So much to do over the weekend

This is a typical summer weekend in Helsinki. There are so many different events going on that it is even tough to decide what to do.

Helsinginkatu's cycling lane will be opened today between 12 and 3 with a big celebration with music and more.

Saturday is Siivouspäivä. Anyone can sell stuff they don't need anymore just outside on the street. Get rid of what you anyway don't use or keep your eyes open for some treasures that just resurfaced from someone's basement.

Up for some culture and ethnic food? Well, then head to the World Village Festival in Kaisaniemenpuisto and on Rautatientori. A whole weekend of program and food from around the world is awaiting you.

Also don't miss out on the Kumpula Village Party. It celebrates it's 25th anniversary and is Helsinki's oldest neighborhood festival. For more information on what to expect and how to get there check out their website.

Have a great weekend!

Helsinki goes Nippon

For the next few day Helsinki become a little Japanese. During the Japan Week starting today the Japanese culture will be presented through exhibitions, workshops and performances. 

The events will take place at Annantalo, Wanha Satama and Savoy Theater. The big opening will be today at Kamppi Kauppakeskus and Narinkkatori starting at noon. For more information about the program follow the links above or check out VisitHelsinki (program only in Finnish). All events are free of charge.

Enjoy Japanese culture in Helsinki!

Free entrance to Ateneum

Ateneum is one of Helsinki's most renowned and well-known museums. A must-see for everyone visiting or living in the city.

And now you have the chance to visit it for free. Until October 22 the entrance to the museum is free. Have a look at some of the most important art pieces of Ateneum's collection from Finnish and international masters.

Don't miss out on the opportunity! For more information and the opening times visit their website.

Germans, the invisible foreigners?

Finland is this far away, isolated country up North, right? Well, actually Finland was probably less isolated than you would think. Apart from its neighbors it was also in regular exchange with many German speaking areas and countries.

There are a lot of German influences to be found in Finland and especially in Helsinki. The German Culture Week starting this Friday shows that.

In three exhibitions accompanied by several other events it introduces the German culture in Finland, Helsinki as well as German culture in general. More information on the German Culture Week under the motto "The invisible foreigners?" can be found on Facebook and the official website.

All events are free of charge. The exhibitions stay open at the International Culture Center Caisa until October 25.

Kisama is back

After a long rennovation Helsinki's museum of contemporary art Kiasma has opened its doors again for visitors. 

The museum starts into the new season with a photography exhibition of Robert Mapplethorpe.

Admission fee for Kiasma is 12 € for adults and free of charge for under 18 year olds. And as before every first Friday of the month entry is admission free for everyone.

What is your Finnscope sign?

Everyone knows their zodiac sign. But wouldn't you also like to know your Finnscope sign? Maybe you are a shy reindeer herder, an impulsive shaman or maybe a passionate gold hunter. You can find it out on VisitFinland's new Finnscope generator.

Have a look and find out more about your very own sign. The page provides lots of additional information and you can learn something new about Finland, its culture and its people. Give it a try right away on the Finnscope website.

For more trust and tolerance

Yle Kioski did an amazing social experiment recently in Helsinki. In times where distrust among religions and cultures is growing more and more Muslims where invising and themselves being invited to hug and get hugged.

But see for yourself.

Enjoy those amazing videos and have a great weekend!

10 facts about Finland

What where the things that surprised you most when you came to Finland for the first time? Here is a list of things that might shock first-time visitors. Do you agree or have something to add?

Looking forward to your comments!

Tipping in Finland

Whenever you arrive in a new country it is important to know how the tipping in that culture works. So how does it work in Finland? (If you are a Finn, live here already or visit often, you can stop reading now)

Tipping in Finland is not really common. Meaning that noone expects you to tip. Since most people pay with credit or debit card they anyway tend to just pay the basic price. And don't worry if you do that as well since the service is already included in the price.

If you like to tip anyway you can of course do that. Therefore you will sometimes find a tipping jar at a bar. Or you can also ask the waiter to type in a different amount when paying by card. There is no percentage you have to follow though. And expect to be looked at in surprise when you try to tip.

