thisisFINLAND

A Finnish word, sivistys, adds to wellbeing and helps solve future challenges

Finland’s Year of Sivistys 2024 spotlights a long-established concept of societal enlightenment and learning, and harnesses its strengths to face challenges now and in the future.

Arts & culture Visual arts

Urbane renewal: Returning a beloved Helsinki landmark to its original form

We visit a workshop at an undisclosed location where the venerable sculpture Havis Amanda is undergoing a yearlong conservation project. [Update: It returned to its harbourside perch in June 2024 – with a new plan to protect it during major celebrations.]

Business & innovation Sustainability

Concrete change for the better: “Green cement” is bubbling in Finland

Concrete is a major source of emissions, but Finnish firms and researchers are creating carbon-negative alternatives to flip it from a climate hazard to a positive solution.

December 24

Santa Claus arrives with the presents on Christmas Eve, not Christmas Day

Arts & culture Visual arts

Inspiration and influences: 12 artists in Finland talk about life and creativity

On a fascinating journey of discovery, we visit an array of Finland-based artists to find out what ideas animate and inform their work.

Life & society Finnishness

For seventh year running, Finland is first in World Happiness Report – other Nordics in top 7

Since 2018, the UN World Happiness Report has found that Finland is the happiest country in the world. How does happiness happen?

Arts & culture Circus

Finland’s first circus professor unites many art forms under a big tent

Live video, virtual reality, archery: Finnish circus is going in directions you probably never imagined as a kid. And now circus art has a professor, too.

Life & society Webpick

Finnish architects win international award for sustainable archipelago village

The Majamaja concept, a Finnish sustainable holiday village, draws its inspiration from the Helsinki Archipelago, where it is located.

Life & society Cuisine

Après-steam cuisine: 7 Finnish waterfront sauna restaurants serving delicious meals

Famous for its sauna culture, Finland continues to innovate in the sauna space. Sleek new sauna restaurants have cropped up around the country in recent years. A few have already become classics and local landmarks.

63.5%

of Finns belong to the Evangelical Lutheran Church

Source: Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland

things you should and shouldn’t know