Finland was crowned the happiest country in the world for the sixth time in a row.
With its unparalleled natural beauty, high quality of life, and strong sense of community, Finland has once again claimed the spot as the happiest country in the world, bringing smiles to the faces of Finns and admirers worldwide.
The Finns place great importance on preserving the great outdoors and in Helsinki, sustainability plays a key role in the lives of Helsinkians. The capital is aiming for carbon neutrality by 2030 and was ranked the fourth most sustainable travel destination in 2023.
Did you know?
Finnair, the flagship carrier of Finland, serves as a gateway to the nation’s joyful spirit. With the direct flights connecting Delhi to Helsinki India, travelers can now visit and explore the beautiful destinations here.
So, what truly makes people living here happy? Here are four favourite things shared by the employees at Finnair – the national airline of Finland:
The great outdoors
Finland’s breathtaking natural landscapes, including forests, lakes, and pristine wilderness areas, offer ample opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Access to nature is deeply ingrained in Finnish culture, promoting physical and mental well-being.
Safe & Steady environment
Finland is a destination that is extremely safe and has a steady environment to live in. Safety is one of the most important aspects for Finnish people. Another very important factor is free education that ensures equal opportunities for kids growing up regardless of their family’s economic backgrounds, along with free public healthcare.
The very ‘Finnish’ things
Finns take immense pride in their cultural heritage, cherishing traditions that have been passed down through generations. From the tranquil ritual of sauna bathing and refreshing swims in natural waters to savouring delicious cuisine made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients, certain quintessentially ‘Finnish’ experiences evoke joy and contentment among the Finnish people.
The lovely & lively ‘Finns’
Last but not least, the people living in Finland are perceived to be very warm and welcoming. Respect, honesty, and trust are the basis of people’s values, with also a good sense of humour.
Hacking the Happiness Finnish way
Last year Finns shared their happiness during the world’s first Happiness Masterclass in the unspoilt serenity of the Lakeland region. This year, Visit Finland is teaming up with Helsinki Partners to reveal the source of urban happiness – the team of Helsinki Happiness Hackers will present their happiness life hacks for a content and peaceful life.
The Helsinki Happiness Hackers are five regular yet distinct Helsinkians who will share their tips and tricks for happiness in the city.
- 70-year-old skateboard enthusiast and passionate swimmer, Lena Salmi will reveal the new rules of urban swimming.
- Chef and owner of several restaurants renowned for sustainability, Luka Balac, will share his local approach to social gastronomy.
- Wellbeing expert and biologist Adela Pajunen will expose what the doctor may order in Finland – which may just be a walk in the woods.
- Designer Tero Kuitunen will head out on a bike ride to show the roots of urban and nature combined in Helsinki and how this relationship inspires local design and the Finnish lifestyle.
- Tapio Hakanen, also known as one of Finland’s biggest electronic music exports DJ Orkidea, will spin on the 1s and 2s at the sauna rave.
Participating in the Helsinki Happiness Hacks urban expedition will be free of charge for the chosen participants. Visit Finland and Helsinki Partners will cover travel expenses to and from Finland. The lucky participants will enjoy a curated five-day experience between 9th and 14th June 2024, crafted by the group of Helsinki Happiness Hackers, which will guide participants to finding their inner Helsinkian.
“There is an old Finnish proverb that states ‘the one who has happiness, should hide it’. As the world’s happiest country since 2018, we have decided to take the old phrase and update it, making our modern motto: ‘The one who has happiness, should share it.’ We are excited to invite people from around the world to learn about our Finnish keys and hacks to happiness,” comments Heli Jimenez, Senior Director of International Marketing at Business Finland.
“In 2023, we invited global happiness seekers to the world’s first Happiness Masterclass and this year we are thrilled to share an authentic slice of Finnish urban happiness in Helsinki from our own Helsinki Happiness Hackers.”
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