In honour of the work of Hannu Hautala

The 42nd Pori Jazz Festival, bigger and better than ever!

Today sees the start of the internationally renowned Pori Jazz festival. The event takes place each summer in the small town of Pori located in western Finland.

It attracts acts from around the world that play at indoor and outdoor venues throughout the town. This year Elvis Costello is among the many the many acts.

During the 42 years that the festival event has been running it has grown from a small local happening into a huge international event. Visitors camp or rent cottages in the area. While not at one of the concerts many head to the nearby stunning sandy beaches.

For further details of the line up click here.

Helsinki Design Week runs 14-23 September 2007

For the third year the creative industries will meet in Helsinki to take part in this special international theme week.  The Helsinki Design Week will include exhibitions and professional gatherings throughout the city.

Design professionals will gather at the Cable Factory for the Designpartners event. Further events will take place at Suomenlinna and Habitare 07 which takes place at Helsinki Fair Centre, is Finland's largest furniture, interior decoration and design fair 19-23 September.

For further details link to the Helsinki design Week site, click here.

This World Series event takes place in Mariehamn 14-19 August 2007.

Volley ball players from around the world will descend on the town of Mariehamn in the Finnish Åland Islands as part of the international Swatch FIVB World Tour. Up to 300 men and woman will battle for vital ranking points in hope of qualifying for the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

Mariehamns Hotel Arkipelag Arena will have a 3000 seat centre court as well as 5 competition courts, 2 warm up courts and a festival arena.

The event is to be televised on Eurosport, Finnish and Swedish television channels.   

One purpose of PAF Open is to help the development of beachvolley /volleyball on all levels, in Finland and Sweden. PAF Open consists of a project organization under the management of a Tournament Director in cooperation with the Finnish Volleyball Federation, the Swedish Volleyball Federation, the Åland Volleyball Federation and the International Volleyball Federation.

For full programme details please click here.

For Viking Line ferry and entrance ticket packages please contact Emagine on Tel:0870 902 5399

Helsinki City Transport leave bikes throughout the city centre each summer.

Summer visitors to Helsinki can explore the city on two wheels thanks to an excellent scheme provided by Helsinki City Transport. Each summer they deposit bikes at various points throughout the city centre. The bikes are free of use following payment of a €2 deposit which is returned upon return of the bike to any of the bike stands.

Helmets can be loaned free of charge from Jugendsali (Helsinki City Information) at Pohjoisesplanadi 19.  

Ten rules to follow when using a citybike.

1.  For a deposit of 2 euros you can get a Citybike from a Citybike stand to your own use whenever you want. Put a 2 euro coin in the coin slot and remove the bike from the stand.

2.  You can use the Citybike anywhere within the permitted area of use (see the Map).

3.  After using the Citybike, return it to a Citybike stand and remove your deposit.

4.  You may only lock a Citybike with a Citybike stand lock. You are not allowed to use your own lock.

5.  If you find an abandoned Citybike, you can earn the 2 euro deposit by returning the bike to a Citybike stand. You can also report an abandoned Citybike to the number 050-559 1999.

6.  Citybikes are intended for common use. Do not steal or damage the Citybike or its stand.

7.  When riding a Citybike, please follow the traffic rules and show courtesy to others.

8.  Always use the cycle path or the roadway, not the sidewalk.

9.  The use of a bicycle helmet is recommended. You can borrow a bicycle helmet from Jugendsali on Pohjoisesplanadi 19.

10. When using a Citybike, you are responsible for it. Take good care of it and the next user will also enjoy riding it.

The use of the bikes is restricted to central Helsinki. Click here to link to the map showing the area and location of bike stands.

To visit Helsinki click here.

Santa will wave off runners at this popular Rovaniemi event!

The evening of Saturday 30 June 2007 will see competitve and fun runners from around the world setting off on the marathon from Santas office and crossing the Arctic Circle. Santa will be there to watch the start..

This light hearted event welcomes everyone whether competing in the the full, half marathons or 12km race. Everyone sets their own pace, even if that involves walking. It is an opportunity to enjoy the great scenery and make the most of the Lappish endless summer days.

The marathon route winds around Rovaniemi, crossing the Ounasjoki and Kemijoki rivers. The finish will be in Lordi Square, named in honour Laplands newest heros.    

For further details click here.

Let the holidays begin!

As the midsummer weekend approaches, Finlands favourite holiday weekend, it signals the start of summer. For many Finns this is when they start their summer vacation whether that be for a couple of weeks or even for months.

The children have finished school and will not return until mid August. Parliment finished yesterday and will not sit again in Helsinki until until 11 September.

Today sees the mass exodus out of the cities to summer houses throughout the countryside. This is the one day of the year when Finlands usually sedate road network will be struggling and travellers are facing the prospect of horrendous traffic jams!

The weekend ahead will be spent celebrating with family and friends. Eating, drinking, taking saunas and swimming in lakes. 

Maybe this is a holiday that we should be raising the profile of in the UK!

and want to know more about Finland visit the Our Land! photography exhibition.

This excellent exhibition is the compilation of work by 23 photographers documenting the changes in the lives of Finns both at home and abroad from the 1960's to the present day. It shows the dramatic changes in everyday life during the period and in developments in photography.

The exhibition is on at the Tennis Palace Art Museum located in the heart of Helsinki close to the bus station and 500m from the central railway station.

Entrance is €7 but the good news is that entrance is free on Fridays!

To link to the Tennis Palace Art Museum click here

To visit Helsinki click here.