AGP Executive Report

Finnish Hockey: Kempele-born goaltender Pekka Rinne was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, sharing the 2026 class with Carey Price, Patrice Bergeron and others. On Screen: Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel and Jonathan Groff will reprise their “Frozen” roles for National Geographic’s “The Real Frozen,” a wildlife series set across Finland and other Nordic landscapes. Finnish Music: Guitarist Olli Soikkeli joins Brazilian musician Cesar Garabini for a Helsinki performance of choro, blending Finnish and Brazilian musical talent. Homegrown Horror: Rosamund Pike is set to star in “Feed,” a body-horror film inspired by Finnish movie “Hatching.”

Screen: Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff and Josh Gad reunite for National Geographic’s The Real Frozen, a wildlife series set across Arctic landscapes in Finland and other Nordic countries. Finnish Music: Cello-metal band Apocalyptica will join Powerwolf’s 2027 European arena tour as support, while a recent feature spotlights Finland’s rock camps and the creative space they offer young people. Film: Rosamund Pike will star in Feed, a body-horror film inspired by Finnish movie Hatching. Arts: A new exhibition in Pärnu traces the history of Finnish islands ceded to the Soviet Union through photographs, archival footage and residents’ memories. Live Music: Finnish guitarist Olli Soikkeli brings Brazilian choro to an Atlanta duo concert with Cesar Garabini.

Finnish Christmas Abroad: South Korea’s Ludensia theme park has partnered with Finland’s Santa Claus Foundation to bring Finnish Christmas traditions, carols and Santa-themed events to its winter programme. Youth & Music: Finland’s Rock Camp is creating an inclusive space for young people to learn rock and metal, express themselves and find a sense of belonging. New Music: Finnish modern metal band Event Relentless released “Light The Fuse,” a preview of an album due in early 2027. Finnish Film Influence: Rosamund Pike’s upcoming horror film Feed is inspired by Finnish film Hatching, while Finnish slasher Dark Christmas has unveiled a trailer.

Finnish Metal: Event Relentless have unveiled “Light The Fuse,” a hard-hitting, melodic preview of their album due in early 2027. The band has played more than 150 shows across 15 countries. Music & Belonging: Rock camps in Finland are giving young people more than a chance to learn guitar: instructors say the sessions help participants find their voice, connect and feel included. Nightwish Reimagined: Former DragonForce singer ZP Theart has released a grittier take on “Nemo,” the Finnish band’s 2004 hit, with a studio performance video. On Screen: Filipino family drama “Buddy” brings its story of a father reconnecting with his grown children to Helsinki, where their struggles complicate the picture of life in the “happiest country in the world.”

Finnish Jazz Abroad: Finland’s Pekka Pylkkanen and Igor Agrich brought their duo to Doha’s Katara European Jazz Festival, which wrapped with Maltese jazz and Spanish flamenco after showcasing artists from nine countries. Screen Spotlight: Tallinn’s Black Nights Film Festival opened its 30th edition with lifetime awards for Estonian animator Priit Pärn, whose teaching has influenced a generation of animators in Finland and beyond. Music: Floor Jansen says leaving Nightwish followed a long period when the band could no longer work through difficult times together. Bullet For My Valentine also announced a Helsinki date on its 2027 European tour. Finnish Horror: Rosamund Pike will star in Feed, a new body-horror film inspired by the Finnish movie Hatching. Hockey: Finland is among the countries opposing Russia’s return to international tournaments; the IIHF is exploring how to comply with a court ruling, while Belarus remains barred from the 2027 championships.

Hockey: The IIHF will keep Belarus out of the 2027 championships while exploring Russia’s return after a court ruling. Finland is among the nations opposing Russia’s reinstatement, with boycotts still a possibility. Finnish Film: Rosamund Pike will star in Feed, a body-horror film inspired by Finnish director Hanna Bergholm’s Hatching. Metal: Former Nightwish singer Floor Jansen says the band could no longer get through difficult periods together. Helsinki’s Beast in Black is also heading to North America, while Bullet for My Valentine’s upcoming European tour includes a Helsinki date. Helsinki Culture: Malaysia’s embassy celebrated Deepavali in Helsinki, bringing Finnish and Malaysian communities together.

Finnish Music: Floor Jansen says leaving Nightwish followed a relationship that could no longer weather difficult periods. Bullet for My Valentine will release a new single featuring Lorna Shore’s Will Ramos on Nov. 12, ahead of a European tour that reaches Helsinki in February. Finnish Film: The slasher Dark Christmas, set at a deadly influencer gala, has unveiled its trailer ahead of a December release in Finland. Rosamund Pike’s upcoming body horror Feed is also inspired by Finnish film Hatching. Moomin Style: Bottega Veneta’s new Moomin collection brings Tove Jansson’s beloved characters to luxury bags and leather charms, with a wider release set for Nov. 18. Hockey in Helsinki: The Seattle Kraken are heading to Finland for two games against the Carolina Hurricanes next week, a rare home-crowd chance to see NHL action.

Hockey Standoff: Finland is preparing tighter entry rules for Russian athletes and says its teams will not play Russia while the war in Ukraine continues. The dispute over Russia’s return is also putting Germany’s plans to host the 2027 world championship in doubt. Finnish Horror: The trailer is out for Dark Christmas, a Finnish slasher set at an influencer gala, due in Finnish cinemas this December. Separately, Rosamund Pike will star in Feed, a body-horror film inspired by Finnish movie Hatching. Metal Releases: King Satan released its album Black Magick Abraxas and a video for “Ride the Lion.” Insomnium announced guest drummers for upcoming shows while Markus Hirvonen takes time off for the birth of his first child.

