This year Helsinki marks its 200th anniversary as Finland’s capital, and on Tuesday it got a special happy birthday message through the medium of dance. Hundreds of dancers joined together for a flashmob in the city centre, startling passers-by.

via Flashmob dancers celebrate Helsinki’s 200th birthday | News | YLE Uutiset | yle.fi.

Pernilla Karlsson – När Jag Blundar (Eurovision 2012 Finland)

The Finnish ESC Song 2012, sang in Swedish, Finlands 2nd official language.

Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu – Finaali

via Pernilla Karlsson – När Jag Blundar (Eurovision 2012 Finland) – YouTube.

Royal dinners can be tiresome occasions and sometimes the speeches are just not enough to hold your attention.

Pentti Arajarvi, the husband of the Finnish president Tarja Halonen, certainly thought so when he attended a state dinner in Copenhagen.

How sweet are these Finnish people to send their regards to the future heir to the throne of their former occupiers.

Cannon fire and musket volleys greeted the news of the birth of Swedish Crown Princess Victoria’s daughter. Reenactors, dressed in uniforms from the period of Swedish rule in Finland fired salutes Thursday afternoon at Helsinki’s Senate Square.

via Finnish gun salutes for Sweden’s new princess | News | YLE Uutiset | yle.fi.

Check out the brand new video from VISIT HELSINKI!

Really great video, showing the happy people of Helsinki!

Helsinki – Our City is Your City – YouTube.

Helsinki’s Vantaa airport is taking the saying ‘making yourself at home’ to heart with the interior design for their newest travellers’ lounge

via Designer Airport Home Away From Home.

International passenger planes aren’t the only thing landing at Finland’s Helsinki-Vantaa Airport from this week. And if you happen to be passing through the country’s main airport or planning on visiting the scenic forestry and serene lake areas you’re sure to spot them when you arrive. That’s right – the Angry Birds have come home to roost and are now setting up a souvenir shop in the fourth largest airport of the Nordic region.

via Angry Birds Land in Finland’s Largest Airport – Merchandise Store Opens For Business | Gadget Helpline.

Finns’ exodus from the country’s dominant Evangelical Lutheran Church is shrinking the pool of possible godparents. The church has started counselling parents on what to do when their children’s godparents, traditionally meant to provide religious guidance, leave the church.

via Godless godparents new headache for church | News | YLE Uutiset | yle.fi.

President Tarja Halonen says she participated in decisions concerning cutbacks to the defence forces. Speaking on the YLE programme Ykkösaamu, she defended the cuts noting that an army garrison could not form the basis for the livelihood of a municipality.

via President supports defence cuts | News | YLE Uutiset | yle.fi.

A single lucky winner could take home a record 11 million euros in Saturday’s national lottery draw.

To date, the largest single win of eight million euros went last spring to a resident of Forssa in south west Finland. This year’s largest payout of ten million euros was divided equally between two winners.

via Record 11 million euro lottery draw | News | YLE Uutiset | yle.fi.

Finland has little to offer investors, according to a report released on Wednesday. The study says Finland’s problems include high taxation, lengthy bureaucratic processes and labour market policies that discriminate against foreign professionals.

via Study: Finland unattractive for investors | News | YLE Uutiset | yle.fi.

On Thursday high school seniors around Finland celebrate penkkari — a yearly tradition marking the final day of school before the start of matriculation exams. Seniors now have around a month to prepare for exams, which start on March 12 and end some two weeks later.

via Seniors party before sitting for final exams | News | YLE Uutiset | yle.fi.

Happy Monday Folks, what a great day for a picnic don’t you think?

According to Finland’s Ministry of Justice, 99.1% of the votes have been counted. Niinisto was ahead of the nation’s first openly gay presidential candidate Pekka Haavisto, 62.6% to 37.4%.

via Finland’s former finance minister leading presidential election in early results – CNN.com.

He and his boyfriend made headlines during a trip to Finland during the Holiday Season, but in January Adam Lambert set the record straight. He explained to Ellen exactly what went down with his boyfriend, who was in our audience to support him!

Check it out below.

via Adam Lambert and His Spat in Finland – YouTube.