We sit down with notable people living here in Finland who have made a sizeable impact in their chosen field of expertise.

Meet prominent voices from across industries in this insightful interview series

Explore candid conversations with notable individuals shaping Finland’s future across diverse fields. Discover their stories, insights, and the impact they're making.

Do I Know You? – interviews with Finland’s influential voices

Do I Know You?

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芬兰名人专访

Good News from Finland

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We are a service that covers positive and globally interesting news topics related to Finnish businesses and innovations.

Explore positive news from Finland in English, covering innovation, sustainability and global achievements. Stay informed with the latest updates on Finnish businesses and innovation.

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According to Jukka Leskelä, the best part of being the frontman of the energy sector is to speak out for change and break the preconception that the industry is acting as an obstacle to an energy revolution. 

i-believe-and-hope-these-exceptional-times-will-boost-the-combat-against-climate-change-says-jukka-leskela

“I believe and hope these exceptional times will boost combat against climate change,” says Jukka Leskelä

For Kaisa Rönkkö, executive director in Music Finland, recent months have shown the social and psychological significance of the music.

For Kaisa Rönkkö, executive director at Music Finland, the recent months have shown the social and psychological significance of the music.

music-has-been-a-great-form-of-self-expression-for-finns-says-kaisa-ronkko

“Music has been a great form of self-expression for Finns,” says Kaisa Rönkkö

For Mia Kemppaala fast adaptation represents Finnishness at its best: sisu and creative flourishes arise from everyone when situations are at their most challenging.

mia-kemppaala-fights-the-freeze-once-you-choose-hope-anything-is-possible

“Once you choose hope, anything is possible,” says Mia Kemppaala

芬兰名人专访：”只要你选择希望，一切皆有可能。” —带芬兰“北极熊路演比赛”突破疫情困境转型线上的米娅·坎帕拉（Mia Kemppaala）

Although Petri Kalliola is not a particularly well-known character in his homeland Finland, he is treated as a superstar in Korea, likely being the most renowned Finn in the country right after Moomintroll and Santa Claus.

petri-kalliola

“I’m a pretty average Finnish guy,” says Seoul-based celebrity Petri Kalliola

“Always take a positive approach to anything you do, work together and support people towards a positive outcome,” are just some of the words of wisdom from Verena Rentrop.

Verena Rentrop brings positive energy through sweet ‘micro-moments of love’ to offices and events via her company, Chocolate Angel.

verena-rentrop

“Always take a positive approach to anything you do,” says Verena Rentrop

For author and postdoctoral researcher Mehdi Ghasemi, improving his Finnish is on top of the to-do list in 2021, along with winning the Nobel Prize in Literature.

immigration-and-globalisation-have-broadened-the-definition-of-finnish-literature-says-mehdi-ghasemi

“Immigration and globalisation have broadened the definition of Finnish literature,” says Mehdi Ghasemi

“移民和全球化已经拓宽了芬兰文学的定义。” – 作家、博士后研究员梅赫迪•加西米（Mehdi Ghasemi）

Perttu Pölönen embraces a humane approach in the midst of the digital era and fosters optimism for the future in uncertain times.

Perttu Pölönen embraces a humane approach in the midst of the digital era and fosters optimism about the future in uncertain times.

i-am-fascinated-by-the-fact-that-disruption-creates-more-than-it-destroys-states-perttu-polonen

“I am fascinated by the fact that disruption creates more than it destroys,” states Perttu Pölönen

“令我着迷的是，颠覆所带来的创造多于破坏。”—畅销书《未来的课程》作者贝吕宁(Perttu Pölönen)

Although Finnish singer-songwriter and composer Tarja Turunen has not lived in Finland for a long time, she keeps waving the Finnish flag proudly abroad.

tarja-turunen

“Music keeps you humble and grateful, because it’s a gift,” says Tarja Turunen

“音乐是一份礼物，能让你保持谦卑和感激。” —芬兰著名女高音歌手塔里娅·图鲁宁（Tarja Turunen）

Tarek Omran aims to write a best-selling book that combines his academic aspirations and the reasons he became an entrepreneur.

