Independence day

President Sauli Niinistö and his wife are greeting the veterans from the palace's balcony

On December 6th 1917, Finland declared its independence to Russia after 108 years of domination. The celebrations in the country include the rise of the national flag on all the official buildings, but also to all private homes. It is a holiday and all the shops, museums, theaters and so on are closed. Commemorative events and speeches are oraganized during the day. At 6pm, Finns light 2 candles behind their window to remember the portest against Russian occupation. There is no special meal for this event. Most of the people are celebrating the event at home, watching war movies (the unknown soldier), and watch the Linnan Juhlat (castle's ball), the official ceremony where about 2000 special guests are invited at the President's place. But in 2013 due to the renovations at the palace, the ceremony will be exceptionally held in Tampere. On Monday, everybody will comment the event, and ladies will check if the magazines and newspapers have the same tastes about the dresses.

Hyvää Itsenäisyyspäivää!

You can follow the celebration starting at 5:15pm live on YLE (visible worldwide): Watch the Linnan Juhlat

Storm warning

The Xaver storm is on its way to Finland after have cause important damages in the UK, Belguim, the Nederlands and Norther Germany. In the following 24 hours, the powerful wind will hit the Finnish West and South coasts, and cross the half of the country. Difficult road conditions have to be expected and trees might fall. Power shortage might also happen in some areas. High waves are expected as well, especially in the Turku archipelago and near Aland. It is highly recommended to stay home.

Read more on the storm alerts on the following page: Finnish meteorological institute

Very cheap offers by VR starting on Sunday!

The Christmas calendar of VR, the national railway company, is back! Starting on Sunday December 1st at 9am, a new trip will be on sale until midnight every day until Christmas Eve. The price is still unknown. Last year it was only 1.50€! With that low price, do not hesitate to jump in a train and visit a new city or visit relatives who lives far away. In order to buy these tickets, you have to be a Veturi member (the registration takes 48 hours and is totally free).

Link to the calendar

Happy coffee day!

Coffee with korvapuusti

Finland is the country that consums the largest quantity of coffee worldwide with 12kg per capita. In order to celebrate this record, November 25th is the coffee day! Until noon, all the R-Kioskis are offering free cups of Paulig coffee. Finnish coffee looks and tastes like American coffee and not at all like Italian coffee. This beverage goes well with a sweet bun (pulla).

Happy coffee day!

The Christmas season has started!

Santa Claus left Rovaniemi to open officially the Chritmas period in Helsinki

Shops are decorated since already a couple of weeks, and the Christmas gifts are everywhere. All the cities in Finland are illuminated by their Christmas decorations, and soon the Christmas markets will open. Only a month is left to Christmas. In Helsinki, Santa Claus is coming to the Senate Square to open officially the Christmas season. The lights in Aleksanterinkatu will shine until the beginning of January as well as the Christmas tree.

Moomins songs and choreographies are appreciated by the children

The event is a tradition in the capital. At 1:30pm, the celebrations start with songs for children performed by the Moomin characters and several choirs are singing as well. Every year, a different Finnish star is invited to sing in front of the crowed. This year, the honor has been given to Jesse Kaikuranta. At 3pm, the 6500 light bulbs will illuminate the streets and a Christmas parade will follow in the center. At 3pm, it is dark enough as the sunset is at 3:30pm.

Christmas parade 2012 on the Mannerheimintie

Antti Tuisku was the guest singer in 2011

Burger King is coming to Finland!

Burger King (second largest fast-food chain in the world) is probably one of the last American "giants" that was not in Finland. Before, Finns had to travel to Stockholm to eat their burgers. In fact, if you ask Finns, visiting the Burger King restaurant was one of the reasons why going to Stockholm. Of course, the main reasons are the tax-free shop on the ferry and the great parties on board. Few days after Starbucks opened its café in the center of Helsinki, the American fast-food chain announced its return in the capital after 30 years of absence. The first restaurant will open on December 13th already on the Mannerheimintie next door to Baker's. The second restaurant will be located inside the central railway station in stead of the Eliel restaurant and open its doors in February 2014. 250 new jobs will be created and 80 are already attributed.

