--- title: Helsinki — English Wikipedia · full text with trees · page 4 description: Wikipedia's «Helsinki», whole, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics, CC BY-SA 4.0. It begins: Helsinki, until about 1930 known in English by its Swedish name of Helsingfors, is the capital and most populous city in Finland. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Helsinki/page/4/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [wikipedia](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/) / [en](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/) / Helsinki # Helsinki · page 4 From Wikipedia, [«Helsinki»](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helsinki), revision of the 2026-09-01 dump, [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). The trees and pragmatics of these pages, Mova's parse of that text, are CC BY-SA 4.0 too. [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Helsinki/) [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Helsinki/page/2/) [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Helsinki/page/3/) **4** [5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Helsinki/page/5/) The tap water is of excellent quality and it is supplied by the 120 km [Päijänne Water Tunnel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Päijänne_Water_Tunnel), one of the world's longest continuous rock tunnels.[\[149\]](../../page/5/#ref-149 "note 149")[280](../../280/ "tree and pragmatics") ## Education Helsinki has 190 comprehensive schools, 41 upper secondary schools, and 15 vocational institutes.[281](../../281/ "tree and pragmatics") Half of the 41 upper secondary schools are private or state-owned, the other half municipal.[282](../../282/ "tree and pragmatics") There are two major research universities in Helsinki, the [University of Helsinki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Helsinki) and [Aalto University](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aalto_University), and a number of other higher level institutions and polytechnics which focus on higher-level professional education.[283](../../283/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Research universities See also: [List of universities in Finland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_universities_in_Finland) - [University of Helsinki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Helsinki)[284](../../284/ "tree and pragmatics") - [Aalto University](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aalto_University) ([Espoo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espoo))[285](../../285/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Other institutions of higher education - [Hanken School of Economics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanken_School_of_Economics)[286](../../286/ "tree and pragmatics") - [University of the Arts Helsinki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_the_Arts_Helsinki)[287](../../287/ "tree and pragmatics") - [National Defence University](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Defence_University_%28Finland%29)[288](../../288/ "tree and pragmatics") - [Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haaga-Helia_University_of_Applied_Sciences)[289](../../289/ "tree and pragmatics") - [Laurea University of Applied Sciences](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurea_University_of_Applied_Sciences)[290](../../290/ "tree and pragmatics") - [Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helsinki_Metropolia_University_of_Applied_Sciences)[291](../../291/ "tree and pragmatics") - [Arcada University of Applied Sciences](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arcada_University_of_Applied_Sciences)[292](../../292/ "tree and pragmatics") - [Diaconia University of Applied Sciences](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diaconia_University_of_Applied_Sciences)[293](../../293/ "tree and pragmatics") - [HUMAK University of Applied Sciences](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HUMAK_University_of_Applied_Sciences)[294](../../294/ "tree and pragmatics") Helsinki is one of the co-location centres of the Knowledge and Innovation Community (Future information and communication society) of The [European Institute of Innovation and Technology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Institute_of_Innovation_and_Technology) (EIT).[\[150\]](../../page/5/#ref-150 "note 150")[295](../../295/ "tree and pragmatics") ## Culture ### Museums The biggest historical museum in Helsinki is the [National Museum of Finland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Museum_of_Finland), which displays a vast collection from prehistoric times to the 21st century.[296](../../296/ "tree and pragmatics") The museum building itself, a national romantic-style neomedieval castle, is a tourist attraction.[297](../../297/ "tree and pragmatics") Another major historical museum is the [Helsinki City Museum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helsinki_City_Museum), which introduces visitors to Helsinki's 500-year history.[298](../../298/ "tree and pragmatics") The [University of Helsinki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Helsinki) also has many significant museums, including the [Helsinki University Museum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helsinki_University_Museum) "Arppeanum" and the [Finnish Museum of Natural History](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finnish_Museum_of_Natural_History).