Finnishness (Suomalaisuus), as Defined by 10 Finns

Collage created by Munir Hussein

Finland celebrated its 100 years of independence in 2017.

That year, I worked on a project on my own which involved talking to Finnish people from different walks of life about the idea of Finnishness.

Finnishness is Suomalaisuus in Finnish language.

Here I present snippets of how 10 Finns defined Finnishness — something that makes a Finn a Finn.

Note: Scroll down to read full texts of the 10 interviews.

You can read the full texts of the 10 interviews here:

‘I appreciate silence but we Finns should talk more to each other’ [Finland 100/Suomi 100]

‘I wish we could broaden our view of Finnishness in general’ [Finland 100/Suomi 100]

‘In Finland, There is The Freedom To Choose One’s Own Path’ [Finland 100/Suomi 100]

‘Being a Finn is a State of Mind’ [Finland 100/Suomi 100]

‘Everybody Should Be Feminist Because Feminism Means EQUALITY’ [Finland 100/Suomi 100]