Mozart at Tuomiokirkko

Tuomiokirkko is Helsinki's most important and well known landmark. A must see for everyone coming to the city. But not only from outside but also from inside.

Sunday evening offers the perfect chance for that. Then the Akateeminen Laulu and Camerata Vihti will perform Mozart's Requiem in the cathedral. The concert starts at 19:00 and tickets are still available. You can either buy them online or at the entrance.

Enjoy and have a nice weekend!

Primula goes Skiffer

After being closed for a while the new renovated Primula opened again a couple of weeks ago. The renewed place comes also with a new concept.

Half of the location was turned into the Old Skiffer, a new gin bar by the owners of the Skiffer restaurants. The other half remained Primula which still offers delicious modern Scandinavian food which is now complemented with the famous Skiffer liuskas (pizzas).

Pay it a visit and dine in a stylish yet cozy sail style ambiance. And if you are still up for it, head over for a perfect gin or Skiffer's own brewed beer at the Old Skiffer next door.

Or go check out Primula for their brunch on Saturday and Sunday.

Healthy and fresh take-away soup

Soups are a new trend in Helsinki. And they are the perfect food to warm up on a cold fall day. Among the soup places in town is also a small new soup kitchen called LaSoupe. You find it on Eerikinkatu just a few blocks away from the city center.

LaSoupe has several fresh and tasty soups on offer every day. The selection varies daily but always has enough choices for everyone's taste.

The soups come in take-away cups for you to have on the way to work, town or just in between for a snack. Of course you can also eat them right there at one of the high tables though. 

Or try one of the owner's new specialties: Bone Broth. It is a hot soup-like drink made from stock and ginger. Ask for a tasting cup and give it a try.

Helsinki this week

Did you know that there is a free magazine on things happening in Helsinki every week?

It is called Helsiki This Week and gives you a whole lot of useful information and interesting articles.

You can find it at the tourist information, museums and hotels. Or you can also just check out their online version providing the same information and many useful links.

Brighter mornings

For those of you who missed it, last night the clocks were set back by one hour. Now we are back to standard time which means that Finland is in the GMT+2 time zone again.

That means from now on the mornings are going to be a little brighter again (at least for a while). And even better, this Sunday has 25 hours. So enjoy the long free day before going back to work tomorrow!

Whiskey and beer expo

This is the weekend for beer and whiskey enthusiasts. And no, I am not talking about drunks but people that know to appreciate a good drop for craft beer or carefully distilled whiskey.

Today the Olut Expo starts at Kaapelitehdas. 47 exhibitors present their fine products to the visitors. It is of course about tasting here. For a reasonable price you can try the different drinks and enjoy exquisite brews and spirits.

The entrance to the expo is 15 € on Friday and Saturday and 10 € on Sunday. For all three days you pay 25 €.

Have a good weekend!

Helsinki goes Nippon

For the next few day Helsinki become a little Japanese. During the Japan Week starting today the Japanese culture will be presented through exhibitions, workshops and performances. 

The events will take place at Annantalo, Wanha Satama and Savoy Theater. The big opening will be today at Kamppi Kauppakeskus and Narinkkatori starting at noon. For more information about the program follow the links above or check out VisitHelsinki (program only in Finnish). All events are free of charge.

Enjoy Japanese culture in Helsinki!

One of Europe's most competitive economies

There is no doubt that the Finnish economy is suffering after taking strong hits first through the downfall of Nokia and then through the political crisis with neighbor Russia.

But things are not always as bad as they might appear. In fact the World Economic Forum ranks Finland as one of the ten most competitive economies in Europe (rank 4). Reasons for the good result are the country's strong fundamentals, characterized by strong institutions, an excellent education system and a strong capacity for innovation.

For more information visit the WEF's website.

Helsinki UNCOVERED

The guys from APOLLO.TV in Berlin have paid a visit to Helsinki and made a cool short video about this beautiful city. Check it out!


Have a nice Sunday everyone!

