We sit down with notable people living here in Finland who have made a sizeable impact in their chosen field of expertise.

Get to know some prominent people from a range of industries in this interview series.

Do I Know You?

do-i-know-you

Good News from Finland

Credits

Oops, looks like there are no things to do

Oops, looks like there are no venues with the current filters

Filters

Other

Places

Refine your result

Regions

Seasons

Select a category

Distance from Helsinki

To make this site work properly and to provide a good user
            experience, we sometimes place cookies on your device. A cookie is a
            small text file that a website saves on your computer or mobile
            device when you visit the site. It enables the website to remember
            your actions and preferences (for example your language and cookie
            preferences) over a period of time, so you don’t have to keep
            re-entering them whenever you come back to the site or browse from
            one page to another. Cookies can be short-term or long-term.

We use cookies to collect information about users so that we can
            tailor your user experience, provide the best possible
            functionality, and develop our services. We can use both first-party
            and third-party cookies. First-party cookies are cookies that have
            been created and are stored by this website (Visitfinland.com).
            Third-party cookies are created and placed by third parties other
            than this website, used for actions like cross-site tracking and
            online advertising.

Cookies

Here you’ll find all your carefully selected favourites, neatly together.

Your saved items

We are a service that covers positive and globally interesting news topics related to Finnish businesses and innovations.

Explore Good News Finland, a website showcasing Finland's remarkable achievements in innovation, technology and sustainability.

main

No title

switchable

multi

In world news today, sometimes it's hard to find something good. Try some recent headlines from Finland about business and innovation. 

Discover the latest news from Finland, highlighting innovative achievements, successful ventures, and inspiring stories that make a positive impact.

news

News

Take a look at the most recent headlines related to Finnish business and innovation

Here you can find the latest headlines about Finnish companies and innovations. The world's happiest nation means business.

breaking-news

Breaking News

xiwen-zhaiyao

新闻摘要

World news today is not all bad. Take a closer look at business and innovation headlines from Finland, collected together under different industries and themes.

news-spotlight

News Spotlight

Get to know the people in Finland behind the innovations and business ideas making a global impact.

Discover the incredible individuals shaping Finland's future. Good News Finland shares uplifting stories of people creating positive change.

people

People

Get to know the people living and working in Finland, both from here and abroad

We meet a wide range of professionals born abroad who are living and working in Finland. Some have come to study in Finland and stayed here. Others have landed jobs here in Finland. Whether they work from home or at the workplace, they all enjoy the great work-life balance here.

Read about the experiences of a wide range of professionals born abroad who are living and working in Finland. 

my-career-from-start-to-finnish

My Career: From Start to Finnish

Finland works

Take a deeper dive into industries and innovative goings-on from a Finnish perspective.

Discover the captivating tales of Finnish success and innovation in these inspiring long reads by Good News Finland. Be inspired by their remarkable achievements!

long-read

Long Read

features

Features

Five different examples of a particular industry or innovative field from Finland that are doing great things.

Read five different examples of a particular industry or innovative field from Finland that are doing great things.

five-from-finland

Five from Finland

Experts from Finland share their expertise about a range of topics spanning business and innovation from Finland.

Explore diverse opinions and expert insights on Finland's positive news stories, innovation and success stories. Stay informed and inspired.

opinion

Opinion

Read what leading experts in Finland have to say about their respective fields

All the latest entertainment and lifestyle headlines gathered together in the one place.

All the latest Finnish entertainment and lifestyle headlines gathered together in the one place – get inspired.

weekend-wrap

Images

Take a look at what Finns have to offer from a visual perspective

《周末美图》系列文章以图片新闻的形式，呈现近期芬兰文化与创意产业的最新动态。 

visualstories

图片集锦

《竹幼婷 & 芬兰创新商业资讯》系列文章，透过视频呈现芬兰各产业方方面面的创意，包括人物专访以及实地探访体验。 

ivy-chu

articles

Articles

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

For Andreas Saari, the CEO of Slush, doing business is about making a difference for the future and having a conversation is about keeping quiet.

andreas-saari

“Startups are a fantastic way of changing the world,” says Andreas Saari

The audience abroad for Finnish-Russian actress Alina Tomnikov is about to widen thanks to an acclaimed role.

