Here is a selection of what the international press has published about Finland in the last week:
1,647-year-old common juniper in Finland identified as Europe’s oldest woody plant
The discovery of 1,647-year-old common juniper (Juniperus communis L.), now recognized as Europe’s oldest woody plant, in Finnish Lapland was covered in an article by The Jerusalem Post on February 21.
The article gives details of the study conducted by the University of Padua in collaboration with international researchers, emphasizing the adaptability of junipers to the toughest conditions.
This finding surpasses the previous record-holder, a 1,200-year-old Bosnian pine, by over four centuries. A research team led by Marco Carrer from the University of Padua used dendrochronology, the study of tree rings, to determine the juniper’s age. By analyzing its growth rings, they estimated that it sprouted in the year 378 CE. Despite its remarkable longevity, the juniper remains relatively small, with a trunk diameter of less than 10 centimeters.
The plant has survived extreme conditions, including freezing temperatures, nutrient scarcity, and climatic shifts, proving its resilience. This discovery challenges previous assumptions about the lifespan of shrubs and highlights the ecological importance of shrub communities. The juniper’s growth rings act as a natural archive, recording environmental changes over the past 1,600 years, making it a valuable resource for climate research.
It is also widely recognized for its culinary and industrial uses, particularly as a spice and a key ingredient in gin production. “Less known, however, is the fact that it is also the most widespread woody species on our planet: it is found from sea level to the upper limits of vegetation, from Alaska to Mount Etna, from Japan to Scotland,” Marco Carrer, a forest ecologist at the Department of Territory and Agro-Forestry Systems at the University of Padua said.
Original story was published by The Jerusalem Post on 21.02.2025 and can be found here.
‘N2.2m minimum wage,’ Finland opens application portal for Nigerians, other foreign workers
Finland’s seasonal work permit 2025 initiative for opportunities in agriculture, forestry, and tourism, aimed at foreign workers was covered in an article by Vanguard on February 23. The article looks into the initiative, allowing Nigerians and other foreign workers, to work in Finland for up to nine months within a year, to meet labour demands in key industries.
The applications are open for two types of permits based on the duration of employment. For work lasting up to three months, applicants from visa-required countries must apply for a seasonal work visa at a Finnish embassy, while those from visa-exempt countries can apply for a certificate for seasonal work. For jobs lasting between three and nine months, a residence permit for seasonal work is required, which must be obtained before entering Finland, with processing times taking up to 90 days.
To qualify, applicants must have a valid job offer from a Finnish employer and earn a minimum monthly wage of €1,430 (approximately N2.2 million per year) unless specified otherwise by a collective agreement. They must also secure accommodation that meets Finnish health and safety standards and ensure all application documents are properly submitted to avoid delays.
The application process involves securing a job offer, signing a legally binding employment contract, gathering required documents such as a passport and proof of accommodation, selecting the appropriate permit type, paying the necessary fees, and tracking the application status through the Finnish Immigration Service’s website.
Original story was published by Vanguard on 23.02.2025 and can be found here.
A Thai ski jumper’s Olympic dream – from a snowless childhood to the slopes of Finland
Korawik Saendee, a 15-year-old ski jumper and Nordic combined skier, representing Thailand at the Junior World Skiing Championships in Lake Placid was covered in an article by Skoki Polska on February 21. The article highlights the remarkable feat of Korawik, as Thailand, a tropical country with no natural winter sports culture, has never been associated with ski jumping.
His journey into the sport began after moving to Finland at the age of 10 with his Finnish stepfather, Marko Näremaa, who introduced him to winter sports. Having never participated in organized sports before, Korawik quickly adapted, using observation and imitation to learn ski jumping, as he initially did not understand Finnish.
His talent became evident as he trained in Lahti under experienced coaches, including former ski jumper Jari Larinto and Markus Liekari. In addition to ski jumping, Korawik has competed in other winter sports like biathlon, winning multiple Finnish championships. However, he ultimately chose to specialize in ski jumping and Nordic combined.
Despite being embraced by the Finnish skiing community, Korawik remains committed to representing Thailand internationally. However, ski jumping is virtually unknown in his home country, and training opportunities are scarce. His family, along with the Thai Ski Association, covers his expenses, but financial constraints make it challenging to access top-tier training facilities.
“That’s why we need a new manager,” Marko Näremaa, stepfather of Korawik told Skoki Polska. “Someone who can help us secure sponsorships. So far, we’ve managed to sign contracts with two brands – Atomic and Rex, as well as several local companies,” he said.
Looking ahead, Korawik has already competed in the Youth Cup for Nordic combined and plans to enter the FIS Cup and the Continental Cup next winter. While participation in the upcoming World Championships in Trondheim is uncertain, the long-term goal is to compete at the World Championships in Falun in 2027 and Lahti in 2029, with hopes of making it to the Olympics.
Original story was published by Skoki Polska on 21.02.2025 and can be found here.
In Estonia, they thought about it: how cheap Finnish electricity became expensive for the Baltic States
Estonia facing a significant disparity between its electricity import costs and the export prices from Finland was covered in an article by Eurasia Daily on February 19. The article explores the gap, that has resulted in additional costs of nearly half a billion euros for Baltic consumers over the past five years.
Andrus Dureiko, Chairman of Eesti Energia, highlighted that while Finland exported electricity at €11.3 per megawatt-hour (MWh), Estonia imported it at €92 per MWh. The price difference is attributed to the structure of the electricity market, where the variance between Finnish and Estonian price zones benefits system operators. In the previous year, Estonia’s operator, Elering, and Finland’s operator, Fingrid, each collected over €80 million in congestion charges.
This situation intensified after Estonia, along with Latvia and Lithuania, exited the BRELL energy ring connecting them with Russia and Belarus. This move necessitated the search for new reserve capacities and coincided with periods of low renewable energy production. Consequently, wholesale electricity prices in the Baltic states surged, with average monthly rates increasing from €89-91 per MWh to €155-156 per MWh, and peak prices reaching €500 per MWh. In contrast, Finland’s average monthly prices remained around €59 per MWh.
“Now the whole government subsidy scheme smells of the fact that this critically important issue for the Estonian consumer was solved not on the basis of accurate calculations, but through a political deal. In addition, public investment in the favorite technology of politicians can lead to excessive investments, which, in turn, will make life in Estonia even more expensive,” Hando Sutter, the head of the Estonian Employers’ Union said .
Original story was published by Eurasia Daily on 19.02.2025 and can be found here.
HT
