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

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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 stories from Finland, covering innovation, sustainability, and global achievements. Stay informed with the latest updates on Finnish businesses and initiatives.

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For Andreas Saari, the CEO of Slush, doing business is about making a difference for the future and having a conversation is about keeping quiet.

andreas-saari

“Startups are a fantastic way of changing the world,” says Andreas Saari

The audience abroad for Finnish-Russian actress Alina Tomnikov is about to widen thanks to an acclaimed role.

The audience abroad for Finnish-Russian actress Alina Tomnikov is about to widen thanks to her acclaimed role as visually impaired character who is search of love.

alina-tomnikov

“Rich cultures are the finest feature of human beings,” says Alina Tomnikov

Finland’s thriving games scene and educational expertise is music to the ears of Aviv Ben-Yehuda.

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“Music is a medium where a lot of healing is done,” says Aviv Ben-Yehuda

As one of only four Masters of Wine from Finland, Heidi Mäkinen is determined to share her passion and broaden the local palate.

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“I don’t think it’s a talent, it’s just the amount of work and effort that you put into it,” says Master of Wine, Heidi Mäkinen

Things have come full circle for Ville Simola, the new CEO of Helsinki-based startup hub Maria 01.

ville-simola

“I’m an entrepreneur at heart,” says Ville Simola

Pauliina Alanen has ventured a long way from her social science studies to becoming a tech professional, with a pitstop in Silicon Valley along the way.

Pauliina Alanen has ventured a long way from her social science studies to become a tech professional, making a pit stop in Silicon Valley on the road to her current post at Finnish artificial intelligence company Silo.AI.

pauliina-alanen

“Technological progress is not stopping anytime soon, so accepting and embracing change is important,” says Pauliina Alanen

Originally from the UK, Joel Willans is the creator of social media sensation Very Finnish Problems and author of 101 Very Finnish Problems and More Very Finnish Problems.

joel-willans

“The Finnish way of disappearing to the forest for the whole of July is a thing of wonder,” says Joel Willans

Hyeri Cho set out into the world with an open mind and a lot of courage for a 15-year old. From South Korea to Finnish Lapland, she has made her way down to Helsinki with a story to tell, one of determination and self-reflection.

Hyeri Cho set out into the world with an open mind and a lot of courage for a 15-year-old. From South Korea to Finnish Lapland, she has made her way down to Helsinki with a story to tell, one of determination and self-reflection.

hyeri-cho

“What I really appreciate about working here is that I’m allowed to be myself,” says Hyeri Cho

Originally from China, Alexander Yin has steadily built a career in finance in Finland, pioneering solutions that have caught the attention and collaboration of Alibaba and Finnair along the way. 

alexander-yin

“There is no glass ceiling for foreigners in this country,” says Alexander Yin

芬兰名人专访：”外国人在这个国家里没有“玻璃天花板”的发展限制。” —将支付宝带到空中的尹伟（Alexander Yin）

Singer-songwriter Sonja Skibdahl moved to Sweden when she was a teenager, but still holds Finland close to her heart, especially when she performs her own songs.

Finnish singer-songwriter Sonja Skibdahl moved to Sweden when she was a teenager but still holds Finland close to her heart, especially when she performs her own songs.

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“I love to see what a great positive impact music can have on my students,” says Sonja Skibdahl

In the first instalment of our new series, we get to know development manager Simo Kekäläinen, who is also an aspiring voice actor from Oulu and the host of Polar Bear Pitching.