[299](../../299/ "tree and pragmatics") The [Finnish National Gallery](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finnish_National_Gallery) consists of three museums: [Ateneum Art Museum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ateneum) for classical Finnish art, [Sinebrychoff Art Museum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinebrychoff_Art_Museum) for classical European art, and [Kiasma Art Museum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiasma) for modern art, in a building by architect [Steven Holl](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Holl).[300](../../300/ "tree and pragmatics") The old Ateneum, a neo-Renaissance palace from the 19th century, is one of the city's major historical buildings.[301](../../301/ "tree and pragmatics") All three museum buildings are [state-owned](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State-owned) through [Senate Properties](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senate_Properties).[302](../../302/ "tree and pragmatics") The city of Helsinki hosts its own art collection in the [Helsinki Art Museum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helsinki_Art_Museum) (HAM), primarily located in its [Tennispalatsi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennispalatsi) gallery.[303](../../303/ "tree and pragmatics") Around 200 pieces of public art lie outside.[304](../../304/ "tree and pragmatics") The art is all city property.[305](../../305/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2020, [Helsinki Art Museum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helsinki_Art_Museum) launched the Helsinki Biennial, which brings art to maritime Helsinki – in its first year to the island of [Vallisaari](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vallisaari).[\[151\]](../../page/5/#ref-151 "note 151")[306](../../306/ "tree and pragmatics") The [Design Museum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Design_Museum,_Helsinki) is devoted to the exhibition of both Finnish and foreign design, including industrial design, fashion, and graphic design.[307](../../307/ "tree and pragmatics") Other museums in Helsinki include the [Military Museum of Finland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_Museum_of_Finland), [Didrichsen Art Museum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Didrichsen_Art_Museum), [Amos Rex Art Museum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amos_Anderson_Art_Museum), and the [Tram Museum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tram_Museum).[308](../../308/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Theatres Helsinki has three major theatres: The [Finnish National Theatre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finnish_National_Theatre), the [Helsinki City Theatre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helsinki_City_Theatre), and the [Swedish Theatre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swedish_Theatre) (Svenska Teatern).[309](../../309/ "tree and pragmatics") Other notable theatres in the city include the [Alexander Theatre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Theatre), [Q-teatteri](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Q-teatteri), [Savoy Theatre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savoy_Theatre_%28Helsinki%29), [KOM-teatteri](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KOM-teatteri), and [Teatteri Jurkka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teatteri_Jurkka).[310](../../310/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Music Helsinki is home to two full-size symphony orchestras, the [Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helsinki_Philharmonic_Orchestra) and the [Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finnish_Radio_Symphony_Orchestra), both of which perform at the [Helsinki Music Centre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helsinki_Music_Centre) concert hall.[311](../../311/ "tree and pragmatics") Acclaimed contemporary composers [Kaija Saariaho](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaija_Saariaho), [Magnus Lindberg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnus_Lindberg_%28Finnish_composer%29), [Esa-Pekka Salonen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esa-Pekka_Salonen), and [Einojuhani Rautavaara](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Einojuhani_Rautavaara), among others, were born and raised in Helsinki, and studied at the [Sibelius Academy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sibelius_Academy).[312](../../312/ "tree and pragmatics") The [Finnish National Opera](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finnish_National_Opera), the only full-time, professional opera company in Finland, is located in Helsinki.[313](../../313/ "tree and pragmatics") The opera singer [Martti Wallén](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martti_Wallén), one of the company's long-time soloists, was born and raised in Helsinki, as was mezzo-soprano [Monica Groop](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monica_Groop).[314](../../314/ "tree and pragmatics") Many widely renowned and acclaimed bands have originated in Helsinki, including [Children of Bodom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children_of_Bodom), [Hanoi Rocks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanoi_Rocks), [HIM](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIM_%28Finnish_band%29), [Stratovarius](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stratovarius), [The 69 Eyes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_69_Eyes), [Finntroll](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finntroll), [Ensiferum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ensiferum), [Wintersun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wintersun), [The Rasmus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rasmus), [Poets of the Fall](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poets_of_the_Fall), and [Apocalyptica](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apocalyptica).