Happy Land

Why is Finland consistently named 'the happiest country in the world'? And do the Finns, famed for their quiet resilience (sisu), dark winters and passion for heavy metal, even recognize this description?


Long-term expat Tim Bird draws on detailed research and his own forty-year immersion in Finnish culture to reflect on these intriguing questions. Exploring a nation whose deference to its Soviet neighbour dramatically evolved into a whole-hearted commitment to the West and EU membership in a few decades, he provides a clear-sighted and affectionate portrait of its distinctive landscape, language and way of life.


Moving beyond the usual clichés of saunas and the Moomins, Happy Land invites you to step inside Finland's true psyche, uncover its authentic roots, and discover the secrets of its special brand of national identity and contentment.

'It's hard not to like Bird's fair and objective appraisal of a highly likeable country' Irish Times

'This hugely enjoyable journey through life in Finland resonates deeply with my own experience and understanding of this extraordinary, wonderful country' Bruce J. Oreck, former US ambassador to Finland

'Warm and witty, with just the right amount of wacky, Happy Land has me plotting my own Finnish adventure' Kate Wickers, author of Shape of a Boy