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Finnish state radio has been broadcasting a weekly summary of world events and news in classical Latin. Though initially the broadcasts could only be heard via shortwave radio, they are now available on the station’s website via podcast and MP3 downloads, allowing Latin aficionados across the world to tune in. Tuorno Pekkanen, a retired Latin professor, helped to start the five-minute segment that airs every Friday. Mr. Pekkanen translates the news spots and chooses subjects that have broad significance, from the financial crisis in Cyprus to sights of the aurora borealis. Though the station doesn’t have records of how many listeners tune in, one station reporter estimates “tens of thousands”. Though many languages are becoming extinct, the station has seemingly revived the Latin language for many listeners, regardless of their proficiency in Latin.

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