Ink Tank
Stories
Finland, Europe, culture and people — told in plain English.
Home and away: How to have a staycation in Helsinki
This post was written in collaboration with Hotels.com, but all views are our own. The coronavirus situation has put a temporary hold on international travel,…
Saunas, Safety, and Salmiakki: The “Happiest” people in the world?
“Happiest” people in the world? I came to see for myself. I left it all behind for a while to experience life in a country…
The 20 American things that horrify Brits most
The United States and the United Kingdom share many cultural traits. This is expected for a former colony. George Bernard Shaw allegedly noted that Britain…
8 fun Finnish maps that show how Finland is divided
Much of Finland is similar despite its vast size. A 15 hour drive from Helsinki to Lapland reveals consistent scenery of forests and lakes. However…
Discover how Vesa Lehtimäki is bringing Star Wars to Finland
We always appreciate clever photography, but we love it even more when it involves Star Wars and Finland. The work of Helsinki-based illustrator and photographer…
Everyday life in the capital: 19th century Helsinki, in pics
Helsinki experienced massive growth after it became Finland’s capital in 1812. As the new economic and cultural center, its population exploded, architecture grew quickly, and…
Why Finland bans the weirdest things
Somewhere along the line, someone figured out a great job for themselves: Ban things. It does not matter what, just think of something for whatever…
Are you a 21st century moron? Take a quick test to find out
Times of turmoil can bring out the worst in people. Obvious choices become difficult. Right becomes wrong. People turn against one another. There is an…
25 most useful websites on the internet
There are an estimated 1.7 billion websites on the internet today. While this number changes daily as websites are launched or lost, the web is…
The 10 Happiest Words in the World, Voted by 70,000 Finns
Finns voted on the words that make them happiest — nearly 70,000 of them. From söpö to järvi, here are the top ten, what they…
Episode 19: When Midsummer is Finland’s best and worst celebration
Very Finnish Problems creator Joel Willans interviews the minds behind Midsummer Madness. This free Helsinki open air Midsummer event for 2020 aims to bring life…
Talkin ‘bout my generation: Helsinki kids are putting an end to famous Finnish silence
A group of people gathered in Helsinki. When Finland was ranked as the world’s happiest country, many were quick to express their surprise. Why? When…
