For Finnish university students, May Day is the greatest time of year – here’s why
May Day in Finland is more than a celebration of spring. It’s a jubilant spectacle in which university students embrace creativity, tradition and community.
With art, motion and emotion, Finnish researchers explore new language-learning paths
Learning a new language can be daunting and is often associated with hours of memorising vocabulary and repeating textbook phrases. But what if it could be more active, creative, fun and emotionally engaging?
How livestreaming helped me learn Finnish – and what you can take from my experience
For the past two years, I have subjected myself – and, more importantly, a live audience – to the great and noble quest of learning Finnish. Here’s what I found out.
Finland’s election day coffee tradition unites all kinds of voters
Many people in Finland make voting into an outing by stopping for coffee and cake afterwards. We catch up with voters at their chosen cafés to get to the heart of the long-established Finnish custom of election day coffee.
Election time: Finland’s foreign residents cast their votes in county and municipal elections
Nationwide elections of some kind – presidential, parliamentary or others – happen in Finland at least every two years, and sometimes in consecutive years. Foreign residents can vote and run for office in the combined county and municipal elections. We talk with some of them.
Finnish American designer Ervin Latimer creates inclusive fashion
Finnish American designer Ervin Latimer believes that fashion needs to change, not people. He designs for a variety of bodies and genders. Latimer’s uncompromising design philosophy has made waves at renowned events such as Copenhagen Fashion Week and Pitti Uomo.
Eight years in a row: Finland remains in first place in World Happiness Report – other Nordics in top 7
We’re happy to note that Finland has been the happiest country on the planet since 2018, according to the World Happiness Report. How does Finland’s “infrastructure of happiness” help happiness happen?
Finnish comic artist Kaisa Leka breaks preconceptions about disabilities and being outdoors
Award-winning artist and adventurer Kaisa Leka wants to ensure that nature is accessible for everyone. Her prosthetic legs have taken her across the United States and all the way to the Arctic Sea, but her hidden gems are on the countless islands of the Finnish archipelago.
Nordic cooperation covers everything from art to economics
The Nordic region is very diverse, but its citizens have many values in common. We hear from two significant Nordic institutions about their work in Finland and abroad.
Made in Finland: Sweden sends Finnish sauna-party band KAJ to Eurovision
In a curious turn of events, Sweden has chosen KAJ, a comedy group from Finland, as its representative for the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest. Finland’s own delegate is Erika Vikman.
Inventive Finnish company makes construction ideas float
Bluet, a young Finnish company with an imaginative approach, has become a global leader in the new industry of floating leisure structures: buildings, swimming pools, football fields, concert stages and more.
Looking for paradise: Finnish artist Tove Jansson’s paintings go far beyond the Moomins
Even dedicated fans of Finnish artist and writer Tove Jansson’s Moomin characters may know little of her painting career and its role in her life. We show you around a major exhibition – and uncover some info about one of the Moomin books, too.
Art you can be a part of: Designers discuss Finnish video game Alan Wake and the evolution of games
They reflect society, they make us cry, they make us hold our breath in anticipation. Video games combine several forms of art, but they’re built on the power of interactive storytelling. Makers of the global hit series Alan Wake from the Finnish video game developer Remedy Entertainment tell us how it’s done.
The Finnish island where Moomin author Tove Jansson used to live still inspires artists
Finnish artist and author Tove Jansson, creator of the Moomin books, spent almost 30 summers on Klovharun, a tiny island in the Gulf of Finland. Since then, hundreds of artists have enjoyed week-long residencies at the isolated, inspiring location.
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