Tarek Omran, post-doctoral researcher at the University of Turku, aims to write a best-selling book that combines his academic aspirations and the reasons he became an entrepreneur.

dentist-author-and-entrepreneur-tarek-omran-my-philosophy-is-learning-by-doing

“My philosophy is learning by doing,” says dentist, author and entrepreneur Tarek Omran

Chiara Costa is a vocational coach in the public sector, a keynote speaker and a workshop facilitator, specialising in the integration of foreigners into Finnish working life.

chiara-costa-i-always-aim-for-the-stars-but-even-if-i-get-a-cloud-in-the-path-it-s-ok

“I always aim for the stars but even if I get a cloud in the path, it’s OK,” says Chiara Costa 

“我总是将目标设的如星辰般高远，哪怕偶尔有乌云阻挡也无所谓。” —职业培训教练琪雅拉·科斯塔（Chiara Costa）

With moon-faces and motorcycle legends, watchmaker Stepan Sarpaneva channels Finnish melancholy and darkness into his timely work.

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“Watches are not jewellery,” says Finnish watchmaker Stepan Sarpaneva

According to Jouni Kangasniemi, the future of education can be found in digital solutions, and Finland is at the vanguard of providing these to the world.

According to Jouni Kangasniemi, the future of education can be found in digital solutions and Finland is at the vanguard of providing these to the world.

jouni-kangasniemi

“I consider the Finnish education system to be a very flexible one,” says Jouni Kangasniemi

“我认为芬兰教育体制是非常灵活机动的。” —芬兰国家教育输出平台的项目总监尤尼·康卡斯涅米（Jouni Kangasniemi）

Good News from Finland spoke to Sami Tallberg, an ambassador of Finnish wild food, about “nature’s supermarket”, his new restaurant project and what the future holds.

After years spent working in high-profile restaurants around the world, wild food has become Sami Tallberg’s “ikigai”, his reason for being.

wild-food-isn-t-just-a-privilege-of-rich-people-or-fancy-restaurants-it-s-an-everyman-s-right-sami-tallberg-states

“Wild food isn’t just a privilege of rich people or fancy restaurants, it’s an everyman’s right”, Sami Tallberg states

“野生食物不是富人或高档餐厅的专属，而是普罗大众皆有的权利。”—把芬兰天然野菜推向世界的名厨萨米•塔尔伯格（Sami Tallberg）

We caught up with author Katja Pantzar to discuss the power of simple actions, the modern definition of sisu and her new projects underway.

After moving to Finland, author Katja Pantzar has turned her discoveries on Nordic-style wellbeing into books and numerous media appearances globally. We caught up with Katja to discuss the power of simple actions, the modern definition of sisu and her new projects.

What does sisu mean today? Author Katja Pantzar shares insights on how this Finnish trait of grit and perseverance has evolved in modern culture.

the-meaning-of-sisu-lives-grows-and-changes-says-katja-pantzar

Katja Pantzar: “The meaning of sisu lives, grows and changes."

 “sisu的涵义不断演变和发展。”— 书写北欧式幸福的作家卡蒂亚•潘察（Katja Pantzar）

Long-distance runner Nina Chydenius is used to hard work, dedication and dreaming big. She also helps young athletes struggling with eating disorders.

Long-distance runner Nina Chydenius is used to hard work, dedication and dreaming big. Still, it isn’t only the 2024 Summer Olympics she has set in her sights, but also helping young athletes struggling with eating disorders.

eating-disorders-are-common-in-sports-but-their-treatment-is-focused-too-much-on-how-to-eat-says-nina-chydenius

“Eating disorders are common in sports, but their treatment is focused too much on how to eat,” says Nina Chydenius

 “饮食失调症在体育界屡见不鲜，但其治疗过多地聚焦在如何饮食”– 尼娜•奇德尼乌斯（Nina Chydenius)

Signmark was catapulted to fame as the first deaf musician to sign an international record deal. His recipe for success? Focusing on things that matter and 100 per cent commitment.

sign-language-should-be-considered-a-minority-language-not-a-disability-says-signmark

“Sign language should be considered a minority language, not a disability,” says Signmark

“手语应被视为一种少数群体使用的语言，而不是残疾人的特点。” —全球第一个获得唱片合约的聋人音乐家西恩马克（Signmark）

Behind the jewellery brand Chao & Eero is a designer couple Chao-Hsien Kuo and Eero Hintsanen, who share a passion for unique wearable pieces. We talked with the duo about their creative process and different design aesthetics.

