People

Finland was just named the happiest country in the world for a fourth year running, but what makes Roavaniemi the best place in the world to call a home for Kaisa Sirén? The Rovaniemi locals know Kaisa Sirén as a skilled magazine photographer and the beloved owner of Villa Vinkkeli – the house of art. Where does this Northern artist absorb her inspiration, how did the Villa Vinkkeli get started and what are the core values that drive Sirén. Read also the professional photographers tips of Rovaniemi.

On Arctic Reindeer Farm, high above the Arctic Circle lives Miia Merkku, reindeer herder, a woman who decided to become a herder at the age of five. Reindeer play a major role in Miia´s life. Miia`s own wellbeing, is twined with the wellbeing of her reindeer. “I spend all my days with them in nature, their happiness makes me feel at peace” Miia says. Welcome to a Sustainable Rovaniemi blog series, where our local people tell their arctic lifestyle stories.

On Arctic Reindeer Farm, high above the Arctic Circle lives Miia Merkku, reindeer herder, a woman who decided to become a herder at the age of five. Reindeer play a major role in Miia´s life. Miia`s own wellbeing, is twined with the wellbeing of her reindeer. “I spend all my days with them in nature, their happiness makes me feel at peace” Miia says. Welcome to a Sustainable Rovaniemi blog series, where our local people tell their arctic lifestyle stories.

What if I told you we have an overall population density of 1,98 persons per square kilometer, which is one of the lowest in Europe, more reindeer then people, the cleanest air and waters in the world. Yet we live in a modern city filled with services and even luxury. Our summer nights are light like the most romantic pink twilight, and that our summer temperatures are mild like the birds milk, as we Finnish people like to say. Would you believe me? And the list goes on...

On Arctic Reindeer Farm, high above the Arctic Circle lives Miia Merkku, reindeer herder, a woman who decided to become a herder at the age of five. Reindeer play a major role in Miia´s life. Miia`s own wellbeing, is twined with the wellbeing of her reindeer. “I spend all my days with them in nature, their happiness makes me feel at peace” Miia says. Welcome to a Sustainable Rovaniemi blog series, where our local people tell their arctic lifestyle stories.

Even when the locals see the Northern Lights every year, we never get bored with them or lose the feel of childhood magic and fairytale. Here the #visitrovaniemi social media went crazy again in nights of dreamy Auroras:

It’s fair to say everybody fell for Finland last week, with WRC2 winner Esapekka Lappi summing it up better than anybody. “What’s not to love with this event?” he questioned. “We have the perfect roads, minus conditions, great ice and blue skies. This is why we go rallying.”

In our new “Changed by Rovaniemi”- blog series, we share unique stories from travelers of Rovaniemi. We asked, what makes Lapland so special to them, why they have fallen in love with Lapland, and what makes some of them return time after time. Take a look at the story of French Véronique, who transforms her living room in Troyes every year as a miniature Christmas Village. In 2020, Véronique finally got to visit Rovaniemi – The Official Hometown of Santa Claus®.

On Arctic Reindeer Farm, high above the Arctic Circle lives Miia Merkku, reindeer herder, a woman who decided to become a herder at the age of five. Reindeer play a major role in Miia´s life. Miia`s own wellbeing, is twined with the wellbeing of her reindeer. “I spend all my days with them in nature, their happiness makes me feel at peace” Miia says. Welcome to a Sustainable Rovaniemi blog series, where our local people tell their arctic lifestyle stories.

"For reasons like this the Arctic Rally Finland is the most exotic race of the year. The event carries years and years of family traditions and stories told from generation to another - attracting a staggering 600 volunteers."

Welcome to a Finnish sauna! We Finns love our Sauna, and when you visit Finland, you must experinece sauna. A traditional Finnish sauna is like Finnish food culture, pure and simple.

In our new “Changed by Rovaniemi”- blog series, we share unique stories from travelers of Rovaniemi. We asked, what makes Lapland so special to them, why they have fallen in love with Lapland, and what makes some of them return time after time. Have a look at the story of Carin, who visited Lapland with her five colleagues all the way from South Africa.

