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The Finnish National Anthem: Maamme

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Have you heard Maamme (“Our Land”), Finland’s national anthem? All Finns know at least the first verse of their kansallislaulu (“national anthem”) by heart. The song provides a fascinating glimpse into the Finnish mindset at a pivotal time in the nation’s history. And for a language learner, reading or listening to the 19th century lyrics is an interesting challenge to take on!

Don’t let the difficulty of it put you off, though – we will introduce you to the main themes and the key vocabulary to help you make sense of the Finnish lyrics. In this article, we’ll also shed light on the interesting history and evolution of the Finnish national anthem as well as its present-day status.

Finland Flag

siniristilippu (“the flag of Finland”, literally: “blue cross flag”)

Log in to Download Your Free Cheat Sheet - Beginner Vocabulary in Finnish Table of Contents
  1. From Poem to National Anthem
  2. The Finnish Lyrics of Maamme
  3. When is it Played?
  4. Controversies
  5. How FinnishPod101 Can Help You Learn More Finnish

1. From Poem to National Anthem

A- The Lyrics

The story of Maamme begins in 1846, just a couple of years before the turbulent political upheavals of the Springtime of the Peoples shook Europe. This is when Finland’s national poet, Johan Ludvig Runeberg, penned a patriotic poem in Swedish titled Vårt land (“Our Land”). This poem would eventually become the Finnish national anthem’s lyrics.

The poem appeared as the prologue to Runeberg’s collection of heroic ballads, The Tales of Ensign Stål.  These stories describe the events of the War of Finland that led to the country’s secession from Sweden and its establishment as an autonomous grand duchy of Russia in 1809. Although Finland wasn’t an independent country at the time, the sense of nationhood was on the rise, and Runeberg intended to stir these feelings further with his poem.

Statue of J. L. Runeberg

Statue of J. L. Runeberg, Helsinki

B- The Melody

Runeberg himself composed a melody for his poem, as did several others. However, it wasn’t until Fredrik Pacius, a German-born composer and music teacher at the University of Helsinki, got involved that Runeberg’s poem took off as a song. Pacius was tasked to compose a melody for Vårt land for the students’ Flora Day celebrations in May 1848. Allegedly, the composer did so with a light hand, intending to create a cheerful tune suitable for the lively springtime celebration. It is also said that he had only a couple of days to finish his composition and prepare the choir and musicians to perform it. His work was well received, though, with the audience eagerly requesting to hear the song again and again.

Today, a memorial stands at the site commemorating the first-ever performance of the national anthem.

C- The Finnish Translation

Over time, many people have translated Vårt land into Finnish. The established Finnish language text is often attributed to Paavo Cajander, who translated The Tales of Ensign Stål into Finnish in 1889. His work, in turn, is said to be based on an earlier translation of Runeberg’s poem by a group of poets led by Julius Krohn in 1867.

Translating the poem from Swedish into Finnish posed some challenges to all who took on the task. For example, in Runeberg’s original Swedish text, many of the lines begin and end with monosyllabic words which are common in Swedish but not in Finnish.

D- Position as the National Anthem

Maamme gained its position as the national anthem gradually and organically. Student choirs adopted the song with enthusiasm and in Finnish schools it was the most popular song taught to pupils for over a decade. The song was also a part of many official events, and was performed during the visits of the Russian emperors Alexander II in 1856 and Alexander III in 1885.

After Finland gained its independence in 1917, Maamme became the anthem of the “Whites” in the Finnish Civil War of 1918. Their opponents, the “Reds”, would sing the International and the Marseillaise. After a White victory, the position of Maamme as an anthem for the whole nation became stabilized. The Winter War (1939 – 1940) cemented the status of the song: it was played on the radio every night after news from the front and was a fixture at all patriotic events during the conflict.

Finnish Graduation Cap

Finnish students played an important role in the history of the Finnish national anthem.

2. The Finnish Lyrics of Maamme

Maamme consists of 11 verses. Distinct themes are evident; the anthem explores the Finns’ love for the beauty of their land, looks back at the hardships and tribulations their ancestors lived through, and ends with a high note of optimism and hope for the future. It’s also notable that Maamme is very peaceful in its message. The lyrics emphasize patience, humility and being satisfied with one’s lot rather than revolutionary sentiments. The Finnish anthem praises the Finns’ ability to find happiness in what they have, however little that may be.

The line-by-line English translation below is as literal as possible to help you understand the somewhat archaic Finnish lyrics! You can find the original Swedish lyrics as well as the modern English adaptation on Wikipedia.

Beware: in poetry and songs, the typical word order of standard Finnish is often reversed! For example, you’ll find many instances of an adjective placed after a noun in these verses.

Take a look at the following vocabulary too before you dive in! Keep an eye out especially for the many variations of the words “country” and “dear” in the lyrics.

