Current affairs

On 22 September, EU Justice and Home Affairs Council discussed the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen area. In practice, the accession would mean that internal border checks be lifted at the borders between Bulgaria and Romania and the other EU countries.

Minister for European Affairs and Foreign Trade Alexander Stubb will travel to London and Oxford on 15-16 September.

Finnish culinary culture is infused with the natural flavours of the northern latitudes. It tells the story of a people who went from forest livelihoods to active interaction with neighbouring countries.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland has granted Euro 190 000 for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Piracy Prisoner Transfer Programme (PPTP). The main aim of the programme is to construct a new prison in Garowe, Puntland. The 500 bed prison will be mainly used for housing convicted Somali pirates.

The long-awaited Music Centre in Central Helsinki is preparing for its grand opening in early September. Only then will music lovers find out whether they finally have a concert hall with the proper acoustics to support top-flight orchestras.

Following the success of HEL YES! last year, The Finnish Institute in London is delighted to unveil its next project for London Design Festival: REDDRESS. Designed by Aamu Song, REDDRESS is an interactive installation and performance space in the form of a colossal, red dress. REDDRESS binds all involved together with something more than just emotion; it is a physical exploration that further strengthens the connection between them.

It is once again the time of year when the annual Fringe Festival (5-29 Aug) and the Edinburgh International Festival (12 Aug-4 Sep) fill the streets and theatres of the Scottish capital city with all forms of art and culture.

The latest travel advice from the Finnish Embassy in London urges visitors to the city to avoid the rioters and rioting areas. Security has been stepped up at mass events and at UK airports, and travellers are advised that additional security checks are expected to cause delays. In London itself, certain streets and underground stations have been closed.

Siân Lewis has already gained plenty of international experience. Being raised in Spain and having studied in Italy for a year, she hopes the Foreign Correspondents’ Programme will get her acquainted with Finland and Scandinavia. In the future, the 23-year-old Siân would be interested in working as a foreign correspondent.