Tony Öhberg | Finland Today | News in English

CONCERT REVIEW AND PHOTO GALLERY: Pantera Brings Down the Heat at Rockfest in Hyvinkää

Posted by Tony Öhberg | June 10, 2023 1:25 pm | Gallery, Music, Subscriber content

Read our concert review and view our extensive photo gallery of Pantera’s gig at Rockfest in Hyvinkää.

GALLERY: Classic Car Parade Gathers Hundreds of Old Shiny Vehicles at the Senate Square

Posted by Tony Öhberg | June 8, 2023 6:22 pm | Gallery, Subscriber content

Hundreds of classic cars parked on the Senate Square to delight the visitors.

Blinken Visited Finland; Signed Cooperation Statement with 6G

Posted by Tony Öhberg | June 2, 2023 10:54 am | Politics, Subscriber content

Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto (Greens) and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will discuss topical foreign and security policy questions, Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, long-term support to Ukraine and current NATO matters.

GALLERY: Tens of Thousands of People Attend Rammstein’s Concert at Olympic Stadium on Saturday; Total of 80,000 Expected to See the German Metal Band in Two Days

Posted by Tony Öhberg | May 27, 2023 11:25 pm | Gallery, Helsinki, Subscriber content

We observed the crowd attending the Rammstein concert on Saturday.

GALLERY: View Marimekko’s Latest Collection From the Runway in Esplanade Park

Posted by Tony Öhberg | May 25, 2023 10:06 am | Free sample

Thousands of people gathered in the park to observe the fashion show. View our gallery.

April Jazz 2023 – An Adroit Attempt to Serve Something for Everyone

Posted by Tony Öhberg | May 14, 2023 10:51 am | Feature, Music, Subscriber content

We attended three gigs on opposite sides of the spectrum, and for the most part, enjoyed it.

GALLERY: View Marimekko’s Latest Collection From the Runway in Esplanade Park

Posted by Tony Öhberg | May 14, 2023 10:47 am | Gallery, Helsinki, Subscriber content

Thousands of people gathered in the park to observe the fashion show. View our gallery.

Finland Loses to Sweden in Eurovision Song Contest; An Inside Look at the Craze Around Käärijä

Posted by Tony Öhberg | May 14, 2023 10:45 am | Music, Nation, Subscriber content

Here’s how the Finnish people went ‘nuts’ over the Finnish Eurovision contender, Käärijä.

GALLERY AND REPORTAGE: Ukrainian President Zelensky Makes a Surprise Visit to Finland

Posted by Tony Öhberg | May 4, 2023 2:36 pm | Feature, Gallery, Nation, President

President Volodymyr Zelensky made a surprise visit to Finland. Here’s our gallery and report.

GALLERY AND VIDEO: About 70,000 People Attend the Capping of Havis Amanda on May Day’s Eve; View the Highlights

Posted by Tony Öhberg | May 1, 2023 10:27 am | Gallery, Helsinki, May Day

May Day’s Eve celebrations kicked off with a bang in Helsinki.

President Niinistö Visited South Africa and Namibia; Talked Security, Geopolitics and Football

Posted by Tony Öhberg | April 29, 2023 3:29 pm | President

President Sauli Niinistö made state visits to South Africa and Namibia last week. Here’s our report.

NCP, Finns, Christian Democrats, Swedish People’s Party to Begin Government Formation Talks; Orpo: Difficulties Ahead

Posted by Tony Öhberg | April 27, 2023 4:21 pm | Parliament, Politics

The National Coalition Party (NCP), the Finns Party (Finns), the Christian Democrats (CD) and the Swedish People’s Party (SPP) will participate in the government formation talks.

Finland’s Parliamentary Election 2023 Coverage: Finland Veers Right; Left-Wing Leader, ‘I’m Pissed Off Like a Small Animal’; PM Marin to Step Down as SDP Leader

Posted by Tony Öhberg | April 8, 2023 3:37 pm | Feature, Parliament, Politics, Subscriber content

We followed Finland’s election night closely. Here’s our reportage.

Prime Minister Sanna Marin to Step Down from Her Post as SDP Leader in Autumn; New PM to be Selected in Next Few Months

Posted by Tony Öhberg | April 5, 2023 1:07 pm | Nation

Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s announcement in a press conference on Wednesday confirms the fact that Finland will have a new prime minister soon.

Turkey Ready to Start the Ratification Process for Finland’s NATO Membership

Posted by Tony Öhberg | March 17, 2023 7:07 pm | President

Finland is now closer than ever to being accepted into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

’65’ Film Review: Adam Driver Fights Dinosaurs in One of His Best Performances Yet

Posted by Tony Öhberg | March 16, 2023 10:19 pm | Films

Here’s our review.

‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’ Film Review: Teenagers Utter Shazam and Turn into Superheroes; This Isn’t as Bad as it Sounds

Posted by Tony Öhberg | March 16, 2023 8:47 pm | Films

Here’s our review.

