Olympic and ice hockey glory, multisensory film experiences and an iconic Finnish drink goes to America

This article could make you thirsty. The gin-based Long Drink was originally created for the 1952 Helsinki Summer Olympics, but it has since become a staple on Finnish beverage shelves. Now The Long Drink Company aims to recreate the drink’s success in the US. It has secured 25 million US dollars in funding and a film-star backer in Milles Teller. (Photo: The Long Drink Company). Read Forbes’ interview

Films are all about sight, sound… and now vibrations. Flexound and United Cinemas are introducing a new multi-sensory experience to Japanese cinemagoers. They will be able to feel films through gentle physical sound wave vibration. (Photo: Flexound) Read Flexound’s article for more

Olympic glory under the Japanese sun. Finnish athletes Marjaana Heikkinen, Amanda Kotaja, Toni Piispanen and Leo-Pekka Tähti brought home five medals from the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. (Photo: Harri Kapustamäki / KIHU / Paralympiakomite) Checkout Finland Today for more

A nasal spray sounds so much nicer than a jab. This could be the future for coronavirus vaccines as Finnish researchers have developed a nasal spray alternative. It has now been modified to protect against viral variants. (Photo: Raija Törrönen / University of Eastern Finland) Checkout Yle and Good News from Finland for more

A celebratory roar for the Finnish “lionesses”. Finland’s national ice hockey team beat Switzerland 3–1 in its final game to take bronze at the 2021 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship. (Photo: Tiina Puputti / Finnish Ice Hockey Association). Read IIHF’s article

It’s an exciting weekend for the film industry. Venice International Film Festival draws to an end with competition winners announced on 11 September. Among the contenders for the Orrizzonti Extra award is Teemu Nikki’s The Blind Man Who Did Not Want to See Titanic. The atypical thriller is shot from a blind man’s perspective. (Photo: Niina Virtanen) Read Cineuropa’s interview with Nikki

Helsinki has acquired a taste for Gaelic games. The first ever competitive game of hurling, Ireland’s national sport, was organised in the Finnish capital in front of an enthusiastic audience. The fast-paced game even made the evening news. (Photo: Jeff McCarthy) RTE has the story

Progressive death metal band Solar Cross has a new home. The trio of brothers was signed by US-based Transcending Records ahead of their debut album. The band’s music draws inspiration from Finnish folklore, and it isn’t for the faint of heart. (Photo: Solar Cross). Read BraveWord’s article

The inaugural Helsinki Biennial has taken its title. The Same Sea, to heart. The art fair is held on one of the many unoccupied islands in the Finnish archipelago. An environmental coordinator has been recruited to keep the carbon footprint low and ensure the island’s biodiversity isn’t threatened. (Photo: Maija Toivanen / HAM / Helsinki Biennial 2021) Checkout Metropolis’ article for more