History - Page 3 of 6 - thisisFINLAND

New audiences continue to find Finland’s number one painter, Helene Schjerfbeck

Early in 2020, record-breaking attendance at Helsinki’s Ateneum Art Museum and the release of a feature film signalled that artist Helene Schjerfbeck is getting much-deserved attention from audiences of all ages. We talk with actor Laura Birn and curator Anna-Maria von Bonsdorff.

Life & society Nature

Life on the edge: Living on the western and eastern borders of Finland

At Finland’s easternmost and westernmost points, people go about their lives in locations that contain direct connections to the nation’s history.

Life & society Helsinki

Taking to the streets for a spirited Helsinki ghost walk

Halloween (October 31) is a traditional season for ghostly activity, but Helsinki’s phantom tales are spooky at any time of the year. The city’s ghost walks perpetuate eerie legends.

Arts & culture Webpick

Finnish theatre tells the story of humankind

In a breathtaking feat of dramatic construction, a group of Helsinki-based theatre-makers condenses hundreds of thousands of years of human history into just 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Life & society Society

Historic eastern Finnish monastery still offers solitude and creative energy

Travellers and believers seek out Valamo Monastery in eastern Finland for prayer, solitude and creative inspiration. More than 110,000 people visit each year.

Arts & culture Literature

Finland’s first feminist: Why Minna Canth’s writing is still important

We speak to author Minna Rytisalo about how the work of playwright, author and social activist Minna Canth remains relevant today.

Life & society Politics

Presidential dialogue in the Finnish capital

In a natural continuation of Finland’s advocacy of dialogue in international relations, Helsinki hosts a meeting between the presidents of Russia and the US.

Life & society History

How Finland found a road to reconciliation after the Civil War of 1918

A little more than a century ago, the newly independent nation of Finland experienced a short but brutal civil war. Though the conflict left deep scars, a culture of working together helped former enemies reconcile and allowed the country to progress relatively quickly in its nation-building process.