Raising Bilingual Children When One of the Languages Is Finnish
Bilingual children aren’t confused, but Finnish abroad doesn’t happen by accident. What the research and generations of diaspora families say actually works.
10 inspiring Albert Einstein quotes to brighten your day
Albert Einstein provided more than just physics equations. His observations on life and the human mind remain relevant. These ten quotes offer a perspective on imagination and curiosity. Ten quotes from Albert Einstein 1. “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” 2. “The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” 3. “I have no…
The impossible contrast: Young photographer drops summer-like scenes into freezing Finnish winter
At the time of writing, it’s rather cold, around -20°C, here in Helsinki. To make this a bit less insufferable, let’s enjoy some summery pictures. Almost. Sixteen-year-old, award-winning photographer Markus Watkins has just published a very timely set of summer activities set in freezing cold Asikkala. We asked some questions about his set, which he…
14 fantastic Finnish facts you probably don’t know
Thanks to its geography, its people, its language and its culture, Finland can claim to be one of Europe’s most weirdly wonderful countries. To give a taster of its uniqueness, here are 14 fantastic Finnish facts which help showcase some of the traits that make this Nordic country so very special.
Game on! The 9 most important Finnish video games in history
Finland rules mobile games today. Many are surprised to learn that Finnish gaming culture is older than they think. The history of Finnish gaming and the roots of today’s success trace back to the early 80s. Home computers turned tech-savvy Finns toward creating games for the Commodore VIC-20 and Commodore 64. Programming was easy. Unlike…
6 incredible news stories that could only ever happen in Finland
With 187 888 lakes, sub 30 degree winters, sauna obsession and insane coffee drinking, Finland is a unique country. This quality is reflected in its news stories. Finnish newspapers contain plenty of articles that mirror life elsewhere, but you will also discover uniquely Finnish stories. These recent headlines provide the evidence. 1. Watch out! There’s…
How one British writer is showcasing immigrant life in Finland in 2040
Statistics Finland reports over 231,295 immigrants currently live in Finland. Most are of working age. By 2040 many will be seniors. Their future experience is the central question of Lesley Rawstorne’s play Late Adapters. The production examines the reality of being a lonely senior in a foreign country. It looks at how the twilight years…
Fab Finland: 10 Finnish Eurovision songs that should have won
Eurovision returns in its usual kitsch glory. Finland’s Sandhja is out of the running but the show continues. While waiting for a winner, it is time to look back at Finnish contestants from previous years. Lordi remains the only Finnish victor. However, other performers deserve recognition. These entries showcase the specific range of Finnish musical…
Red Hot Machines in cool Helsinki: an interview with artist James Iles
When Welsh artist and illustrator James Iles was little, his teachers were worried about him drawing too many monsters. Even back then, he wanted to draw for a living. Today, based in Helsinki, Finland, he has worked as a storyboard artist for British TV series like Sherlock and Doctor Who. He has paintings in private…
Lessons in life: 5 books about schooldays everyone should read
School stories endure because the experience is universal. Most people did not attend boarding school like the characters in Mallory Towers or receive a Hogwarts invitation. However, the cycle of lessons, homework and sports days is the same everywhere. Children’s literature is dominated by this setting, from Enid Blyton’s The Twins at St Clare’s to…
