The sound of the four seasons
Finland has four beautiful seasons, each very different from the others. You can hear the differences between the seasons in Finnish compositions.
Finland has four beautiful seasons, each very different from the others. You can hear the differences between the seasons in Finnish compositions.
Before, my understanding of Finland and Finnish culture was limited to four seasons, cold weather, saunas, and Santa Claus. Now, after travelling, meeting people from different cultures, and having many interesting conversations about culture, I have come to the conclusion that culture is so much more than that.
Finland is not a loud country. It does not try to impress you. But the longer you spend here, the more it gets under your skin in the best possible way. Two things have stayed with me the most: the sauna and the silence. Both have taught me something I did not expect to learn.
Before coming to Finland, I had heard that Finnish people are quiet, honest, and highly organized. However, after living and working here, I started to understand that these characteristics are deeply connected to their culture, education, and social system. In this post, I would like to share my personal experiences and observations about three important aspects of Finnish culture: honesty and trust, silence and communication style, and work-life balance.
Finnish culture is often associated with nature, cold winters and sauna. However, Finnishness is much more than that. It includes traditions, cultural values and everyday habits that shape the Finnish lifestyle. In this post I will introduce some key aspects of Finnish culture and explain what they tell about Finnishness.
How did I experience the Finnishness?
Finns are often described as people who value silence and personal space more than many other cultures. But is this really true, and what does it tell us about Finnishness?
The lakes, the forests and the Finnish nature is a big part of Finnishness.
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 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 is a multifaceted experience, quality and frankly way of life that every person has their own opinion about. These are some elements of Finnishness that I've come across as a Finn who has lived her whole life in Finland... Surprising right?
Finland, just like any other country, has a culture of it's own. Many Finnish people tend to be proud of being a Finn. In this blog post I will write about my own experiences of Finnishness and what it means to me.
I hail from the small, but colourful country of the Netherlands, maybe you've heard of it. I have lived in Finland for over 5 years, half a year of it in 2017 and 4.5 years now since 2019. As such, I think I can contribute my two cents about Finnishness, but from a more Dutch perspective.
Interculturally we have a world in common
My point of view on the way of life in Finland, built on embracing the simple building blocks.
In Finland, silence is not necessarily uncomfortable; it can be a sign of comfort and respect toward others' time. Finnish small talk is a doorway to the genuine and authentic people.
I have travelled quite a bit and lived and worked abroad before. I can make myself home anywhere, but I still strongly identify as a Finn. Finnish nature, culture, food and language are important to me.
In this blog post I ponder Finnishness from the perspective of its social dynamics and the contrast between its modesty and appeal. I address the question of why Finns keep coming back to Finland from travelling or living abroad.
My thoughts about Finnishness
Summertime vigor and beautiful nature