  • maa (“country”, “land”, “ground”, “soil”)
  • maailma (“world”)
  • synnyinmaa (“birth country”)
  • kotimaa (“home country”)
  • isänmaa (“fatherland”, “home country”)
  • isä (“father”, “forefather”, “ancestor”)
  • kansa (“people”, “nation”)
  • kallis (“dear”, also: “expensive”)
  • kultainen (“dear”, “golden”)
  • rakas (“dear”, “beloved”)
  • armas (“dear”, “cherished”)

Verse 1

Oi maamme, Suomi, synnyinmaa,
soi, sana kultainen!
Ei laaksoa, ei kukkulaa,
ei vettä rantaa rakkaampaa,
kuin kotimaa tää pohjoinen,
maa kallis isien!
Oh our land, Finland, country of birth
rings the dear word!
No valley, no hill,
no water more beloved,
than this Northern homeland,
dear country of fathers’!

Verse 2

On maamme köyhä, siksi jää,
jos kultaa kaivannet
Sen vieras kyllä hylkäjää,
mut meille kallein maa on tää,
sen salot, saaret, manteret,
ne meist on kultaiset.
Our country is poor and so remains,
if you crave gold
A stranger will surely reject it,
but for us this is the dearest country,
its forests, islands, lands
we hold them dear.

Verse 3

Ovatpa meille rakkahat
koskemme kuohuineen,
ikuisten honkain huminat,
täht’yömme, kesät kirkkahat,
kaikk’kuvineen ja lauluineen
mi painui sydämeen.
They’re beloved to us
our rapids gushing,
the hum of eternal pines,
our starry nights, bright summers,
all the sights and sounds
that are buried in the heart.

Verse 4

Täss auroin, miekoin, miettehin
isämme sotivat,
kun päivä piili pilvihin
tai loisti onnen paistehin,
täss Suomen kansan vaikeimmat
he vaivat kokivat.
Here with plows, swords, thoughts
our fathers waged war
when the day hid in the clouds
or shone with the light of happiness,
here the direst for the people of Finland
they experienced.

Verse 5

Tään kansan taistelut ken voi
ne kertoella, ken?
Kun sota laaksoissamme soi,
ja halla näläntuskan toi,
ken mittasi sen hurmehen
ja kärsimykset sen?
The battles of this nation who can
recount, who?
When war in our valleys rang,
and frost brought the pain of hunger,
who measured its blood
and its suffering?

Verse 6

Täss on sen veri virrannut
hyväksi meidänkin,
täss’ iloaan on nauttinut
ja murheitansa huokaillut
se kansa, jolle muinaisin
kuormamme pantihin.
Here has its blood been shed
for our benefit too,
here has rejoiced
and its sorrows sighed
that nation, upon which our most ancient
burden was put.

Verse 7

Tääll’ olo meill on verraton
ja kaikki suotuisaa,
vaikk onni mikä tulkohon,
maa isänmaa se meillä on.
Mi maailmass on armaampaa
ja mikä kalliimpaa?
Here we feel wonderful
and everything is favorable,
whatever fortune may come,
we have our fatherland.
What in the world is more cherished
and what dearer?

Verse 8

Ja tässä, täss’ on tämä maa,
sen näkee silmämme.
me kättä voimme ojentaa
ja vettä rantaa osoittaa
ja sanoa: kas tuoss’ on se,
maa armas isäimme.
And here, here is this land,
our eyes see it.
we can stretch our hand
and point at water, shore
and say: look right there it is,
the beloved country of our fathers.

Verse 9

Jos loistoon meitä saatettais
vaikk’ kultapilvihin,
mis itkien ei huoattais,
vaan tärkein riemun sielu sais,
ois tähän köyhään kotihin
halumme kuitenkin.
If into glory we were ushered
even to clouds of gold,
where there’s no crying or sighing,
rather the most important joy for the soul to gain,
it would be for this poor home
our desire nonetheless.

Verse 10

Totuuden, runon kotimaa
maa tuhatjärvinen
miss’ elämämme suojan saa,
sa muistojen, sa toivon maa,
ain ollos, onnees tyytyen,
vapaa ja iloinen.
The home country of truth, poetry
the land of a thousand lakes
in which our life finds shelter,
you land of memories, you land of hope,
always satisfied with your fortune,
free and glad.

Verse 11

Sun kukoistukses kuorestaan
kerrankin puhkeaa,
viel lempemme saa nousemaan
sun toivos, riemus loistossaan,
ja kerran, laulus synnyinmaa
korkeemman kaiun saa.
Your blossom from its bud
will burst out for once
it’ll yet raise our love
your hope, your joy in its splendor
and once, your song oh country of birth
a higher echo will gain.

You can listen to Maamme on YouTube:

Sun Sets Over a Lake in Summer

The beauty of the Finnish nature is an important theme in the national anthem.

3. When is it Played?

Today, Finnish children continue to learn and sing Maamme in school. The Finnish national anthem is also an important part of Independence Day celebrations on the 6th of December, and the song is played at international sporting events, such as the Olympics, when a Finnish athlete or team wins gold.