In our new “Changed by Rovaniemi”- blog series, we share unique stories from travelers of Rovaniemi. We asked, what makes Lapland so special to them, why they have fallen in love with Lapland, and what makes some of them return time after time. Have a look at the story of German Anni, who’s dog Sola has met Santa Claus already twice.

Santa’s video call is all-year-round product of Santa Claus Office offering a warm-hearted chat with Santa regardless of your location and no matter what time of the year

In our new “Changed by Rovaniemi”- blog series, we share unique stories from travelers of Rovaniemi. We asked, what makes Lapland so special to them, why they have fallen in love with Lapland, and what makes some of them return time after time. Have a look at the story of Irish Andrew, who’s daughter started to believe in Santa Claus right upon the arrival to Rovaniemi Airport.

In our new “Changed by Rovaniemi”- blog series, we share unique stories from travelers of Rovaniemi. We asked, what makes Lapland so special to them, why they have fallen in love with Lapland, and what makes some of them return time after time. Have a look at the story of Marco from Germany, who visits the Arctic Rally -event in Rovaniemi every year.

In our new “Changed by Rovaniemi”- blog series, we share unique stories from travelers of Rovaniemi. We asked, what makes Lapland so special to them, why they have fallen in love with Lapland, and what makes some of them return time after time. Have a look at the story of Helen from Taiwan, who’s childhood dream came true at the Arctic Circle.

In our new “Changed by Rovaniemi”- blog series, we share unique stories from travelers of Rovaniemi. We asked, what makes Lapland so special to them, why they have fallen in love with Lapland, and what makes some of them return time after time. Have a look at the story of Australian Jayde, who got proposed at the Arctic Circle.

Rovaniemi bathing in an amazing full 8 nights in a row of Northern Lights. September just beginning and we are already having a full sky-spectacle for over a week, amazing right? All arctic people have their own beautiful mythology, believes and names for this heavenly phenomena. In Finnish the Northern Lights are called ”Revontulet”.

It is beautiful, and kind of magical how the letters find their way to Arctic Circle even if there is no clear address written on them, just “Santa Claus”. Katja the main postal Elf says that even if the letters are written to be delivered to the North Pole all the post offices around the world know that Santa Claus lives in the Arctic Circle Rovaniemi, so the letters are referred to Santa Claus Main Post Office. Santa Claus’ Main Post Office on the Arctic Circle has been temporarily closed from April 3 due to coronavirus situation and will reopen on 2nd November 2020.

In our new Sustainable Rovaniemi blog series Irene describes the surrounding nature to be her supermarket, her living room as well as her church. It is obvious, that Irene is happiest at nature.

Teatiamo was born out of an urge to break boundaries related to sexuality and at the same time design something timeless and beautiful.

Take this time to adjust your mind into thinking more sustainably, what Lapland Rovaniemi has to offer all year round.

In our new blog series, we’re interviewing the people of Rovaniemi – The Official Hometown of Santa Claus®, about their livelihoods and thoughts on what makes a happy life.

People have always told stories, to lift spirits and raise faith and to educate the new generations about bravery. We believe this is the time for inspiring stories, stories of dreams worth fighting for, maybe even dreams built from the ashes.

Who could have known that we would all be in this situation together, globally? That the way we knew our daily life would change and the hurry that had become our pulse would be replaced by a still mode of confusion.

Canadian singer-songwriter Carly Rae Jepsen came to Lapland for inspiration. Read from here what the artist did in Rovaniemi and what was the highlight of her trip.

The Kardashians visited Rovaniemi in Lapland, Finland, last April and the Rovaniemi episode of Keeping Up with The Kardashians premiere is on Sunday 6th of October in USA. Read from here how to discover Rovaniemi like the Kardashians.

The Northern Lights season 2019-2020 has just begun. For photographer Alex Kuznetsov it means long nights for hunting Northern Lights.

Social media personality Amro Maskoun visited Rovaniemi in June 2019. Read what Maskoun did in Rovaniemi!

LGBT travellers who are looking for a something a little different, will find a a lot to love from Rovaniemi.