Finland is one of the Nordic Countries and has been a member of the European Union since 1995. Finnish culture is a mixture of eastern and western influences. Ruled by Sweden and Russia in the past centuries, Finland has developed a special character of its own – a fascinating blend of simple Scandinavian elegance and rich eastern diversity.

Finnish and Swedish are the most widely spoken languages in Finland and approximately two thousand people speak the Sami language. As Finnish and Swedish are spoken only by some five million people, foreign languages are a must for Finns. Languages are an integral part of the school curriculum and English in particular is widely understood and used in daily communication.

Helsinki, often called “the Daughter of the Baltic”, is the capital of Finland. It has good direct flight connections with most European capitals as well as from many other locations worldwide. Helsinki-Vantaa Airport is situated 20 kilometres north of the city centre. Taxis are easily available everywhere in the city. The public transportation connections are smooth and punctual. And if you want to get out of the city, no problem: Helsinki is surrounded by one of the world’s most beautiful archipelagos and vast natural parks.

The University of Helsinki is an ideal venue for conferences and the newly renovated Language Centre building is a successful mixture of modern facilities and historic environment.  Practically everything – the hotels, restaurants, cafés, shops and sights - are within walking distance of the University in central Helsinki.

Whether you are a first-time visitor or a long-time fan, Helsinki has plenty to offer. For details of events and attractions, downloadable maps and other resources, see www.visithelsinki.fi and www.bestofhelsinki.fi.