Swedes and Estonians are regarded closest to Finns
Финляндия отделилась от Швеции 200 лет назад, но 28% респондентов опроса, проведенного финской газетой "Хельсингин Саномат", считают Швецию самой близкой по менталитету страной к Финляндии. Эстонский менталитет признали самым близким 26% респондентов, в то время как 18% считают, что к финнам ближе всего норвежцы. И только 5% полагают, что самый близкий по духу народ к финнам - это русские. Опрос был проведен среди 100 влиятельных финнов в области науки, искусства и СМИ.
Helsingin Sanomat, 27.03.2009
Finland split off from Sweden 200 years ago, but 28 per cent of the respondents on a Helsingin Sanomat panel see Swedes as the neighbouring nation that is the closest to the Finns in terms of mentality. The Estonian mentality is seen as closest to that of the Finns by 26 per cent, while 18 per cent feel that Finns and Norwegians have the most in common, and just 5 per cent see the greatest affinity between Finns and Russians.
Factors that unite Swedes and Finns include a cultural tradition, and similar legislation and social institutions, says Professor Kimmo Rentola.
Essayist Antti Nylén notes that Finnish and Swedish living conditions are similar.
“Houses are heated, taxes are paid, people drive their own cars, and there is not much blustering, fear, or sulking. We are a kind of obedient nation of consumers.”
The psychological landscape of the Swedes is surprisingly close to that of the Finns, says Professor Kari Enqvist. “The only difference is that they have good manners.”
The Swedish mentality can be seen in old Finnish movies. It has the face of Finnish actor Leif Wager and a lace collar, says artist Silja Rantanen. “We think that Swedes are like we are, except a bit more friendly, civilised, and rich”.
In spite of the 200 years of state separation, Finland and Sweden continue to fill each other out, and would so so even more if they were together, says Professor Laura Kolbe.
“Ingvar Kamprad (IKEA) and Alvar Aalto would be really strong on the European scene if they were together. So let’s bring the two countries together again!”
Translator Jukka Mallinen says that Estonia and Finland are united by the Fenno-Ugric origin and languages, as well as by later events, such as the Swedish-German colonisation made in the name of Rome, and a period as part of the Czarist Russian Empire.
“If our histories went in different directions between 1940 and 1991, it does not wipe away the common fate of two thousand years, the common geographical realities, the waves of civilisation coming from Central Europe, and the Kalevala and Kalevipoeg epics."
Both the Estonians and the Finns have suffered from inadequate conditions, and have developed a strong sense of community, uncomplicated enterprise, and a spirit of working together, says semiotician Vaula Norrena.
A traumatic past unites Finland and Estonia, says Annamari Vänskä, a researcher of visual culture. “Although Finland was never actually occupied, Finland was under the spiritual occupation of the Russians all the way to the beginning of the 1990s.”
Elina Gusatinsky, editor-in-chief of the Russian-language newspaper Spektr, feels that it is a grotesque idea, but quite possible, that both Finns and Estonians will build their identities on the basis of being different from Russia and the Russians.
“If there were no Russia, many Estonians and Finns would find it hard to find themselves”, she laments.
Norwegians and Finns share a similar relationship with nature, says media researcher Juha Herkman. “The time of living in the forests is still in the spinal cords of both countries. Nature is respected, and people go there to find peace.”
Environmental author Juha Kuisma feels that Finns and Norwegians are outdoor people with an ability to talk straight.
“The only thing that bothers me about Norway is the relentless nationalism - the flag-waving.”
Like the Finns, the Norwegians have been “under bigger elbows”, says museum director Markku Valkonen.
Russians and Finns share a partiality to drink, observes musician Tommi Liimatta.
“But we also need to learn to relax, so that we don’t tremble when the law says to.”
Director Sirkku Peltola feels that Russians are close to Finns through their masterful art.
“I often feel that in no other country have authors been born, who would be more capable of describing the movements of my Finnish soul.”
Professor Juha Sihvola also feels that heavy drinking is the most important factor uniting Finns and Russians.
“Otherwise there is a deep mental gap between the Finns and the Russians, no matter what [historian] Matti Klinge might say."
Finns are not a unified group in terms of mentality, says Archiatre Risto Pelkonen. He feels that there are great differences between Finns in the east and the west of the country.
Many respondents questioned the whole concept of national mentality as a vague and harmful generalisation, which leads to stereotypes. Historian Markku Ruotsila feels that talking about mentalities is based on a mistaken assumption that each nation has a common character.
“This, of course, is not the case - at least not in the view of anyone except National Socialists.”
