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Weekend Wrap

Chanel’s sustainable perfume cap, mega pumpkins and a USD 38 million funding round

Finnish Soul Garden, designed by Taina Suonio, won silver at the famed Chelsea Flower Show.

Pirjo Pellinen

Finnish material innovations are backed by fashion giants, sauna makes its way to Chelsea Flower Show, and Discovery snags the European rights for a new adventure TV format. Click on any photo and take a look at recent creativity from Finland.

Mental health issues are starting to get the attention they deserve. This is highlighted by a 38 million-US dollar funding round completed by Meru Health. The startup, founded by Finnish entrepreneur Kristian Ranta after his brother committed suicide, offers an online programme to reduce anxiety, depression and burnout. (Photo: Meru Health) TechCrunch has the story

The 48th time’s the charm. It took fashion house Chanel and Finnish bio-based materials company Sulapac two years and 48 tries to perfect a new sustainable cap for Chanel’s perfume bottles. (Photo: Sulapac) Read more about the development process on Sulapac’s blog

Architecture fans, ahoy. The Fyyri library in Kirkkonummi has been awarded Finland’s leading architecture award, the Finlandia Prize. Designed by JKMM Architects, the library was praised for embodying the pillars on which the Finnish library institution rests: democracy, the cultural and intellectual dimension and an enduring faith in humanity. (Photo: Tuomas Uusiheimo/ SAFA). Check out the Finnish Association of Architects for more

A hint of sauna at Chelsea Flower Show. The Finnish soul garden, built for the renowned show based on a design by Taina Suonio, reflected Finns’ relationship with nature and, naturally, sauna culture. The garden snagged silver in the Sanctuary Garden category. Check out House&Garden and the Finnish Embassy in London for more

Zalando backs Finnish textile innovation. The European online retail giant has invested in Infinited Fiber Company, whose technology can turn textile waste into a premium-quality recycled textile fibre. (Photo: Infinited Fiber Company) Read Fibre2Fashion’s article

Nanoksi Finland snags the top prize in Dubai. The company’s sprayable solution uses photocatalysis to prevent the spread of viruses and bacteria through surfaces. Its effectiveness impressed the jury at Dubai’s Aviation X Lab Accelerate Traveller Wellbeing Challenge. (Photo: Nanoksi Finland) Read the Gulf News’ article

Here’s a carving challenge for Halloween. A 306-kilo pumpkin took the first prize at the 14th annual Finnish Giant Vegetable Championships. (Photo: Anna Peltola) Yle News visited the event

Award glory in Beijing. Finnish drama film Any Day Now has won two prizes at the 11th Beijing Film Festival. The film took home the Tiantan Awards for Best Supporting Actor and Best Original Score. (Photo: Sami Kuokkanen/ Elokuvayhtiö Aamu) Read ScandAsia’s article

A host, a celebrity and a locked container. This is the premise of a new adventure TV show, Ultimate Escape, from Rabbit Films. The host has 24 hours, 24 clues and 24 calls to release the celebrity from a locked container. The show’s Nordic and European remake rights have now been acquired by Discovery Finland. (Photo: Rabbit Films) Television Business International writes about deal

“A dream-like Celtic-tinged fantasy world.” This is how NorthernLife Magazine describes the new album by Auri, a progressive folk band formed by singer Johanna Kurkela, keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen and guitarist Troy Donockley. While heavy metal lovers may recognise the latter two from Nightwish, Auri’s music is far away from mosh pits. (Photo: Auri/ Facebook) Check out NorthernLIfe for more

Osmo Vänskä’s last season conducting the Minnesota Orchestra started with memorable nods to the past. These included a visit from star violinist Joshua Bell and a piece composed by Kalevi Aho. (Photo: Scott Streble) TwinCities reviewed the concert

By: Eeva Haaramo
08.10.2021