Helsinki Articles

August is the definitive festival month of the whole year. From theater festivals to music and a cross-artistic mix of circus, pantomime, outdoor cinema and folk song, there is something for each cultural persuasion. See our top picks for the month!

For a city this size, Helsinki’s full of it. There are galleries and museums around every corner and you needn’t go far to feed the culture vulture lurking inside of you. Let’s introduce you to some goodies.

It’s whacky, it’s weird and it’s definitely wow, what can we say, something ridiculous, something sublime! I’m on a mission, a fun one, to find the new and newish in the restaurant world out there. I hop on my bike, whizz down the road, make for the glorious Helsinki shoreline, pedal till I get tired and there it begins.

I can hear Mother Earth saying, “Why buy five if you can have one?” We all agree, Helsinki’s not cheap. Another thing we all agree on, Helsinki’s got quality. Let’s focus on the latter for a moment.

The heat is on, even in Helsinki and you simply have to find respite in some place green and shady, preferably close to water. Here are a few suggestions.

Finns eat early, or so I thought! No longer. This city has picked up to the paces of any international metropolis and nowadays you don’t need to seek out the greasy spoon “nakkikioskit” aka sausage kiosks to feed your face when hunger pangs hit after a few.

Head’s turn when he walks through the door and it’s not only because of his jaunty hat, purple scarf and green patent leather shoes. His face is so distinct you can’t miss it even if you’ve only seen pictures but that’s not it, it’s his presence that is unmistakeable, uniquely him. Ladies and gentlemen, he’s Jorma Uotinen, choreographer, singer, actor, motivational speaker, TV presenter. Here are his top 5 choices of the Helsinki Festival

Henri Alén is one of Finland's top chefs. His tweets of recipes and ingredient recommendations have caused several food crazes recently. Henri's restaurants Muru (Fredrikinkatu 41), Pastis (Pieni Roobertinkatu 2) and the newest, just-opened addition Hodari & Hummeri (Hotdog & Lobster) (Pieni Roobertinkatu 2) are some of the brightest stars of the city's food scene.

Helsinki hosts many new cafés that would excite a die-hard coffee enthusiast. Check out our tips for the best roasts in town!

Samu-Jussi Koski is a Finnish fashion designer. Samu-Jussi Koski served as the artistic director of Marimekko in 2008-09.

Deogracias Masomi, or better known as Gracias, is a Congolese-Finnish rap-artist who came to be known and loved through his hit “HKI”, where he reclaims his love toward his home town Helsinki. After fleeing his birth country Congo in 1992, Gracias has become one of the top rappers in Finland. In 2011, Gracias was chosen as the most promising domestic act for the year 2012 by a panel of Finnish music journalists. www.gracias.fi

Outi Pyy a designer, an author and a flea market fanatic. In 2012 she published a book on DIY fashion called Trashion (Atena). She writes a blog about ecological fashion in English at www.outsapop.com and in Finnish at www.outilespyy.com.

Noah Kin is a talented Finnish rap artist with Nigerian roots. He was born in 1994 and has already released two albums (No Matter the Season and 9fngrs), which have attracted international attention. His third album will be released in March. After appearing at the Flow Festival, he was invited to perform in London and MTV UK called him an up-and-coming name to look out for.

My favourite place I love the Helsinki archipelago, it offers something to do all year round, not just in summer. There's nothing like walking over the sea ice, and the shores and islands of east Helsinki are especially beautiful. A passenger ferry connects the city centre to Suomenlinna in winter as well. The sea fortress is a spectacular sight when covered in snow. We photographed our fall and winter collections on the Suomenlinna ferry last winter! My favourite event

Jyrki Sukula worked as a cook and a chef at various Helsinki restaurants for 30 years. Today, he breeds chickens in Southwest Finland and grows Barolo wine in the Piedmont region of Italy.