Finnish Culture "Suomalainen kulttuuri"

Thursday 4 May, Welcome to Finland class were conducting presentations in English (with some support words in Finnish) to the other students and to facilitators Niina, Antti and Mari whilst on a Porvoo Tour.

The Afternoon events begun at Porvoo Cemetery with students Sabit, Moe, Gael and Ronald detailing religions in Finland or “uskonnot Suomessa”. Many of the population in Finland are Christians, approximately 80 % belong to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland (Suomen evankelis-luterilainen kirkko), religious groups such as Orthodox, Jehovah’s witness, catholic, seventh day Adventists and Muslims communities are also in Finland. The Finnish people have the permission to select their personal religion and practice it.

After the detailed discussion, Graveyard culture or “hautausmaakulttuuri” was presented by Iain and I. This concept of Graveyard culture is quite new as it begun when Finland gained their independence in 1917, and a civil war broke out because some of the fighting men were “Jägers” (German word - Elite Light Infantry). A Jäger movement, comprised of Finnish volunteers who trained in Germany during WWI to make Finland a sovereign state. This support from Germany weakened the Russian Army. For some years, these men had not been home, many family members were not aware that their sons, brothers or fathers were Jägers. It was decided that these brave men be sent home to their home parish and be buried.

To this day, the Finnish community still reflect on those who spared their lives for the freedom Finland and to the loved ones they have lost by lighting a candle or “Hautakynettä” on their grave is important. Some or many of our loved ones are not with us anymore. A respected tradition in Finland is to remember them all during All Saints’ Day, all hallows, Easter, birthdays, anniversaries and Christmas. The graves are visited and candles are lit on the graves. If people do not have the ability to visit a grave due to geography reasons, people can visit other cemeteries’ that are dedicated to ones buried elsewhere. (muualle haudattujen muistopaikka)

I have had the pleasure to witness Porvoo cemetery lit up with candles on Christmas eve. The temperature was about – 5 degrees with no snow. It was extremely full of many people paying their respect. It is of custom to not talk in the cemetery but if they do they whisper.

The final presentation at Porvoo cemetery was delivered by Anastasiia, Ayana and Anna to discuss Runeberg. Johan Ludvig Runeberg is a national poet of Finland. He is the eldest of six children and grew up in Pietaraai. In 1827 Runeberg received his masters in Art and begun to write poetry. He wrote many of his poetry in Swedish (Svenska), many of the poems he wrote detailed life in rural Finland. and was fond of Swedish literature. JL Runeberg was involved in the modernisation of the Finnish Lutheran hymnal and made many texts for the new edition. He married his second cousin Fredrika Runeberg who too wrote poems and novels. They had eight children and his eldest son became a sculptor who was Walker Runeberg.

5 February is celebrated as Runeberg day (day of his birth) and is celebrated by enjoying his favourite pastry filled with almonds called “Runebergintorttu”.

In 1865, he suffered a stroke where he became incapacitated and sadly on 6 May 1877, he died and was buried in Porvoo cemetery.

200 years after his birth (2004), Finland commemorated Runebergs appreciation to their history by making a commemorative 10-euro coin. It features his face on one side and features the 1831 Helsingfors Tindningar Swedish language newspaper as he wrote many of his pieces in Swedish.

After these early afternoon activities, Cristina and Jason gave basic facts about Porvoo.

• It is the 21st largest municipality in Finland

• 50 kilometers east of Helsinki and Region of Uusimaa with a population of just over 50,000

• Population officially speak Finnish (65%) and 31% speak Swedish or "Svenska".

• Top 10 must see places in the world for its tranquil Old town or “Vanha kaupunki”.

Porvoo have small restaurants that come alive in the Summer, there’s lovely small museums and galleries you can visit and learn from with their unique history.

We journeyed to Haikkoo, a park close to Porvoo. The nature was beautiful as you could see the nature bloom as Spring has finally come. Many people go to Haikkoo for a wedding gift as there is a day spa facility people can go to.

We had the chance to hike to an observation deck to see how surreal the nature is. Bae, Mu, Quynh and Uyen gave the class information about Finnish activities and leisure or “Aktiviteetit ja vapaa-aika”. The Finnish community love to spend their time outdoors and this is a vital part of the Finnish life. Some of these include:

• "Melonta" - Kayaking

• "Sauna" - Sauna

• "Kesämökki” - Summer cottage

• "Vaellus" - Hiking

• " Kalastus" – Fishing

• “Marjastaa” – Pick berries

• “Uima” - swimming

• " Murtomaahiihto" - cross country skiing

• "Avanto" - hole in the ice

It does not matter what season it is in Finland, they will always find a reason to be outside and enjoy what they have.

Whilst taking in the surreal serenity, John, Mike and Alexandr give us some Finnish nature information and what birds are in the nature… I mean are extinct;

• "Meri" - sea

• "Joki" - river

• "Saaristo" - archipelago

• "Kansallispuisto" - national park

• “Sieni” – mushroom

• “Keltavahvero” – Chanterelle

• “lintu” – bird

• “orava” – squirrel