When the anthem is sung at an event, it’s customary to sing the first and the last verse of the song. This custom is said to originate in Taavi Hahl’s 1871 collection of male choir songs, which included only these two verses. On formal occasions, the anthem is sung in both Finnish and Swedish.

  • Jääkiekko (“ice-hockey”) is one of the most popular Olympic sports in Finland. Learn the Finnish names of other important sports on the Talking About Olympic Sport vocabulary list.

A White and Blue Candle

Candles and Maamme are important parts of Finnish Independence Day celebrations.


4. Controversies

Maamme does not have an official, legally defined status as the national anthem of Finland (unlike other national symbols like the Finnish flag). This has left plenty of room for discussion, and Finnish people have expressed opinions both for and against keeping their unofficial anthem.

Some of the criticism directed towards Maamme includes the assertion that the song isn’t ‘Finnish enough’ due to the fact that the lyrics were originally written in Swedish and the melody was composed by a German immigrant. Some have deemed the lyrics too passive in nature and call for a national anthem that reflects a more vigorous brand of nationalism. Some are bothered by the fact that the unofficial national anthem of Estonia, Mu isamaa, mu õnn ja rõõm (“My Fatherland, My Happiness and Joy”) uses the same melody composed by Pacius.

Other songs have been put forward to replace Maamme over the years. The most popular contender has been Finlandia-hymni (“Finlandia Hymn”). Jean Sibelius’ celebrated composition has been proposed multiple times and several citizens’ initiatives have been launched to set it as the official national anthem of Finland. However, Maamme remains popular and has its own staunch supporters; some Finns have called for a vote to make its position undisputed by law.


Hands Make a Heart Shape in Front of the Finnish Flag

Maamme captured the hearts of Finns over time.

5. How FinnishPod101 Can Help You Learn More Finnish

In this guide, we’ve covered a lot of information about the Finnish national anthem, Maamme. We’ve learned about its origins, explored its themes and lyrics, and discussed its status in Finland today. How does the national anthem of Finland compare to the national anthem of your country? Share your thoughts and observations with us in the comments below!

If you want to learn more about Finland, visit FinnishPod101 and browse through our extensive lesson library – our teaching material combines grammar topics with cultural insights to make learning fun and engaging. Don’t forget to explore our free resources too, including our continuously expanding collection of fee Finnish vocabulary lists.

And finally, check out our premium service, My Teacher, if you want a personalized lesson plan and lots of 1-on-1 coaching with a private Finnish teacher. It’s the best way to make progress fast – and get answers to all your questions about the baffling aspects of the Finnish language!

Happy learning on FinnishPod101!

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An Overview of the Finnish Culture

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Are you thinking of visiting Finland? Or have you heard about Finland in the news recently and wanted to know more about the country? Whatever brought you here, know that we’ll do our best to satisfy your curiosity about the Finnish culture!

Geographically, Finland lies between Scandinavia and Russia. While the country has been culturally influenced by its neighbors on either side, it has a very distinctive cultural identity of its own with many interesting quirks and unique traditions.

Read on to learn more about Finland’s culture and traditions, from Finnish values and attitudes to popular sports, foods, and holidays. Trust us, there’s much more to Finnish culture than the sauna!

Log in to Download Your Free Cheat Sheet - Beginner Vocabulary in Finnish Table of Contents
  1. Finnish Character and Values
  2. Religion in Finland
  3. Sports and Recreation
  4. Finnish Art and Entertainment
  5. Finnish Food and Drink
  6. Holidays and Celebrations
  7. Lopuksi

1. Finnish Character and Values

To really understand the culture of Finland, you must first begin to understand the core values of Finnish society. Here are a few key points on the character and values of Finns!

A- Finnish Stereotype vs. The Reality

Finns have a reputation for being quiet and reserved, or even taciturn and unapproachable. Finns themselves may perpetuate this stereotype by telling self-deprecating jokes about their social awkwardness—a good example of this is the popular comic Finnish Nightmares created by the artist Karoliina Korhonen.

But is Finland really a country full of shy and withdrawn introverts? While there’s probably a grain of truth in every stereotype—in general, Finns do value their personal space and prefer meaningful conversations over idle chit chat—you’ll find that once you get to know them, Finnish people are usually very warm and open. Many have a charmingly dry sense of humor, and very talkative, highly extroverted Finns do exist!

A Smiling Little Girl Hides Under Her Hat.

A smiling little girl hides under her hat.

B- Finnish Core Values 

The fairly liberal Finnish culture values freedom of speech, individualism, and tolerance. Finns believe in fairness and equal opportunities, especially when it comes to gender and women’s rights. Recently, Finland has attracted a lot of attention internationally for being led by an all-female coalition government.

Finns generally trust the authorities and they tend to be very honest and law-abiding. This is for a good reason: corruption is very low in Finland. The Corruption Perceptions Index ranks Finland as the third most transparent country in the world after Denmark and New Zealand.