Behind the jewellery brand Chao & Eero is a designer couple Chao-Hsien Kuo and Eero Hintsanen, who share a passion for unique wearable pieces.

our-styles-are-like-the-two-sides-of-finland-say-chao-hsien-kuo-and-eero-hintsanen

“Our styles are like the two sides of Finland,” say Chao-Hsien Kuo and Eero Hintsanen

“我们的风格就像芬兰的两面。”—同获芬兰年度金匠荣耀的设计夫妻档郭昭贤与艾罗·辛萨宁（Chao-Hsien Kuo & Eero Hintsanen）

Siamäk Naghian has taken the long road home and found meaning living in Iisalmi and working as the CEO of Genelec.

Siamäk Naghian has taken the long road home and found meaning living in Iisalmi and working as the managing director of Genelec.

Discover how Siamäk Naghian, managing director of Genelec, followed an extraordinary journey from rural Iran to Finland – embracing Finnish society, values, music, and art while giving back through his leadership and personal story.

siamak-naghian

Siamäk Naghian: “Without art and music, life would be soulless."

“没有艺术和音乐的生活是没有灵魂的。”—在芬兰找到生命意义的顶级音箱公司总裁赛马可•纳吉安（Siamäk Naghian）

IQM CEO Jan Goetz describes his transition from an academic career to deep-tech entrepreneurship as “being thrown into cold water”. It has meant learning many things on the fly, but Goetz has also found surprising similarities between the two. Good News from Finland talked with him about the future of quantum computers, maintaining a work-life balance and how a PhD can teach entrepreneurial skills.

IQM CEO Jan Goetz describes his transition from an academic career to deep-tech entrepreneurship as “being thrown into cold water”. It has meant learning many things on the fly, but Goetz has also found surprising similarities between the two. 

IQM CEO Jan Goetz shares how he went from academic research to leading one of Europe’s top quantum computing startups – and why solving the world’s toughest problems will require more than classical computing.

there-are-many-problems-so-complicated-that-classical-computers-will-never-be-able-to-solve-them-says-jan-goetz

Jan Goetz: “There are many problems so complicated that classical computers will never be able to solve them"

"有很多问题非常复杂，传统计算机永远无法解决。”—杨•高兹（Jan Goetz）

Learning by doing is a mantra that has propelled Ronny Eriksson to pursue a range of things.

we-should-all-be-a-bit-more-ambitious-declares-ronny-eriksson

“We should all be a bit more ambitious,” declares Ronny Eriksson

 “我们都应该更加雄心勃勃。” —罗尼·埃里克森（Ronny Eriksson）

Finnish actor and filmmaker Max Ovaska is equally at home in front of the camera as he is behind it. You probably won’t hear him bragging about it, however.

Known for his roles in Deadwind, Bordertown, and Heavy Trip, Finnish actor Max Ovaska is now making waves behind the camera. His directorial debut, Carrier, explores bold storytelling as he continues to shape Finland's film industry.

there-s-still-truth-in-the-stereotype-of-finns-being-silent-says-max-ovaska

Max Ovaska: “There’s still truth in the stereotype of Finns being silent."

“外界对芬兰人沉默寡言的刻板印象不无道理。”—芬兰知名演员兼新锐导演麦克斯•奥瓦斯卡（Max Ovaska）

Bunny-eared trainers and lollipop heels made shoe designer Minna Parikka a household name among global celebrities and influencers. At the peak of her success, she then quit her brand.

Finnish shoe designer Minna Parikka shares her thoughts on her creative process, discussing her innovative designs, inspiration and her ongoing pursuit of reinvention. 

i-get-bored-very-easily-with-things-says-minna-parikka

Minna Parikka: “I get bored very easily with things."

“我很容易对各种事情感到厌烦，” —知名度席卷国际的女鞋设计师明娜•帕里卡（Minna Parikka）

In the land of frozen seas and perpetual darkness, two outsiders have defied the odds and put Finland on the international wine map. 

weve-captured-the-essence-of-the-finnish-berries-in-our-wine-say-paola-guerrero-de-cohen-and-david-cohen

“We've captured the essence of the Finnish berries in our wine,” say Paola Guerrero de Cohen and David Cohen

“我们的葡萄酒浓缩了芬兰浆果中的精华成分。” 宝拉•古莱罗-德-科汉（Paola Guerrero de Cohen）和大卫•科汉（ David Cohen）说道

Eicca Toppinen, the Finnish cellist and co-founder of Apocalyptica, is a perfect embodiment of the cutting-edge Finnish heavy metal scene.


Apocalyptica co-founder Eicca Toppinen reflects on Finland’s deep-rooted metal culture, the emotional power of music, and how nature continues to inspire his creative journey.