The Nordic Times

Polaris of Enlightenment

The Nordic Times

Polaris of Enlightenment

The Nordic Times

The Nordic Times

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https://nordictimes.com/culture/inside-the-2024-helsinki-book-fair/

Culture

Inside the 2024 Helsinki book fair

Published November 14, 2024 – By Ivana Bratovanova
3 minute read
Ivana Bratovanova
ivana.bratovanova@nordictimes.com

In the last days of October, Helsinki came alive with the annual book fair at the Expo and Convention Centre, drawing Finnish and international authors for discussions on literature, art, and society. Thousands of visitors streamed in to discover books, vinyl records, decor, and more.

Prime Minister Alexander Stubb, speaking at the fair’s opening, noted that “literature builds our identity”, a sentiment that resonated with the spirit of the event.

On a gray, crispy Sunday morning the streets of Helsinki are quiet. Finns have cozied up inside their homes clenching to their beloved cups of coffee or are enjoying the avocado toasts and eggs benedict of their local brunch places. But there is one place in the city that is full of life - the Helsinki Book Fair. Outside the Expo and Convention Centre, people are speed walking to make their way first to the queues. Babies in strollers, elderly with their canes, and youngsters with their hip outfits.

The fair was held at the Helsinki Expo and Convention Center. Photo: Ivana Bratovanova

After a quick scan of the ticket’s QR code I have also made my way inside. I take off my scarf and my coat, fold them neatly in my bag, and prepare for “The Future”, this year’s theme. As I walk towards the exhibition hall, I can already feel the overwhelming twist in my stomach as my eyes open widely to the immense amount of literature, art, music, and so much more than I could have expected.

People of all ages, backgrounds, and interests have gathered together to enjoy the 4-day annual exhibit in Pasila. As I was wondering why is it that Finns choose to spend their Sunday at the book fair, Markus, an attendee, replied:

“The book fair has received an increased popularity over the past few years in media, and that also caught my eye”.

Markus says the thing he was mostly looking forward to at the fair was the vinyl selection.

“I’ve been meaning to update my vinyl selection and I knew that here I could find good jazz LPs”.

Photo: Ivana Bratovanova

The fair attracts not only natives but people from all over the world - more than 30 international authors were present this year. Panel discussions with writers, politicians, and industry professionals stopped people from flipping through the book's pages and take a seat to listen to what they have to say.

On its opening day, the Helsinki Book Fair welcomed the president of Finland Alexander Stubb. He answered questions from the audience about the importance of literature for the Finnish nation.

”That is everything. Literature builds our identity (...) In our collective thinking Finnishness consists of the interpretation of history and literature around it. Without literature, we would not be”.

Stubb’s reflections on identity set the stage for deeper discussions throughout the fair.

Alexander Stubb spoke about the importance of literature for the Finnish nation.

The most crowded panel I saw during my visit was held by Hanna Ylöstalo, Emma Lamberg, and Inna Perheentupa on Feminism in Economics. Despite the language barrier, the audience’s sharp focus on the discussion showed a strong engagement with what was being shared.

After a quick bite from the Wine and Food corner at the fair, I was already looking forward to next year’s book fair. Until then, I’ll hold onto the inspiration of being surrounded by so many works of art in literary form.

Ivana Bratovanova
ivana.bratovanova@nordictimes.com

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https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/finland/finlands-border-fence-with-russia-nearing-completion/

Finland

Finland’s border fence with Russia nearing completion

The new cold war

Published yesterday 12:34 pm – By Editorial staff
1 minute read
Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

After nearly three years of construction, Finland's border fence with Russia is almost complete. The 200-kilometer barrier has been erected at strategically important locations to prevent hybrid warfare in the form of so-called instrumentalized migration.

Finland has chosen to expand its border security at locations where the risk is assessed to be greatest, despite the border with Russia stretching over 1,300 kilometers. The new fence covers only 200 kilometers of the total border length.

The 3.5-meter-high structure is designed to be impossible to climb and is equipped with barbed wire at the top. The area is also fitted with surveillance cameras and lighting, according to Swedish public broadcaster SVT.

The purpose is to stop what is called instrumentalized migration, where Russia sends asylum seekers to Finland as part of alleged "hybrid warfare".

The prioritization of where to build the fence has been based on where infrastructure and roads exist on both sides of the border. The old border crossings in Finnish Lapland have also been equipped with fencing as they constitute natural entry routes.

Mikko Kauppila, commander at the Lapland Border Guard, notes that the local population is supportive.

— It's patriotism, he says.

However, he worries that people are leaving villages in the area, which means fewer eyes to notice irregularities. The risk that someone could get around the fence has also sparked discussions about extension, but financing is uncertain.

Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/finland/finland-probes-anonymizing-social-insurance-rulings-after-staff-threats/

Finland

Finland probes anonymizing social insurance rulings after staff threats

Published November 26, 2025 – By Editorial staff
1 minute read
Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Finland's Social Insurance Institution is demanding that case handlers' names be allowed to be omitted from decisions. The background is serious threats against employees – including bomb threats and threats against their families.

The Social Insurance Institution (Kela) has approached the Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health with a request for changed rules. The authority wants it to become possible to make decisions without the case handler's name appearing, something that is currently not permitted.

Security Director Sami Niinikorpi describes an alarming situation where employees are subjected to the worst imaginable threats.

— This is about the most serious possible threat that one person can make to another, he tells Finnish national broadcaster Yle.

The problems have grown since Kela was given responsibility for decisions on basic social security in 2017. The authority sent out approximately 14 million decisions and letters during 2024, of which 1.6 million concerned basic security. Each year, around 200 reports of threats and harassment from staff are received.