[315](../../315/ "tree and pragmatics") The most significant of the [metal music](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_music) events in Helsinki is the [Tuska Open Air Metal Festival](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuska_Open_Air_Metal_Festival) in [Suvilahti](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suvilahti), [Sörnäinen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sörnäinen).[\[46\]](../../page/5/#ref-46 "note 46")[\[152\]](../../page/5/#ref-152 "note 152")[316](../../316/ "tree and pragmatics") The city's main musical venues are the [Finnish National Opera](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finnish_National_Opera), the [Finlandia concert hall](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finlandia_Hall), and the [Helsinki Music Centre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helsinki_Music_Centre).[317](../../317/ "tree and pragmatics") The Music Centre also houses a part of the [Sibelius Academy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sibelius_Academy).[318](../../318/ "tree and pragmatics") Bigger concerts and events are usually held at one of the city's two big ice hockey arenas: the [Helsinki Halli](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helsinki_Halli) or the [Helsinki Ice Hall](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helsinki_Ice_Hall).[319](../../319/ "tree and pragmatics") Helsinki has Finland's largest fairgrounds, the [Messukeskus Helsinki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messukeskus_Helsinki), which is attended by more than a million visitors a year.[\[153\]](../../page/5/#ref-153 "note 153")[320](../../320/ "tree and pragmatics") [Helsinki Arena](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helsinki_Arena) hosted the [Eurovision Song Contest 2007](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurovision_Song_Contest_2007), the first [Eurovision Song Contest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurovision_Song_Contest) arranged in Finland, following [Lordi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lordi)'s win in [2006](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurovision_Song_Contest_2006).[\[154\]](../../page/5/#ref-154 "note 154")[321](../../321/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Art [Helsinki Day](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helsinki_Day) (Helsinki-päivä) will be celebrated every 12 June, with numerous entertainment events culminating in an [open-air concert](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open-air_concert).[\[155\]](../../page/5/#ref-155 "note 155")[\[156\]](../../page/5/#ref-156 "note 156")[322](../../322/ "tree and pragmatics") Also, the [Helsinki Festival](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helsinki_Festival) is an arts and culture festival that takes place every August (including the [Night of the Arts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_of_the_Arts)).[\[157\]](../../page/5/#ref-157 "note 157")[323](../../323/ "tree and pragmatics") At the [Senate Square](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helsinki_Senate_Square) in fall 2010, Finland's largest open-air art exhibition to date took place: About 1.4 million people saw the international exhibition of [United Buddy Bears](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Buddy_Bears).[\[158\]](../../page/5/#ref-158 "note 158")[324](../../324/ "tree and pragmatics") Helsinki was the 2012 [World Design Capital](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Design_Capital), in recognition of the use of design as an effective tool for social, cultural, and economic development in the city.[325](../../325/ "tree and pragmatics") In choosing Helsinki, the World Design Capital selection jury highlighted Helsinki's use of 'Embedded Design', which has tied design in the city to innovation, "creating global brands, such as [Nokia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nokia), [Kone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kone), and [Marimekko](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marimekko), popular events, like the annual [Helsinki Design Week](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helsinki_Design_Week), outstanding education and research institutions, such as the [Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aalto_University_School_of_Arts,_Design_and_Architecture), and exemplary architects and designers such as [Eliel Saarinen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eliel_Saarinen) and [Alvar Aalto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvar_Aalto)".[\[22\]](../../page/5/#ref-22 "note 22")[326](../../326/ "tree and pragmatics") Helsinki hosts many film festivals.[327](../../327/ "tree and pragmatics") Most of them are small venues, while some have generated interest internationally.[328](../../328/ "tree and pragmatics") The most prolific of these is the [Helsinki International Film Festival – Love & Anarchy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helsinki_International_Film_Festival) film festival, also known as Helsinki International Film Festival, which features films on a wide spectrum.[329](../../329/ "tree and pragmatics") [Night Visions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_Visions_%28film_festival%29), on the other hand, focuses on genre cinema, screening [horror](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horror_film), [fantasy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fantasy), and [science fiction](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_fiction) films in very popular movie marathons that last the entire night.