thisisFINLAND

Beginning a new year in Finland

In the week after Christmas, people in Finland take it easy, saving up their energy for the big New Year’s celebration.

Explore Finland online: Sit back and enjoy the show

Here are options from all over Finland for seeing world-class art, architecture and performances without leaving home. Sometimes restrictions, cost or sheer distance can keep you from making a trip to see a show or an exhibition.

Christmas Santa Claus

Amid preparations at home in Finland, Santa says Christmas deliveries will go ahead

Approaching the end of another year filled with coronavirus concerns and travel restrictions, Santa Claus wants everyone to know that he will not be deterred from delivering presents to the world’s children.

Arts & culture Film

Finnish film from East Africa savours international acclaim

Somali Finnish film director Khadar Ayderus Ahmed describes the tribulations and triumphs of creating a movie about a haunting idea that simply wouldn’t leave him alone. It’s the first entry from Somalia for Best International Film Feature at the Oscars.

Finland emojis

Helsinki-Uusimaa is the most innovative region in the EU

Source: Regional Innovation Scoreboard

Facts, stats and info Webcam

Helsinki South Harbour and surroundings by webcam

Webcam view from Makasiini Terminal, South Harbour, Port of Helsinki Webcam view from South Harbour, Port of Helsinki

Life & society Equality

Turkish organisation that combats violence against women receives international award in Finland

Finland has awarded the International Gender Equality Prize, the first high-profile prize of its kind in the world, to the We Will Stop Femicide Platform – an organisation doing groundbreaking work to combat violence against women in Turkey.

Life & society Nature

The Northern Lights colour the skies over Finland

Finland’s natural scenery includes, by any measure, some of the most beautiful views in the world: blue lakes, emerald forests and snowy winter landscapes.

Life & society Webpick

Finland opens online Museum of Contemporary Emotions to catalogue pandemic experiences

For healing to begin, we first need to understand our emotions. We need to go back in time and find words for what we experienced.

Life & society Cuisine

Serving some of our favourite dishes: southern Finnish recipes

Here are a few much-loved recipes that are popular in southern Finland and across the country.

in the sustainable development index

Source: Sustainable Development Report

Arts & culture Film

“Plans are just plans”: Prize-winning Finnish film traces train trip to northern Russia

Director Juho Kuosmanen tells us about the adventure of making an unusual road movie that won the Grand Prix at Cannes.

things you should and shouldn’t know