Finnish Film: Rosamund Pike will star in and produce Feed, a body-horror film inspired by Finnish movie Hatching. Leslye Headland is directing the story of a young gymnast’s viral rise and disturbing transformation. Finnish Music: Korpiklaani frontman Jonne Järvelä will release solo album Harjumaa in December. Basketball: Finnish guard Elina Aarnisalo is returning to UCLA after a season at UNC, rejoining the team where she began her college career. Books & Culture: Nigerian author Tomi Falade brought African literature, art and crafts to October’s Helsinki Book Fair, drawing interest from Finnish readers. Hockey: Finland says its national teams will not play Russia while the war in Ukraine continues, amid growing opposition to Russia’s return to international competition.

Finnish Film: Newlyweds EA Guzman and Shaira Diaz star together in Buddy, a family film shot entirely in Finland. Music: Finnish singer Vilma Jää is among 15 nominees for the 2027 Music Moves Europe Awards, with winners announced in January. Korpiklaani frontman Jonne Järvelä plans to release his solo album Harjumaa in December. Festival News: Nummirock has revealed its first 2027 acts, including Kreator, Norther and Insomnium.

Film Production: Filipino newlyweds EA Guzman and Shaira Diaz are starring together in Buddy, a family film shot in Finland, where they also celebrated their first wedding anniversary. Dating in Finland: Visit Finland is offering 16 singles an all-expenses-paid February 2027 trip to Helsinki or Tampere, with food experiences and a blind group dinner. Hockey Standoff: Finland and other European nations say they will not play Russia at the 2027 world championship; sponsors Škoda and Strauss have also raised the prospect of withdrawing support if Russia competes. Jazz: Finnish musicians are among performers from nine European countries at Qatar’s Katara European Jazz Festival, running through November 7. Classical Music: Swedish conductor Herbert Blomstedt, who spent part of his youth in Finland, has died at 99 after a career spanning more than seven decades.

Hockey Standoff: Finland says its teams will not play Russia while the war in Ukraine continues, joining a growing boycott after a court cleared Russia to return to international competition. Sponsor Škoda also says it will reassess backing the 2027 men’s world championship if Russia takes part, adding pressure on the IIHF. Finnish Culture Abroad: Finland Week in Qatar put Finnish food and music in the spotlight, with a tasting event at Katara and Finnish jazz performances planned for the European Jazz Festival. Music: Celebrated conductor Herbert Blomstedt, who grew up in Finland and Sweden, has died aged 99 after a career spanning seven decades. Travel & Dating: Visit Finland is offering 16 singles an all-expenses-paid February trip to Helsinki or Tampere, with saunas, cultural outings and dinner with local singles.

Hockey Standoff: Finland is rallying other nations to refuse to play Russia at international championships while the war in Ukraine continues. Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Latvia and the Czech Republic have joined the boycott, while sponsor Škoda says it may reassess its backing if Russia competes. Canada says Russian and Belarusian players will be barred from the World Juniors in Alberta. Finnish Culture Abroad: Finland Week in Qatar showcased Finnish food, music and heritage, with Finnish jazz also set to feature at the Katara European Jazz Festival.

Hockey: Finland says its teams will not play Russia while the war in Ukraine continues, joining a growing European boycott that could complicate the World Juniors in Canada this December. Gaming: Finnish studio Remedy’s revenue more than tripled in the third quarter, with CONTROL Resonant becoming its fastest-selling game. On the Ice: Finland beat Canada Red 5–1 at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. Finnish Music: Metal band Demonessa released its Taste of Blood EP and video, while alternative group Sara announced a new album and shared a track.

Hockey Standoff: Finland says its national teams will refuse to play Russia while the war in Ukraine continues, and is seeking support from other hockey nations after a sports court ordered Russia’s return to international competition. Rally Return: Finnish champion Kalle Rovanperä is set to return to the World Rally Championship in 2027, joining Toyota’s expanded line-up. Finland Meets Dating: A tourism campaign will invite 16 international singles to candlelit Finnish food-and-dating dinners in Helsinki and Tampere next February. Arts & Music: The Finnish National Gallery is exploring women and esotericism in a new exhibition, while Finnish metal acts Demonessa and Sara have unveiled new releases. Helsinki Wildlife: Photographer Konsta Punkka, whose urban animal portraits have earned him more than a million Instagram followers, is finding creative inspiration close to home.

Ice Hockey: Finland’s national teams will refuse to play Russia while the war in Ukraine continues, the Finnish Ice Hockey Association said after a sports court ordered Russia’s return to international tournaments. Music: Finnish metal band Amorphis joins Moonspell’s 35th-anniversary Moonfest in Lisbon next year, alongside Zeal & Ardor and other acts. On Screen: “Buddy,” a family comedy-drama set in Finland, marks Philippine producer Lucky Blanco’s directing debut and opens in Philippine cinemas on Nov. 4. Winter Culture: Helsinki’s Tuomaan Markkinat returns to Senate Square in late November, serving Finnish Christmas treats and glögi. Biathlon: Eurosport and TNT Sports have extended their rights deal for at least four seasons; the first event under the agreement takes place in Finland on Nov. 24.