I founded Helsinki Times in 2007, at a time when Finland was a very different country. I had arrived more than a decade earlier and begun working as a doctor, in a period when the country had very few expatriates or immigrants.
I soon realised that integration into Finnish society was almost impossible without strong skills in the language. There were no accessible sources of information in English or other widely spoken languages. Building on this challenge, which I had first faced myself, I created Finland’s first English-language newspaper, SixDegrees.
SixDegrees was a free, printed publication, distributed at more than 500 locations across Finland and for a time in Tallinn as well. I believed strongly that integration is a two-way process. Most Finns already spoke English well, so I designed the paper as a shared platform. It introduced foreign residents to Finnish society, while also presenting Finns with the diverse individuals who had made Finland their home.
One of our most popular features was a monthly portrait column, which profiled interesting expatriates and advocates of multiculturalism. This Column was the gateway for introducing many talented expats and immigrants to the public, many of them going on to becoming well known in the country.
We also introduced Finns to ethnic foods and shops, and expats to the Finnish culture, building bridges of understanding on both sides. Some columns proved so successful that we published books based on them. Finnish After Dark, for example, presented the language through a human lens, teaching phrases with humour and context.
The response to SixDegrees was overwhelmingly positive. Experts, newcomers, and international Finns alike expressed appreciation. Yet many asked us for more news content. The monthly rhythm of the paper was not well suited to timely reporting, which led me to establish Helsinki Times.
Starting Helsinki Times required a personal leap of faith and significant persuasion of investors. We began with a small core of writers and freelancers, many of whom were new to journalism but eager for a chance. It is gratifying to see that several went on to become professional journalists and editors in other outlets.
Keeping an independent media alive was a constant challenge. For a time, the daily online edition combined with a weekly print version worked well. But the financial crisis in Europe and Finland reduced advertising revenues. At the same time, the decline of print media arrived faster than expected. After more than a decade, we closed the print edition and focused fully on online publishing.
We received no institutional or financial support from Finnish authorities or society. At the same time, we had to compete with YLE, which operated with taxpayers’ money. Balancing journalistic integrity with the financial realities of advertising was perhaps the hardest task. Advertisers are sensitive to controversy, and many withdraw support quickly when content challenges dominant narrative or addresses sensitive issues. Maintaining independence while staying viable was a constant struggle.
Change is rarely easy. But as a Finnish proverb says, “the graveyard is full of irreplaceable people.” Each of us grows attached to our roles and finds it difficult to imagine passing them on. Yet time moves forward, and torches must be handed to others.
I began contributing to Finnish society as a doctor, later expanded into writing and filmmaking, and then became a publisher and editor. I am proud of being the first immigrant in Finland’s history who wrote a book in Finnish. The book Gondwana’s Children then went on to win the prestigious Finlandia Junior prize, which was being awarded for the first time.
When a journalist once asked why I had made so many changes in my career, I replied, half in jest, “I am ticking boxes on my bucket list.” Only later did I realise that the offhand remark contained the truth.
The list still has boxes to be marked. With Helsinki Times now acquired by an international media company, I can step down as publisher and editor-in-chief. The paper enters a new chapter under new leadership. I wish them success and hope that the publication continues to serve Finland’s international community.
As for me, I will contribute to Helsinki Times from time to time, but I now turn to a new pursuit. My next focus is my medical start-up that I believe has the potential to transform the way doctors and nurses work each day. It is another box on the list, another path to walk, and one that may in time contribute to the betterment of healthcare and those who depend on it.
Alexis Kouros