All in all Finnish pricing concept is pretty staight forward (especially compared to countries like the US). You pay the amount that is written on the bill.

Helsinki Festival 2014

Today the Helsinki Festival starts. And it will go on till the end of August. Two weeks of full program in and around the city lay ahead of us.

The Helsinki Festival is Finland's biggest multi-art festival and at the same time marks the end of the summer festival season. The heart of the festival will be the KoeHelsinki (Experience Helsinki) festival park at Kansalaistori. Many great performers such as Los Lobos, Ginger Baker and Finnish star Jonna Tervomaa will be on stage during the two weeks.

Find out more about the festival and the whole program on the official website and have great upcoming two weeks!

The year of the horse

Tonight the Chinese celebrate their new year. In Helsinki this is traditionally celebrated at Lasipalatsin aukio and everyone is invited.

The programm starts already at 15:30 with the New Year's Parade through the city center. At 16:00 the Chinese village at Lasipalatsin aukio opens and together with it lots of small huts and stands that offer traditional Chinese food and products.

During the whole afternoon and there is a full programm on the stage ranging from dances and Kund Fu shows to speeches and songs.

If you have time also check out the New Year's programm at Helsinki Casino.

Finally at 20:30 the Chinese New Year will be welcomed with big fireworks over the city.

Don't miss it! The entrance is of course for free.

Night of the Arts

Today Helsinki celebrates the Night of the Arts for the 25^th time. It’s the highlight of the Helsingin Juhlaviikot. Countless activities and events take place. E.g. watch the Harmonic Fieldsinstallation on Kaivopuisto, go to the Open Stage or sing with 40 policemen.

To see tonight’s whole program click on the Night of the Arts website. The first events start already during daytime and many last till midnight and later.

Have a great Night of the Arts!

Summer at Espan Lava

As every year Espan Lava, the stage in Esplanadi Park, offers a broad program with lots and lots of music. Check out the summer program. You can find everything from Rock to Pop, from Blues to Jazz.

Espan Lava is popular amongst locals and tourists alike. It is probably the busiest open air stage in whole Finland. And the best part is that all performances are for free. Till the end of August over 200 artists and groups from Finland and abroad perform here.

Sit down on one of the benches in front of the stage or have a drink on the terrace of Kappeli right next to the stage and enjoy the program from over there.

The First Season Film Festival starts this week

From April 4^th to 9^th the first Season Film Festival takes place in Helsinki. It is organized by Helsinki International Film Festival which is also in charge of the famous Love & Anarchy Film Festival in September.

At Season Film Festival you can watch upcoming film highlights from this year already beforehand. In collaboration with the Fashion Film Festival also brings to screen a selection of films focusing on fashion and design.

Tickets can be purchased and reserved online or at the participating theaters Bio Rex and Maxim. Find more information on theofficial website of Season Film Festival.

In the house

The neighborhood of Kallio is has probably the highest density of bars and pubs in whole Helsinki. One of the most famous places here is Café Talo. 

This trendy location is a café and restaurant during the day. Try for example their daily changing lunch offers that include their really nice salad buffet. 

Talo is also a great place for drinks in the evening. You can find a nice spot for you and your friends on one of their two levels. It gets pretty crowded during the weekends though. So if you plan on going there you better be early. 

Also check their website for upcoming events. Talo also hosts movie nights, gigs and other cultural events.

If you just want to find a cheap pub in Kallio Café Talo is not the place for you. But if you are searching for a lively bar with a great atmosphere you just found it.

A Finnish Egyptian

Would you like to read a real Finnish classic? One of the most successful books written by a Finnish author is definitely “Sinuhe the Egyptian”. This historical novels tells about a physician who travels the around the Mediterranean Sea giving the reader a pretty good impression of ancient Egypt and its role in the world.

With this novel Mika Waltari became world famous. In the 1950s Hollywood even adapted the story for a movie. Every Finnish child reads the book in school.

It is one of the most important pieces of literature in Finland. And it’s a really interesting book.

Enjoy reading it!