In Finland, everyone has access to a free, world-class education, and the country was ranked the world’s most literate nation in 2016. Reading for pleasure as well as keeping up with the news are important to many Finns.

Finally, Finnish people have a very close connection to nature, and spending time outdoors is an essential aspect of living a high-quality life. There are forty national parks across the country, and conservation and environmental issues are taken seriously in Finland.

Sunlight Seeps Through Trees in a Forest

Sunlight seeps through trees in a forest.

C- Subcultures in Finland

Of course, Finland is not completely homogenous culturally. Notable subcultures with their own distinct characteristics and traditions include the Swedish-speaking Finns (suomenruotsalaiset), the Sami (saamelaiset), and the Finnish Gypsies (Suomen romanit). Head over to Wikipedia to learn more about these subcultures.

2. Religion in Finland

Before Christianity spread to Finland in the eleventh century, the country’s primary religion was Finnish paganism, which involved things like song magic and the worship of a variety of deities, including Ukko, the god of thunder.

The majority of Finnish people today consider themselves Christian, with roughly 69% of the population belonging to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland. The Orthodox Church of Finland is the second-largest religious community in the country (a little over 1% of the population are members), while around 29% of Finns don’t consider themselves affiliated with any particular religion.

According to the Finnish Constitution, the Church and the State are separate entities, and Finns are free to practice any religion (or none). However, the Lutheran Church and the Finnish Orthodox Church enjoy certain privileges in the country, including the right to tax their members.

Typically, Finnish people are fairly secular in their views and religion does not play a major role in everyday life. Most Lutherans attend church only on special occasions (such as for weddings and funerals) or on major Christian holidays (such as Easter and Christmas).

A Couple on Their Wedding Day

A couple on their wedding day.

3. Sports and Recreation

Every culture has its favorite sports and preferred recreational activities. So how do sports and recreation come into play in Finnish culture and traditions?

A- Popular Sports in Finland

Both participating in and watching sports are popular pastimes in Finland. The national game is called pesäpallo (“Finnish baseball”), and the sports that get the most media coverage include jääkiekko (“ice hockey”), jalkapallo (“football”), and Formula 1 (“Formula One”).

Professionally, Finns have often excelled in winter sports, which isn’t surprising considering the long winters in Finland! Matti Nykänen was arguably the best ski jumper to have ever competed, and Finland’s national ice hockey team is among the best in the world, having won their third world championship title in 2019.

Finland is also the home of some very unique sports, including eukonkanto (“wife-carrying”) which originated in Sonkajärvi, and suopotkupallo (“swamp football”) which was initially an exercise activity for athletes and soldiers.  


B- Recreational Activities

Finns enjoy many outdoor activities in their free time. Some typical hobbies include cross-country skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, Nordic walking, camping, and foraging for wild berries and mushrooms. Wild swimming is very popular in summer, but the most enthusiastic wild swimmers continue their hobby even during the coldest months of the year by creating a hole in the ice and going for a dip in the icy water!

Many Finns also enjoy relaxing activities, such as reading, cooking, playing music, and various arts and crafts from photography to knitting.

Wild Swimming in Winter

Wild swimming in winter.


4. Finnish Art and Entertainment

As can be said of many cultures, the culture in Finland is largely represented through its variety of artwork and entertainment mediums.

The most representative Finnish visual art style is known as Romantic Nationalism. The Kalevala-inspired paintings of Akseli Gallen-Kallela are among the most famous examples of this style. Tom of Finland (Touko Laaksonen) is possibly the most recognized Finnish artist internationally—his once-controversial drawings of gay men are today seen as symbols of open-mindedness and tolerance.

There is a distinct design tradition in Finland. Some of the most notable names in Finnish design include Alvar Aalto, Marimekko, and Iittala. Finnish architecture is particularly known for its extensive use of wood as material.

The most famous writers from the early days of Finnish literature include the novelist Aleksis Kivi and the poet Eino Leino. After Finland gained independence, modernist writers such as Mika Waltari and Frans Eemil Sillanpää (the only Finnish recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature to date) rose to fame, while the Second World War inspired the best-selling novel Tuntematon sotilas (“The Unknown Soldier”) by Väinö Linna. Tove Jansson’s Moomin stories are among the most beloved Finnish children’s books of all time.

While Hollywood films are very popular in Finland, Finnish cinema is alive and well. Known for his extremely minimalistic style, Aki Kaurismäki is the best-known Finnish film director outside of his home country. His award-winning works include The Man Without a Past and Le Havre.

Many different styles of home-grown music are popular in Finland, including folk, rock, hip hop, dance, and pop. Internationally, Finland is perhaps best known for the classical composer Jean Sibelius as well as the prominent heavy metal music scene. The gothic rock band HIM is among the most commercially successful Finnish groups of all time and the first one to have received a gold record in the States.

