Make your own Magnum!

Dried strawberries, pistachio and mini marshmallows are decorating the Magnum ice cream

In 2014 Magnum is celebrating its 25th anniversary. In the old university house few meters from Stockmann in Helsinki, there is a special bar where you can create your own delicious Magnum ice cream.

Celebrating the world

Peace, respect, tolerance and communication

Every year in May, the World Village Festival is organized in Kaisaniemi park next to Helsinki railway station. It is the biggest free festival of Finland. All kinds of organizations from Red Cross to Green Peace, international or national are presenting their program to the public. But the festival is a great place to meet people and culture from everywhere. Delicious food is available a bit everywhere: Thai, Mexican, Somalian, Chinese, Italian. A full program of aminations keeps the stage busy: music, speeches, demonstartions. Some handicrafts and second hand items can be purchased.

Finland from above (Part 1): Panoramic towers

It's definitively not easy to see Finland from above as it is a relatively flat country, almost without skyscrapers. Luckily, there are a couple of observation towers that offer stunning views. Some towers are well known such as the Olympic stadium tower in Helsinki and others are much less. Also, some are free of charge and other cost a couple of euros. Does the view worth the money? Find out in the following list. Do you know other towers? Feel free to give your tips in the comment box at the end of the article or on the Facebook page of AmazingFinland. Click on the pictures to enlarge.

First ever liquorice festival in Finland!

Flickr.com/Judy** (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

During the Antiquity, the roots of liquorice which grow in Southern Europe and in Asia were used for treating the voice. It is still used in many cough syrups.

Salmiakki ice cream

Nowadays the liquorice can be basically found in everything, especially in Finland: tea, chocolate, yogurts, cookies, cakes, ice cream, liqueur, and of course as a candy. The candies are also used for creating jewellery and clothes! Finns simply love it. There is also a salty version that sharply divide people: the salmiakki. You rather love it or hate it. But give it a try! The down side of liquorice is that it increases the blood pressure.

The latest cooking book dedicated to liquorice (Elisabeth Johansson, 28.90€)

After a huge success in Sweden, the liquorice festival is for the first time organized in Helsinki on May 10th, 2014 in Wanha Satama (near the Viking Line terminal in Katajanokka). Many funny workshops and competitions will entertain children and gourmets.

Opening hours: 10-18
Ticket: 10€ (free for children under 10)

Website of the liquorice festival (only in Finnish and Swedish)

Three cute lions cubs are born in Korkeasaari

Spring is the season where many animals give birth. Last month on AmazingFinland, there was an article about the farm of Fallkulla where baby goats, chicken, rabbits and sheeps could be admired. On the other hand seeing baby wild animals is not easy. At the zoo of Helsinki, each birth is an event. This year on March 27th, three lions cubs were born. The adorable cats will be out next month for the joy of the visitors. In the video under, the three lions are watched by the staff of Korkeasaari.

A design break in an Aalto chair

Blueberry tea and mango mousse: absolutely divine!

The Finlandia hall design by the famous architect Alvar Aalto is one of the most photographed monuments of Finland's capital Helsinki and one of the most iconic work from Aalto. The building is the venue of many national and international concerts and seminars. It is located next to the beautiful Töölö bay, a "lake" filled by the sea and surrounded by trees.