The audience abroad for Finnish-Russian actress Alina Tomnikov is about to widen thanks to her acclaimed role as visually impaired character who is search of love.

alina-tomnikov

“Rich cultures are the finest feature of human beings,” says Alina Tomnikov

Finland’s thriving games scene and educational expertise is music to the ears of Aviv Ben-Yehuda.

aviv-ben-yehuda

“Music is a medium where a lot of healing is done,” says Aviv Ben-Yehuda

As one of only four Masters of Wine from Finland, Heidi Mäkinen is determined to share her passion and broaden the local palate.

heidi-makinen

“I don’t think it’s a talent, it’s just the amount of work and effort that you put into it,” says Master of Wine, Heidi Mäkinen

Things have come full circle for Ville Simola, the new CEO of Helsinki-based startup hub Maria 01.

ville-simola

“I’m an entrepreneur at heart,” says Ville Simola

Pauliina Alanen has ventured a long way from her social science studies to becoming a tech professional, with a pitstop in Silicon Valley along the way.

Pauliina Alanen has ventured a long way from her social science studies to become a tech professional, making a pit stop in Silicon Valley on the road to her current post at Finnish artificial intelligence company Silo.AI.

pauliina-alanen

“Technological progress is not stopping anytime soon, so accepting and embracing change is important,” says Pauliina Alanen

Originally from the UK, Joel Willans is the creator of social media sensation Very Finnish Problems and author of 101 Very Finnish Problems and More Very Finnish Problems.

joel-willans

“The Finnish way of disappearing to the forest for the whole of July is a thing of wonder,” says Joel Willans

Hyeri Cho set out into the world with an open mind and a lot of courage for a 15-year old. From South Korea to Finnish Lapland, she has made her way down to Helsinki with a story to tell, one of determination and self-reflection.

Hyeri Cho set out into the world with an open mind and a lot of courage for a 15-year-old. From South Korea to Finnish Lapland, she has made her way down to Helsinki with a story to tell, one of determination and self-reflection.

hyeri-cho

“What I really appreciate about working here is that I’m allowed to be myself,” says Hyeri Cho

Originally from China, Alexander Yin has steadily built a career in finance in Finland, pioneering solutions that have caught the attention and collaboration of Alibaba and Finnair along the way. 

alexander-yin

“There is no glass ceiling for foreigners in this country,” says Alexander Yin

Singer-songwriter Sonja Skibdahl moved to Sweden when she was a teenager, but still holds Finland close to her heart, especially when she performs her own songs.

Finnish singer-songwriter Sonja Skibdahl moved to Sweden when she was a teenager but still holds Finland close to her heart, especially when she performs her own songs.

sonja-skibdahl

“I love to see what a great positive impact music can have on my students,” says Sonja Skibdahl

In the first instalment of our new series, we get to know development manager Simo Kekäläinen, who is also an aspiring voice actor from Oulu and the host of Polar Bear Pitching.

simo-kekalainen

“In order to solve these new wicked problems, we would need to become a little more like Da Vinci again,” says Simo Kekäläinen

卡罗丽娜•科尔霍宁（Karoliina Korhonen）是芬兰平面设计师，《芬兰人的噩梦》创作者。

很多中国年轻人称自己为“精芬”，意指“精神上的芬兰人”。因为他们觉得自己就好比漫画中的主角马蒂，需要很大的个人空间。今年四月，卡罗丽娜•科尔霍宁分别在上海和北京举行了两场活动，和中国读者相聚一堂。两场活动的位子都很快被订爆，可见《芬兰人的噩梦》在中国年轻人中受欢迎之热烈程度。你想知道马蒂这个角色是怎么创作出来的吗？请看我们和卡罗丽娜的采访对话。< 你的一天是怎样开始的？ 可艰难了。我是个夜猫子，所以早起对我来说始终是一番挣扎。我通常先来一两杯意式浓缩咖啡，然后指望着它起作用。 你的儿时职业梦想是什么？ 有好多。我想当个作家、职业长笛手，乐队成员…… 你是怎么被吸引到图案设计这个领域的？ 是来自慢慢的成长过程吧。我在学校的时候就经常做些图案设计，我喜欢为我的其他兴趣定制海报，编辑图片，画标示，做些绘画和设计；也做了好多IT和网站设计的工作。除了《芬兰人的噩梦》，我做得最多的是用户界面设计和用户体验设计。两种工作领域我都乐在其中。 你的漫画《芬兰人的噩梦》在中国获得广泛的关注，你认为是什么使人们对此书那么感兴趣呢？ 我听说，在中国，尤其是80后和90后，比他们的父母需要更大的心理和物理空间，所以他们和《芬兰人的噩梦》产生共鸣。 你曾说《芬兰人的噩梦》博客是自然而然产生的，但是主角马蒂到底是怎么来的？ 当我制作《芬兰人的噩梦》的时候，一下子走红了。人们开始问我，这个角色是谁。这时我才意识到，他还没有名字，于是我开始搜索芬兰最普通的名字是什么，结果是加里，但我觉得我的角色不会叫加里。排名第二的最普通的名字是马蒂，我觉得挺般配的，所以就叫马蒂了。 而他之所以戴帽子，是因为我爸爸。我爸爸出国的时候总是戴这么一顶帽子，有时候在芬兰的时候也戴。现在因为这个漫画，他戴得更勤了。 你的创作过程是怎么样的？ 我从周围的人和我自己身上获得灵感。书里的很多场景都是我的亲身经历，事后想起来觉得“这真是一个芬兰人的噩梦啊！”有些主意是我的粉丝提供的。 我先画一个草图，有时候在便利贴上，有时候在电话上，取决于当时我身在何处。等我回到家，我就在电脑上把它画下来。 其他国家的人可以从你的漫画里学到什么呢？ 也许可以从中多理解一点芬兰社交文化中的怪现象吧，虽然漫画其实是有一点夸张的。 你最快乐的时候是什么？ 当我和朋友进行愉快的长谈。 你收到过的最好的反馈是什么？ 我喜欢收到读者的来信，告诉我他们自己，或者他们认识的某个人和马蒂如何相像。这些来自世界各地的故事读来相当暖心。 另一种我觉得挺可爱的反馈是我认识的人告诉我，当他们听到别人谈论《芬兰人的噩梦》的时候，他们什么也没说，就默默地在心里暗自微笑。这个简直就是马蒂的化身了。 中文里有个受你漫画启发的流行词“精芬”，意为“精神上的芬兰人”。在你看来，什么是芬兰文化的最佳代表？ 个人空间，无论是物理上还是心理上的。

