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.
Sauna and the countryside: two pillars of Finnish culture
When I think about what I love most about Finland, a few key elements come to mind: the quiet independence of the people, the beauty of our distinct seasons, and the rich cultural traditions that make life here so special.
Finnishness is a sum of many great and unique elements that sets us apart from other nations and their people. In my blog post I will open a few of the elements which I believe are cornerstones of Finnishness.
To many people Finns might first seem grumpy and pessimistic. But honestly, I think us Finns are more like hobbits from the Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. We value our food, friends and family, we like a good party, and most of us prefer a more simplistic lifestyle. But what makes our Finnish way of life unique?
Finns value their personal space and love spending time in nature, often retreating to quiet lakeside cottages for activities like fishing. They prefer simplicity in life and food, embracing natural ingredients and a peaceful lifestyle. This connection to nature and simplicity contributes to Finland's reputation as the happiest country in the world.
People usually associate Finnishness with rigidity, reservedness and aloofness - but that's not the whole truth, because even though many Finnish people need their own personal space, they can also be very helpful even to strangers. That can be seen for example in everyday life or in social media platforms, when people ask and receive help from strangers.
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?
Finnishness is a pretty broad concept by itself. I believe that everyone has their own perception of it, and that there is no simple way to explain it without experiencing it. However, after travelling around the world a lot and living in other countries like China, I've had to try to explain Finnishness a lot of times. The following will be my explanation on the key things of Finnishness that I always mention when someone asks about it.
