Article by Maria Naronina
Any business starts with people. And you won’t find happier people than South Ostrobotnians. While Finland has ranked first in the annual UN Happiness Report for nine years in a row, according to a survey commissioned by Municipality Finance, the happiest Finns live in South Ostrobothnia. This makes us the happiest region of the happiest country. What makes it so special? Let’s try to find out by exploring some of the region’s best features.
The administrative and cultural centre of Seinäjoki was designed by the renowned architect Alvar Aalto. It consists of six Aalto buildings completed in 1988: The Lakeuden Risti Church, Seinäjoki City Hall, Seinäjoki City Theatre, Aalto Library, Parish Centre and Central Government Offices.
The Seinäjoki Civic Center is unique on a global scale. Alvar Aalto’s organic architecture is characterized by closeness to nature and free lines. The buildings border the square paved with granite and cobblestone. According to Aalto’s suggestion, the square was designed for conferences and summer meetings, and of course as a meeting place for citizens. Alvar Aalto wished that squares intended for the assembly of people would promote a “new renaissance” for the forming and exchange of opinions through social interaction.
The Aalto Center is the beating heart of Seinäjoki, promoting spirituality, education, and art, fostering a thriving community.
Next to the city center in a lush riverside landscape is Frami – Seinäjoki’s largest office building complex and event center.
Frami is a hub for businesses, higher education and university research, as well as the city’s most significant conference and congress centre. More than 1,000 employees from companies and organisations and around 5,000 students work in the Frami area. The conference and congress centre hosts more than 800 events annually.
Frami’s A, E and F sections are used by Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences, while section C houses the research groups and researcher hotel of the Seinäjoki University Centre.
Frami is also an attractive and modern location for companies. Frami’s flexible premises serve a wide range of companies, such as auditing, law and architectural firms, sales and marketing companies, finance and insurance companies, training and human resources companies, as well as operators in the technology industry, environmental business and construction sectors.
Frami is more than a space, it’s a thriving community. Frami creates a unique environment that allows businesses, innovations and research to thrive together.
Just a few blocks away from Frami stands a 130-year old red brick cowshed. Despite its look, the building is in fact a unique art and culture centre – Kalevan Navetta. It offers exhibitions of contemporary art, arts and crafts workshops, concerts, dancing and dining.
Kunsthalle Seinäjoki is showcasing art exhibitions and offering a varied programme of art events. The exhibition spaces and multidisciplinary community at the Art and Culture Centre offer a thought-provoking contemporary art programme. You can enjoy it at your own pace or book an art exhibition tour for your group. The restaurant Äärellä offers local and seasonal culinary experiences, while the lunch is served in cups and pots on a buffet table. Taito shop has a unique selection, including clothing, home goods and souvenirs, specifically commissioned to Finnish craft entrepreneurs and designers. The center also has 4 picturesque venues to host official and unofficial events, celebrate birthdays and even organize a wedding.
Kalevan Navetta is a perfect place for art lovers who want to experience authentic local culture.
An hour drive from Seinajoki is the village of Tuuri. While the village’s population is just about 500, it is home to Finland’s biggest department store – Keskisen Kyläkauppa. Its unique design is hard to miss – with huge horseshoes next to it, a castle-like exterior and interior that hosts a unicorn mural and replicas of world’s most famous statues.
The Department Store is a shopping paradise with a selection of over 250,000 products. But Keskisen Kyläkauppa is more than just a store. It has lavish accommodations, fine dining and entertainment that attract over six million visitors annually. There are hundreds of big and small events organized in the Kyläkauppa area every year. One of the most anticipated ones is the Miljoona Tivoli fair when an amusement park takes over the yard every summer, bringing fun for the whole family.
Whether it’s shopping or entertainment, Keskisen Kyläkauppa is sure to leave an impression.
To the north, on the shores of Lake Kuortane, is the municipality of the same name. Despite the population of just over 3,300, it’s home to a unique multisport international training, wellness, and education center – Kuortane Olympic Training Center.
Kuortane sports high school, a sports institute and training facility where many young Finnish athletes study and train are overseen by the Finnish Olympic Committee. The center offers training facilities for both sports enthusiasts and elite athletes striving for peak performance, organizes courses and training camps, and serves as an educational institution in the field of sports. The campus offers versatile indoor and outdoor facilities, accommodation, and restaurant services. A new sports spa and swimming center opened its doors in May 2026.
What’s more, during the midsummer season, the center hosts Kuortane Games – an annual athletics event with a long-standing tradition dating back to 1921.
With its rich culture and history, hospitable business environment and thrilling entertainment, South Ostrobothnia offers plenty of opportunities for people and businesses to grow.