finnish-nightmares-chinese

芬兰名人专访：和《芬兰人的噩梦》作者的10个问答

2020

According to Jukka Leskelä, the best part of being the frontman of the energy sector is to speak out for change and break the preconception that the industry is acting as an obstacle to an energy revolution. 

i-believe-and-hope-these-exceptional-times-will-boost-the-combat-against-climate-change-says-jukka-leskela

“I believe and hope these exceptional times will boost combat against climate change,” says Jukka Leskelä

For Kaisa Rönkkö, executive director in Music Finland, recent months have shown the social and psychological significance of the music.

For Kaisa Rönkkö, executive director at Music Finland, the recent months have shown the social and psychological significance of the music.

music-has-been-a-great-form-of-self-expression-for-finns-says-kaisa-ronkko

“Music has been a great form of self-expression for Finns,” says Kaisa Rönkkö

For Mia Kemppaala fast adaptation represents Finnishness at its best: sisu and creative flourishes arise from everyone when situations are at their most challenging.

mia-kemppaala-fights-the-freeze-once-you-choose-hope-anything-is-possible

“Once you choose hope, anything is possible,” says Mia Kemppaala

Although Petri Kalliola is not a particularly well-known character in his homeland Finland, he is treated as a superstar in Korea, likely being the most renowned Finn in the country right after Moomintroll and Santa Claus.

petri-kalliola

“I’m a pretty average Finnish guy,” says Seoul-based celebrity Petri Kalliola

“Always take a positive approach to anything you do, work together and support people towards a positive outcome,” are just some of the words of wisdom from Verena Rentrop.

Verena Rentrop brings positive energy through sweet ‘micro-moments of love’ to offices and events via her company, Chocolate Angel.

verena-rentrop

“Always take a positive approach to anything you do,” says Verena Rentrop

2021

For author and postdoctoral researcher Mehdi Ghasemi, improving his Finnish is on top of the to-do list in 2021, along with winning the Nobel Prize in Literature.

immigration-and-globalisation-have-broadened-the-definition-of-finnish-literature-says-mehdi-ghasemi

“Immigration and globalisation have broadened the definition of Finnish literature,” says Mehdi Ghasemi

Perttu Pölönen embraces a humane approach in the midst of the digital era and fosters optimism for the future in uncertain times.

Perttu Pölönen embraces a humane approach in the midst of the digital era and fosters optimism about the future in uncertain times.

i-am-fascinated-by-the-fact-that-disruption-creates-more-than-it-destroys-states-perttu-polonen

“I am fascinated by the fact that disruption creates more than it destroys,” states Perttu Pölönen

Eicca Toppinen, a Finnish cellist and co-founder of Apocalyptica, is a perfect embodiment of the cutting-edge Finnish heavy metal scene.

we-should-find-again-our-respect-for-nature-and-the-fact-that-we-are-part-of-everything-surrounding-us-says-eicca-toppinen

“We should find again our respect for nature and the fact that we are part of everything surrounding us,” says Eicca Toppinen

Although Finnish singer-songwriter and composer Tarja Turunen has not lived in Finland for a long time, she keeps waving the Finnish flag proudly abroad.

tarja-turunen

“Music keeps you humble and grateful, because it’s a gift,” says Tarja Turunen

Tarek Omran aims to write a best-selling book that combines his academic aspirations and the reasons he became an entrepreneur.

