Today, Finland is recognised as a leader internationally in gender equality, but it was not always this way. As we celebrate Women’s Day (8.3.2020), we take a brief look at the role of women in Finnish society, historically to the present day. In the past centuries, women’s position in society was strongly associated with their […]

It isn’t Valentines’ Day – it’s Friendship Day For everyone who cringes at the thought of Valentine’s Day, this is a post that will bring you some relief. Finland does not celebrate Valentine’s Day. Nope, no Cupid shooting arrows at lovelorn ladies and gents here.  Instead, the Finns celebrate Ystävänpäivä, which translates into “Friendship Day”. […]

Lux Helsinki 2020, Helsinki’s very popular annual light-art festival, opens tomorrow (January 4, 2020) along a brand new route in central Helsinki. Lux Helsinki 2020 – Official Route Installations along this year’s route will be open to the public daily from 5 pm to 10 pm. The five-day festival features nine installations along the official […]

The Sinebrychoff Museum is hosting a special Christmas exhibition at the House Museum. The exhibition features the original tableware that was used by the Sinebrychoff family in the late 19th century. In addition to the replicating the original table settings, there will be an assortment of Christmas fare, along with beautiful flower arrangements. The House […]

Helsinki Outlet is a newly opened shopping village on the border of Helsinki and Vantaa. It is just 10 minutes away from the Helsinki Airport by car, making it an ideal place to do some shopping during a long layover between flights! What is Helsinki Outlet? The Helsinki Outlet shopping village opened on November 1st […]

It’s Halloween – what better time to tell the tales of haunted Helsinki? Over the centuries Helsinki has gathered its fair share of specters and spirits, and here we highlight three places where the visiting ghost-hunter might be fortunate enough to spot something otherworldly. Finnish National Theater The Finnish National Theater is a good place […]

While souvenir shopping is a universal standard for tourists, a knife as a souvenir may not be the first thing you think of when buying mementoes of your trip. But if you think that fridge magnets don’t quite cut it and prefer something that is authentic to Finnish culture, then consider the ‘puukko’, a traditional […]

Helsinki’s new central library Oodi opened on December 5, the eve of Finland’s 101st Independence Day, a fitting celebration for one of the most literate nations in the world. Located at Kansalaistori Square in the heart of the city, Oodi is a transformative and multi-functional space, defying any notion of the library as a dated public institution. Viewed from […]

The Lapinlahti former psychiatric hospital stands poised on the edge of Lapinlahti Bay, a naturally beautiful site noted for its richness in biodiversity.  Much like the rare butterfly (Depressaria Chaerophylli) that can be found in the area, its future is uncertain, but its history certainly deserves preservation. The Lapinlahti estate is comprised of several structures, […]