Yle has curated a delightful holiday lineup, beginning with the beloved classic The Snowman, which will air on Christmas Eve. This enchanting 1982 animated film tells the heartwarming tale of a boy who befriends a snowman, brought to life from Raymond Briggs’ cherished story. Among its many memorable moments is the iconic music, featuring the hauntingly beautiful song “Walking in the Air,” composed by Howard Blake. Here’s a glimpse into Yle’s streaming platform, Areena, showcasing some highlights that you won’t want to miss. The Snowman (Available December 24 at 11:28 AM) This classic film captures the magic of childhood imagination…
Author: Finland Review
Tragic Loss of Norwegian Biathlete Sivert Guttorm Bakken The sporting world is reeling from the sudden and untimely death of Norwegian biathlete Sivert Guttorm Bakken, who was found deceased in his hotel room in Passo Lavazè, Italy, on December 23rd. He was just 27 years old. The cause of Bakken’s death remains unclear, with further details yet to be disclosed. However, Italian media sources have begun to piece together the events leading up to this tragic incident. Reports from the Gazzetta dello Sport indicate that Bakken’s teammates raised concerns when he failed to appear for breakfast. When attempts to contact…
Driving conditions look largely favorable as we head into Christmas Eve’s eve. On this bustling Tuesday, holiday travelers are expected to hit the roads in droves, marking the peak of outbound holiday traffic, according to Fintraffic. Marko Kolattu, a traffic management operator, notes that congestion is likely to peak shortly after noon, with heavy traffic predicted well into the evening, varying by region. For those navigating central areas, be prepared for the worst bottlenecks between 2 and 3 PM, as the afternoon unfolds. Especially busy stretches will include Highway 4 Northbound from Lahti and Jyväskylä, alongside significant traffic anticipated on…
Snowshoeing, when conditions are right—particularly on a sturdy, load-bearing snow crust—can be an invigorating activity that gets your heart racing, even in the chill of winter. Nestled in the Pallastunturi fells is Palkaskero, an ideal destination for both novice and seasoned snowshoers alike. The path leading from the nature center to Palkaskero is not overly long, and the breathtaking scenery greets you almost immediately. On a crisp Sunday morning, my friend and I set off toward the Pallastunturi Fells, our hearts set on snowshoeing. The forecast promised splendid weather, and we eagerly anticipated a dazzling winter landscape bathed in sunlight.…
Tapio Korjus, A New Chapter for Finnish Sports In a notable shift within Finnish athletics, Tapio Korjus, an acclaimed javelin champion, found himself outpaced in a recent electoral contest for the chairmanship of the Finnish Olympic Committee. Though Korjus has celebrated numerous victories throughout his career—including many first-place finishes on the javelin circuit—November 2024 marked a rare second-place finish for him. The committee ushered in a new era with Petteri Kilpinen, who succeeded former chairman Jan Vapaavuori by a decisive vote of 96 to 38. Remarkably, Kilpinen entered the race just weeks before polling began, spotlighting a keen interest from…
Holiday Hours for Grocery Stores, Alko Outlets, and Posti Services As the festive season approaches, grocery stores, Alko Outlets, and Posti service points across Finland will be operating under a holiday schedule this week. This Christmas week, most supermarkets will remain open but will reduce their hours. Notably, some K-Citymarkets and Prisas will continue to operate around the clock, providing convenience for those last-minute shoppers. For precise opening times specific to each Kesko and S Group outlet, customers are encouraged to check the respective websites. Lidl stores, for example, will close at 4 PM on Christmas Eve. All outlets of…
Tapio Korjus Advocates for Better Support for Former Athletes In the world of sports, where high stakes and fierce competition reign, few understand the intricacies of the system quite like Tapio Korjus. An Olympic champion and influential figure in sports policy, Korjus has dedicated decades to shaping the landscape of athleticism through working groups and development initiatives. Despite notable achievements, he believes the battle for ex-athletes’ rights is far from over. Korjus candidly reflects on the disparity between cultural and sporting organizations, noting that while the arts community has adeptly championed its interests, the sports sector has lagged behind. He…
As winter settles in across Finland, the rhythm of day and night reveals a fascinating geographical variation. While many eagerly anticipate longer days, southern Finland will continue to experience later sunrises for several more days before the dawn breaks a bit earlier. This Sunday marks the winter solstice, the day when the sun graces the Northern Hemisphere for the shortest span of time. Notably, the exact moment of the solstice occurs at 5:02 PM on December 21, as the sun reaches its zenith directly above the Southern Tropic of Cancer. This timing has slight variations each year, with the next…
Kristian Vesalainen is embarking on a new chapter in his career, having signed a contract with Sparta Praha that spans this season and the next. On Saturday, Vesalainen and HPK mutually agreed to part ways. During his time in the SM league this season, the Helsinki native suited up for 30 games, notching an impressive 2 goals and 14 assists. Now, as Vesalainen moves to Sparta Prague, there is speculation that he could make his debut at the prestigious Spengler Cup in Davos as the year draws to a close. The agreement he signed ensures his involvement with the club…
Reevaluation of Finland’s Public Finances Looms The Finance Ministry has announced a pressing need for adjustments to public finances, potentially requiring up to 1.4 billion euros in changes before the current government’s term concludes in 2027. With Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s cabinet, comprised of members from the National Coalition Party (NCP), facing roughly 18 months left in office, the financial landscape is increasingly under scrutiny. The ministry’s latest assessment suggests that the next government, upon taking office in 2027, will need to implement even more rigorous measures, with the required adjustments estimated between 7 and 12 billion euros. In a…