Cultural Hel

Well we had to postpone our original plans of visiting Malmi due to Heather losing her voice and not being able to communicate! So for this bonus episode Dan does most of the talking (sorry!) about his visit to Lux 2026 and a few other bits and bobs. Get all the latest on our travels and cultural experiences by following us on your social media of choice ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ .

With Heather still on holiday, we planned ahead (for a change!) and hosted a couple of interviews at the tail end of last year. Dan spoke with Yle journalist Ronan Browne about the English language podcast All Points North of which he is one of the hosts. Ronan delves into his favourite episode and much more as the podcast nears a milestone episode. Heather chatted with Hanna Similä about her work...

It's the last podcast of 2025 and Dan and Heather take a trip to one of Helsinki's most populous areas, Punavuori. Full of restaurants, bars and much more of interest, the pair delve (not so deeply) into some of the interesting sights and tastes Punavuori has to offer. Dan get's a bit carried away with the history of the area too! Get all the latest on our travels and cultural experien...

Dan and Heather are visiting the Christmas in the last bonus episode before a couple of weeks holiday. The sights, the sounds and smells of the festive season are all explored! Get all the latest on our travels and cultural experiences by following us on your social media of choice ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ .

It's the turn of possibly the smallest district of Helsinki, Eira in the latest outing of discovery. Despite being small, Dan and Heather find out more about the area, it's islands, embassies, eateries and more... Get all the latest on our travels and cultural experiences by following us on your social media of choice ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ .

Dan has been out and about packing in museum visits to give some ideas of what to do when you need a break from thinking about the impending Christmas shopping. Heather provides a list of Christmas markets to explore and what you might find when you do. Get all the latest on our travels and cultural experiences by following us on your social media of choice ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ .

Despite being a huge area, Ultuna doesn't have too much in it to explore! Comprised of Puroniitty and Landbo this is the second area visited which was part of Helsinki's land grab from Sipoo. Dan and Heather visit Puroniitty with dog to explore the large dog park and the end of the Landbo forest track (most of which is in Sipoo!). Get all the latest on our travels and cultural experiences...

Dan has been out and about seeing Diana Soria Hernandez's production Ashes and Seeds at Mad House and visiting the latest exhibition at Hakasalmen huvila, Stefan Bremer's "Helsinki by Night". Heather has changed her wheels ready for winter. And the pair talk about flag days and having cakes named after famous Finns. Get all the latest on our travels and cultural experiences by fo...

Pukinmäki is the district selected by the random number generator for this episode. Heather and Dan chat with the owner of Weiste , the only exclusively Christmas themed shop in Finland. One of the best sports pitches outside of the centre gets a visit as does the former fire station and of course the pair found somewhere to have coffee and cake! Get all the latest on our travels and cultural expe...

An interview with Mad House Helsinki about their performance space and a little about the current production there, Ashes and Seeds: A Commemorative Performance. Also chatting with Diana Soria Hernandez the creator of the performance. Dan's been out to visit the Sinebrychoff Art Museum and see Carmina Burana at Finlandia-talo. While Heather has been visiting another island and her obsession wi...

Dan and Heather see the sights of district 13. From lunch at Kuu Kuu to the Natural History museum, Arkadia bookshop to Temppeliaukio Church, there's something for everyone just a stones throw away from the centre of the city. Get all the latest on our travels and cultural experiences by following us on your social media of choice ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ .

Dan's been busy since the last episode, a visit to Sirkus Finlandia and a weekend away in a summer cabin with friends. Heather has been a little more relaxed and finally finished her jigsaw! We also discuss name days, something the Brit in Dan struggles to understand. And flag days and the school holiday which we're in the midst of are also in the mix somewhere! Give us a follow by finding...

Dan & Heather take on Alppiharju in this episode. Know for Linnanmäki, Musiikkitalo and having many, many bars, this episode delves deep into the heart of the area to find out if there really is something for everyone... Give us a follow by finding you social media of choice ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ .

Dan has spent 10 days visiting a selection of films at HIFF (Helsinki International Film Festival) while also finding time to see Robbie Williams at the Olympic Stadium. While Heather and Dan managed to visit the launch of Atenium's newest exhibition, Gallen-Kallela, Klimt & Wien. There's also some important days coming up, including what Heather has deemed Finland's tastiest day o...

Out in the sticks, Talosaari was part of the city of Helsinki land grab a few years back. Dan and Heather explore the area to see what's actually there... Give us a follow by finding you social media of choice ⁠here⁠ .

Dan took another trip to the Museum of Technology after the last episode to explore the childrens' section with his 4 year old and Heather has been out to Vallisaari to see more of the Helsinki Biennial. Plus a few more bits and bobs! Give us a follow by finding you social media of choice here .

So what is there to do in one of Helsinki's smallest boroughs? Well it turns out to be quite a lot actually! Technical Museum, waterfalls/rapids, nature walks and food trucks are all on the agenda in this episode. And follow Cultural Hel on your social media of choice ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ . We've got a lot of exploring to do together over the coming months, join us to discover more of the city!

A couple of weeks ago, Dan spoke with Ally Manson, director/writer and actor of new English language play The Inheritors (scroll back through the episodes to listen). In this episode Dan reviews (with the help of Heather) and a little more current chat is undertaken in this bonus episode. Tickets are still available for the last few days of the play and it's well worth checking out. And follow...

So season 2 is upon us! Heather and Dan begin exploring the capital borough by borough and we begin with Mustikkamaa. There's a lot more to it than just the entrance to Korkeasaari Zoo. Come and join us on our journey of exploration... And follow Cultural Hel on your social media of choice ⁠here⁠ . We've got a lot of exploring to do together over the coming months, join us to discover more...

In this weeks' mini-episode Dan has a chat with Ally Manson, co-director of Helsinki's only professional English language theatre company, Helsinki Contemporary Theatre Company . Their first production, "The Inheritors" will begin a 10 show run at Teatteri Toivo on Friday 29th August. Ally shares his reasons for starting the company, the themes of the play and more... Tickets ava...

Dan & Heather give an update of studying Swedish on Heather's return from a break away to Årland. And the pair reveal plans for the upcoming 60+ shows! Check out the grand reveal and maybe you can send us some ideas once you know what's in store! Check out our socials via your favourite ⁠⁠⁠⁠social media⁠⁠⁠⁠ .

While Heather's away Dan is left at the helm, so what better time to briefly chat about the upcoming Night of the Arts in Helsinki. A bit of self-promotion never hurt anyone!! Check out our socials via your favourite ⁠⁠⁠social media⁠⁠⁠ .

Dan & Heather braved the heat of the capital to take a look at this years' Little Italy Festival. However, that was enough outside activity, so they ventured inside to Musiikkitalo's open event and over to Taidehalli to see some interestingly evocative artwork too. Check out our socials via your favourite ⁠⁠social media⁠⁠ .

In this weeks' mini episode Dan has been dragging his daughter around some Helsinki museums and Heather has been out to South-Western Finland with the dog. Check out our socials via your favourite ⁠⁠social media⁠⁠ .

After a busy fortnight where Dan has been to Stockholm and Heather has been growing vegetables the pair took a trip to the Hesinki (Hesa) Cup to find out more about this now legendary football competition which has now hit the 50-year mark! Check out our socials via your favourite ⁠social media⁠ .