The harsh winters of Finland are a surprise to many travellers who enter Finland during winter season, we have this thing called Kaamos. it roughly translates to never ending night at the northern parts of Finland. Even in most southern point of Finland the sunlight duration is minimal.
You could say Finnish people were molded by darkness which carries over to our heartwarming hospitality to help a fellow stranger in dire situations. Tied to this is sisu, a mindset deeply embedded in the Finnish soul. It’s about not giving up, refusing to quit, and pushing through the worstcase scenarios even when the odds are against you and tomorrow is uncertain.
But on the otherside of all these dark, gloomy and depressive aspects, there is also something that you cannot find anywhere else in the whole world. undistractable calmness when you are surrounded by only forests, lakes or swamps. It allows you to escape all the hassles of society, and breathe fresh air far away from the constant noise and rushing of modern life. In that silence, the harshness of the north doesn’t feel oppressive, but rather it feels grounding.
This deep connection to nature isn’t just a feeling; it is written into our laws. In Finland, we have a unique concept called jokamiehenoikeus, Everyman’s Right. It grants anyone the legal freedom to roam freely through forests, pick wild blueberries and mushrooms, camp for the night, and swim in the thousands of lakes, regardless of who owns the land.
In Finland, the silence isn’t empty, it’s full of answers. The darkness will test you, and sisu will carry you through, but it is this calmness that ultimately brings you back home to yourself.
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