Culture Archives

Sauna for everyone: the essence of Helsinki’s sauna culture

A cooling dip in the sea followed by a steaming sauna is the perfect start to a weekend for Finnish Canadian writer and journalist Katja Pantzar. Her book Helsinki by Sauna explores the city’s public saunas and the culture of wellbeing, equality and connection they represent.

Life & society Sauna

Remote Finnish smoke sauna draws visitors from near and far

Few experiences are as deeply relaxing as a traditional Finnish smoke sauna. This one in eastern Finland has loyal guests that arrive by foot, boat and even seaplane.

Life & society Sauna

Finnish sauna culture is bringing people together around the world

One of the biggest international wellness trends is the Finnish sauna, which is booming in the US and the UK. How did Finland’s sauna culture become one of the hottest spaces in the world?

Arts & culture Architecture

Alvar Aalto’s Finland: Architecture designed for people

Widely regarded as Finland’s most influential architect, Alvar Aalto transformed modernism with a human-centred approach to design. Today, his work is nominated for the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Life & society Travel

The last ferry to a Finnish island

Sandy beaches, windswept pine forests and a lighthouse overlooking the Gulf of Bothnia have long made Hailuoto one of Finland’s most distinctive islands. Now, as a new bridge nears completion, the island is preparing for a transformation.

Arts & culture Literature

Tracing the trail of an extinct sea giant, Finnish novelist finds literary success

An extinct sea cow, a museum skeleton and a fascination with scientific history inspired Finnish author Iida Turpeinen’s internationally acclaimed debut novel Beasts of the Sea.

Arts & culture Music

Celebrating a century of jazz in Finland

Many early jazz gigs on Finnish soil took place in gritty sailors’ bars. Jazz went on to earn a fervent following. The century-long history of jazz in Finland inspires a cavalcade of special events in 2026.

Arts & culture Literature

Finnish crime author illuminates the darkness

Nordic noir is a crime fiction genre that thrives on unease: society is broken, and the winter never quite ends. Finnish author Satu Rämö’s bestselling Hildur series, now headed for television, continues the grim tradition while revealing a glimpse of humanity within the darkness.

Culture