Finnish Foreign Minister Reiterates Support for Two-State Solution Amid Ongoing Tensions In a significant diplomatic outreach, Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen reaffirmed her country’s commitment to fostering stability in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Her remarks came after a meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar in Jerusalem, where the two discussed various aspects of their nations’ long-standing relationship, deeply rooted in decades of exchanges spanning from top officials to everyday citizens. In a post shared on social media platform X, Valtonen articulated, “We engaged in a productive dialogue about our bilateral relations, as well as pressing issues…
Author: Finland Review
Alisa Vainio Sets New Finnish Record at Seville Marathon Alisa Vainio made headlines this past Sunday at the Seville Marathon, where she shattered her previous Finnish record with an impressive finish of 2:20:39. This new time reflects a remarkable nine-second improvement over the record she established just a few months ago in December. Not only did Vainio claim the title of champion in the women’s marathon, but she also walked away with a significant prize of €15,000 for her efforts. Meanwhile, Nathalie Blomqvist also made waves on the same day, setting a new Finnish record of her own at the…
Embracing the Winter Break: A Finnish Tradition As the days grow shorter and the snow blankets the landscape, the anticipation of Finland’s winter break—a cherished skiing holiday—mounts. Established in the 1930s, this week-long recess was designed to punctuate the lengthy spring semester and foster a love for winter sports among children, particularly skiing. For many families, the ski holiday, known as “ski holiday” in Finnish, serves as an opportunity to escape to the slopes, indulge in winter sports, or simply enjoy the great outdoors. This year, schools in southern Finland will enjoy their break from February 16 to 20, while…
Rain Alters Competition Landscape for Women’s Relay in Val di Fiemme As clouds loom over Val di Fiemme, the weather forecast predicts a rainy day ahead—an unexpected twist for the women’s relay event taking place today at the Tesero ski stadium. Unlike previous days of competition, when athletes battled the elements with relative ease, this change may significantly impact strategy and performance. Upon visiting the course early Saturday morning, it was evident that preparations were underway. The artificial snow, already soft and pliable, drew immediate attention. Though rain had not yet begun to fall, the air chilled to a brisk…
A survey conducted last year revealed an intriguing aspect of social life in Finland: the average Finn has about four close friends and a total of eleven friends overall. As Valentine’s Day approaches, it’s fascinating to observe how Finland stands apart from many countries, where the day is often synonymous with romance. Since 1987, Valentine’s Day—known in Finnish as Ystävänpäivä or “Friend’s Day”—is celebrated as a tribute to friendship and community connections. On February 14, many Finns take the opportunity to exchange heartfelt messages and even gifts with their close friends, reinforcing bonds that transcend traditional romantic notions. Recently, social…
While the once-reliable tradition of sending letters through the mail is waning, the national postal service is experiencing an uptick in parcel deliveries. In its latest report, Posti, Finland’s national mail company, announced a notable increase in profitability during the latter part of last year, despite a decline in overall turnover. Specifically, the company’s adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) rose to 30 million euros in the fourth quarter, a marked improvement from nearly 22 million euros during the same quarter in 2022. However, this success came amid a 3.3 percent drop in turnover for the final quarter, totaling…
Finland’s Lubrication Scandal Takes a New Twist In a stunning development within the realm of cross-country skiing, Heikki Tonteri, the lubrication manager for the Finnish cross-country team, stirred the pot with a provocative Instagram post on Friday. The image featured a bottle of cream typically used to reduce friction. Accompanying the photo, Tonteri cheekily commented, “Hand cleaner,” leaving many to ponder the implications of his words. The timing of his post couldn’t be more significant, as it appears to reference a lubrication scandal that made headlines just a day earlier. During an emergency meeting, Italian national team head coach Marcus…
Our small ironworks tour around Raseborg over the weekend took us through Antskog, Fiskars, and Billnäs before we arrived in Mustio (Svartå) for the grand finale. As with our earlier stops, the area was quiet—aside from a solitary duck gliding across the rippling water, we found ourselves completely alone. The winter scenery was simply breathtaking! The striking yellow façade of Mustio Manor, one of Finland’s most cherished heritage buildings, gleamed against the backdrop of a blue-and-white winter landscape. Having heard countless ghost stories about this manor, I couldn’t help but envision spirits peering at us from behind the windows as…
Keliber Launches Europe’s First Battery-Grade Lithium Mining Operation In the chill of a Finnish winter, a significant chapter in Europe’s lithium production story has begun. Mining firm Keliber has officially kicked off lithium mining in Kaustinen, marking the launch of Europe’s first battery-grade lithium processing operation in the Kokkola region. This much-anticipated project promises to generate around 350 jobs and establishes an essential production chain, aiming to reduce dependency on imports from China. On a chilly Wednesday, invited guests and reporters gathered to witness a historic moment as the first spodumene veins were blasted from the rock at the Syväjärvi…
Every Team Deserves Respect: A Reflection on Olympic Ice Hockey In the arena of international sports, the spirit of competition transcends national pride. Jukka Jalonen, head coach of Finland’s ice hockey team, knows this well. Four years ago, he guided the Finnish Lions to Olympic gold, but as they return to defend their title, the dynamics have shifted dramatically. The journey began with an unexpected setback—a 4-1 loss to Slovakia. For Jalonen, this wasn’t a stunning revelation. “The strength of Slovakia didn’t surprise me at all,” he remarked after the match against Sweden. “In fact, I would argue they might…