Video and mobile games are considered a valued part of Finnish culture, with over twenty educational institutions providing instruction in game design. Some of the most acclaimed games developed by Finnish studios include the hit titles Max Payne, Angry Birds, and Clash of Clans.

Sculpture of Composer Jean Sibelius

Sculpture of composer Jean Sibelius.

5. Finnish Food and Drink

A flavorful window into Finnish culture, food here is hearty, simple, and prepared with fresh ingredients. Meat, fish, dairy products, potatoes, and whole grains feature heavily in the Finnish diet. Wild mushrooms and berries are also commonly used when in season.

A- Top 5 Finnish Dishes

 Are you curious about traditional Finnish food? Here are five delicious dishes to try:

  1. Lohikeitto (“Salmon soup”)

    This comforting soup with potatoes, cream, and fresh dill is one of the best ways to enjoy salmon.

  1. Poronkäristys (“Sautéed reindeer”)

    Prepared with thinly sliced reindeer meat seasoned with salt and pepper, this is a must-try traditional dish from the Finnish Lapland.

  1. Karjalanpaisti (“Karelian hot pot”)

    Another dish proving that simple doesn’t mean bland! Meat, onion, and root vegetables are flavored with peppercorns and cooked for several hours in the oven.

  1. Kaalilaatikko (“Cabbage casserole”)

    To prepare this dish, a mixture of cabbage, meat, and rice (or barley) is baked in the oven until perfectly tender.

  1. Kalakukko (“Fish pie”)

    This traditional Savonian dish is prepared by baking fish (usually vendace or European perch) and pork wrapped inside a thin rye crust.

Finnish Salmon Soup

Finnish salmon soup.

B- Popular Products in Finland

If you get a chance to visit Finland, you’ll very quickly notice that certain food products are ubiquitous. The undisputed number-one bread in Finland is rye bread, Finnish cinnamon rolls can be found in almost every café, and a type of salty liquorice known as salmiakki (“salmiac liquorice”) is by far the most popular kind of sweet in the country.

What about drinks? Finns drink *a lot* of coffee—in fact, Finnish people consume more coffee per capita than any other nation! In addition to the strong Finnish coffee culture, Finns also have a reputation for being heavy drinkers. The level of alcohol consumption here is not that far off from the European average, but instead of having a drink with their meals, Finns tend to do most of their drinking on the weekends! Spirits, beer, and cider are some of the most popular alcoholic drinks in the country.

A Cup of Coffee

A cup of coffee.


6. Holidays and Celebrations 

There are several traditions of Finland directly associated with the major holidays and celebrations. Take a look!

A- Finnish Holidays

Both Christian and non-Christian holidays are celebrated in Finland. These are among the most important holidays in Finland:

  1. Vappu (“May Day”) – May 1

    Vappu has its origins in ancient spring festivities, but today it’s celebrated most prominently by students. They gather in parks for a picnic after a night of hard partying, donning colorful overalls and a white graduation cap known as ylioppilaslakki. Balloons, serpentine throws, party-poppers, and sweet treats are also a part of the festivities.

  1. Juhannus (“Midsummer”) – June

    Juhannus takes place at the height of summer when the nights are at their lightest in Finland. Celebrations typically involve spending time with family and friends at a summer cottage, a sauna, barbecues, and bonfires. Midsummer open-air music festivals are also popular.

  1. Itsenäisyyspäivä (“Independence Day”) – December 6

    Traditional Finnish Independence Day activities include lighting candles at home, student torch cavalcades, and watching the Presidential Independence Day reception on TV.

  1. Joulu (“Christmas”) – December 24

    Christmas is one of the most anticipated holidays of the year in Finland. The main Finnish Christmas celebration takes place on Christmas Eve. The sauna, Christmas dinner, and presents are essential parts of the celebration. Joulupukki (“Santa Claus”) himself may visit families with young children in person.

Santa Claus

Joulupukki (“Santa Claus”)

B- Other Celebrations

Liputuspäivä (“flag day”)

In Finland, there are also a number of flag days. Some are official flag days during which, according to law, the national flag must be flown from public buildings. An example of such a day is äitienpäivä (“Mother’s Day”). There are also a number of other days during which flying the flag is recommended, such as on March 19 (which is the birthday of the author Minna Canth) and tasa-arvon päivä (“Day of Equality”). 

Nimipäivä (“name day”)

Finns celebrate not only birthdays, but also name days. Each day of the year in the Finnish calendar (except New Year’s Day, Christmas Day, and February 29) has a name, or several names, assigned to it. A typical way to celebrate one’s name day is with a cup of coffee and a sweet treat.


7. Lopuksi

In this guide, you’ve learned a lot about the Finnish culture. We’ve discussed Finnish characteristics, popular sports and hobbies, arts, and food. Did anything here surprise you or make you want to know more?

