thisisFINLAND

Happiness report elevates Finland and other Nordics, shows that people should look after each other

The annual World Happiness Report seeks to measure how happy people are in more than 150 different countries. The Nordic countries have repeatedly done well in this listing, and in the 2020 edition of the report, Finland is at the top for the third year in a row.

Life & society Society

Facts and feelings: Do taxes make Finnish people happy?

What comes to mind when you consider Finland and taxes? What do Finnish people think about taxes? What are the facts? And what do the Finns get in exchange for their tax payments?

Life & society Nature

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.

12 kg (26.5 lb)

Annual coffee consumption per person

Source: International Coffee Association

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.

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.

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.

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.

61 letters

Longest Finnish compund word (lentokonesuihkuturbiinimoottoriapumekaanikkoaliupseerioppilas)

Source: Guinness World Records

things you should and shouldn’t know