The inclusion of the Aalto Works on the UNESCO World Heritage List represents a wonderful and significant international recognition of Finnish architecture. The five Helsinki sites are important parts of our city’s architectural and cultural heritage. UNESCO status brings new visibility to the sites, while also reminding us Helsinki residents of our beautiful and architecturally rich hometown.

The Aaltos’ human-centred approach shows how design can enrich everyday life and shape the way we experience our surroundings. In Helsinki, we are fortunate to have a remarkable legacy of their work, from public buildings and cultural venues to the objects and spaces that people use every day. That legacy continues to influence how we think about design today – design operates at the scale of the city, not only as cultural expression but as an essential part of everyday life, helping us create services, places and experiences that support residents and visitors.

The Aalto Works series is unique from both a national and an international perspective. Until this designation, Finland had no sites of modern architecture on the UNESCO World Heritage List. These sites demonstrate the universal value of the Aaltos’ human-centred approach to architecture and design, which brought together functionality, beauty and a deep understanding of people’s everyday lives. Their inscription recognises the Aaltos’ lasting influence on modern architecture worldwide and the enduring importance of creating environments that support human wellbeing, community and cultural identity across generations.

Speaking from Busan, where we are celebrating the recognition of the Aaltos’ work by UNESCO, I’m reminded how Helsinki is a must-visit destination for any architecture lover, and we’re lucky to have perhaps the most significant concentration of buildings by the Aaltos anywhere in the world. This is the city they called home and their legacy remains part of our daily lives. Finlandia Hall is delighted to offer the public the opportunity to visit and stay in a UNESCO listed building. Our refurbished spaces faithfully preserve the Aaltos’ design intent. In addition to our offer as a conference venue for businesses and associations, our public offer gives visitors the chance to meet, work, dine, and even stay overnight in a complete work of architecture designed at the peak of the Aaltos’ international renown.

The Finnish archipelago, traditional smoke sauna, open-fire cooking and genuine hospitality are all deeply rooted in our identity. We wanted to create an experience where visitors can step into that world without leaving Helsinki

Fresh air, the beauty of the archipelago, local food, respect for traditions and the scientifically recognised health benefits of sauna culture are all becoming more relevant than ever. At the same time, visitors want experiences that feel real. They want to understand how people actually live, eat and relax in Finland rather than simply observing it from the outside

Aalto Design – Shapes of Wellbeing emerges from a wider context in which architecture is shaped by and contributes to changing ideas of wellbeing across the 20th and 21st centuries. The work of the Aaltos was internationally influential in progressing modernism from strict rationalism to something more attuned to emotional and physical comfort. During their era, critics celebrated the “humane” element of the Aalto’s work – today we might ask what these classics can contribute to contemporary discussions on the design of wellbeing, a much broader term with the potential to extend beyond individual people to the health of the whole planet.

The Aaltos’ human-centred approach shows how design can go beyond individual buildings to shape how we experience urban space and everyday life. In Helsinki, design operates at the scale of the city, not only as cultural expression but as an essential part of everyday life. The exhibition can be seen as an invitation to consider Helsinki as a living case study, where architecture and design are working together to shape a more sustainable and enjoyable urban future.

Finland’s global reputation for high standards of wellbeing isn’t automatic or coincidental: Today’s Finns benefit from a long tradition of equality, engagement, public health planning and social mobility that stretches back to the early 20th Century. These are the values of a pioneering welfare state created by a young nation that realised that the main natural resource available to it was its people – so it invested in supportive institutions and the buildings required to house them.  The Aaltos’ work reflects the progressive values that brought about the Finnish welfare state. Through their hugely significant body of work, they both solidified the ambition of social movements within Finland and exported these values internationally as an influential and widely imitated approach to design.

Helsinki is a must-visit destination for any architecture lover, and we’re particularly blessed with perhaps the most significant concentration of buildings by the Aaltos anywhere in the world. This is the city they called home and their legacy remains part of our daily lives. In an era where consensus is hard to achieve, the vision captured by the architecture of the Aaltos reminds us of design’s role in bringing people together and in the creation of systems, processes and places that work to elevate every member of our society. This is a legacy that we work hard to live up to in Helsinki – providing our citizens with the space and support to discover their own happiness.

In Finland, children start school at the age of seven, significantly later than in many other countries. We believe that giving children time and space to play supports cognitive development, creativity, and long-term well-being. Innovation requires imagination and curiosity. The ability to play is deeply connected to the ability to invent.

Playing together is a way to connect with one another. At 3daysofdesign, we wanted to introduce some of the funniest and most unconventional traditional games while creating opportunities for people to meet, interact, and play together.

Collaborating with international companies allows us to commercialise and scale innovations that both advance technology and contribute to sustainable and ethical solutions for society.

Helsinki offers a unique environment where companies can directly engage with top research, advanced facilities, emerging talent, and the exciting startup culture.

By joining the 3-day 90 Hour Helsinki Program, companies can experience this culture firsthand and start building meaningful collaborations.

