Moomin knits, quantum computers and secrets of sauna

Osmo Vänskä prepares for the final curtain call. After leading the Minnesota Orchestra for nearly two decades, the acclaimed conductor ends his tenure with a two-week tribute to another famous Finn, Jean Sibelius. Mpls.St.Paul Magazine talked with Vänskä about his career and his long relationship with Sibelius’s music. (Photo: Lisa-Marie Mazzucco)

“A Finnish sauna is hotter than Death Valley but still relaxing.” Yle has broken down the science of sauna, such as how it helps to lower blood pressure and how taking a sauna is similar to a brisk walk. (Photo: Harri Tarvainen)

Moomin fans, get those knitting needles ready. There is a new knitting book out by Novita and Otava Publishing featuring 29 Moomin-themed patterns. Created by well-known Finnish pattern designers, the book’s designs promise to have something for everyone, whether you are a fan of Stinky, Little My or the Hattifatteners. Read more on the Moomin blog. (Photo: Moomin Happy Woollen Socks)

Fyra’s innovativeness and versatility get accolades. The Helsinki-based interior design company was named the Interior Design Studio of the Year at Dezeen Awards 2021. The judges praised the company’s “fresh approach to interior design with a great appreciation and understanding of space, form, material and colour”. (Photo: Riikka Kantinkoski)

The new Spider-man film gets an immersive release in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The city’s Empire Cinemas theatre has worked with the Finnish company Flexound to bring personal sound and physical vibrations to its seats just in time for the new Spidey film. Read more on Flexound’s press release. (Photo: Flexound)

The Oura ring has been seen on many famous fingers, including Kim Kardashian and Prince Harry. But it isn’t all about sleep quality and heart rate. The New Yorker highlights the Oulu-based company’s focus on female-targeted applications. Who knew a ring could help to predict periods and monitor a pregnancy. (Photo: Facebook / Oura)

The Teemaa teahouse in downtown Helsinki gets a revamp with brick, oak and oxidised steel. Dezeen explores how the new interiors, the handiwork of design studio Yatofu, were made to reflect the tea-brewing process. (Photo: Facebook / Yatofu Creatives)

No need to worry about coronavirus for eight hours? A new Finnish nasal spray shows promise in providing effective temporary protection against COVID-19. In preliminary tests, a doze of the spray stopped all variants of the coronavirus from infecting cells for up to eight hours. Gizmodo has the story. (Photo: Elina Manninen/ Keksi / Team Finland)

Girl Picture is on a roll. Deadline has the exclusive on how the coming-of-age drama’s international rights have been picked up by Danish company LevelK ahead of a screening at Sundance. The film, which follows three girls on the cusp of womanhood, is also the first Finnish feature to take part in Sundance’s World Cinema Dramatic Competition. (Photo: Ilkka Saastamoinen)

Finland is building its first quantum computer. The joint project between research institution VTT and Helsinki-based company IQM aims to drive the creation of a whole quantum ecosystem in the country. And it isn’t the first time Finns have shown their prowess in industrialising quantum technology, writes Computer Weekly. (Photo: IQM)