thisisFINLAND

View the heart of Helsinki Cathedral

Photographer Tim Bird explores Helsinki’s Lutheran Cathedral to show you this popular landmark like you’ve never seen it before (slideshow).

Life & society History

Unveiling Finland’s mediaeval secrets

A pioneering research project aims to shed light on parchment fragments that represent Finland’s literary culture during the Middle Ages.

Life & society Video

Finnish national landscapes

Seven different videos present scenery and sights from all over Finland.

Life & society Language

Who’s afraid of Finnish?

Let’s have a word about the origins and idiosyncrasies of the Finnish language.

Life & society Language

The Finnish pain of the profane

Can the same word be profane and profound? We check up on Finnish swearing habits.

Life & society Language

Aimo Sori, what’s your name?

Discover the hidden meanings behind the names of some famous and not-so-famous Finns.

Life & society Slideshows

Light and ice grace the battlements of Suomenlinna in Helsinki

View the captivating winter beauty of Helsinki’s island fortress Suomenlinna, a Unesco World Heritage site.

Life & society Education

A day in the life of Helsinki’s Strömberg School

Catch a glimpse of the Finnish education system at the progressive Strömberg School in suburban Helsinki.

Life & society Education

With free, high-quality education for all

The Finnish school system forms the basis of the country’s excellent scores in the PISA study.

Life & society Environment

Clean claim to fame in northern Finland

How a tiny village store in Finnish Lapland grew into a hypermarket powered by clean, renewable energy.

Life & society Slideshows

A gem of nature in southeastern Finland

Just a couple hours from Helsinki, Repovesi National Park forms a nature conservation success story.

Life & society Environment

Finland’s weather and light

A meteorologically minded guide to the four seasons of Finland.

Life & society Environment

Concern for a precious sea

With a catchment area spanning nine countries, the Baltic Sea is becoming overloaded.

Life & society Environment

Treasures of Finland’s boreal forests

Pick them yourself or buy them at the market: the season for berries and mushrooms lasts through summer and autumn.

Arts & culture Literature

Finland’s other epic: The Kanteletar

The Kanteletar’s ancient ballads form a companion work to the Kalevala, Finland’s national epic.

Arts & culture Literature

Kalevala: the Finnish national epic

The Finnish national epic, the Kalevala, has inspired generations of artists and helped shape the nation’s identity.

Life & society History

How Mannerheim helped Finland earn its independence

Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim, Finland’s most famous military leader, helped his countrymen earn “their own independent lives within the family of free peoples.” Before that, he served in the Russian military for many years; article includes slideshow.

View the heart of Helsinki Cathedral

Unveiling Finland’s mediaeval secrets

Finnish national landscapes

Who’s afraid of Finnish?

The Finnish pain of the profane

Aimo Sori, what’s your name?

Light and ice grace the battlements of Suomenlinna in Helsinki

A day in the life of Helsinki’s Strömberg School

With free, high-quality education for all

Clean claim to fame in northern Finland

A gem of nature in southeastern Finland

Finland’s weather and light

Concern for a precious sea

Treasures of Finland’s boreal forests

Finland’s other epic: The Kanteletar

Kalevala: the Finnish national epic

How Mannerheim helped Finland earn its independence

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