Magazines
Allegedly named after the average yearly temperature of Finland (5.3°C, 42°F), SixDegrees is a free English-language monthly enticing readers with compelling covers and thought-provoking pieces on politics, spirituality, society, and the arts. Check out the Helsinki events calendar, reviews of cultural events, and interviews with Finnish personalities.
Read the entire issue of Helsinki This Week online before you even set foot in Finland. It's available free throughout Helsinki and in digital format online. This magazine-cum-tour-book, published eight times a year, is packed with information for English-speaking visitors. Skim through useful info on Helsinki history, transportation, and accommodations, then flip to the calendar of events and shopping and dining guides. Don't miss "Helsinki Musts" and city maps highlighted with attractions. Available at tourist bureaus, the airport, hotels, and museums throughout Helsinki.
For an offbeat look at news, culture, and science, with a Finnish slant, check out the monthly online Ovi Magazine. The editors of Ovi, two of whom live in Finland, analyze news headlines (from oil to Iran, Pat Robertson, and why Finnish politics are stuck in the Cold War era), review quirky arts and culture events, publish seven regular columns, and oversee an online forum. Best bet: "Le Meteque" for thoughts, advice, and experiences for foreigners living in Finland (everything from starting a business in Finland to marrying a Finn).
