Finns

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Finns

LOCATION: Finland
POPULATION: 5.3 million (2007)
LANGUAGE: Finnish; Swedish
RELIGION: Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, Orthodox Church of Finland

INTRODUCTION

Politically, Finland is less than 100 years old, having been under the domination of its neighbors, Sweden and Russia, for centuries. However, the Finns are an ancient people and Finland's oldest existing cities date back as far as 1220 (the capital city of Helsinki was founded in 1550). Known for their independence and resilience, the Finns are among the very few neighbors of the former Soviet Union who were not overpowered by it politically and militarily. They repulsed a Russian attack on the eve of World War II, while not actively supporting the Germans, whom they had to remove from their borders in a bitter struggle at the war's end. Relaxing somewhat its perennial concern with guarding its independence, Finland joined the European Union in 1995.

LOCATION AND HOMELAND

Finland is one of the world's two northernmost nations (the other is Iceland). It is a flat country slightly larger than the state of New Mexico and dotted with numerous lakes. Most of its terrain is covered by spruce, pine, and birch forests. About a quarter of the country lies above the Arctic Circle; this area is often covered with snow half the year while experiencing brief summers when the sun shines for up to 24 hours a day (giving it the nickname "the land of the midnight sun").

With about 5.3 million people, Finland is one of the world's least densely populated countries. In 2008 the Finns accounted for about 93% of the country's total population. They are thought to be descended from Germanic tribes. About 6% of the population was Swedish. The country had small communities of Russians, Estonians, Roma (gypsy), and Sami (Lapps).

LANGUAGE

About 93% of Finns speak Finnish, while approximately 6% speak Swedish, both of which are official languages. Finnish belongs to the Finno-Ugric family of languages and is not related to any of the major European languages. It resembles Estonian and some other languages spoken south and east of Finland and also has a distant resemblance to Hungarian. Finnish is characterized by the use of many vowels and few consonants, and it does not have separate words for articles, prepositions, and pronouns, which are indicated by altered word endings. It is a completely phonetic language.

maanantai	Monday
tiistai	Tuesday
keskiviikko	Wednesday
torstai	Thursday
perjantai	Friday
lauantai	Saturday
sunnuntai	Sunday

yksi	one
kaksi	two
kolme	three
neljä	four
viisi	five
kuusi	six
seitsemän	seven
kahdeksan	eight
yhdeksän	nine
kymmenen	ten

FOLKLORE

Finnish folklore includes many tales tending toward the mysterious and melancholy, such as that of the abandoned foundling Star-Eyes. Charms and superstitions are also plentiful. Someone desiring to find wealth without earning it was traditionally instructed to sit—at Midsummer—on top of a house whose roof had been replaced three times and watch for fires over a swamp or lake. Another Midsummer Night ritual involving the flowering of a fern was said to make a person invisible.

RELIGION

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland (Finnish Lutheran) and the Orthodox Church of Finland (Finnish Orthodox) are the state churches. In 2007 about 83% of the population was Finnish Lutheran. While rites such as baptism, confirmation, marriage, and funerals are still important for most Finnish Lutherans, it is estimated that as few as 2% attend church regularly. An estimated 1% of Finns belong to the Finnish Orthodox Church. As state churches, both are primary agencies responsible for birth, marriage, and death registrations. Non-members, however, may register at other state agencies. A church tax of up to 2% of personal income is required of members as part of their income tax. Those who are not members of these churches are not required to pay the tax.

Smaller communities of faiths include Roman Catholics, Muslims, Mormons, Jews, and Jehovah's Witnesses. There is also a civil register of individuals not affiliated with any church.

MAJOR HOLIDAYS

Most Finnish holidays are those of the Christian calendar. Christmas—a bright point of light in the dark of winter—is the most important holiday of the year for Finns. All regular activities come to a halt at noon on December 24 with the ringing of church bells proclaiming "the peace of Christmas," and at sunset families place candles at the graves of their loved ones. Then there is a Christmas Eve sauna, followed by a festive meal. Some of the Finnish Christmas customs—such as the use of decorative straw goats—retain associations from the pre-Christian solstice celebrations that were later merged with the Christian holiday. New Year's Day, Epiphany (January 6), Good Friday, Easter Monday, and Ascension Day are all public holidays as well.