Updated on February 21th 2014: The second Burger King (inside the railway station) has opened its doors at 2pm that Friday.

Start your own business!

Finland is currently encouraging people to be innovative and create new companies. The recent collapse of the giant Nokia, which was contributing to 4% of the GDP in 2000, showed that Finland needs to diversify its economy. Some startups became very successful in the past years such as Supercell (Clash of Clans) or Rovio (Angry Birds - 1 billion downloads!), and are good examples for people willing to follow their paths. Many companies are developing web applications or are operating in the game industry. But also the most traditional handicraft is developing. All new idea is welcome!

In 2012, 8.5 million users are registered worldwide and Supercell is earning 2.5 m$ a day!

Despite the good ranking of Finland in international researches, the reality is that many companies are laying off people, and it is very challenging to find a job. It is even more difficult for immigrants not fluent in Finnish, and youngsters without experience. What are Finns doing when they don't have a job? They are going to study something they like. It is not rare that a person has several certificates. The other alternative is to start your own business! All what you need is a good idea!

For many people, it is difficult and scary to start. Where to start? What to do? How to get a grant? How does it work with the taxes and insurances? For answering all these questions and more, the meeting place of the Think Helsinki Company welcomes everybody to an information session in English.

Where? At Vuorikatu 5 (in Kaisaniemi next to the library of the University of Helsinki)
When? 14.11.2013 16:15-19:00 or 12.12.2013 16:15-19:00

Info about the event
Info about establishing a business in Finland 
Ministry of employment and economy 

Father's Day

Today, all the fathers are celebrated in Finland. Each second Sunday of November (6 months after mother's day), fathers are honoured and get presents from their children. In the morning, their get their breakfast in bed, and later in the day, they eat a special meal. This tradition has been inspired by the American Father's Day in the 50s.

Hyvää isänpäivää!

Don't forget that all the shops are closed.

Beautiful illuminations in the dark nights of Tampere

Horses on Hämeenkatu

For the 49th time since 1965, the darkest nights in Tampere are illuminated by 165 figures in the city center, composed by 23.000 led bulbs. As the days are getting shorter while approaching December 21st, the lights bring a Christmasy atmosphere in the second largest city in Finland after Greater Helsinki. The lights are visible from the railway station to Finlayson and to the church park of Pyyniki. The illuminations are visible daily from 4:30 to 10:30pm until January 11th, 2015. During Friday and Saturday nights, lights are up until 5am. The Christmas market is open from December 5th to December 22nd on Keskustori.

Moomin the national symbol from the books of Tove Jansson has his own figure in Kuninkaankatu

American cartoons such as Tweety, Speedy Gonzalez and Donald Duck have their figures

More information
Christmas market in Tampere

Best spots in Rovaniemi to see the Northern Lights

Northern Lights from the Ounasvaara hill

In order to see the Northern Lights, a combinaison of parameters have to be gathered together: be in the North (ideally as North as possible from the Arctic cercle), have a clear night, no light pollution from cities, be patient and lucky. The Northern Lights are unpredictable but with luck, a magnificient show can enlight the sky. Previously, the article Northern Lights forecast help you to know how high your chances to see them was, based on the solar erruptions.

Life in Lapland has published a map to help Northern Lights hunters who do not have the opportunity to go to the wilderness to chase the lights in the city of Santa Claus. Despite the city lights, the Northern Lights are easily visible from the hills, islands and along the river shores. Do not forget to dress with warm clothes and take a warm drink and a snack if you plan to stay in the darkness and coldness for many hours. Depending of the distance you have to walk from/to your hotel, remember that city busses are not running late. In the worst case, call a taxi to drive you back to the hotel. As an example, you will need about an hour to walk from the train station to the top of Ounasvaara (hotel Sky on the map). Keep your phone in a warm pocket. With the coldness, the battery gets empty very fast. Many locals turn their phone off, and turn it on only in case of emergency. Update your Facebook account when you are safely back at the hotel.

