thisisFINLAND

Festivals fill Helsinki in August

People in Finland sure like a good festival, and the Finnish capital conveniently offers a whole bunch of them in August, when the Helsinki Festival and its partner events seem to be everywhere in the city.

Life & society Nature

Finnish summer in the city: garden getaways

When you hear the words “Finland” and “nature,” you may think of the country’s large expanses of forest and numerous lakes. On a different scale, allotment gardens offer many Finnish city-dwellers a way to spend time surrounded by nature.

Life & society Cuisine

Culinary pleasures across Finland

Food innovators combine Finland’s culinary tradition with an international, urban style. The focus is on local food and ecological values.

61 letters

Longest Finnish compund word (lentokonesuihkuturbiinimoottoriapumekaanikkoaliupseerioppilas)

Source: Guinness World Records

Life & society Slideshows

Western Finnish town of Pori hosts jazz and big ideas every summer

They say that all of Finland takes a break in July, since that’s the most popular month for summer holidays. This isn’t the case in Pori, a town on the west coast (see our slideshow).

Life & society Language

Let your Finnish-language animal run free

Splendiferously long words, complex grammar, inscrutable sayings – the Finnish language contains many idiosyncrasies that fascinate and challenge learners. For a light interlude, take your Finnish to new heights of animalistic self-expression.

Life & society Human rights

Helsinki Pride Parade – a party for all

On the last Saturday of June Helsinki sparkles with colours. For over ten years, that’s when people have gathered to march together at the Pride Parade to celebrate equality and human rights. (See our slideshow of the parade.)

Arts & culture Webpick

Versatile Finnish accordionist Maria Kalaniemi puts her soul into her music

While Maria Kalaniemi has a loving, caring relation to musical tradition, she embraces diverse styles and genres.

Arts & culture Theater

Outdoor drama forms a vital part of Finnish summer

Finns are always determined to savour every second of the intense short summer – and that extends to a fondness for the summer theatre.

Library books borrowed per person per year

Source: Finnish Public Libraries Statistics

things you should and shouldn’t know