GALLERY: Savoy JAZZFest’s Connected Performed One of the Best Jazz Concerts We’ve Heard in This Country

Posted by Tony Öhberg | March 16, 2023 7:19 pm | Gallery, Music

What a gig! Here’s our report.

Ruoka & Mat Offers Asian Street Food in a New Cozy Place in Helsinki Center

Posted by Tony Öhberg | March 16, 2023 5:43 pm | Helsinki, Travel

Ruoka & Mat restaurant area in the renewed Fennia block offers a comfortable setting for your needs, whether it’s dining or a break from busy everyday life.

‘The Time is Now to Ratify,” Says NATO Secretary General of Finland’s Membership; Prime Minister Marin Frustrated with the Delays of Becoming a NATO Member

Posted by Tony Öhberg | February 28, 2023 7:11 pm | Nation, Politics

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg visited Helsinki today. Here’s what he said in a press conference with Prime Minister Sanna Marin.

GALLERY: Finnish Heads of State Place Candles in a Memorial for Ukraine War Victims; A Sea of Candles Illuminate the Steps of Helsinki Cathedral

Posted by Tony Öhberg | February 24, 2023 8:18 pm | Gallery, Helsinki, Nation, Politics

A candlelight memorial for the victims of the Ukrainian war gathered a large crowd on the Senate Square beginning late Friday afternoon. View our gallery.

‘Creed III’ Film Review: A Darker Story That Packs Emotional Depth and Knockout Power

Posted by Tony Öhberg | February 24, 2023 11:33 am | Films

Here’s our review.

GALLERY AND VIDEO: Students Take Over Ullanlinnamäki on Shrove Tuesday

Posted by Tony Öhberg | February 22, 2023 8:23 pm | Culture, Feature, Helsinki

Shrove Tuesday gathered around 1,000 students at Ullanlinnanmäki in Kaivopuisto, Helsinki, to celebrate ‘laskiainen’ in a very Finnish way.

‘Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania’ Film Review: The Worst Marvel Movie I’ve Ever Seen

Posted by Tony Öhberg | February 14, 2023 8:19 pm | Films

Here’s our review.

GALLERY: School is Out; Studying is In – Upper Secondary School Seniors Have Left the Building

Posted by Tony Öhberg | February 9, 2023 8:09 pm | Culture, Gallery, Helsinki

Tens of thousands of upper secondary school seniors known as abit in Finnish celebrated penkkarit across the country. Here’s our gallery from Helsinki.

GALLERY AND VIDEO: Governor General of Canada Mary Simon Arrived in Finland; She’s the First Indigenous Person to Hold the Role, and Here’s What She Had to Say

Posted by Tony Öhberg | February 8, 2023 5:53 pm | Environment, Feature, President

We observe Mary Simon’s visit to Finland in our report, photographs and video. She’s the first Indigenous governor general of Canada.

Skier Iivo Niskanen Is the Athlete of the Year for the 4th Time; Pole Vaulter Wilma Murto Grabs Many Awards and Trusts the Flow

Posted by Tony Öhberg | January 13, 2023 10:54 pm | Sports

Here’s our report from the Finnish Sports Gala.

‘M3gan’ Film Review: Forget Chucky; M3gan Redefines the Doll of Horror

Posted by Tony Öhberg | January 12, 2023 7:57 pm | Films

Here’s our review of ‘M3gan,’ a paragon of horror, that we score 100%.

GALLERY: We Jazz Festival’s Venue Breaks the Mold in an Exemplary Way

Posted by Tony Öhberg | December 23, 2022 6:50 pm | Gallery, Music

Here’s our report of the magical weekend at the Korjaamo Culture Factory in Helsinki.

GALLERY: Swedish Melodic Metal Band In Flames Brings Sauna Heat to Helsinki Ice Hall

Posted by Tony Öhberg | December 23, 2022 6:12 pm | Gallery, Music

View the highlights of In Flames’ performance in our photo gallery.

VIDEO AND GALLERY: The Presidential Couple Receives Christmas Greetings; National Lucia Gets a Crown of Candles

Posted by Tony Öhberg | December 23, 2022 4:49 pm | Culture, President

We documented two of the traditional Christmas ceremonies in Finland. We wish our readers a Merry Christmas!

‘I Wanna Dance with Somebody’ Film Review: A Stunning Bio-Drama of the Tormented Singer

Posted by Tony Öhberg | December 23, 2022 11:19 am | Films

Here’s our review. Score: 100%.

VIDEO AND GALLERY: Trams Derail and Snow Depth Reaches 46 Centimeters in Places as Snowstorm Hits Helsinki Region on Monday

Posted by Tony Öhberg | December 13, 2022 1:16 am | Helsinki, Nation

We followed the winter’s first snowstorm in Helsinki center on Monday.

