overview of 15-to-23-year-old artists in Finland. They use a range of media to comment on today’s world.

75%

of Finnish land area is forest

Source: Natural Resources Institute Finland

Arts & culture Visual arts

We’re all in this together: First Helsinki Biennial highlights ties between nature and humans

People who take the 20-minute ferry to the island of Vallisaari in summer 2021 can connect with art and nature at the first-ever Helsinki Biennial. Digital material is on offer if corona-related restrictions or geography prevent you from attending in person.

Business & innovation Sustainability

Three Finnish companies with solutions that make a cleaner planet

How can we turn the tide of plastic waste? New, sustainable materials from Finland are taking over some of the functions plastic used to have.

Life & society Lifestyle

Get your season tickets now – from a Finnish library

Finnish libraries are full of surprises: electric drills, snowshoes, a rowboat – and now season tickets for cultural and sporting events. Oh yes, and books.

Arts & culture Webpick

Accordionist, composer Johanna Juhola gets award at Finnish Ethnogala for transcending borders

The third annual Ethnogala, a Finnish awards ceremony for folk and world music, was held at the legendary Tavastia Club in Helsinki in January 2020. An array of performers played live at the event.

Life & society Equality

“Only in Finland”: A story of banknotes, post-it notes and social media posts

What happens when a cleaner in a Finnish office building finds five euros on the floor?

1995

The year Finland became an EU member

things you should and shouldn’t know