Finnishness Archives

Finnish natural and cultural heritage in abundance

Whether in town or out in the country, Finnish people live side by side with nature. Even the largest cities have natural areas accessible by public transport, and the countryside is never far away, including a great diversity of national parks and World Heritage Sites.

Life & society Sauna

Finnish sauna bathing lowers stress and lifts your mood, studies say

Research suggests that Finnish sauna bathing on a regular basis can benefit everything from heart health to sleep quality.

Life & society Summer

Sauna, sunlight, swimming and slowing down: How Finns spend summer

Every summer, much of Finland deliberately downshifts as schools close, workplaces empty out and people head towards lakes, forests and cottages.

Arts & culture Music

Can Finland win Eurovision again? Meet the musicians everyone is watching

Finnish violin virtuoso Linda Lampenius and popstar Pete Parkkonen are among the early favourites to win the Eurovision Song Contest, with “Liekinheitin” (Flamethrower). We meet them ahead of this year’s event, taking place in Vienna, Austria.

Life & society Seasons

Light and laughter: Finland awakens with the joyful arrival of spring

Spring in Finland appears in a rush of light, laughter and lawn games, drawing people outdoors to celebrate nature’s dramatic return.

Business & innovation Startups

Here are two Finnish apps that help build real-life connections

In Finland, community often grows through shared hobbies, neighbourhood traditions and, increasingly, digital platforms that make it easier to ask for and offer help.

Life & society Finnishness

9 years and counting: Finland is first in the World Happiness Report

The World Happiness Report singles out Finland as the happiest country in the world in 2026, for the ninth year running. To celebrate, we seek out people named Onni (Happiness) to ask what makes them happy (see video).

Life & society Happiness

Unpacking Finnish happiness

Happiness doesn’t just happen. In Finland, it’s the result of strong social systems and a culture of wellbeing that has been carefully built over the past 100 years.

Finnishness