May 1 is actually several holidays rolled into one. It is a celebration of spring, a special day for student celebrations, and the Socialist Labor Day, marked by parades and speeches. Midsummer (Juhannus) is celebrated in late June with bonfires throughout the country. Independence Day is celebrated on December 6.

RITES OF PASSAGE

Finland is a modern, industrialized, Christian country. Hence, many of the rites of passage that young people undergo are religious rituals, such as baptism, confirmation, and marriage. In addition, a student's progress through the education system is marked by many families with graduation parties. At the ceremony for graduation from secondary school, students receive white caps and roses along with their matriculation certificates. Military service for young men could be viewed as a rite of passage. The period of service usually begins after graduation from secondary school and last for a period of 6 to 12 months. Young women have the option of volunteering for military service, but only about 1% actually do so.

INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS

A famous word used to describe the Finnish character is sisu, which connotes a spirit of perseverance and resilience. In addition to sisu, autonomy, independence, and respect for the independence of others are inculcated in Finns from childhood onward. Finns are also known for caution, reserve, and silence. According to a Finnish proverb "silence is a person's best friend, for it remains behind after the rest has gone." When Finns do speak, their speech is usually quiet; loud conversation in public will tend to draw stares and interrupting the conversation of others is considered to be extremely impolite. They are typically undemonstrative in public and place great value on privacy. On the other hand, Finnish attitudes toward the body—like those in other parts of Western Europe—make American customs look puritanical by comparison. Small children routinely bathe nude in the sauna with their parents. There are over 1.5 million saunas.

A quick, firm handshake with direct eye contact and a brief nod of the head is customary when greeting a friend or a business associate. Surnames and titles of Mr. or Miss are generally used until one has been invited to use a person's first name.

LIVING CONDITIONS

There are three basic types of dwellings in Finland: apartment complexes (kerrostalot), single-family homes (omakotitalot), and row-houses (rivitalo). The typical Finnish apartment is smaller than its American or British counterpart—usually only two or three rooms and a kitchen. In many detached homes, a shower and sauna take the place of a bath. Most Finnish homes have been built since World War II. Traditional pre-war homes were wooden and those in the country often constructed by the owner with the help of neighbors, an example of the custom of communal assistance called talkoot. In the cities, many of these older buildings have been demolished and replaced by apartment complexes. Many Finns enjoy the picturesque forests and lakes of their country in summer cottages, usually either rented or borrowed.

Finland has a high level of health care, and the entire population is covered by health insurance. While the nation has one of the world's lowest rates of infant mortality, its mortality rates for men over the age of 25 are somewhat higher than those in most other developed nations due to a high incidence of heart disease. Alcoholism and suicide are also leading causes of death. The sauna has traditionally been associated with medical care; women commonly gave birth in saunas before hospital birth delivery became the norm. In 2008 the average life expectancy was estimated at 78 years, with 75 years for men and 82 years for women.

Every part of the country is accessible by road and the highway system is undergoing constant expansion. However, winter driving is a challenge due to snow and ice. Over 8,850 km (5,500 mi) of rail cover the nation and provide links to Sweden and Russia. Finnair Oy, the national airline, provides both domestic and international service. Finland's merchant marine is one of its lifelines, and the nation is renowned for its shipbuilding.

FAMILY LIFE

While family is important to Finns, the structure of family has changed quite a bit over the years. In 2006 only 32% of all families could be considered traditional, in that the family consisted of a married couple with children (usually two). Another 34% of families were married couples without children. Most couples will live together for a time before making a decision to marry. The percentage of couples opting for common-law marriage (sometimes referred to as a "trial marriage") has been increasing into the 21st century. In 2006 about 21% of all families were formed through common law marriage. While a pregnancy may have once inspired a couple to marry, it is not unusual for a couple to retain their common law marriage status while signing a joint custody agreement for the child. Couples expecting a second or third child might be more likely to enter into a formal marriage. Two-income households are the norm whether or not the marriage is common law or legal.

Both mothers and fathers are offered paid leave packages from work in order to care for their newborns, and employers are typically generous in allowing time off to care for children who are ill. By law either parent may stay home to care for their infants (without losing their job) until the child is three years old. During this leave, the family receives an allowance through the Social Insurance program.

Reports indicate that almost half of all marriages end in divorce. Same-sex couples may be legally registered as a couple.