[330](../../330/ "tree and pragmatics") Another popular film festival is [DocPoint](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DocPoint_%28film_festival%29), a festival that focuses solely on [documentary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Documentary_film) cinema.[\[159\]](../../page/5/#ref-159 "note 159")[\[160\]](../../page/5/#ref-160 "note 160")[\[161\]](../../page/5/#ref-161 "note 161")[331](../../331/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Media Today, there are around 200 newspapers, 320 popular magazines, 2,100 professional magazines, 67 commercial radio stations, three [digital radio](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_radio) channels, and one nationwide and five national [public service radio channels](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_broadcasting).[332](../../332/ "tree and pragmatics") [Sanoma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanoma) publishes Finland's [journal of record](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newspaper_of_record), [Helsingin Sanomat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helsingin_Sanomat), the [tabloid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabloid_%28newspaper_format%29) [Ilta-Sanomat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilta-Sanomat), the commerce-oriented [Taloussanomat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taloussanomat), and the television channel [Nelonen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelonen_%28television%29).[333](../../333/ "tree and pragmatics") Another Helsinki-based media house, [Alma Media](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alma_Media), publishes over thirty magazines, including the tabloid [Iltalehti](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iltalehti), and the commerce-oriented [Kauppalehti](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kauppalehti).[334](../../334/ "tree and pragmatics") Finland's national public-broadcasting institution [Yle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yle) operates five television channels and thirteen radio channels in both national languages.[335](../../335/ "tree and pragmatics") Yle is headquartered in the neighbourhood of [Pasila](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pasila).[336](../../336/ "tree and pragmatics") All TV channels are broadcast [digitally](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_television), both terrestrially and on cable.[337](../../337/ "tree and pragmatics") Yle's studio area houses the 146 m high television and radio tower, [Yle Transmission Tower](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yle_Transmission_Tower) (Pasilan linkkitorni),[\[162\]](../../page/5/#ref-162 "note 162") which is the third tallest structure in Helsinki and one of Helsinki's most famous landmarks, from the top of which, in good weather, can be seen even as far as [Tallinn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tallinn) [corpus](../../../Tallinn/ "in our corpus") over the Gulf of Finland.[\[163\]](../../page/5/#ref-163 "note 163")[338](../../338/ "tree and pragmatics") The commercial television channel [MTV3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MTV3) and commercial radio channel [Radio Nova](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_Nova_%28Finland%29) are owned by [Nordic Broadcasting](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nordic_Broadcasting) ([Bonnier](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonnier_Group) and [Proventus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proventus)).[339](../../339/ "tree and pragmatics") Further information: [Dubberman Finland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubberman_Finland) ### Food Helsinki was already known in the 18th century for its abundant number of [inns](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inn) and [pubs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pub), where both locals and those who landed in the harbor were offered plenty of [alcoholic beverages](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcoholic_drink).[\[164\]](../../page/5/#ref-164 "note 164")[340](../../340/ "tree and pragmatics") At that time, taxes on the sale of alcohol were a very significant source of income for Helsinki, and one of the most important sellers of alcohol was [Johan Sederholm](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johan_Sederholm) (1722–1805), a trade councilor who attracted rural [merchants](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merchant) with alcohol and made good deals.[\[164\]](../../page/5/#ref-164 "note 164")[341](../../341/ "tree and pragmatics") Gradually, a new kind of beverage culture began to grow in the next century, and as early as 1852, the first [café](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffeehouse) of Finland, [Café Ekberg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Café_Ekberg),[\[165\]](../../page/5/#ref-165 "note 165")[\[166\]](../../page/5/#ref-166 "note 166") was established by confectioner [Fredrik Ekberg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fredrik_Ekberg) (1825–1891) after attending his studies in [St. Petersburg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Petersburg).[342](../../342/ "tree and pragmatics") Ekberg has also been said to have created Finland's "national [pastry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pastry) tradition".[\[167\]](../../page/5/#ref-167 "note 167")[343](../../343/ "tree and pragmatics") At first, café culture was only a prerogative of sophisticated [elite](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elite), when it recently began to take shape as the right of every man.