Many companies offer Northern Lights safaris, but you will have to spend between 50 and 90€, depending on the services which are included. Now, it is up to you to decide if you want to pay or to walk.

Click on the map to enlarge

Link to the map

Colorful vegetarian lunch buffet at Silvoplee

Located in Hakaniemi in the center of Helsinki, Silvoplee, owned by Satu Silvo, is one of the only vegetarian restaurants of the city. At lunch time, it is very busy with different kinds of people: students, elderly, and middle-adged active men and women. As it is almost impossible to have an individual table, sharing a meal with a strangers is the rule.

Colorful and tasty meal

From 11am to 2pm, a colorful lunch buffet is served with all kinds of warm dishes, salads, fruits and beans. It is very interesting to try new tastes. There is no price for the lunch. You pay the weight you put in your plate (20.48€/kg). There is also the soup of the day for 15.85€/kg.

Desserts and drinks

Some freshly pressed fruit juices are availble as well as organic wines and beers. Different desserts can bring a tasty end to a colorful lunch. The restaurant also sell some organic product.

Take-away is possible. Just fill in the plastic box.

Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday 11am to 6pm.
Closed on Sundays
Lunch is served from Monday to Friday from 11am to 2pm

Website (only in Finnish)

Sorry for the low quality of the pictures. I took them with my phone.

Lapland is calling

Reindeer sledging in Santa Claus village in Rovaniemi

Snow is by now covering the ground in Lapland and the lakes are getting frozen. Northern Lights can be seen since August already, and the reindeers are wearing their winter colors. There is no doubt: winter is here! Almost as big as South Korea, Lapland counts less than two inhabitants per square kilometers. You have more chance to see reindeers that humans. The region is fascinating. It is a preserved wilderness kingdom where local people, the Sami (Saami in Finnish), are still living with their traditions eventhough they use modern technologies and electricity. In Lapland, you will find many places where to practice sports like skiing, Alpine or cross-country, snowmobile, ice skating, ice fishing and so on. Reindeer or dog sledging are also experiences that are worth to be done at least once in a life time. But you can also enjoy the silence and the beauty of nature, listening to the wood cracking in the fireplace or to relax in a warm sauna. Northern Lights are undoubtably the most amazing observable natural phenomenon.

Now, it's time to plan your winter trip! VR is currently offering discount tickets on their sleeping cars in the night trains. Book your trip before November 25th and travel from November 28th to March 28th 2014. Prices start at 49€ per person or 59€ if you want a shower. As you can see on the price list under, if you have a Veturi account (customer loyalty program), you will save 10 extra Euros. All what you need to get an account is to have a permanent address in Finland. It is free of charge. Have a nice holiday!

Click on the image to enlarge

Link to the offer

It can be stormy in Finland

Storm over Suomenlinna

Last night, the terrible storm which devastated the UK was awaited in Finland. But luckily the wind speed decreased dramatically, and when it reached the Southern coasts, the speed was even not at the storm level. Nevertheless, some houses on the Southern and Westsouthern coasts were without power as the wind caused some power outages. The wind calmed down around midday but is blowing again in the evening. It should come to normal level during the night.

As Finland is a forest country, it is important for every people to check the forecast and avoid all unnecessary travel as trees might fall. Also, it is advised to don't stay too close from the sea side. A powerful wave can catch a person and drag it offshore. If you are planning to travel by plane or by boat, check with the travel company or agency if the conditions are acceptable for the trip. As an example, when the waves are higher that one meter, the fastest boats operating between Helsinki and Tallinn are not leaving the harbor.