Even this guide is only scratching the surface though—there is simply too much to discover about Finland and the Finnish people to fit it all onto one page! If you’re hungry for more, one of the best and most exciting ways to immerse yourself in Finnish culture is to learn the language.

Whether you already speak some Finnish or are thinking about making the leap, FinnishPod101 offers a lot of free resources that can help you conquer Finnish grammar and pick up new vocabulary fast. Our Finnish vocabulary lists, for example, come with handy recordings to make it easy for you to perfect your pronunciation.

We look forward to seeing you around!

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Celebrating Mikael Agricola Day in Finland

Celebrating Mikael Agricola Day in Finland

Mikael Agricola Day, otherwise known as Finnish Language Day, is a special holiday for honoring the creation of written Finnish and the man behind it: Mikael Agricola. In this article, you’ll learn about who Mikael Agricola was, how he contributed to the creation of Finnish literature, and how you can celebrate this holiday.

Let’s get started!

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1. What is the Day of Mikael Agricola?

Mikael Agricola Day is more commonly known as Finnish Language Day (Suomen kielen päivä). However, there’s a large focus on Agricola, who is considered the father of Finnish literature.

Mikael Agricola’s Role in Finnish Literature History

Agricola, born in 1510, was both a piispa (“bishop” ) and kääntäjä (“translator”). He spent many years of his life studying and serving in various clergy roles; in 1528, he also worked as a scribe.

Mikael Agricola is credited with creating the modern-day basis for the spelling and orthography of the Finnish language. With this new written Finnish, Agricola began translating parts of the Bible (Raamattu) in 1537.

Another one of his most famous accomplishments for the Finnish language was the aapinen, which is also called the “ABC book” or “ABC kirja.” The Mikael Agricola ABC kirja served as a primer to help people learn to read, and it also contained information about his religious doctrine.

2. When is Mikael Agricola Day?

Mikael Agricola Day is on April 9

Each year, Finnish people celebrate the Day of Mikael Agricola on April 9. This is the date in 1557 that Agricola died, and is also the date of birth of another Finnish man who helped grow the language: Elias Lönnrot.

3. How Can You Celebrate Mikael Agricola Day?

An Open Book in Front of a Row of Books

There are no official celebrations or traditions for Mikael Agricola Day in Finland, though people will oftentimes raise the Finnish flag on this day.

To honor Mikael Agricola, Finland has a church named after him: The Mikael Agricola Church in Helsinki. This Lutheran church was built in the early 1930s, and today, it’s a favorite among many Helsinki tourists. There are also two monuments dedicated to Agricola in Russia, near the Finnish border.

If you’re not able to actually visit Finland, why not try your hand at some Finnish literature?

4. What About Lönnrot?

Earlier, we mentioned that a man named Elias Lönnrot is also highly commended for his work in Finnish literature.

In particular, he’s well-known for creating a written piece called Kalevala. This was a composition of various oral poems and stories from certain regions in Finland, Lapland, and Russia.

    → To learn more about famous composers of Finnish literature, read our article on the famous Finnish-Swedish writer and poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg!

5. Essential Vocabulary for Mikael Agricola’s Day

Finnish Flag Design in a Speech Bubble

Ready to review some of the vocabulary words from this article? Here’s a list of the most important words and phrases for the Day of Mikael Agricola!

  • Isä — “Father”
  • Kirjallisuus — “Literature”
  • Kääntäjä — “Translator”
  • Sana — “Word”
  • Suomen kielen päivä — “Finnish Language Day”
  • Suomen kieli — “Finnish language”
  • Piispa — “Bishop”
  • Raamattu — “Bible”
  • Aapinen — “ABC book”
  • Opiskelu` — “Studying”

To hear the pronunciation of each word, and to read them alongside relevant images, be sure to check out our Finnish Day of Mikael Agricola vocabulary list!

Final Thoughts

We hope you enjoyed learning about Mikael Agricola Day and the origins of modern written Finnish.

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Laskiaissunnuntai: Celebrating Shrove Sunday in Finland

In Finland, Shrove Sunday is a fun holiday brimming with folklore, religion, joy, and wonderful food. It’s also the most popular of the pre-Lenten Sundays, taking place just before Lent. In this article, you’ll learn about the most common Shrovetide traditions, what holiday foods to expect, and what traditions people associated with this holiday in the past.

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1. What is Shrove Sunday?

Shrovetide was originally celebrated for the joy of the end of winter and the approach of Easter. Shrove Sunday is the Sunday before Lent, making it the perfect time to have fun and indulge.

A fast was started on Shrove Tuesday, so people wanted to celebrate and have a feast before that (this means Shrove Sunday pancakes and buns galore!). Fasting, however, is no longer a very common habit.

Shrove Sunday and the more popular Shrove Tuesday are not official flag days, and the shops and bureaus are open as normal.

