Swedish-speaking Finns

The Athens Municipality Symphony Orchestra takes the stage at the Olympia Theater (59 Akadimias, oly.gr) with a symphonic repertoire titled "Sea." Emmanuelle Bertrand, a globally renowned French cellist, will perform English composer Edward Elgar's poignant Cello Concerto, while the program will conclude with Finnish composer Jean Sibelius' Symphony No. 3.

Istanbul's Yapı Kredi Bomontiada displays an exhibition, titled 'Asia from West to East,' which consists of photographs taken by former president of Finland, C.G. Mannerheim, during his journey from Central Asia to China in the early 1900s. The exhibition can be seen through Feb 6.

The Children's Choir of the Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) won the grand prix at the 8th International Sibelius Festival in Finland. The radio choir became an uncontested winner in the category "Children's Choirs" with singers up to the age of 16.

This year's edition of the Sofia International Literary Festival will focus on the modern Nordic literature.

The event, taking place between November 25 and December 14, will include presentations of notable Nordic authors and critics, such as Henning Werp, Sofi Oksanen, Kurt Aust, Thomas Enger, Thorstein Thomsen, etc.

Jyrki Katainen, who has resigned as Finnish Prime Minister, is to replace EU Economic Affairs Commissioner Oli Rehn who was elected to be MEP in May.

This is an interim office for Katainen, who will stand down in October when the new Commission is to be appointed, Finnish broadcaster YLE reports.