You can check the weather forecast on Foreca or FMI

The subway in Helsinki is metamorphosing

The orange subway of Helsinki

Helsinki is the only city in Finland having a subway which is the most northernly network in the world, and probably also one of the simpliest. Open since 1982, it connects Ruoholahti to Itäkeskus from the main line before to spilt in to two branches to Mellunmäki (North East) and Vuosaari (South East). Long of 22.1km with 16 stations, the train is underground during only 6.5km. It also crosses a couple of bridges. Over 50 million passenger journeys are recorded each year.

During the trip, passengers can enjoy the free wifi connection which is excellent, even when the train is underground and crowed.

Map of the subway in Helsinki and its extention to Espoo in 2015

In 2015, if everything goes as planned, the subway will be extended from Ruoholahti (the current end station) to Matinkylä in Espoo. It requires to build 8 new station and two underground water crossings. The budget allocated for the extention is of 500 m€.

Automatic doors are already installed in Vuosaari

The old manual trains will be soon replaced by automatic ones. In the meantime, stations are little by little equiped with automatic doors like in Vuosaari on the picture above. The subways will be controlled from a central room in Herttoniemi. The driverless system is expected to be operational already next year.

If you ask people from Helsinki if it is worth visiting the Eastern part of the city, most of them will respond negatively. The most frequent comments are: "there is nothing to see", "it's full of foreigners", "it's ugly", "too many alcoholics". Don't listen to them! Finland is one of the safest countries in the world and you will be very unlucky if something bad happens to you. The best way to have an opinion about Eastern Helsinki is to take the subway and visit the suburban areas. Personally I like to chill in the parks in Herttoniemi, shop in Itäkeskus, walked in the forest in Vuosaari or go to its huge beach. The architecture is not too bad and people are not more rude than in the center. There are always some weird people but nothing unusual.

New decoration at Kamppi subway station

Concerning the subway stations, let's be honest, they are not pretty. Most of them are still looking like in 1982 and there is nothing special about them. Nevertheless, the station in Kamppi has been recently decorated with cristals in the ceiling, pointing at cities in the world. Another station that worth a visit is Kaisaniemi. Take the exit on Yliopistonkatu. The walls are primitive as well as the paintings. You feel like crossing the cave of a caveman.

Jenni Vartiainen, the princess of pop music

Jenni Vartiainen at Radio Aalto concerts in Helsinki 2011

Janni Vartiainen is a 31 years old singer from Kuopio who is one of the most successful singers in the country. She has sold over 260.000 records and is part of the 70 best-selling recording artists in Finland. Before becoming a singer, young Jenni was a figure skater. She became famous in 2002 when she won Popstar, a talent show with three other singers. Together, they were performing under the name "Gimmel". The band was successful but broke up in 2004. Three years later, Jenni released her first album solo "Ihmisten edessä" which was a success. The second album was even more successful and was the best Finnish album 2010. After a scene break of two years, Jenni finally released her third album "Terra" at the beginning of October 2013, two months after the single "Junat ja naiset". Jenni's music is a combinaison of ballads and pop with a little bit of nostalgy. Her concerts are so appreciated that it is challenging to get a ticket. The tour 2013/2014 is still not announced. Stay tuned and maybe you'll have a chance to see her live. She is amazing and know how to interact with the audience.

Her best-known hit:

New single:

Website (only in Finnish)

Carnival of lights at the amusement park

Magic lights 

Every year mid-October, the amusement park Linnanmäki in Helsinki is having its carnival of lights where most of the machines are decorated with lights. In 2014, the illuminations are visible from October 11th to 19th until 10pm. The entry to the park is free. You only pay if you go for a ride or visit Sea Life, the aquarium.

Baltic Herring Fair

Until this Sunday, visitors can visit the Baltic Herring Fair (272nd edition of the oldest traditional event in Helsinki) along the Southern harbor in the capital city. Finnish people are the 3rd biggest fish consumers in Europe with 15kg per capita. One third of the fishes are domestic. The country counts about 800 professionals and about 1.500 people are engaged in fishing as a second occupation.

The Crazy Days are back at Stockmann!