Tarek Omran, post-doctoral researcher at the University of Turku, aims to write a best-selling book that combines his academic aspirations and the reasons he became an entrepreneur.

dentist-author-and-entrepreneur-tarek-omran-my-philosophy-is-learning-by-doing

“My philosophy is learning by doing,” says dentist, author and entrepreneur Tarek Omran

Chiara Costa is a vocational coach in the public sector, a keynote speaker and a workshop facilitator, specialising in the integration of foreigners into Finnish working life.

chiara-costa-i-always-aim-for-the-stars-but-even-if-i-get-a-cloud-in-the-path-it-s-ok

“I always aim for the stars but even if I get a cloud in the path, it’s OK,” says Chiara Costa 

With moon-faces and motorcycle legends, watchmaker Stepan Sarpaneva channels Finnish melancholy and darkness into his timely work.

stepan-sarpaneva

“Watches are not jewellery,” says Finnish watchmaker Stepan Sarpaneva

According to Jouni Kangasniemi, the future of education can be found in digital solutions, and Finland is at the vanguard of providing these to the world.

According to Jouni Kangasniemi, the future of education can be found in digital solutions and Finland is at the vanguard of providing these to the world.

jouni-kangasniemi

“I consider the Finnish education system to be a very flexible one,” says Jouni Kangasniemi

2022

Good News from Finland spoke to Sami Tallberg, an ambassador of Finnish wild food, about “nature’s supermarket”, his new restaurant project and what the future holds.

After years spent working in high-profile restaurants around the world, wild food has become Sami Tallberg’s “ikigai”, his reason for being.

wild-food-isn-t-just-a-privilege-of-rich-people-or-fancy-restaurants-it-s-an-everyman-s-right-sami-tallberg-states

“Wild food isn’t just a privilege of rich people or fancy restaurants, it’s an everyman’s right”, Sami Tallberg states

We caught up with author Katja Pantzar to discuss the power of simple actions, the modern definition of sisu and her new projects underway.

After moving to Finland, author Katja Pantzar has turned her discoveries on Nordic-style wellbeing into two books and numerous media appearances globally. We caught up with Katja to discuss the power of simple actions, the modern definition of sisu and her new projects.

the-meaning-of-sisu-lives-grows-and-changes-says-katja-pantzar

“The meaning of sisu lives, grows and changes,” says Katja Pantzar

Long-distance runner Nina Chydenius is used to hard work, dedication and dreaming big. She also helps young athletes struggling with eating disorders.

Long-distance runner Nina Chydenius is used to hard work, dedication and dreaming big. Still, it isn’t only the 2024 Summer Olympics she has set in her sights, but also helping young athletes struggling with eating disorders.

eating-disorders-are-common-in-sports-but-their-treatment-is-focused-too-much-on-how-to-eat-says-nina-chydenius

“Eating disorders are common in sports, but their treatment is focused too much on how to eat,” says Nina Chydenius

Signmark was catapulted to fame as the first deaf musician to sign an international record deal. His recipe for success? Focusing on things that matter and 100 per cent commitment.

sign-language-should-be-considered-a-minority-language-not-a-disability-says-signmark

“Sign language should be considered a minority language, not a disability,” says Signmark

Behind the jewellery brand Chao & Eero is a designer couple Chao-Hsien Kuo and Eero Hintsanen, who share a passion for unique wearable pieces. We talked with the duo about their creative process and different design aesthetics.

Behind the jewellery brand Chao & Eero is a designer couple Chao-Hsien Kuo and Eero Hintsanen, who share a passion for unique wearable pieces.

Get to know some prominent people from a range of industries in this interview series.

Max Ovaska: “There’s still truth in the stereotype of Finns being silent."

“I get bored very easily with things,” says Minna Parikka

“We've captured the essence of the Finnish berries in our wine,” say Paola Guerrero de Cohen and David Cohen

“Wild food isn’t just a privilege of rich people or fancy restaurants, it’s an everyman’s right”, Sami Tallberg states

“We should find again our respect for nature and the fact that we are part of everything surrounding us,” says Eicca Toppinen

“The meaning of sisu lives, grows and changes,” says Katja Pantzar