The HS panel comprises over 100 influential people in the arts, sciences, and the media compiled by the culture desk of Helsingin Sanomat.
http://www.hs.fi/english/article/HS+panel+sees+Swedes+as+closest+to+Finns/1135244695107
Helsingin Sanomat, 27.03.2009
Finland split off from Sweden 200 years ago, but 28 per cent of the respondents on a Helsingin Sanomat panel see Swedes as the neighbouring nation that is the closest to the Finns in terms of mentality. The Estonian mentality is seen as closest to that of the Finns by 26 per cent, while 18 per cent feel that Finns and Norwegians have the most in common, and just 5 per cent see the greatest affinity between Finns and Russians.
Factors that unite Swedes and Finns include a cultural tradition, and similar legislation and social institutions, says Professor Kimmo Rentola.
Essayist Antti Nylén notes that Finnish and Swedish living conditions are similar.
“Houses are heated, taxes are paid, people drive their own cars, and there is not much blustering, fear, or sulking. We are a kind of obedient nation of consumers.”
The psychological landscape of the Swedes is surprisingly close to that of the Finns, says Professor Kari Enqvist. “The only difference is that they have good manners.”
The Swedish mentality can be seen in old Finnish movies. It has the face of Finnish actor Leif Wager and a lace collar, says artist Silja Rantanen. “We think that Swedes are like we are, except a bit more friendly, civilised, and rich”.
In spite of the 200 years of state separation, Finland and Sweden continue to fill each other out, and would so so even more if they were together, says Professor Laura Kolbe.
“Ingvar Kamprad (IKEA) and Alvar Aalto would be really strong on the European scene if they were together. So let’s bring the two countries together again!”
Translator Jukka Mallinen says that Estonia and Finland are united by the Fenno-Ugric origin and languages, as well as by later events, such as the Swedish-German colonisation made in the name of Rome, and a period as part of the Czarist Russian Empire.
“If our histories went in different directions between 1940 and 1991, it does not wipe away the common fate of two thousand years, the common geographical realities, the waves of civilisation coming from Central Europe, and the Kalevala and Kalevipoeg epics."
Both the Estonians and the Finns have suffered from inadequate conditions, and have developed a strong sense of community, uncomplicated enterprise, and a spirit of working together, says semiotician Vaula Norrena.
A traumatic past unites Finland and Estonia, says Annamari Vänskä, a researcher of visual culture. “Although Finland was never actually occupied, Finland was under the spiritual occupation of the Russians all the way to the beginning of the 1990s.”
Elina Gusatinsky, editor-in-chief of the Russian-language newspaper Spektr, feels that it is a grotesque idea, but quite possible, that both Finns and Estonians will build their identities on the basis of being different from Russia and the Russians.
“If there were no Russia, many Estonians and Finns would find it hard to find themselves”, she laments.
Norwegians and Finns share a similar relationship with nature, says media researcher Juha Herkman. “The time of living in the forests is still in the spinal cords of both countries. Nature is respected, and people go there to find peace.”
Environmental author Juha Kuisma feels that Finns and Norwegians are outdoor people with an ability to talk straight.
“The only thing that bothers me about Norway is the relentless nationalism - the flag-waving.”
Like the Finns, the Norwegians have been “under bigger elbows”, says museum director Markku Valkonen.
Russians and Finns share a partiality to drink, observes musician Tommi Liimatta.
“But we also need to learn to relax, so that we don’t tremble when the law says to.”
Director Sirkku Peltola feels that Russians are close to Finns through their masterful art.
“I often feel that in no other country have authors been born, who would be more capable of describing the movements of my Finnish soul.”
Professor Juha Sihvola also feels that heavy drinking is the most important factor uniting Finns and Russians.
“Otherwise there is a deep mental gap between the Finns and the Russians, no matter what [historian] Matti Klinge might say."
Finns are not a unified group in terms of mentality, says Archiatre Risto Pelkonen. He feels that there are great differences between Finns in the east and the west of the country.
Many respondents questioned the whole concept of national mentality as a vague and harmful generalisation, which leads to stereotypes. Historian Markku Ruotsila feels that talking about mentalities is based on a mistaken assumption that each nation has a common character.
“This, of course, is not the case - at least not in the view of anyone except National Socialists.”
The HS panel comprises over 100 influential people in the arts, sciences, and the media compiled by the culture desk of Helsingin Sanomat.
http://www.hs.fi/english/article/HS+panel+sees+Swedes+as+closest+to+Finns/1135244695107