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My Experiences of Finnishness

Thoughts on Finnishness by TAMK Students

Use SISU for good

SISU. Such a strong and weird word to be honest and also hard to explain to anyone outside Finland. Writing about Finland and Finnishness does not come easy for me. As a kid and teenager I felt very mixed towards Finland, always dreaming of life elsewhere and feeling like I’m not fitting in. Salmiakki was probably the only thing I liked about Finland back then. But during the years my love and proudness of Finland has increased. I have really learned to love things like sauna, winter, birch trees, Moomins, and cinnamon buns. But that is not everything about Finnishness for me. The most important thing has been to find out what SISU means for me. 

Finnishness: Peace, space, and a cup of coffee

For me, Finnishness is peace, silence, and contentment. It’s a long weekend at the cottage, a sauna, morning swims in the misty lake, a cup of Juhla Mokka from a blue-and-white Marimekko mug, a long stare out of the window into the emptiness and the freedom of not having to fill the silence with unnecessary words. It’s also so much more.

What Finnishness means to me - Forests, nature trails and karelian pies

When I first read the prompt for this blog I found it hard to describe what Finnishness means to me. Mostly because it’s something I don’t really think about. Feeling Finnish or thinking about Finnishness is mostly something that slowly sneaks up on me while I am far from home. It can manifest itself in missing a certain type of bread, craving a certain candy or simply missing the quietness of everyday life.

Exploring Finnishness: A Personal Reflection on Finnish Culture

Living abroad twice has given me a new appreciation for the peace and safety that Finland offers. Although I’ve had the opportunity to experience different cultures, there’s something truly unique about the sense of security and tranquility that defines life in Finland. It’s hard to put into words, but it's the peace in our daily lives, the clean air, the open spaces, and knowing that my whole family is here with me. Finland is more than just a place, it’s where I feel truly at home.

Finnishness - my experience

Finnishness to me is firstly about feeling safe and being grateful about living in such a beautiful country.