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.
8 questions on the Kalevala, the epic that shaped Finland’s identity
The epic Kalevala relates ancient tales, mainly from the Karelia region, and has become a cornerstone of Finland’s cultural identity. Its poetry has reached readers all over the world, including J.R.R. Tolkien, who took inspiration from it.
When a Northern Finnish child picked up a kantele mostly to annoy her sister, no one imagined she would become one of the instrument’s boldest contemporary voices.
Finnish winter fun: Zooming across a frozen lake on an ice route
Across Finland, ploughed and marked routes on frozen bodies of water turn winter landscapes into public playgrounds. On Lake Tuusula, the atmosphere resembles a festival.
Warm, windproof and Finnish: How Finns dress for the ski tracks
People in Finland love cross-country skiing. But how should you dress for exercising in freezing conditions? We let the skiers share their best advice.
Helsinki underground: Where the city plays, swims and shelters
Beneath Helsinki’s streets lies a second city that is carefully planned and actively used. From playgrounds to rehearsal rooms, the Finnish capital has turned preparedness into part of everyday urban life.
Sisu movie sequel: Finnish sisu never goes out of fashion
Sisu is a Finnish word that refers to a combination of resilience and perseverance. Cited as a Finnish source of strength and wellbeing, it’s also the title of a violent action film whose new sequel is enjoying runaway success.
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