CLOTHING

Finns of both sexes sport modern Western-style clothes, including men's suits for work or formal occasions and jeans for casual wear. The traditional national costume has many regional variations but basically consists of a long, full, gathered skirt (often solid black with a red border), white blouse, vest, and cap for women, and a full-sleeved white shirt with stand-up collar, colorful waistcoat, and trousers for men (regional variations might include pointed shoes, a collarless shirt, or gold knife belt).

FOOD

The Finnish diet does not differ a great deal from other Western diets. Seafood plays a large role in the Finnish diet. Milk is also prominent both as a beverage and as a basic ingredient in various curdled, soured, or cultured dairy products. It is also used in soups, stews, and puddings. The Finns eat three meals a day: breakfast (aamiainen), hot lunch (lounas), and dinner (päivällinen), which is eaten at around 5:00 or 6:00 pm. As in other parts of Scandinavia, the "cold table" plays a central role in the Finnish diet. The typical buffet of fish, meat, cheeses, and fresh vegetables eaten with bread and butter—called smørrebrød in Denmark and smörgäsbord in Sweden—is known as voileipäpöytä in its Finnish incarnation. Hot dishes include kalakukko, a pie made with small fish and pork; Karelian rye pastries stuffed with potatoes or rice; and reindeer stew. Popular dishes from Finland's neighbor, Russia, include borscht, beet soup with sour cream, and blini, a type of pancake. A popular delicacy is viili, a cultured dairy product that resembles yogurt. A common breakfast consists of cereals, hot porridges, and cold cuts. Many Finns gather wild berries and mushrooms for meals.

The Finns have the world's highest rate of coffee consumption per person. Coffee drinking in Finland constitutes a ritual that has been compared to the tea ceremony of Japan. Coffee may mark a time of day (afternoon coffee, evening coffee), a place (sauna coffee), or a special occasion (name-day coffee, engagement coffee, funeral coffee). At its simplest, coffee is accompanied by a sweet bread called pulla; more elaborate coffees may include a salty dish as well as a pulla ring or buns, cookies, and cakes. The serving table is often adorned with fresh flowers.

EDUCATION

Practically all Finnish adults are literate and schooling is compulsory and free. All students complete a basic nine-year program. Formal schooling starts at the age of seven. The school year lasts from mid-August to the end of May, with a long Christmas break and a one-week skiing holiday in the spring. The Finnish educational system places great emphasis on foreign languages. Two foreign languages are studied in the primary grades and a third added in the seventh grade. Languages studied commonly include English, Russian, French, and German. After the nine years of comprehensive schooling, students may opt for either vocational or secondary (college preparatory) school. In order to enter a university, students must receive their secondary school certificate and pass an exam. There are 20 universities in Finland and many vocational schools.

CULTURAL HERITAGE

Due to its geographic location, Finland's cultural heritage has been impacted by both Eastern and Western influences. Finland's national epic, the Kalevala, has made an important contribution to its fine arts. Elias Lönnrot first collected and published the folk tales of the Kalevala in 1835. It has inspired numerous musical compositions, including several works by Finland's greatest composer, Jean Sibelius, as well as many sculptures and paintings, notably those of Akseli Gallen-Kallela. Although the great 19th-century writer Johan Ludvig Runeberg wrote in Swedish, a portion of his Tales of Ensign Stal was adopted for the Finnish national anthem. The first major author to write in Finnish was Aleksis Kivi, who also lived and wrote in the 19th century. Prominent 20th-century writers include Frans Eemil Sillanpää, who won the Nobel Prize in 1939, Mika Waltari, and Väinö Linna.

Finland is especially known for its great singers and the art of opera has flourished in recent times. Large-scale works are produced at the Savonlinna opera festival held on the grounds of a 15th-century castle every summer. In the classical music world, the best-known Finnish name currently is that of the young composer and conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen.

Linus Torvalds, known worldwide as the man who developed the Linux operating system, was born in Finland, as was Sari Maritta Baldauf, the former head of Nokia Networks. Nokia was founded by Fredrik Idestam, who became known as the father of Finland's paper industry after building his paper mill on the banks of the Nokianvirta River. Eric Tigerstedt was the first person to implement a working sound-on-film technology.

WORK

In 2007 roughly 66% of Finns between the ages of 15 and 74 participated in the labor force—a high percentage in proportion to the total population. As in most Western nations, the trade and service sectors accounted for the greatest number of jobs in 2007 at about 66%. Industry and construction accounted for another 27%. Young people may work at the age of 15 if they have completed the nine compulsory years of comprehensive schooling, but there are laws governing the number of hours and the times during which they may work.

