thisisFINLAND

Unusual speed dating in Finland offers a new way to meet people

Speed-dating events are drawing crowds in Helsinki, but not for the reasons you might think. We visit with Tatskatytöt (“tattoo girls”) to see what attracts people and keeps them coming back.

Arts & culture Architecture

Alvar Aalto’s Finland: Architecture designed for people

Widely regarded as Finland’s most influential architect, Alvar Aalto transformed modernism with a human-centred approach to design. Today, his work is nominated for the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Life & society Lifestyle

Idyllic Finnish cottage features vintage design and enchanting gardens

In southern Finland, a former dockworkers’ cottage has become a colourful retreat full of history and vintage charm.

Life & society Travel

The last ferry to a Finnish island

Sandy beaches, windswept pine forests and a lighthouse overlooking the Gulf of Bothnia have long made Hailuoto one of Finland’s most distinctive islands. Now, as a new bridge nears completion, the island is preparing for a transformation.

Business & innovation Business

How Finland’s west coast became a global boatbuilding hub

From bespoke superyachts to rugged rescue vessels, towns on Finland’s west coast build boats for demanding conditions.

Arts & culture Literature

Tracing the trail of an extinct sea giant, Finnish novelist finds literary success

An extinct sea cow, a museum skeleton and a fascination with scientific history inspired Finnish author Iida Turpeinen’s internationally acclaimed debut novel Beasts of the Sea.

Arts & culture Music

Celebrating a century of jazz in Finland

Many early jazz gigs on Finnish soil took place in gritty sailors’ bars. Jazz went on to earn a fervent following. The century-long history of jazz in Finland inspires a cavalcade of special events in 2026.

Arts & culture Literature

Finnish crime author illuminates the darkness

Nordic noir is a crime fiction genre that thrives on unease: society is broken, and the winter never quite ends. Finnish author Satu Rämö’s bestselling Hildur series, now headed for television, continues the grim tradition while revealing a glimpse of humanity within the darkness.

Life & society Nature

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.

Business & innovation Cuisine

Finnish chef Arto Rastas brings Nordic flavours to Cristiano Ronaldo

From northern Finland to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Arto Rastas has taken Finnish cuisine far beyond its borders. Football star Cristiano Ronaldo is among those drawn to his clean, ingredient-led approach.

Arts & culture Fashion

Finnish fashion through fresh eyes: Emerging designers showcase work in Helsinki

For Helsinki Fashion Week, emerging Finnish designers presented their inventive collections among the historic wooden buildings of the Seurasaari Open-Air Museum.

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 Business

Why global filmmakers keep turning to Finland

Lakes, forests and strikingly unfamiliar cityscapes give Finland cinematic range, but the real draws for foreign film companies are efficiency, convenience and incentives.

Life & society Sports

Finnish figure skater Iida Karhunen glides into the spotlight

Iida Karhunen caught viewers’ attention with her Olympic debut in 2026 at age 17. Her precision and composure suggest she will continue to impress. One goal is the 2027 World Championships in Tampere, Finland.

Life & society Travel

On Finnish west coast, Neristan’s historic houses enchant visitors

A stroll through one of Finland’s most substantial historic wooden neighbourhoods shows off its charm and colour. Take a tour of the Neristan district in the west-coast city of Kokkola.

Life & society Family

Finnish dads are taking more parental leave than ever – let’s take a look

We visit a Helsinki family to glimpse the daily life of a father on parental leave. His months at home with his toddler are full of the kind of ordinary moments that matter most.

Life & society Traditions

Torilla tavataan: Where Finns meet when the country triumphs

When Finland wins big on the international stage, the celebration spills into the streets. Torilla tavataan – “meet on the market square” – is the call to share the moment together.