thisisFINLAND

Finnish entrepreneurs’ innovative office pods mix tech and design

The Finnish company Framery makes what you might call phone booths for the 21st century. Their office pods fulfil a range of seemingly contradictory requirements and are in demand around the world.

Arts & culture Travel

In Oulu, northern Finland, cultural events you don’t want to miss

From street festivals to riverside saunas to symphony orchestras, Oulu is making the most out of its year as European Capital of Culture.

Business & innovation Fashion

In Finland, swimwear isn’t just for summer

Finland might not be famous for what is usually considered “bikini weather.” But here, swimwear is worn year-round – from summer lakes to winter ice holes and steamy saunas.

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.

Arts & culture Travel

Northern Finnish city of Oulu offers magical mix of tech and culture

As Oulu steps into the spotlight as the European Capital of Culture, the city is blending cutting-edge technology with its famously offbeat cultural spirit.

Business & innovation Fashion

Finnish fashion houses greet spring with clean lines and colour

Spring in Finland brings a shift in mindset. Daylight hours increase, calendars fill up and wardrobes need to keep pace. The approach is simple: practical, polished and contemplated.

Life & society Traditions

Why Finnish children dress up as witches at Easter

At Eastertime in Finland, you might find a little witch at your front door, offering a traditional blessing. In return, they hope for a few sweets.

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.

Arts & culture Art

Draped in design: Exploring Finland’s textile art at EMMA

Just outside Helsinki, the Espoo Museum of Modern Art (EMMA) invites visitors into the world of Finnish textile artistry, where bold patterns and innovative techniques have shaped both fashion and design.

Life & society Nature

“Wow” moments in Finnish nature

Walking in the forest daily is a passion for Aino Eeronheimo and Taija Koivuluoma. They’re friends and neighbours in Jakomäki, eastern Helsinki.

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.

Arts & culture Literature

Looking at life, photos and Finnish happiness after four decades in Finland

Tim Bird’s new book, Happy Land, reflects a life of observing, photographing and finding contentment in Finland. It holds some wisdom for more recent arrivals, too.

Life & society Happiness

The 4-letter word that literally explains Finnish happiness

Finnish happiness expresses itself in one little word, onni – and a host of other words and expressions derived from it.

Arts & culture Visual arts

These self-portraits from Finland are everything that selfies are not

Throughout history artists have expressed themselves through self-portraits. These Finnish and Finland-based artists have made an international splash with theirs.

Arts & culture Architecture

Peek into one of Finland’s most famous buildings, in Paimio

Created by renowned Finnish designers and architects Alvar and Aino Aalto, Paimio Sanatorium was built between 1929 and 1933. Our video visits this world-famous Finnish architectural landmark.