SPORTS

Finns excel at individual rather than team sports, and particularly at activities that require stamina. The primary national sport is skiing, which was invented by the Finns: Finnish skis have been found dating back 3,700 years. While Finns today ski for enjoyment, skiing used to be an important means of transportation, especially for traveling from one village to another. With more than 200 ski jumps in Finland, one can be found in most towns and villages. Long cross-country ski trips are organized on Sundays. Finnish children are introduced to winter sports at a young age, and even in school their classes are punctuated by a recess for outdoor activities every 45 minutes. Besides skiing, hockey is the favorite winter sport. In summer Finnish baseball is popular.

The Finns are also known for their great long-distance runners. Paavo Nurmi (1897-1973), known popularly as "The Flying Finn," was a famous athlete and national hero who won nine Olympic gold medals between 1920 and 1928. Today many of Finland's star athletes are race car drivers. Other popular sports include swimming, skating, and soccer.

ENTERTAINMENT AND RECREATION

Finland, with one of the highest literacy rates in the world, is a nation of readers. The libraries are used extensively, and most people are book buyers, even though books are expensive. Helsinki boasts one of the world's largest bookstores, books are sold everywhere in the country, and serious literary works are serialized in popular magazines. For the size of its population, Finland has many newspapers and a high number of book titles published annually. Finns also enjoy the theater and are avid fans of soccer (called football).

Perhaps the favorite leisure-time activity in Finland is relaxing in the sauna. Most private homes have saunas and many city apartments are equipped with them. It is quite common for a Finn to invite a friend over for time in the sauna, which soothes tired muscles and melts away worries. This might be followed by a light meal and/or cool drinks. Finns enjoy entertaining at their homes, whether as dinner parties or simply casual gatherings of friends.

FOLK ART, CRAFTS, AND HOBBIES

Finland's tradition of folk poetry, also called rune song, has been preserved in the Kalevala, which was assembled and published by Elias Lönnrot in the 19th century. A traditional craft that is flourishing today is the production the woolen ryijy rug, which dates back to the 14th and 15th centuries. Originally used to keep warm on boats or sleighs or to keep out drafts, they eventually evolved into decorative hangings which today may combine as many as 100 different colors. These rugs were traditionally produced by women, while men made furniture, harnesses, and the sheath knife (puukko) used for hunting and fishing. Other Finnish crafts include ceramics, woodworking, glassware, sculpture, and textiles.

SOCIAL PROBLEMS

Alcoholism is a pervasive problem in Finland, as it is in the neighboring countries of Norway, Sweden, and Russia. Some social tension exists between ethnic Finns and minority groups, particularly against Roma and immigrants. Trafficking in persons has been a problem as Finland has been seen as both a destination and a transit spot for trafficking operations that primarily involve women and children. While prostitution is legal in Finland, trafficking and pimping are not. Some foreign women are lured into prostitution rings with the promise of higher wages and better working conditions, but are then forced to work longer hours for little pay under the fear of abuse or deportation. Both men and women have been brought into the country illegally to work in construction, restaurants, or domestic service. The government and various social organizations have taken measures to investigate and prosecute those involved in human trafficking, and to locate and assist victims.

GENDER ISSUES

In 1906 Finland became the first nation to give women the vote in national elections. In 2000 Tarja Halonen became the first woman president of Finland. Men and women are legally required to receive equal pay for equal work; however, in fact women receive 18% less pay than men on average. Within the family structure, men and women generally take on equal roles and both often work outside of the home. Both men and women are permitted to take up to three years of leave from work in order to care for their infant children; however, women most often take advantage of this right. Most women enjoy a high level of financial independence. Nearly two-thirds of young women leave their parents' homes before the age of 20 to live independently or with a companion. Young men tend to remain in their parents' home slightly longer, until they have completed their military service. Women and men have equal opportunities in education. Equality in both work and education seems to have resulted in a rising number of adults who choose to remain single or simply live together rather than marry. The average age for marriage is about 30 for both men and women.

Homosexuality was decriminalized in Finland in 1971, but it remained illegal to promote it. Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation was prohibited by law in 1995. Same-sex unions were made legal in 2002. Finnish support for same-sex marriage stood at about 45% in 2008. There is a significant gay community in Helsinki.