2. Dates for the Sunday Before Lent

Three People Clinking Champagne Glasses

Shrove Sunday is the Sunday right before Lent, and thus its date varies each year. Shrovetide is always either in February or March; the earliest is February 1, and the latest is March 7. For your convenience, here’s a list of this holiday’s date for the next ten years.

  • 2020: February 23
  • 2021: February 14
  • 2022: February 27
  • 2023: February 19
  • 2024: February 11
  • 2025: March 2
  • 2026: February 15
  • 2027: February 7
  • 2028: February 27
  • 2029: February 11

3. Traditions and Celebrations for Shrove Sunday

Finnish Shrove Bun

Nowadays, Shrovetide is a fun folk festival. On Shrove Sunday, Finland’s larger cities sometimes organize events which include tobogganing and feasting on a variety of foods:

Shrove buns are large, soft buns that are filled with jam and whipped cream or mantelimassa (“almond paste”).

Those who are lucky enough can also ride a sleigh carousel.

In the past, Shrovetide tobogganing has had a playful, superstitious meaning in Finnish peasant culture; the further the sled slides down the hill, the better and longer the flax would grow the next year. The tradition also incorporates an old annual rhythm; the flax yarn spinning was to be completed by Shrovetide in order to begin the weaving of fabrics, which needed the light of spring.

In the olden days, food had to be extremely greasy during Shrovetide so as to ensure a good cattle fortune. However, the olden day Shrovetide treats such as fat pancakes and pigs’ trotters, don’t really entice diners anymore.

Do you know how women’s hiukset, or “hair,” is related to Shrovetide?

Women were to keep their hair open during Shrovetide and brush their hair often in order to make it beautiful and shiny. Many beliefs were associated with Shrovetide in the olden days, and this is one of them.

4. The Many Names of Shrove Sunday

Do you know what some other names for Shrove Sunday are? Here’s a brief list, with explanations for each name:

Quinquagesima Traditionally, the three Sundays leading up to Lent are named after the Latin term for that week. Quinquagesima refers to the fact that this Sunday is fifty days before Easter.

The two Sundays before Quinquagesima are called Sexagesima and Septuagesima.

Estomihi This name is in reference to the first few words of the Introit, or the liturgy used on this Sunday in churches.
Forgiveness Sunday This holiday is also called Forgiveness Sunday because, on this day, “Forgiveness Vespers” are said, which are meant to cleanse one’s heart from sin before the Easter holiday.
Sunday next before Lent This name is pretty self-explanatory, as it refers to the fact that this is the Sunday right before Lent.

5. Finnish Vocabulary for Shrove Sunday

Small Bowl of Jam

Ready to review some of the Finnish vocabulary words from this article? Here’s the essential Shrove Sunday vocabulary!

  • Hiukset — “Hair”
  • Hillo — “Jam”
  • Juhla — “Fete”
  • Pulkka — “Sled”
  • Kelkka — “Toboggan”
  • Pellava — “Flax”
  • Mantelimassa — “Almond paste”
  • Hernekeitto — “Pea soup”
  • Rasva — “Grease”
  • Laskiaispulla — “Shrove bun”

To hear the pronunciation of each word, and to read them alongside relevant images, be sure to check out our Finnish Shrove Sunday vocabulary list!

Final Thoughts

We hope you enjoyed learning about Shrove Sunday with us, and that you took away some valuable cultural information from this article. Do you celebrate Shrovetide in your country? If not, what are the most popular springtime holidays there? We look forward to hearing from you in the comments!

If you’re interested in delving even deeper into Finnish culture and holidays, check out the following pages on FinnishPod101.com:

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Loppiainen: The Feast of the Epiphany in Finland

On the Epiphany holiday, Finland both celebrates the visit of the Itämaan tietäjät, or “Magi,” to Baby Jesus and begins to wrap up the holiday celebrations for the year. In this article, you’ll learn about how Epiphany is celebrated in Finland, the story behind the holiday, and what kind of magic people associated it with in the past!

At FinnishPod101.com, it’s our aim to make every aspect of your language-learning journey both fun and informative—starting with this article!

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1. What is Epiphany in Finland?

Epiphany is a Christian holiday and marks the joulupyhien loppu, or “end of the Christmas holidays.”

Epiphany is even older than Christmas. It was established in the 200s, when it was originally celebrated to mark the birth of Baby Jesus. In the early Middle Ages, however, The Three Wise Men who came to pay tribute to the newborn Jesus became the subject of the celebration. In some countries, people also celebrate Epiphany as the day of Kristuksen kaste, or “the baptism of Christ.”

Epiphany is called loppiainen in Finland, a name that originated in the 1600s. The name loppiainen, which means Epiphany, refers to the end of Christmastime, because its root in the Finnish language comes from the word “to end.”

In Finnish folk tradition, however, Christmastime continued until St. Knut’s Day (Nuutinpäivä), on January 13. According to old laws, the Christmas Peace lasted for twenty days and therefore ended on this day.

