Sofia, December 6 (Lora Metanova of BTA) - The Finnish Embassy in Sofia has a calendar which counts down the days to Christmas with tales of happiness, Ambassador Kristiina Kuvaja-Xanthopoulos told BTA. The calendar is something of a trip around Finland where people who live in different parts of the country tell what happiness is to them.

Every day, the Embassy opens a window of the calendar and publishes the story on Facebook. The idea reflects Finland's standing at the top of the UN happiness ranking.

"I don't think there is one formula or secret to happiness," says Ambassador Kuvaja-Xanthopoulos. She, however, has an idea of what it may be in her country to take to the top of the happiness ranking. In Finland, everybody is equal regardless of their differences, including gender or in which part of the country they live. Also, there is low level of corruption, good governance  and a well functioning society. People feel they have a choice and are free to choose.

But at the end of the day, the feeling of happiness is subjective and very personal, the diplomat says. Ambassador Kristiina Kuvaja-Xanthopoulos tells with excitement of a popular Finnish tradition: winter swimming. Being one of the people who do it, she says it is growing in popularity: over 100,000 people swim in ice-cold water. "The water is really very cold and the shock is big at first but little by little one gets used to it until they get totally relaxed," she says. A lot of young people and even little children do winter swimming. One precaution is that one should never go alone in the freezing water.

The happiest country in the world marks its Independence Day on December 6. Because of COVID, however, there is not going to be a party. Finnish people celebrate Independence Day with their family and friends, and do things together. They love being outdoors and love nature, and they also like good food, the Ambassador says. Many families have their own traditions for this day.

For the national holiday, the Residence of the Finnish Ambassador opened up its doors to a BTA photographer for a virtual tour. The spirit of Finland permeates the interior. There are the famous glass birds of legendary Finnish designer Oiva Toikka, art by Rafael Wardy, original scores by Jean Sibelius, furniture by renowned Finnish architect and designer Alvar Aalto and the world-famous wave ("aalto" in Finnish) vase, which can be seen in every Finnish home. Ambassador Kristiina Kuvaja-Xanthopoulos says Finns take pride in their art and design. She also says that cooperation in the field of culture is among the priorities in the Embassy's work. One of the major events in the Bulgarian cultural calendar this year was the participation of Finnish director Mika Kaurismaki in Sofia Film Fest. Other priorities are EU-related issues and trade, the diplomat says. There are over 20 Finnish or Finnish-owned companies in Bulgaria and the Ambassador wants to see them become more. Also, the Embassy works with dedication to enhance the circular economy and sees a growing interest in it by Bulgaria as well, and is eager to share the Finnish experience in education and digitization.

LN/MY

Source: Sofia