Yellow is the color of the Crazy Days

It is probably one of the most awaited events of the year. In Spring and in Autumn, Stockmann the biggest department store of the Nordic countries is having its Crazy Days where many items are on sale. The whole story is decorated in yellow, and people are walking with yellow bags in the city center. For a foreigner, it can be very surprising. It almost looks like a virus spreading. And the temptation to enter the "temple" is huge. Inside, it looks like an anthill. People become crazy, buying like if there will be a war, taking the items from the hands of other customers. In the food department, daily offers on rare meats such has reindeer, moose or horse are a temptation for all gourmets. But also the great assortment of organic vegetables, freshly baked breads, exclusive coffees and teas or simply great deals of 5 packages of chocolate or sweets for a couple of Euros. Everything is on sale, from underwear to washing machines, from cars to shoes.

Finnair flights for the Autumn 2013

Every day, new offers are on sale until it is sold out. And depending on the items, you better go early! It is the case especially for the Finnair flights. People are already queuing at 7 in the morning in the hope of getting a queue number at 8am. Don't even think of cutting the line! If you are late, it's your fault.

The Crazy Day start on Wedneday October 9th to Sunday October 13th in all the shops in Finland. Will you get the yellow fever?

Daily offers during the Crazy Days (online catalogue)

Cheap lunch at Marian

Marian in Leppävaara (Espoo) next to the Sello library

It is not always easy to find a cheap place for lunch in Helsinki metropolitan area. Most of the restaurants have buffets or selected meals for about 8 to 15€. The confectionary Marian (15 shops in the whole region) offers the soup of the day with bread, water and coffee for only 6.90€. The shop is also selling delicious bakeries, cakes, cookies, pastries and breads that you can eat on the spot or take away.

Website of Marian Konditoria (only in Finnish)

Looking for a princess dress?

If you are looking for a cocktail dress for a wedding, award ceremony or Linnanjuhlat, go and have a look at the Halonen shops. There you will find princess dresses, long or short, from 60 to 600€. Accessories are also sold such as bags, gloves, shoes, hats and scarfs. The salespeople are very skilled and will help you. If the dress needs some modification (shortening, etc), the shop will do it in exchange of a proportional fee.

Gloves and scarfs

Some of the Halonen shops have an outlet. It is always a good idea to have a look. Some of the dresses can be 40 to 50% cheaper. Do not miss the big seasonal sales.

One of the most expensive dresses on sale at the moment at Halonen Sello (Espoo)

Short dress

These dresses are unfortunatelly worn only once or twice, and are abandonned in the wardrobes. But some of them are re-sold in second hand shops such as UFF. If you are lucky, you can find these dresses for 10€! May the luck be with you!

Medieval weekend in Espoo!

Crossing the river to access the yard

Every year since 2008 during the 3rd weekend of September, the Syysmatin markkinat (Matti's autumn market) is organized in the yard of the medieval church of Espoo. Craftspeople are selling their best pieces of work but also demonstrate their know-how: blacksmith, goldsmith, florist, knitter and so on. Some strands are selling some delicious home made food such as crepes and cakes. For children, some farm animals (sheeps, chickens, ponies, etc) are also present. Free entry.

Goldsmith

Handmade bookmarks and jewellery

Brushing the sheep wool before spinning

When?
Saturday from 10am to 5:30pm
Sunday from 11:30am to 4pm

Where?
On the yard of the Holy church "Tuomiokirkko". Address: Kirkkopuisto 5, 02770 Espoo

How to get there?
Take the commuter train (U, E or S) to Espoon Keskus. Walk 300m straight between the buildings on the South side.

Website of the event (only in Finnish)

Salads and herbs sold in pot

Lettuce sold in plastic pot

When going to a Finnish grocery store, you might notice something completely different from your home country in the vegetables counters. The salads and fresh herbs are sold in plastic pots! No, you are not dreaming, and neither are in a garden center. The main reason why they are still in in peat, is to guarantee the freshness of the product during the whole year from the greenhouse to your kitchen.

