Finnbrit

Hyvää juhannusta! Trevlig midsommar! Happy Midsummer!

May you all enjoy good company, good food, good sauna, and the midnight sun.

Finnbrit's Gothic Book Club will return in the autumn to discuss another selection of Gothic tales ranging from Victorian classics to contemporary works. The first session will be on Tuesday, 25 August as they review Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley.

The Finnish-British Society is proudly celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2026, marking a century of cultural exchange. If you'd like to know more about Finnbrit past and present, visit our dedicated Finnbrit 100 page, where we are sharing stories that have helped build a century of friendship between Finland and Britain

https://finnbrit.fi/finnbrit-100/

A moment to remember from Finnbrit’s rich history.
Back in May 1976, Finnbrit member and teacher Mark Shackleton had the unforgettable honour of meeting Her Majesty The Queen – a remarkable experience that remains a proud part of our story.

Visit our Finnbrit 100 page to hear Mark's recollection of the occasion.

Finnbrit 50/100

👑 A visit from Her Majesty

The photograph of H. M. Queen Elizabeth II and H. R. H. The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, still displayed in the Finnbrit Club Room today has a special history. It was presented to the Finnish‑British Society in May 1976, following the royal visit to Finland. Forty years later, in 2016, Finnbrit wrote to Her Majesty—and received a gracious reply:

“Her Majesty remembers her visit to Finland with great fondness and much appreciates your thoughtfulness in writing as you did.”

A lasting reminder of shared history and friendship between Finland and the United Kingdom.

🔗 Read more: https://finnbrit.fi/finnbrit-100/ -visit-from-the-queen

Jean Sibelius’ message to the British Council and the Finnish-British Society.
In May 1946, two landmark concerts in Helsinki—organised by the British Council and the Finnish‑British Society—introduced British music to Finnish audiences in the immediate post‑war period.

Both events were held under the patronage of Jean Sibelius and the British representative in Finland, Francis Shepherd. Jean Sibelius and Aino Sibelius attended the concerts, and Sibelius also sent a written message expressing his gratitude for the opportunity for Finnish music lovers to discover British music.
The message, later framed as a memento of the occasion, reflects a long‑standing cultural connection between the United Kingdom and Finland—one strengthened through music. Founded in 1926, the Finnish‑British Society continues to promote these ties today.

The appreciation of Sibelius’s music has long been a shared cultural bridge between the two countries. Read more on our Finnbrit 100 page.

Finnbrit 48/100

Welcome the summer with Finnbrit at our relaxed potluck picnic in the beautiful Sinebrychoff Park, Helsinki. Usually held on Whit Sunday, this year we will be holding it on Sunday, 7 June 2025 from 12:00–14:00.
Bring something to share and a blanket to sit on – Finnbrit will provide non‑alcoholic refreshments. It’s a family‑friendly afternoon with music, laughter, and a special visit from The Helsinki Morrisers, keeping alive a traditional Whitsun celebration.

Everybody is welcome – come and enjoy the spirit of Finnbrit 100 together.
Finnbrit 45/100

In today’s globalised world, proficiency in English is more important than ever. Having a certificate from Cambridge English can be a game-changer.

✅ International Recognition: Qualifications from Cambridge English are respected worldwide, opening doors to global opportunities.
✅ Career Advancement: Enhance your CV and stand out in a competitive job market.
✅ Skill Development: Improve your reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills.
✅ Confidence Boost: Gain the confidence to communicate effectively in any professional setting.

At Finnbrit, we offer both exams and comprehensive exam preparation to help you succeed. We also offer tailored training to ensure you achieve your best possible result.
Ready to take the next step in your professional journey? Contact Finnbrit for a free consultation. www.finnbrit.fi

Finnbrit goes to the Museum!
Tuesday, 9 June 2026
Welcome to the sources of William Morris’s inspiration: a dreamlike garden, the realms of history and legends! The Didrichsen Art Museum presents the first exhibition ever in Finland devoted to the work of William Morris (1834–1896). Morris was a reformer of design and a leading figure in the Arts and Crafts movement, whose rich and fairy-tale-like wallpapers and textiles remain timeless even today. The exhibition’s objects and original sketches are on loan from the collections of the William Morris Gallery and the William Morris Society in the United Kingdom.

The participants pay for their own entry ticket: Participants are recommended to have the Museum Card, which gives free entry to museum venues all over Finland.
The guided tour is funded by Finnbrit. The tour is free for members, and others pay 10€.

Picture credit: Pimpernel Wallpaper William Morris 1876 © The William Morris Society