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“In order to solve these new wicked problems, we would need to become a little more like Da Vinci again,” says Simo Kekäläinen

卡罗丽娜•科尔霍宁（Karoliina Korhonen）是芬兰平面设计师，《芬兰人的噩梦》创作者。

很多中国年轻人称自己为“精芬”，意指“精神上的芬兰人”。因为他们觉得自己就好比漫画中的主角马蒂，需要很大的个人空间。今年四月，卡罗丽娜•科尔霍宁分别在上海和北京举行了两场活动，和中国读者相聚一堂。两场活动的位子都很快被订爆，可见《芬兰人的噩梦》在中国年轻人中受欢迎之热烈程度。你想知道马蒂这个角色是怎么创作出来的吗？请看我们和卡罗丽娜的采访对话。< 你的一天是怎样开始的？ 可艰难了。我是个夜猫子，所以早起对我来说始终是一番挣扎。我通常先来一两杯意式浓缩咖啡，然后指望着它起作用。 你的儿时职业梦想是什么？ 有好多。我想当个作家、职业长笛手，乐队成员…… 你是怎么被吸引到图案设计这个领域的？ 是来自慢慢的成长过程吧。我在学校的时候就经常做些图案设计，我喜欢为我的其他兴趣定制海报，编辑图片，画标示，做些绘画和设计；也做了好多IT和网站设计的工作。除了《芬兰人的噩梦》，我做得最多的是用户界面设计和用户体验设计。两种工作领域我都乐在其中。 你的漫画《芬兰人的噩梦》在中国获得广泛的关注，你认为是什么使人们对此书那么感兴趣呢？ 我听说，在中国，尤其是80后和90后，比他们的父母需要更大的心理和物理空间，所以他们和《芬兰人的噩梦》产生共鸣。 你曾说《芬兰人的噩梦》博客是自然而然产生的，但是主角马蒂到底是怎么来的？ 当我制作《芬兰人的噩梦》的时候，一下子走红了。人们开始问我，这个角色是谁。这时我才意识到，他还没有名字，于是我开始搜索芬兰最普通的名字是什么，结果是加里，但我觉得我的角色不会叫加里。排名第二的最普通的名字是马蒂，我觉得挺般配的，所以就叫马蒂了。 而他之所以戴帽子，是因为我爸爸。我爸爸出国的时候总是戴这么一顶帽子，有时候在芬兰的时候也戴。现在因为这个漫画，他戴得更勤了。 你的创作过程是怎么样的？ 我从周围的人和我自己身上获得灵感。书里的很多场景都是我的亲身经历，事后想起来觉得“这真是一个芬兰人的噩梦啊！”有些主意是我的粉丝提供的。 我先画一个草图，有时候在便利贴上，有时候在电话上，取决于当时我身在何处。等我回到家，我就在电脑上把它画下来。 其他国家的人可以从你的漫画里学到什么呢？ 也许可以从中多理解一点芬兰社交文化中的怪现象吧，虽然漫画其实是有一点夸张的。 你最快乐的时候是什么？ 当我和朋友进行愉快的长谈。 你收到过的最好的反馈是什么？ 我喜欢收到读者的来信，告诉我他们自己，或者他们认识的某个人和马蒂如何相像。这些来自世界各地的故事读来相当暖心。 另一种我觉得挺可爱的反馈是我认识的人告诉我，当他们听到别人谈论《芬兰人的噩梦》的时候，他们什么也没说，就默默地在心里暗自微笑。这个简直就是马蒂的化身了。 中文里有个受你漫画启发的流行词“精芬”，意为“精神上的芬兰人”。在你看来，什么是芬兰文化的最佳代表？ 个人空间，无论是物理上还是心理上的。

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芬兰名人专访：和《芬兰人的噩梦》作者的10个问答

2020

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

2021

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)

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

we-should-find-again-our-respect-for-nature-and-the-fact-that-we-are-part-of-everything-surrounding-us-says-eicca-toppinen

“We should find again our respect for nature and the fact that we are part of everything surrounding us,” says Eicca Toppinen

”我们应该思考如何找回对大自然的尊重；事实上，我们都是周围万物的一部分。”—启示录乐队大提琴手艾卡•托皮宁（Eicca Toppinen)

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.

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“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.

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“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）

2022

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 two 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.

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

“The meaning of sisu lives, grows and changes,” says Katja Pantzar

 “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.

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“Without art and music, life would be soulless,” ponders Siamäk Naghian

“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. 

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

“There are many problems so complicated that classical computers will never be able to solve them,” says Jan Goetz

"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）

2023

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

“I get bored very easily with things,” says Minna Parikka

“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

2024

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