Current affairs

The Finnish economy is showing signs of both success and failure.

A total of 23 Finnish universities and universities of applied sciences have taken part in a wide-ranging international survey on how satisfied international degree students and exchange students are with their educational experience in Finland.

The new Government announced it will pursue an active, initiative-taking foreign policy, in cooperation with the President. Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen emphasised that his Government’s policy on Europe is positive but also determined and realistic.

The task of forming a majority government based on the outcome of the April 17th parliamentary elections was beginning to look impossible, but a six-party coalition government and a 100-page government programme have now been created, as proof of Finland’s political pragmatism.

Finland’s 36th and 37th national parks were established in early 2011, just in time for the arrival of the warm season: a new park encompassing unspoilt forest habitats just a stone’s throw from Helsinki; and an extensive marine park around the archipelagos of the Bothnian Sea along the west coast.

Helsinki citizens prepare for celebrations to mark Helsinki Day by cooling off in the city’s parks and heading for the beach.

Monocle magazine’s message is clear: if you want to know what it takes to make a city both liveable and lively, Helsinki is first stop!

The most common Finnish-language surnames include Korhonen, Virtanen, Nieminen, Mäkinen, Hämäläinen, Koskinen, Heikkinen and Järvinen. Yes, this land loves its –nen suffix, a sure way to recognise a Finnish surname.

How does Finland’s renowned education system mix with the worldwide International Baccalaureate programme when the same school utilises both? We visit Ressu Comprehensive in Helsinki to find out.

Downtown Helsinki fills with music and food from all over the world each year as the World Village Festival takes over Kaisaniemi Park. Our videographer and our reporter joined the party.