Grand Opening at Forum

Forum finished its big rennovation and is celebrating this with a Grand Opening party. Until October 25 there is a big program with lots of happenings every day at the shopping center.

During the next days there will be something for everyone. Forum has DJs, live music acts, kids program, special offers and much, much more. For families Saturday is probably the best day to visit. It's kids day.

All events are of course free of charge. Have a look at their website for the whole program.

Check it out and have a nice weekend!

Free entrance to Ateneum

Ateneum is one of Helsinki's most renowned and well-known museums. A must-see for everyone visiting or living in the city.

And now you have the chance to visit it for free. Until October 22 the entrance to the museum is free. Have a look at some of the most important art pieces of Ateneum's collection from Finnish and international masters.

Don't miss out on the opportunity! For more information and the opening times visit their website.

Sushi and more for 10 €

Until this week's Thursday you can still enjoy dishes at various restaurants in town for only 10 €. SYÖ! is on again.

Have some burgers, Nepalese or Mexican food, pizza or some fresh sushi. New on the SYÖ! list is Kita, a Japanese restaurant on Eteläesplanadi. Here you get a nice delicious selection of different sushi or alternatively some beef noodles as a SYÖ! offer.

The list of all participating restaurants can be found on the City website. Enjoy!

10 years Karnival of Lights

The season at Linnanmäki ends again with a big party. Today the Valokarnevaali starts for the 10th time. During the next week the whole park will be bathed in colorful, beautiful and mystical lights.

For the 10th anniversary of its light karnival Lintsi again invited several music acts for every evening. Among them are Santa Cruz, Raapana, Krista Siegfrids and many more. You can find the whole program and all activities and events around it on their website.

The entrance to the park is free as always. And so are of course also the gigs. Don't miss it!

Northern lights

Did you see this week's northern lights (or aurora borealis)? They were caused by a strong sun storm and were visible all the way down to Helsinki.

by Luminoucity

Even in the city the green and even yellow and red lights were painting the night sky. And amazing natural light show.

But if you missed it don't worry, the next northern lights will come for sure.

Herring from the Åland Islands

The traditional Baltic Herring Market is in Helsinki again. As done for centuries (since 1743) also this year farmers and fishers from the Åland Islands came to Helsinki on their small boats to sell their products at Kauppatori in the heart of Helsinki.

You can buy wool, handicrafts, the famous saaristo leipä, of course the famous Baltic herring as well as many other home made products directly from the boats.

In addition a small archipelago village has been erected on the docks this year. On Friday also a special market square dance will be held at Havis Amanda. The market is still on until Saturday. Don't miss it!

Sunset at Töölönlahti

It gets dark earlier again. This also brings the beautiful northern sunsets back to Helsinki. When the sun goes down it paints the sky with beautiful colors.

Have a good start into the week!

Why join the navy when you can be a pirate?

Excellent question, right? And at the same time the name for a new bar in Kamppi at the corner of Annankatu and Eerikinkatu. At WhyJoin it is all about mixing. The specialize in smoothies and cocktails. And they definitely know what they are doing. Have a look at their menu. You will for sure find something that suits you. 

Should you wonder about the uncommon names of their drinks, such as Kalle, Victoria, Heini, Giovanni, well, those are the names of the people working in the advertising agency just on above the bar. A drink has been dedicated to each of them.

Not up for smoothies or cocktails? Then go for a good wine or beer. And if you are hungry, they also have pretty good sandwiches. So all together everything you need for a great night out.

WhyJoin is open on weekdays from 8:00 and on Satuday from 11:00 till late. Have a nice weekend!

A house for all occasions

Do you have any plans for the weekend already? Looking for a good place to go for dinner? For having drinks? For a nice brunch? Or maybe a nice theater evening?

In all those cases you can head to Café Talo in Hakaniemi. This place has it all. And it is a good choice for all those occasions. They have an excellent selection of wines and whiskeys, delicious dishes for any time of the day and a real feel-at-home athmosphere.

Check it out and have a nice weekend!