[\[168\]](../../page/5/#ref-168 "note 168")[344](../../344/ "tree and pragmatics") Today, there are several hundred cafés in Helsinki, the most notable of which is [Cafe Regatta](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cafe_Regatta), which is very popular with foreign tourists.[\[169\]](../../page/5/#ref-169 "note 169")[\[170\]](../../page/5/#ref-170 "note 170")[\[171\]](../../page/5/#ref-171 "note 171")[\[172\]](../../page/5/#ref-172 "note 172")[345](../../345/ "tree and pragmatics") As an important [port city](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_city) on the Baltic Sea, Helsinki has long been known for its [fish food](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fish_as_food), and it has recently started to become one of the leading fish food capitals in [Northern Europe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Europe).[\[172\]](../../page/5/#ref-172 "note 172")[\[173\]](../../page/5/#ref-173 "note 173")[346](../../346/ "tree and pragmatics") Helsinki's [Market Square](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Market_Square,_Helsinki) is especially known for its traditional [herring](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herring) market, which has been organized since 1743.[\[174\]](../../page/5/#ref-174 "note 174")[\[175\]](../../page/5/#ref-175 "note 175")[\[176\]](../../page/5/#ref-176 "note 176")[\[177\]](../../page/5/#ref-177 "note 177")[347](../../347/ "tree and pragmatics") [Salmon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salmon) is also a typical Helsinki fish dish, both fried and [souped](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fish_soup).[\[172\]](../../page/5/#ref-172 "note 172")[\[178\]](../../page/5/#ref-178 "note 178")[348](../../348/ "tree and pragmatics") The most prestigious restaurants specializing in [seafood](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seafood) include Restaurant Fisken på Disken.[\[179\]](../../page/5/#ref-179 "note 179")[\[180\]](../../page/5/#ref-180 "note 180")[349](../../349/ "tree and pragmatics") Helsinki is currently experiencing a period of booming [food culture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_culture), and it has developed into an internationally acclaimed food city, receiving recognition for promoting food culture;[\[177\]](../../page/5/#ref-177 "note 177")[\[181\]](../../page/5/#ref-181 "note 181")[\[182\]](../../page/5/#ref-182 "note 182") the city's gastronomy is considered unique, because many restaurants offers, in addition to fish dishes, [reindeer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reindeer), [elk](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moose), and even [bear](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bear) meat.[\[172\]](../../page/5/#ref-172 "note 172")[350](../../350/ "tree and pragmatics") The local food culture is made up of cuisines from around the world and the fusions they form.[351](../../351/ "tree and pragmatics") Various [Asian restaurants](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asian_cuisine) such as [Chinese](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_cuisine), [Thai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_cuisine), [Indian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_cuisine) and [Nepalese](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepalese_cuisine) are particularly prominent in Helsinki's cityscape, but over the past couple of years, restaurants serving [Vietnamese](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnamese_cuisine) food have been very popular.[\[173\]](../../page/5/#ref-173 "note 173")[352](../../352/ "tree and pragmatics") [Sushi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sushi) [restaurant buffets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restaurant_buffets) have also made their way into the city's restaurant offerings in one fell swoop.[\[173\]](../../page/5/#ref-173 "note 173")[353](../../353/ "tree and pragmatics") The third prominent trend is restaurants serving pure local food, many of which specialize primarily in serving pure [Nordic flavors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nordic_cuisine).[\[173\]](../../page/5/#ref-173 "note 173")[354](../../354/ "tree and pragmatics") In past years [Middle Eastern](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Eastern_cuisine) food culture rose in its popularity.[355](../../355/ "tree and pragmatics") Especially Helsinki's eastern part offers many different options for Middle Eastern cuisine lovers.[\[183\]](../../page/5/#ref-183 "note 183")[356](../../356/ "tree and pragmatics") There is also some touches of [Russian cuisine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_cuisine), one of which is the Finnish version of [blinis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blini), thick [pancakes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pancake) that are usually fried in a cast-iron pan.[\[184\]](../../page/5/#ref-184 "note 184")[357](../../357/ "tree and pragmatics") One of the most significant food culture venues in Helsinki is the general public area known as [Teurastamo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teurastamo) in the [Hermanni](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermanni_%28Helsinki%29) district, which operated as the city's [slaughterhouse](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slaughterhouse) between 1933 and 1992, to which the name of the place also refers.[\[177\]](../../page/5/#ref-177 "note 177")[\[185\]](../../page/5/#ref-185 "note 185")[\[186\]](../../page/5/#ref-186 "note 186")[358](../../358/ "tree and pragmatics") A nationwide food carnival called Restaurant Day (Ravintolapäivä) has begun in Helsinki and has traditionally been celebrated since May 2011.