Jussi Syrjänen, special expert at the Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, confirms that the ministry is now investigating two possible solutions: either names are removed entirely from decisions, or a system with identification numbers similar to that used by police is introduced.

He believes the case involves balancing two fundamental principles: transparency in government administration and employees' right to personal safety.

— Places where employees experience threats and dangerous situations may very well also have an interest in similar measures to those Kela is now seeking, says Syrjänen.

Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/finland/today-utsjoki-sees-the-sun-for-the-last-time-in-two-months/

Finland

Today Utsjoki sees the sun for the last time in two months

Published November 25, 2025 – By Editorial staff
1 minute read
Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Today the sun rises for the last time in a while in Finland's northernmost municipality. After that, a polar night awaits that stretches until mid-January.

At 11:35 AM on Tuesday, the sun rises above the horizon in Utsjoki for the last time this year. Just 46 minutes later, at 12:21 PM, it sets again – and stays away for 52 days.

Then begins the polar night, the period when the Earth's tilt means the sun does not rise above the horizon. The phenomenon occurs in the northernmost parts of the world and lasts for varying lengths depending on how close to the North Pole one is located.

In Utsjoki, which lies in the far north of Finland near the Norwegian border, it will be completely dark until January 16. Only then will the sun rise above the horizon again, reports Finnish national broadcaster Yle.

Shorter polar night further south

Further south in Lapland, closer to the Arctic Circle, the polar night is considerably shorter. In Sodankylä, a town in Finnish Lapland, it begins a couple of days before Christmas and lasts only four days.

South of Lapland, no polar night occurs at all, but even there the Earth's tilt is clearly noticeable. Daylight continues to decrease until December 21, when the winter darkness is at its deepest. After that, the days slowly begin to grow longer again.

Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/culture/chinas-cultural-gem-jiangsu-visited-stockholm/

Culture

China’s cultural gem Jiangsu visited Stockholm

Published November 24, 2025 – By Editorial staff
Chinese and Swedish artists united east and west in a poetic musical dialogue between the nyckelharpa, guzheng and bamboo flute.
2 minute read
Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

A colorful cultural and tourism event showcasing the unique traditions, crafts, and modern charm of Jiangsu Province took place in Stockholm on November 7.

The Jiangsu Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism and the Chinese Cultural Center in Stockholm hosted an inspiring event where visitors experienced China's cultural heritage through music, tea, crafts, and interactive activities reflecting both history and the present day.

The highlight was a concert where Chinese and Swedish artists united East and West in a poetic musical dialogue between nyckelharpa (a traditional Swedish keyed fiddle), guzheng (Chinese zither), and bamboo flute, an interpretation of the spirit of "water," the symbol of Jiangsu's elegance and cultural depth.

The Cultural Center was filled with visitors who sampled tea, enjoyed exhibitions, and explored opportunities for future collaborations. Many were fascinated by Jiangsu's combination of tradition, innovation, and artistic finesse.

At the same time, the exhibition Canal Reflections & Craft Revival was displayed with three thematic rooms: The Taste of Tea, The Rhythm of Silk, and The Color of Porcelain. In the tea room, classical paintings such as Huishan Gathering created a poetic atmosphere, where the renowned green tea Biluochun and Yixing clay vessels offered a taste of Jiangnan's refined culture. Jiangsu Phoenix Publishing Group also presented the English edition of The Taste of Chinese Plants, which was shown to an international audience for the first time.

In the silk theme, a sculptural Dala horse created from silk cocoons stood as a symbol of the meeting between Chinese and Swedish craftsmanship. Photo: The Nordic Times

Suzhou Silk Museum and the brand Taihu Snow displayed joint creations where historical patterns met modern design. Additionally, Suzhou University's digital laboratory for traditional crafts demonstrated its new color digitalization system for the kesi embroidery technique, alongside a demonstration by young Suzhou embroidery artists.

A woman from Jiangsu Province displayed her craft of embroidered silk art. Photo: The Nordic Times

In the porcelain section, elegant Yixing celadon and ceramic art from Gaochun were displayed, a modern interpretation of the spirituality of water and the symbolism of color in Chinese aesthetics.

Stephen Brawer, chairman of the Belt & Road Institute in Sweden, gave a speech about Chinese culture and general development and how the country has succeeded in eradicating poverty for nearly 800 million people. Photo: The Nordic Times

Jiangsu is a province that unites tradition, innovation, and sustainable tourism, something that more and more Swedish travelers are discovering. The event is part of Jiangsu's international program for cultural and tourism promotion, with the goal of creating new bridges in tourism, education, and cultural exchange.

— We want to invite our Swedish friends to discover Jiangsu's beauty, not just as a destination, but as a cultural experience that touches all the senses, says Qian Ning from the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism.

From November 10, 2025, a visa-free arrangement applies for Swedish citizens traveling to China for stays of up to 30 days, a new opportunity to experience Jiangsu's charm up close.

Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Guzheng – the ancient unique stringed instrument

The guzheng is a Chinese stringed instrument with a history spanning over 2,500 years. The earliest variants emerged during the Warring States period and evolved to become a popular instrument at courts, ceremonies and banquets during the Qin and Han dynasties. The instrument's design changed gradually; it gained more strings and improved resonance, which enabled greater expressiveness and musical variation.​

Particularly during the Tang dynasty, the guzheng's role flourished within both classical and folk music, and several technical innovations made the instrument even more versatile. During the 20th century, new materials were introduced in the strings, and standardized forms were developed to meet the demands of modern music. Today, the guzheng is one of China's most beloved and widely used traditional instruments.