Culture

The culture of Finland incorporates indigenous heritage, with mainstream Nordic and European cultural aspects. Due to its history and geography, Finland's culture has been influenced by the traditions of the adjacent area's various Finnic, Baltic and Germanic peoples as well as the cultural developments in the former dominant powers Sweden and, for a much shorter period, Russia.

There are still differences between regions, especially minor differences in accents and vocabulary. Minorities maintain their own cultural characteristics, such as the Sami and Finland Swedes. Many Finns are emotionally connected to the countryside and nature, as urbanisation is a relatively recent phenomenon.

Historical Aspects

Before 1809, Finland was considered a periphery of the Swedish empire. Although Finnish-speaking, it was ruled from the west by a Swedish-speaking upper class. To the east, there was Karelia, a remote region little influenced by Swedish or Russian cultures, where Finnish and related Karelian was spoken, and where the songs of Kalevala originated. Therefore, Finland was isolated from other than Swedish cultural influences.

People

Traditionally, Finns have attributed themselves as typically straightforward and stubborn. The idea of achieving by unyielding is still commonly expressed with the term sisu, sometimes with an emphasis to the nationality as in suomalaisella sisulla ("with Finnish guts"). The qualities endurance, hardiness and toughness are implied also by the classic characterization katajainen kansa ("juniperous people") coined in by the writer Juhani Aho in 1899 - 1900.

Today, the Finnish society encourages equality and liberalism, with a popular commitment to the ideals of the welfare state, discouraging disparity of wealth and division into social classes. The Protestant work ethic remains a significant cultural staple, and free education is a highly prized institution.

The traditional occupation of Finns, like most Europeans, is agriculture. This is contrasted to the traditionally hunter-gatherer Sami people further north. Until the second half of the 20th century, Finland was an agrarian society, but in modern times Finns have increasingly embraced an urban lifestyle. Nonetheless many Finns maintain a fondness for a rural lifestyle close to nature, and it is a very typical practice to visit a summer cottage in the countryside during holidays. There is approximately one summer cottage to every five house holds in Finland. Of Finland's maritime and boating traditions tells the statistic that there is approximately one boat to every three households in Finland, not surprising in a country with thousands of lakes and a long coast line.

Cultural Attractions

Finland is also a place rich in culture for history, tradition and religion. There are churches and cathedrals scattered all across Finland reflecting the strong Finnish Lutheran following. There are also museums and examples of ancient architecture remaining from the reign of the Swedish Empire over much of Finland. These sites allure thousands for their significance and historical insight. Castles from the Swedish reign are found, for example in Turku, Hämeenlinna, Savonlinna. The city of Helsinki, on the other hand, is famous for its Grand Duchy era architecture, which resembles that of imperial St. Petersburg.

Throughout the summer, there are a range of international festivals, markets and performing arts including song and dance. The receding snow and everlasting sunlight also provide an opportunity for an array of outdoor activities. These activities range from golf, fishing, yachting, lake cruises, hiking, kayaking among many others. In the midst of summer, the Sun does not completely set and produces magnificent rays of light across the sky. Wildlife is abundant in Finland. Bird-watching is popular for those fond of flying fauna, however hunting is also popular. Moose, elk, reindeer and hare are all common game in Finland. The sport is highly regulated and also helps the economy.

Although many tourists visit for the ideal weather during the summer, winter also attracts hundreds of thousands for its Christmas festivities and winter sports and activities such as skiing, dog sledding and Nordic walking. Finland is regarded as the home of Saint Nicholas or Santa Claus. Santa's Post Office is also located in Finland, up in the northern Lapland region. Above the Arctic Circle, there is a polar night, a period when the sun doesn't rise for days or weeks. The polar lights in Finland also known as Aurora Borealis are an exquisite spectacle that draws people from around the globe.

Cinema

Finland has a growing film industry with a number of famous directors such as Aki Kaurismäki, Timo Koivusalo and actors such as Mikko Leppilampi.

Music

Much of the music of Finland is influenced by Karelian traditional tunes and lyrics, as comprised in the Kalevala. Karelian culture is perceived as the purest expression of the Finnic myths and beliefs, less influenced by Germanic influence, in contrast to Finland's position between the East and the West. Finnish folk music has undergone a roots revival in recent decades, and has become a part of popular music. The people of northern Finland, the Sami, have their own musical traditions, collectively Sami music.

Modern Finnish popular music includes a renowned death metal scene, in common with other Nordic countries, as well as a number of prominent rock bands, jazz musicians and hip hop performers. Iskelmä (coined directly from the German word Schlager, meaning hit) is a traditional Finnish word for a light popular song. Finnish popular music also includes a large amount of opera and various kinds of dance music; tango, a style of Argentinean music, is also popular.

Sports

Sport is considered a national pastime in Finland and many Finnish people regularly visit different sporting events. Pesäpallo (reminiscent of baseball) is the national sport of Finland, although the most popular sport in Finland in terms of television viewers and media coverage are ice hockey and Formula One racing. The Finnish ice hockey team is considered a member of the "Big Seven", along with Canada, Russia, the USA, Slovakia, Sweden, and the Czech Republic.

During the past century there has been a rivalry in sporting between Finland and Sweden, mostly in ice hockey and athletics (Finnkampen).

Finland is the home of Kimi Räikkönen and Mika Häkkinen who are both well-known in Formula One. Historically, Finland has produced the worlds best rally drivers with ex-world champion drivers Ari Vatanen, Hannu Mikkola, Juha Kankkunen, Tommi Mäkinen and Marcus Grönholm, among others, all hailing from Finland.

Some of the most outstanding athletes from the past include Hannes Kolehmainen (1890-1966), Paavo Nurmi (1897-1973) and Ville Ritola (1896-1982), who between them won 25 Olympic medals in track (18 gold and 7 silver medals). They are also considered to be the first of a generation of great Finnish long distance runners (and later other notable Finnish sportsmen) often named the "Flying Finns". Another long distance runner, Lasse Virén (b. 1949), won 4 gold medals in the 1972 and 1976 games.

Some of the most popular recreational sports and activities include floorball, Nordic walking, running and skiing. Well known alpine skiing winners are Kalle Palander and Tanja Poutiainen.