Society - thisisFINLAND

Wolves, owls and lions: Why Finland names its national teams after animals

Wolves howl, owls swoop, lions roar – and so do Finnish national sports teams. In Finland, naming your team after a wild animal is part of the game.

Life & society History

Fly into history along Finland’s south coast, in a vintage DC-3

Join us to see the south coast of Finland from a rare vantage point: the country’s oldest airworthy DC-3 passenger aircraft, offering expansive vistas and a journey back in time.

Life & society Webpick

Calculating how much dairy, meat and veggies people in Finland consume

Stats compiled by the Natural Resources Institute Finland give us an estimate of the quantities Finnish people eat of different foods.

The happiest country in the world since 2018

Source: The World Happiness Report

Life & society Nature

5 reasons to love Finnish porcini mushrooms

The word porcini means “piglets” in Italian. In English they go by “penny bun” and “king bolete.” These are only a few of the many names people use to refer to this beloved wild mushroom. Here’s why you should love them too.

Arts & culture Music

Quirky ’90s band Ultra Bra stages a stylish comeback at 30

Ultra Bra, one of the most beloved Finnish bands of the 1990s, has released new songs after more than two decades and reunited for shows at Helsinki’s Olympic Stadium and summer festivals.

62.2%

of Finns belong to the Evangelical Lutheran Church

Source: Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland

Life & society Sports

Frenemies for life: Finland and Sweden’s century-old athletics rivalry continues

Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2025, the Finland–Sweden Athletics International is a one-of-a-kind event celebrated each August. It’s a stage for pride, passion and an age-old rivalry between two close neighbours.

Life & society Nature

Discover the wild herbs growing across Finland

Finland’s forests are full of flavour. Meet the wild herbs hiding in plain sight.

Life & society Sports

Fit as a Finn: The story behind Finland’s affinity for exercise

From 19th-century gymnastics clubs to today’s ski trails and cycling paths, fitness has long formed part of Finnish life. But what keeps this nation moving through every season? Let’s find out.

200

Members in Finland's Parliament