🇫🇮 Finland
Hej! I’m sharing a glimpse of my experience visiting stately Finland. I was there in the autumn of 2021. Below are some notes on what I tasted, saw and listened to. I also visited Åland Islands (an autonomous and demilitarised region of Finland).
Important: I only share my own experience and recommend the things I personally tried and liked. Therefore, everything written below is extremely subjective, and does not cover all the wonderful local features and places ☺️.
🗺 Places: Helsinki, Vaasa.
🏛 Top sights visited:
- Helsinki
- Temppeliaukio Church (Temppeliaukion Kirkko)
- Sea Fortress Suomenlinna (Suomenlinna)
- Helsinki Cathedral & Senate Square (Suurkirkko)
- Old Market Hall (Hietalahti)
- Uspenskin Cathedral (Uspenskin Katedraali)
- Kamppi Chapel of Silence (Kampin Lappeli)
- The Sibelius Monument & Sibelius Park (Sibelius-Monumentti)
- Helsinki Winter Garden (Helsingin Kasvitieteellinen Puutarha)
- Vaasa
- City Hall (Kaupungintalo)
- Vaasa Holy Trinity Church (Vaasan Kirkko)
- Vaasa Market Square (Vaasan Tori)
🎧 Local musicians:
- 🇫🇮 Portion Boys (band). Genre: pop
- 🇫🇮 Jenni & Juho (duo). Genre: pop
- 🇺🇳 H.I.M. (band). Genre: gothic metal
- 🇺🇳 The Rasmus (band). Genre: alternative rock
- 🇺🇳 Sunrise Avenue (band). Genre: rock
- 🇺🇳 Darude (DJ). Genre: speed house
- 🇺🇳 Alma (singer). Genre: pop
- 🇺🇳 Bomfunk MC’s (band). Genre: hip-hop
🎚️ Contribution to EDM:
- Suomisaundi. Originated: mid-1990s
🥘 Local food & drinks:
- Finnish Soups (Suomalaiset Keitot)
- Salmon Chowder (Lohikeitto)
- Finnish Fish Soup (Kalakeitto)
- Finnish Pea Soup (Hernekeitto)
- Karelian Pastry (Karjalanpiirakka)
- Christmas Pastry (Joulutorttu)
- Lent Buns (Laskiaispulla)
- Finnish Beer (Brand: “Lapin Kulta”)
- Finnish Liqueur (Brand: “Minttu”)
🎬 Local movies:
- Heavy Trip (Hevi Reissu). Year: 2018. Genre: comedy
🪔 Authentic features:
- Authentic Principle: Sisu (Sisu)
- Finnish Sauna (Saunakulttuuri)
- The Shrove Sunday Celebration (Laskiainen)
- The Fictional World of Moomins (Muumi)
- Authentic Musical Instrument: Kantele (Kantele)
- Authentic Garb: Kansallispuku (Suomalainen Sansallispuku)
- The Culture of Sami (Saamelaiset / Sámit)
- Authentic Musical Instrument: Fadno (Fadno / Fadno)
- Authentic Garb: Beaska & Four Winds Hat (Beaska & Neljäntuulenlakki / Muoddá & Čiehgahpir)
💐 National flower: Lily-of-the-Valley (Kielo)
🦉 Local wisdom: “Better a little given than a lot promised” / “Parempi vähän annettu kuin paljon luvattu” — Finnish proverb
👨🎓 The oldest university: The University of Helsinki (Helsingin Yliopisto), Helsinki, est. 1640.
