thisisFINLAND

Strangest Greetings from Santa and 23 other extraordinary Finns

This December we’re proud to present an online exhibition showcasing Finland’s weird and wonderful creativity. Twenty-four artists and musicians post refreshingly unconventional Christmas messages to capture your imagination. Enjoy!

Arts & culture Film

A wildly different Christmas movie

This one is not for kids: Rare Exports turns the concept of the Christmas film – and of Christmas itself – on its head.

Christmas Christmas traditions

Old-time magic at Finland’s Christmas markets

Christmas markets in Porvoo and other locations in Finland offer locally made gifts and goodies.

Life & society Environment

Finnish bioenergy show-how grows

Green energy promoters around the world are watching eastern Finland, Europe’s leading region in sustainable wood energy.

Life & society Slideshows

Quiet corners in the Finnish capital

We open a book that takes you off the beaten path in Helsinki, in words and photos – see the slideshow.

Life & society Cuisine

Big fuss about small beers in Finland

Finland offers beer-lovers a growing number of tasty alternatives to the generic uniformity of the big global brands.

Business & innovation Innovation

Improving access to Finnish water expertise

An expanding network called the Finnish Water Forum helps meet the global demand for better water services.

Life & society Travel

Roughing it in exotic Finland

The co-author of a new guide to Finland tells how the book was made, drops travel tips and reveals what’s best about the Finns.

Arts & culture Music

Signmark does what he wants

The world’s first deaf rapper, Signmark raps in sign language, taking a stand on issues that matter – in New York’s Washington Square Park, among other places.

Arts & culture Architecture

Steel, glass, wood and Kalevala spirit

New building on Seurasaari in Helsinki: An American-led team uses architecture to explore Finland’s national epic.

Life & society Travel

See Helsinki with a spring in your step

Personalised jogging and Nordic walking tours give busy visitors a fresh view of the city – and some healthy exercise.

Life & society Environment

Finland’s most uplifting scenery

Kvarken Archipelago: Thousands of islands are gradually emerging from the sea off Finland’s west coast – and Unesco has noticed.

Life & society Travel

Picture-perfect Porvoo beckons in southern Finland

It’s worth seeing what lies beyond Helsinki. Porvoo, the second-oldest town in Finland, charms visitors with its historical treasures, design shops, fashion and fine dining.

Life & society Society

Highly valued Helsinki

It’s official: Helsinki places fifth on Monocle magazine’s Most Liveable Cities Index – for the third year in a row.

Life & society Slideshows

The nature of Helsinki

Our photos show that you don’t have to leave the Finnish capital to find greenery and peaceful scenery.

Arts & culture Music

Inspiring children to play music in Finland

Violinists and fiddlers: Mauno Järvelä’s students bring a special energy to the stage every summer at the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival.

Business & innovation Entrepreneurs

Helsinki in an ice cream cone

The freshness, pure flavours and pastel colours of one ice cream company make it a mainstay in the capital, but that doesn’t mean life is easy.

Strangest Greetings from Santa and 23 other extraordinary Finns

A wildly different Christmas movie

Old-time magic at Finland’s Christmas markets

Finnish bioenergy show-how grows

Quiet corners in the Finnish capital

Big fuss about small beers in Finland

Improving access to Finnish water expertise

Roughing it in exotic Finland

Signmark does what he wants

Steel, glass, wood and Kalevala spirit

See Helsinki with a spring in your step

Finland’s most uplifting scenery

Picture-perfect Porvoo beckons in southern Finland

Highly valued Helsinki

The nature of Helsinki

Inspiring children to play music in Finland

Helsinki in an ice cream cone

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