The Souls call them "Fox Fires", and see in them the manifestation of a divine spirit that comes to dance for the living. This phenomenon is explained by the entry into the atmosphere of solar particles, which release their energy near polar magnetic fields, then form when the solar wind hits the earth.

The writer Aleksis Kivi, father of Finnish literature, said: "I consider the Finnish people to be the most humorous of all peoples; their inner life is deeper than that of any other. I'm referring here to the kind of humor that has the freshness of a spring, not the sickly humor that springs from the wreckage of existence."

Finland has 10,000 mökki cottages for rent, the most typical and comfortable form of accommodation. They are located in the heart of nature, and are open both summer and winter. They come in all categories, from the simplest to the most luxurious, so there's something for everyone. And as they say: "The simpler, the better"

A rather barbaric term to explain a geological phenomenon. Land compressed by glaciers over 10,000 years ago has been rising since the ice melted. Here, this rebound phenomenon is the most spectacular ever observed, causing the creation of islands that emerge or unite, rising 285 m in 9,000 years.

Midsummer's Day, June 24, is a must in all Nordic countries. Above all, it's a celebration of the sun, which stays out until midnight. It's also a time to get together with family and friends, go to the Ranta Sauna (on the water's edge), build a gigantic fire and drink vodka until "dawn"..

The country's geographical location, north of the Arctic Circle, plunges part of Lapland into polar night for two months between December and January. Contrary to popular belief, it's not pitch black, but the sky is covered with a bluish light and a mauve hue that the sun lets filter behind the horizon.

National musical instrument - whose origin is unknown - the kantele resembles a 5-stringed zither. Its crystalline and sweet sounds accompanied the bards who recited runes (Norse characters from the 4th and^5th centuries). Later on, they were used to accompany songs and dances. Today, the kantele is mostly played solo.

A wild berry that grows in marshes and peat bogs in the north and east of the country, especially in Lapland. Lakka, similar to a yellow raspberry and with a very distinctive taste, leaves no one indifferent: you either love it or hate it. The Finns have turned it into a speciality spirit, the famous (and very good) liqueur of the same name.

From September onwards, the forest gradually changes color to the superb hues of autumn. Red, orange, yellow, russet, copper, bronze - the contrasts with the blue of the lake, in particular, are endlessly captivating. This is certainly one of the best times to visit the country. It usually lasts only 2-3 weeks.

An unmissable Finnish "institution"! And the only Finnish word in the international vocabulary! This dry steam bath invigorates as much as it relaxes. There are almost 1.8 million saunas in Finland, despite a population of just 5.4 million! The aim: to stimulate blood circulation by alternating hot and cold.

A Finnish paradox! Here, the popular passion for tango continues unabated. It has adapted to the local temperament, both melancholy and passionate. The Finnish "tango king", Toivo Kärki, defined the local tango as "50% Russian romance and 50% Prussian military march

The^{1st of} May, originally a student's and employee's festival, Vappu gathers the whole population in the streets. It starts on April 30th at 6 pm. In Helsinki, people gather around the Havis Amanda statue. The students put a cap on the head of the statue, signaling the start of the festivities. The next day: concerts and picnic.