‘Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio’ Film Review: This Stop-Motion Masterpiece Touches the Viewer’s Soul

Posted by Tony Öhberg | December 9, 2022 10:17 am | Films

Here’s our review.

VIDEO, GALLERY AND REPORTAGE: Finland Turns 105

Posted by Josephine Otis | December 7, 2022 6:29 pm | Gallery, Nation, Reportage

We followed the Independence Day ceremonies and protests the whole day on December 6, 2022. Happy Independence Day, Finland!

‘Violent Night’ Film Review: This Time They Messed With the Wrong Santa

Posted by Tony Öhberg | December 2, 2022 4:16 pm | Films

Here’s a real Christmas treat in all the “wrong” ways. Score: 100%.

‘Troll’ Film Review: The Tale of the Norwegian King Kong is Boring and Too Long

Posted by Tony Öhberg | December 1, 2022 12:23 pm | Films

Here’s our review.

CEO of Slush 2022 Pitching Contest Winner Immigram That Won €1 Million in an Interview with Finland Today: ‘Everywhere, the Immigrant Talent is the Power’

Posted by Tony Öhberg | November 20, 2022 9:34 pm | Business, Feature

We joined Slush 2022, the world’s largest gathering of venture capital, at the end of last week in Helsinki. The two-day event brought together 12,000 people. We interviewed the co-founder and CEO of Immigram, Anastasia Mirolyubova, who felt that the money won from the pitching competition was really needed in their work related to making the life of immigrants easier. Here’s our report.

‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ Film Review: Fish-man vs. Wakanda-women. Who Will Win?

Posted by Tony Öhberg | November 10, 2022 6:18 pm | Films

Here’s our review.

It’s Magic! Kimmo Erkkilä Dazzles Audiences in English.

Posted by Tony Öhberg | November 4, 2022 2:00 pm | Sponsored content

Kimmo Erkkilä’s unique mixture of magic and stand-up comedy in English is in increasing demand, but he would be happy to see more people experience it.

‘Free Skate’ Film Review: This One, Folks, is the Best Finnish Film of the Year

Posted by Tony Öhberg | October 23, 2022 3:41 pm | Films

Here’s our review.

The Blow of the Bronze Bomber Casts a Shadow Over Helenius’ Career; Here’s What Happens Next in the Life of the Finnish Heavyweight Boxer

Posted by Tony Öhberg | October 22, 2022 4:13 pm | Boxing, Feature

We observed the fight and talked to people close to Finnish heavyweight boxer Robert Helenius after his loss to Deontay Wilder in an attempt to discover Helenius’ next move.

Finnish Heavyweight Boxer Robert Helenius to Face Former Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder Early on Sunday Morning; Helenius to Finland Today ‘You Are Going to See the Best Version of Me Ever!’

Posted by Tony Öhberg | October 15, 2022 7:50 pm | Boxing, Feature, Sports

Finnish heavyweight boxer Robert Helenius returns to the ring against the former WBC heavyweight champion, Deontay Wilder. Here’s our interview.

GALLERY: HJK Helsinki Plays 1 – 1 in UEFA Europa League Game Against Bulgarian Ludogorets

Posted by Tony Öhberg | October 8, 2022 11:26 am | Helsinki, Sports

View the gallery of some of the highlights of the exciting game.

Canadian Laila Biali’s Piano-Powered Jazz Performance in Porvoo Proves that Jazz and Gravel Stomping Can’t Coexist Peacefully

Posted by Tony Öhberg | October 1, 2022 10:52 pm | Music, Subscriber content

Canadian Laila Biali performed at the 10th anniversary of Porvoo Jazz Festival in a venue better suited for heavy metal.

Here’s What Happens When You Combine One of the Finest Jazz Trios in Finland with a Symphony Orchestra

Posted by Tony Öhberg | October 1, 2022 10:52 pm | Music, Subscriber content

Timo Lassy’s first concert with his trio and a full orchestra was a dream come true for Lassy and for the audience.

Frenchman and Finn Find Synergy in Jazz Compositions Inspired by Ravel

Posted by Tony Öhberg | October 1, 2022 10:45 pm | Music

French Andy Emler and Finnish Eero Tikkanen created a mesmerizing experience around Maurice Ravel’s music.

Bo Kaspers Orkester Has Matured for Over 30 Years; Now’s the Time to Enjoy the Results

Posted by Tony Öhberg | October 1, 2022 10:44 pm | Music

Bo Kaspers Orkester’s concert at Kulttuuritalo in Helsinki was one of the highlights of the year.

Miss Finland 2022 Petra Hämäläinen is Looking Forward to Winning Miss Universe

Posted by Tony Öhberg | September 21, 2022 9:44 pm | Feature, Lifestyle

Petra Hämäläinen, 26, from the southeastern city of Savonlinna, was crowned the new Miss Finland. Here’s our report of what happened behind the scenes and about Petra’s passion for becoming a Miss Universe candidate.