Discover Helsinki’s paradoxes in 5 minutes: silence as social code, nature at your doorstep, efficient trams, and the city’s underground secrets.
Tag: Finland
From National Symbol to Media Case Study: What the Finnair Ranking Really Tells Us
Finnair was ranked Europe’s worst airline. This blog explores what that says about national identity, brand trust, and institutional failure.
Finland’s UX Is Emotional Bandwidth
There are things I love about Finland and things that quietly drive me insane. Some days, I feel completely at home here. Other days, I feel like I was born in the wrong country, in the wrong emotional climate, surrounded by too many polite silences and not enough verbal confirmation that people care about each…
Eurovision Turns 69 – And Finland’s “Ich Komme” Is Coming Right On Time
For a very long time, Eurovision hasn’t really been a song contest. It’s been a yearly spectacle of glitter, drama, and over-the-top performance art. The one time of year when Europe collectively agrees to arse around in the name of music, spectacle, and shared absurdity. And as someone who thrives on maximalism, I wouldn’t have…
Courage Isn’t a Cost – It’s an Investment
Let’s be honest: Finland doesn’t always know what to do with something bold. Especially when it’s loud, chaotic, and refuses to apologize. Case in point: Queen of F**ing Everything. A series that dared to break every rule in the Finnish TV playbook. No quiet stares out of grey windows. No kitchen table melancholy. No slowly…
The Power of a Passport: What Colors Say About Borders, Privilege, and Travel
Passports may seem like simple travel documents, but they are symbols of power and privilege. Their colors influence how easily someone can cross borders, reflecting global inequality. But beyond just function, their designs tell a deeper story – shaped by political alliances, history, and national identity. As a maximalist, I’ve always been curious about many…
Sauna Brothers Just Dropped the Hottest Countdown for the Meme-Ready Summer Banger – One, Two, Three, Sauna
For years, many Finns have seen Sweden as looking down on us -like “hillbilly alcoholic cousins”: hardworking, but rough around the edges, fond of vodka and saunas, and living in the cold, remote corners of Northern Europe. Swedes have often viewed Finns as people who needed help, but not quite serious cultural contenders. We were…
Barbie and How “Ridiculous” Dreams Change the World
I didn’t own many Barbies growing up. My parents—practical as ever, some might call them “bohemian literature types” – opted for books, movies, and outdoor adventures over plastic dolls with dream mansions. They figured those would be better for me. But of course, I found ways around their well-meaning plans. I’d escape to friends’ apartments…
From Abba to Öky: A Journey Through Nordic Words
Some people see the Nordics as a utopia—a perfect place to live because of the high quality of life, strong social systems, and beautiful nature. They admire how Nordic countries prioritize education, healthcare, and equality, believing these factors contribute to a happy society. For them, the Nordics represent a harmonious balance between modern life, work,…
Throwback to 1996
Yo, I’ll tell you what I want, what I really, really want. So tell me what you want, what you really, really want. Can one ever forget this song? When the Spice Girls’ Wannabe hit the airwaves in 1996, I was 10 years old. A year before, Finland had won its first gold medal in…
Jackinna of all Trades 