[\[187\]](../../page/5/#ref-187 "note 187")[359](../../359/ "tree and pragmatics") The purpose of the day is to have fun, share new food experiences and enjoy the common environment with the group.[\[177\]](../../page/5/#ref-177 "note 177")[360](../../360/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Other [Vappu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vappu) is an annual carnival for students and workers on 1 May.[361](../../361/ "tree and pragmatics") The last week of June marks the [Helsinki Pride](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helsinki_Pride) [human rights](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights) event, which was attended by 100,000 marchers in 2018.[\[188\]](../../page/5/#ref-188 "note 188")[362](../../362/ "tree and pragmatics") ## Sports Main article: [Sport in Helsinki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sport_in_Helsinki) Helsinki has a long tradition of sports: the city gained much of its initial international recognition during the [1952 Summer Olympics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1952_Summer_Olympics), and the city has arranged sporting events such as the first [World Championships in Athletics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IAAF_World_Championships_in_Athletics) 1983 and 2005, and the European Championships in Athletics 1971, 1994, and 2012.[363](../../363/ "tree and pragmatics") Helsinki hosts successful local teams in both of the most popular team sports in Finland: [football](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Association_football) and [ice hockey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_hockey).[364](../../364/ "tree and pragmatics") Helsinki houses [HJK Helsinki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HJK_Helsinki), Finland's largest and most successful football club, and [IFK Helsingfors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIFK_Fotboll), their local rivals with 7 championship titles.[365](../../365/ "tree and pragmatics") The fixtures between the two are commonly known as [Stadin derby](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stadin_derby).[366](../../366/ "tree and pragmatics") Helsinki's track and field club Helsingin Kisa-Veikot is also dominant within Finland.[367](../../367/ "tree and pragmatics") Ice hockey is popular among many Helsinki residents, who usually support either of the local clubs [IFK Helsingfors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIFK_%28ice_hockey%29) (HIFK) or [Jokerit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jokerit).[368](../../368/ "tree and pragmatics") HIFK, with 14 Finnish championships titles, also plays in the highest [bandy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandy) division,[\[189\]](../../page/5/#ref-189 "note 189") along with [Botnia-69](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botnia-69).[369](../../369/ "tree and pragmatics") The Olympic stadium hosted the first [Bandy World Championship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandy_World_Championship) in 1957.[\[190\]](../../page/5/#ref-190 "note 190")[370](../../370/ "tree and pragmatics") Helsinki was elected host-city of the 1940 Summer Olympics, but due to World War II they were canceled.[371](../../371/ "tree and pragmatics") Instead Helsinki was the host of the 1952 Summer Olympics.[372](../../372/ "tree and pragmatics") The Olympics were a landmark event symbolically and economically for Helsinki and Finland as a whole that was recovering from the Winter War and the Continuation War fought with the Soviet Union.[373](../../373/ "tree and pragmatics") Helsinki was also in 1983 the first city to host the World Championships in Athletics.[374](../../374/ "tree and pragmatics") Helsinki also hosted the event in 2005, thus also becoming the first city to host the Championships for a second time.[375](../../375/ "tree and pragmatics") The [Helsinki City Marathon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helsinki_City_Marathon) has been held in the city every year since 1981, usually in August.[\[191\]](../../page/5/#ref-191 "note 191")[376](../../376/ "tree and pragmatics") A [Formula 3000](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formula_3000) race through the city streets was held on 25 May 1997.[377](../../377/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2009 Helsinki was host of the [European Figure Skating Championships](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Figure_Skating_Championships), and in 2017 it hosted [World Figure Skating Championships](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Figure_Skating_Championships).[378](../../378/ "tree and pragmatics") [American football](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football) and the [Vaahteraliiga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaahteraliiga) has a strong tradition in the city dating back to the early 1980s; the [Helsinki Roosters](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helsinki_Roosters) are the only Finnish team to have participated in the Vaahteraliiga since its inception in 1980 and are by far the most successful American football team in Finnish history.[\[192\]](../../page/5/#ref-192 "note 192")[379](../../379/ "tree and pragmatics") [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Helsinki/) [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Helsinki/page/2/) [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Helsinki/page/3/) **4** [5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Helsinki/page/5/) - ← previous: [page 3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Helsinki/page/3/) - next →: [page 5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Helsinki/page/5/) - ↑ back to [English Wikipedia](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/)