Helsinki: Sisu - Empire to Equality, History & Politics｜Finland

Discover a hidden, uniquely Finnish Helsinki. At Helwalk, we want to show you a different part of Helsinki, a part you wouldn’t otherwise see!

Join us to explore hidden secrets, local wonders, exciting establishments, and more off the beaten path. Discover the true essence of Finnish Helsinki and learn about its origins and driving forces. From Swedish royalty to Russian imperialism, through war, assassinations, political turmoil, and rebellion, Finnish national identity endures. Through revolution against an Empire, the invasion of the Soviet Union, and a flirt with dictatorship, modern Finland emerges as a unique social democracy in the modern world. The tour will have a focus on Finnish national identity and how the modern political landscape and values were shaped by a history of war, revolution, and social responsibility.

Filled with a history of art, design, ingenuity, and intrigue, the Finnish capital has so much to see and learn that it is easy to miss. Let us show you! Hear the story of how Finnish national identity is formed and shaped, and how this builds the social democratic republic of modern Finland.

The tour starting point is at the metal sculpture in the Pikkuparlamentti park, close to the Finnish parliament. We will walk towards Töölö to see some unique Helsinki architecture as it changes from Art Nouveau to functionalism. We will also see where the city centre meets nature and walk by one of Helsinki’s most beautiful bays and witness how modern Helsinki was built around that, and what role the Cold War played in this.

The tour will end next to the Oodi library, only a few minutes’ walk from the starting point. The library is open daily (except for public holidays) and is definitely worth a visit after the tour!