New Finnish fashion has a cultural narrative. It speaks to a young, digitally connected audience, blending fashion with storytelling, art, music and community. Often here are themes or ways of working, that comment on the current state of the industry and the ways we consume fashion.

When looking back at Finland’s design legacy, craftsmanship, innovation and empathy have always been key elements of Finnish design. All of these elements are also strongly present in the work of young designers today. We can see that Finnish fashion is reacting to the new era of the fashion industry, where new models and practices are needed. Designer Juha Vehmaanperä’s Craft Punk exhibition at the Architecture and Design Museum is a good example of high-level artistic practice, while designers such as Sini Saavala, Linda Kokkonen and Henna Lampinen work with atelier-based practices focusing on custom-made solutions.

Sauna Day exists to open the doors of sauna culture globally and locally – connecting people through shared heat, relaxation and community.

What makes Sauna Day truly special is its openness. Anyone can participate, whether by opening their sauna or simply joining in. It creates a rare moment where private spaces become shared, and sauna becomes a genuine social bridge.

Helsinki’s sauna culture is constantly growing and adapting, while staying true to its roots. World Sauna Day is the perfect moment to celebrate this living tradition and invite the world to experience it with us. 1 euro for every participating sauna will be donated to Sauna Aid, that takes saunas to crisis areas to bring concrete relief and a moment of respite in difficult circumstances.

Kruunuvuorensilta bridge is the new, unique and exciting landmark for Helsinki. A sight that will draw visitors from near and far. The new bridge reshapes how we look at Helsinki. It attaches the areas of Kruunuvuorenranta and Laajasalo in a completely new way to the larger central city area. The bridge reflects our commitment to sustainable solutions and embraces Helsinki’s unique maritime setting.

Contrasts are ever-present in Sámi contemporary art. The works convey the sensitivity and emotional depth of Sámi life, while also revealing the forces that have hardened us and shaped us into survivors. For Sámi visitors, they reflect our community’s self-respect, joys and sorrows. For Finnish audiences, they offer distinctly Sámi perspectives on Sámi life.

At the core of happiness in Helsinki is our determination to make everyday life work well for everyone. Strong education plays a vital role in that. Our teachers are highly educated and as a city we focus on providing our students environments that support learning, concentration and well-being. When families know that their children will receive high-quality education it creates safety and happiness.

Happiness does not happen by accident. It is built through trust, good education, strong communities and an environment where people can live balanced lives. People's satisfaction with their lives is strongly connected to the work that cities do. For Helsinki, it’s about making sure everyday life for our citizens runs smoothly. Neighbourhoods are safe, schools are good, and important everyday services are available and close by.

For many of our citizens, myself included, the closeness to nature plays a big role in wellbeing and happiness. Being able to step outside and in a few minutes reach the sea, a park, or a forest for an evening walk is something special. And when it comes to finding balance and taking a breather in an ever-digitalizing everyday, one thing I cannot recommend highly enough is sauna. Not only is it restorative and relaxing, it is a phone-free space.

– Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall is deeply loved by the people of Helsinki. That became clear in the feedback we received during the renovation planning. The message was simple: do not change its soul. Preserve the atmosphere and character that make it so special.

– Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall is not only a sports facility but a nationally significant cultural landmark. Every design decision was carefully weighed to retain original materials, spatial qualities and details wherever possible — especially the distinctive ceramic tiles dating from the 1920s.

After reading Anderson’s interview in Vogue Scandinavia, we wanted to respond with a warm welcome to Helsinki. Many of the interests she has spoken about publicly, from nature and wellbeing to a simpler everyday rhythm, are also things Helsinki has a great deal to offer. Anderson’s public comments regarding her Finnish heritage sparked a simple question on our end: if someone publicly expresses a wish to reconnect with their Finnish roots, what would a welcoming, functional city do? For Helsinki, the answer was to send an invitation.

If Anderson were to respond, we would be delighted to welcome her and to introduce her to everyday life in Helsinki, including Finnish sauna culture. Perhaps even a smoke sauna followed by a cold dip, as a very Helsinki-style way to say welcome.

Our culinary heritage isn’t carved in stone, that gives us freedom. We’re still writing the story.

I’ve always wondered why we haven’t made a bigger deal out of traditional Finnish food. A Karelian pie can be just as special as anything else, when someone puts real effort into it.

Thirty euros is the new two hundred. People still want quality, but they want it in pasta‑and‑wine bars and neighbourhood bistros you can visit on a Tuesday, not just in once‑a‑year tasting menus.

Both visitor and book sales records year after year speak not only to the appeal of the event, but also to Finland's strong reading tradition and the vitality of Finnish literary culture. The atmosphere is unique. The event has become a highlight of the year for readers, authors, and publishers. This year we welcome around 40 international guest authors at the fair. Finland is a bilingual country, and we want to offer content to both Finnish and Swedish speakers. Three of our 17 program stages are dedicated to Swedish-language literature.

It’s inspiring to see how readers of all ages come together here – not only to celebrate books, but to engage with the questions shaping our societies. Literature and culture remain vital spaces for reflection, dialogue and imagination. Keeping them open, dynamic and connected across borders is essential if future generations are to find their own voices in them.

