Ink Tank
Stories
Finland, Europe, culture and people — told in plain English.
Why Finland Is the Happiest Country in the World (And What That Actually Means)
Finland has just been named the happiest country in the world. Again. For the ninth year running. Having lived here for more than two decades,…
Finnish Independence Day: What December 6th Actually Means to Finns
Finnish Independence Day (itsenäisyyspäivä) is not a loud celebration. It is a day of quiet remembrance, two candles in the window, and a national handshake.…
Finnish Salmon Soup: The Dish That Needs No Introduction in Finland
Finnish salmon soup (lohikeitto) is what you make when you want something that will actually fix the day. Discover the history and recipe of this…
Finnish Sauna Gifts: The Ultimate Guide
Sauna is not a hobby in Finland. It is part of everyday life. That is why Finnish sauna gifts carry unusual weight. There are more…
Finnish Silence vs British Small Talk: Why One Culture Talks to Fill the Room and the Other Does Not
The first time I attended a Finnish dinner party, I made the mistake of filling every silence. It is a reflex if you are British.
The Finnish Guide to Doing Nothing (Properly)
In a world obsessed with doing more, Finland quietly excels at doing less. While the rest of the planet downloads productivity apps, Finns put their…
9 Things You Will Find in Every Finnish Kitchen
Finnish kitchens come in all shapes and sizes but look hard enough and a pattern emerges — some practical to the point of genius, some…
5 iconic Finnish companies founded by immigrants
Photo credit: Stockmann Group Read the Finnish tabloid press and you might be mistaken for thinking that the whole world wants to move to Finland.…
5 future predictions we’re still waiting to come true
The year 2025 still sounds somewhat futuristic. We have some neat things here in the future. We can Facetime people in different time zones. We…
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…
How to say ‘Happy New Year’ in the all languages of the European Union
The new year offers an opportunity to acknowledge the diversity and unity of the European Union. With many different cultures involved, knowing how to greet…
Meet the Lithuanian pianist whose Finnish cover versions will wow
Think of iconic Finnish tunes and you’ll likely choose Sandstorm by Darude, Freestyler by Bomfunk MC’s or In the Shadows by The Rasmus. However, you’re…
