Finland Invites Singles Worldwide for Free Trip to Find Love
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Finland's tourism board is offering a free four-day culinary trip to 16 singles worldwide, including Israelis, in February 2027. Participants will engage in group dates and experience Finnish culture and cuisine, with renowned chefs Adela Kinonen and Henri Tikkanen leading the meals. The initiative, "Finnish Dinner Date," aims to boost tourism and promote Finnish food, inspired by a local trend of singles signaling availability with pink shopping baskets. Applications require a video submission and close on November 10, 2026.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Finland offers 16 singles a free four-day culinary trip in February 2027 to find love.
- The "Finnish Dinner Date" initiative is open to applicants worldwide, including Israelis.
- Participants will enjoy guided tours, nature activities, and meals prepared by top Finnish chefs.
- The campaign aims to promote Finnish cuisine and culture to an international audience.
- Applications require a video submission and close on November 10, 2026.
Finland's national tourism board is launching an innovative winter campaign called "Finnish Dinner Date" to attract international visitors. The initiative will offer 16 single individuals from around the globe a fully funded four-day culinary trip, covering flights, accommodation, and meals. The program, scheduled for February 2027, is open to Israelis and aims to foster connections, whether romantic or simply a love for the country.
Participants will be divided into two groups of eight, with one heading to Helsinki and the other to Tampere. Each group will experience a four-day itinerary featuring tours, nature activities, sauna experiences, and cultural immersion, including an introduction to Finnish cuisine. The highlight of the trip will be a group dinner where the international guests will dine with two local Finnish singles. The organizers emphasize that this is not a matchmaking service and there's no guarantee of finding a partner.
The culinary aspect of the trip will be led by two prominent Finnish chefs. In Helsinki, Adela Kinonen, Head Chef of Cafe Savoy and a "MasterChef Professionals" contestant, will curate the meal. In Tampere, Chef Henri Tikkanen, who has represented Finland in the prestigious Bocuse d'Or competition, will design the menu.
The campaign, part of a broader effort called "Have Some Finnish," aims to expose Finnish cuisine to an international audience. The concept draws inspiration from a viral Finnish trend of using pink shopping baskets, known as "Sinkkukori," as a signal that singles are available and looking to meet people.
Applications are open to singles aged 18 and over worldwide, excluding Finnish residents. To apply, candidates must submit a short video in English explaining what they would serve at a romantic dinner and why. The video should be uploaded to Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube with the hashtag #FinnishDinnerDate and by tagging the official tourism board accounts. The application deadline is November 10, 2026. Winners will be notified individually and announced on December 1.