Parsley, rosemary, marjoram and basil on my balcony

Another advantage of this technique is that if you do not use everything, you can create your own garden that might last for a very long time. No waste!

There is always an interesting exhibition in a fair center

Fair center in Lahti has been renovated

During the whole year (expect in June-July), exhibitions on different topics are offered to the public in all major cities of the country. In Finnish, fair center is called "messukeskus". The entrance fee vary from exhibition to exhibition. In order to obtain a dicount price (other than the usual ones: children, veterans, students,...), check the magazines about the topic and cut the coupon. Sometimes, you can also get a reduced price if you pay online or fill in a coupon at the entrance. As some events are very popular, the best way is to come by public transportation. Check that some of the fairs are only for professionals. It happens also quite often that  more than two fairs are at the same time in the same fair center. You do not have to pay a separate ticket for each. Just enjoy and discover new things. The biggest fair center is situated in Helsinki with its 7 exhibition halls and 40 conference rooms. Remember that some exhibitions are very popular and can be crowded. If you can, come early or later in the day.

The main exhibitions in autumn

Helsinki
18-22.09 Habitare, ArtHelsinki13, Salon13, Valolight (fair about design)
01-03.10 Automaatio ( the Number One Automation Event in the Baltic Sea Region)
11-13.10 I love me 2013, Beauty 2013, Jewel & Watch 2013, Fashion 2013, Näköä 2013, Health 2013
24-27.10 Book Fair 2013, Music Fair 2013, Wine, food & good living 2013
01-03.11 BoardExpo 2013, DigiExpo 2013, HifiExpo 2013, Ice hockey & Floorball 2013, SkiExpo

Lahti
20-22.09 Caravan 2013
02-03.11 Crafts, hobbies and reading
21.11 Business Day

Tampere
04-06.10 Tampere Art Fair, Homevision, Antique
15-17.11 Finnish Handicrafts, Gem and Jewel

Turku
04-06.10 Turku International Book fair (Finnish president Sauli Niinistö will be the guest of honnor), Turku Food Fair, Science Fair 
18-20.10 Harmony (ecological and ethical fair), Women's skils
23-24.11 International Cat Fair

Design market in Helsinki

 

In 2012, Helsinki was the World Design Capital and many events were organized to show the know-how and creativity for Finnish designers. But the city does not need to be the World capital to show the work of its artists. This weekend in the Cable Factory, small and large design businesses are bringing their extra stocks for sale. Free admission.

On Saturday at 1 and 3pm, there will be a fashion sale show.

The design market is part of the Helsinki Design Week (12-22nd of September).

How to go there? You can take the subway to Ruoholahti and walk to the factory (about 800m).


More info about the design market

Program of the design week

The sporting event of the weekend!

The three ski jumps

The sport number one in Finland is ice hockey. As the season hasn't yet started, it is time to discover another top sport: ski jumping. The Lahti Ski Club is organizing the Finnish championships, including Nordic Combined (ski jumping and roller-skating) during the weekend. No, the athletes don't need snow to practise their sport. The landing area is cover by plastic and watered to be slippery.

Flying high, long and with style

The best jumpers of the country will compete tomorrow in team and on Sunday individually on the K116 (the largest of the three hills). The legend Janne Ahonen who is back after a two years break, will compete. The event is free of charge and the weather will be perfect (sunny and +21°C). It is a friendly event and the sportsmen are accessible. Do not hesitate to meet them.

Podium 2012: winner Janne Happonen, second Jarkko Määttä and third Sami Niemi

Saturday September 7th
9:00 jumping (Nordic Combined)
12-15:00 free practise on the jumping hill
13:00 roller-skating (Nordic Combined)
16:30 trial jump
17:00 team competition

Sunday September 8th
9:30 trial jump followed by the individual competition for the ski jumpers under 20 years old
12:00 trial jump
13:00 individual competition
If you are coming from Helsinki, check this useful tip to travel cheaper: How to save 40 to 50% on the trip Helsinki-Lahti