This MoU highlights the impact of shared values and bold collaboration. Helsinki is excited to welcome future-focused companies like Mitsubishi Estate’s Regenerative Community Tokyo, which champions sustainability and innovation. Together, we’re empowering cities that put people, planet, and long-term progress first.

For the Lahti Region, the collaboration with Mitsubishi Estate and Regenerative Community Tokyo marks the beginning of new opportunities between our regions. Sharing strong common values and interests provides a solid foundation for future cooperation. We are all excited to see how Finnish and Japanese companies can benefit from this new bridge of friendship.

Through this collaboration, Mitsubishi Estate / Regenerative Community Tokyo will contribute to the creation of international solutions that address social challenges through the sharing of networks and expertise.

Helsinki is investing in sustainable growth in tourism. We want to welcome more and more tourists to Helsinki. Being the world’s most sustainable tourist destination for the second year in a row shows that our work for tourism and its sustainability is paying off.

Helsinki continues to raise the bar by defining the ‘next practices’ of regenerative destination management. Through bold climate action, pioneering sustainability strategies, and a steadfast commitment to transparency, the city demonstrates exceptional vision. Its recognition as the top-ranked destination in the 2025 GDS-Index – for the second consecutive year – is highly deserved.

Up to 99% of the rooms of hotels with more than 50 rooms in Helsinki are environmentally certified. This level is significantly higher than in Europe in general. Similarly, more and more destinations, meeting and conference facilities, tour operators and others have environmental certifications.

This announcement is a pivotal moment for Finland’s new Museum of Architecture and Design, marking the conclusion of years of work to fundraise and lay the groundwork for a new museum, and the beginning of work to develop a new landmark on a hugely significant site for Helsinki. We also invite the museum's audience to join in this work by participating in our workshops and exhibitions. In addition to architectural and cityscape goals, the competition brief asked teams to consider the future needs of museum operations, use environmentally friendly construction, and design to ensure that the museum would bring joy and inspiration to its users. The new museum building has to enable our social mission: shaping our common future through architecture and design. In Kumma, the jury saw potential for achieving all of these goals. It is a great pleasure to begin cooperation with the experienced and visionary team of JKMM Architects – congratulations to the team!  I also wish to express our sincere thanks to all the designers behind the finalist proposals.

The jury made a unanimous decision in the anonymous competition. Kumma blends into the cityscape, protecting valuable views of the historic waterfront, while at the same time standing out as a recognizable landmark. The use of recycled brick on the facade brings sculptural, architectural warmth and the terrace surrounding the building strengthens the connection to the city. The winning proposal, which is perceived as monumental and angular, is intended to be developed in a more approachable direction. approachable direction. We and the design team share the view that climate-smart solutions are at the heart of further development.

Finland’s new Museum of Architecture and Design is a central initiative in the regeneration of Helsinki’s historic South Harbour district, supporting the transformation of this former industrial dockside into into an attractive waterfront district and show the world the best of what Helsinki has to offer. The concentration of skills and the culture of design in our city are central to Helsinki’s appeal among world cities. Finnish design is noted throughout the world and the inventiveness and resourcefulness of our designers is the basis of how our economy creates value. The City of Helsinki is proud to support the establishment of this new institution that will become a centre for design culture on the global stage.

Finland has a global reputation for excellence in design and innovation. With the establishment of the new Museum of Architecture and Design, we have made a significant investment in a public institution that continue our proud tradition of public education in the skills of design, and record, represent and promote the unique design culture of Finland worldwide.

I hope that the planning and realization of the new Museum of Architecture and Design can show the way for how new things can be built responsibly and with skill. Architecture and design are deeply human – they are born from dreams and longing, and they gain their meaning in the places where we can experience and live together.

I would describe Helsinki Design Week as a platform that brings together our design communities in a creative and collaborative manner and connects them to the city of Helsinki. We are proud of our contributions to Helsinki becoming, and remaining, a true design capital.

Our collaboration with Helsinki Design Week reflects the city’s deep commitment to design as part of everyday life. Through initiatives such as the Helsinki Design Awards, we celebrate creativity and highlight how design can shape our future – starting with the youngest generations. The forthcoming Architecture and Design Museum will further demonstrate Helsinki’s long-term investment in design and architecture, ensuring it continues to inspire and serve the city well into the future.

Pets boost happiness. This time, we wanted to bring attractions to some of the city’s most beloved outdoor spots – places that both dog owners and their dogs can enjoy together. We are delighted to see so many people and dogs experiencing familiar landmarks from a dog’s perspective.

Helsinki is a green and maritime city, so we want to protect our green, marine and recreational areas for our residents also in the future. Our goal is for nature reserves to offer nature experiences to as many people as possible, and we plan to invest increasingly in nature reserve routes and interesting nature observation sites.

As a globally recognized leader in sustainable tourism, Helsinki's culinary professionals consistently draw inspiration from the high-quality ingredients sourced from Finland's natural environment. This further distinguishes and strengthens Helsinki's position as a thriving culinary travel destination.