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My Experiences of Finnishness

Category: Yleinen

Exploring Finnishness: The Spirit of Finland

Finland might be a small Nordic country, but Finnishness is rich and multifaceted, shaped by a history of resilience, a connection to nature, and an emphasis on equality and honesty. Many elements of Finnish culture are unique, and as the world becomes more interconnected, people are increasingly fascinated by the values, lifestyle, and traditions that define Finnish identity.

Getting to know Finn-land

Finnish culture is often described through its simplicity, resilience, and deep connection with nature. When I came to experience it myself 3 years ago, I created my own understanding of what it means to be Finnish, with sauna, silence, and the Finnish concept of sisu on the forefront.

My Finnishness as a foreigner

Everyone that visits Finland leaves with a piece of the country still within them, so even as a foreigner you can have Finnishness in you.

Finnish student culture and overall traditions

Studying in Finland is already such a great privilege to have but it gets even better. Instead of sitting in your room studying too much or sitting in the lecture all day, Finland cares about their students. As a student you can enjoy countless of associations, clubs, events, parties and most importantly new knowledge without overworking yourself.

The Four Seasons and the Essence of Finnish Life

When people move to Finland, they often describe our culture as unique, peaceful, and deeply rooted in nature. For me, the concept of "Finnishness" is closely linked to the rhythm of the seasons, the connection to the outdoors, and the sense of security that are part of everyday life.

Finnishness

Weather and sauna are the two most commonly used words in Finnish culture.

Finnish summer

Finland is one of the happiest countries in the world. I think that our summer is the reason why it is like that. Nature is at its finest and people are having long holidays. It's the perfect time to hang out with families and friends.

Some thoughts about Finnishness

I step out of the sauna. I take my towel and a bottle of beer. Walking down the stairs, I feel how the soft wind sweeps my face. I look at the darkening sky and hear some lonely blackbird whispering. Time stands still and I know I’m safe here. For me, finnishness is somehow a mix of a nature, peace and presence.

My experiences of Finnishness

My experience of Finnishness is all about the unique blend of nature, freedom, and community that makes this country so special. A lot of people picture Finland as a country with amazing scenery, including thousands of lakes and snowy wilderness areas. Indeed, Finland is often celebrated for its natural beauty, and I really appreciate the tranquil serenity that comes with it.

The Magic of Finnish Summers: Endless Days and Cottage Dreams

In Finland, summer is more than just a season—it's a breath of fresh air after the long, cold winters. As the sun lingers in the sky, casting an endless glow over the landscape, Finns embrace every moment, retreating to cozy cottages, gathering for pesäpallo games, and immersing themselves in the natural beauty that surrounds them. Whether it's the magic of the midnight sun or the tranquility of lakeside living, Finnish summers are a time of connection—both with nature and each other. Things that we finnish people experience during my favorite season, summer.

Finland Swedish Finnishness

My name is Miranda and I’m a Finland-Swede. Fennoswede, is another word for it, and it simply means the people in Finland who speak Swedish. And I am one of them. In this blogpost I will dive in deeper into what being a Finland Swede means to me.

Finnishness

When I think of Finland, it reminds me of thousands of lakes, clean forests and perseverance. But if I look at Finnishness beyond these terms, it reminds me of history, freedom, purity, enterprise, great seasons and rye bread. I am also amazed at the diversity of nature that we have in Finland. I am surprised at how much of Finland is very much uninhabited, which becomes more pronounced the further north we go. I think one of the best things about Finland is its nature. It's something I would miss if I lived anywhere else. Of course, the thought is mainly of our island, where we have our cottages. There, the Finnish nature and the Finnishness defined for me is highlighted: clear water, berries, mushrooms and fishing, northern lights, cleanliness, family and presence.

Finnishness from my point of view

Finnishness is usually connected with unique nature, Santa Claus, and people who drink the most coffee. All these things are true but I have noticed how individual experience finnishness can be. In this post, I'll open up what Finnishness means to me and what are the things I especially appreciate in Finland.