On St. Knut’s Day, Nuuttipukki, a young man dressed as a Knut goat in a fur coat, horns, and a face mask made out of birch bark or leather, would appear at the door and figuratively take away Christmas.

2. Feast of the Epiphany Date

Wise Men on Camels

Each year, the Finnish celebrate Epiphany on January 6. The night before, January 5, is called Epiphany Eve.

3. How Do Finns Celebrate Epiphany?

Ice Swimming

Epiphany is a public holiday in Finland, and the shops are usually closed on that day.

The Christmas tree is taken out of the house according to tradition. Many will eat the Christmas dishes one more time, and provided that a gingerbread house has been built for Christmas, it may be broken and eaten during Epiphany. Christmas decorations and Christmas lights are stripped off and arranged back in their boxes until next Christmas.

On Epiphany, Finland returns to everyday life and mundane dishes. Therefore, the Finns have a lot of phrases associated with Epiphany and Christmas dishes, such as “When Epiphany flops, to the cup a cabbage plonks.” This phrase describes how a typical everyday food for the olden days, cabbage, would return to the dinner plates after Epiphany.

But, while the holidays are coming to an end, those who feel adventurous may decide to do some avantouinti, or “ice swimming,” on this day. It doesn’t sound very comfortable, but is a fun way to keep on the theme of baptism.

4. A Little Bit of Magic

Do you know how magic is associated with the Finnish Epiphany?

In the olden days, the weather for the next year was predicted from the weather of the Epiphany. This is told, for example, in the sayings “On Epiphany, half of the winter snow has fallen” and “If during Epiphany, the snow covers the tracks of the mouse, there will be no lack of snow.”

5. Essential Finnish Vocabulary for Epiphany

Ready to review some of the vocabulary words we went over in this article? Here’s the essential Finnish vocabulary for Epiphany!

  • Loppiainen — “Epiphany”
  • Avantouinti — “Ice swimming”
  • Nuutinpäivä — “St. Knut’s Day”
  • Lähetystyö — “Missionary work”
  • Mirha — “Chrism”
  • Johannes Kastaja — “John the Baptist”
  • Herran ilmestyminen — “Epiphany of the Lord”
  • Kristuksen kaste — “The baptism of Christ”
  • Joulupyhien loppu — “End of the Christmas holidays”
  • Itämaan tietäjät — “Magi”
  • Tiernapojat — “Epiphany singers”

To hear each of these vocabulary words pronounced, and to read them alongside relevant images, be sure to check out our Finnish Epiphany vocabulary list!

Final Thoughts

We hope you enjoyed learning about the Finnish Epiphany holiday with us!

Do you celebrate Epiphany in your country? If so, do traditions differ from those in Finland? Let us know in the comments!

If you’re interested in learning more about Finnish culture, or want some more wintery words up your sleeve, you may find the following pages useful:

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Summer Solstice Celebration: Midsummer Day in Finland

Midsummer day in Finland

When the Summer Solstice comes around in June, the Midsummer celebration in Finland begins! On Midsummer Day, Finland enjoys the warmth of summer with barbeques, time outdoors, and a Midsummer bonfire. Finland’s celebrations of Midsummer are rooted in its religious history and have evolved along with its transition to Christianity.

Learn about the Midsummer celebration Finland observes each year to gain greater insight into Finnish life and culture! Midsummer’s Eve traditions in Finland tell a lot about its culture as a whole, and as any successful language learner can tell you, comprehending a country’s culture is essential in mastering its language.

At FinnishPod101.com, it’s our goal to make this learning journey both fun and informative!

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1. What is Midsummer Day?

A very special celebration for the Finns is the Midsummer, or Juhannus, celebrated at the end of June. The Midsummer is a celebration of light and the height of the summer, and was originally celebrated as a part of the ancient Finnish religion. The Christian churches celebrate the Midsummer as the birthday of John the Baptist (Johannes Kastaja), from where the name Juhannus originates.

Midsummer is celebrated at the brightest time of the year, during which even the nights will be bright in Finland. The bright summer nights are known as the “nightless nights,” and create perfect conditions for the Midsummer party Finland puts on across the country.

2. What Day is Midsummer?

Sunglasses laying on calendar

Between the 19th and 26th of June, Finland celebrates the Summer Solstice through its Midsummer Festival. The date varies each year, so for your convenience, here’s a list of this holiday’s date for the next ten years.

  • 2019: June 22
  • 2020: June 20
  • 2021: June 26
  • 2022: June 25
  • 2023: June 24
  • 2024: June 22
  • 2025: June 21
  • 2026: June 20
  • 2027: June 26
  • 2028: June 24

3. Reading Practice: Midsummer Celebration in Finland

Food cooking on barbeque

How do Finns celebrate Midsummer? Read the Finnish text below to find out, and find the English translation directly below it.

Monien suomalaisten perinteeseen kuuluu viettää juhannus kesämökeillä järvien rannoilla, joten kaupungeissa onkin juhannuksen aikaan hyvin hiljaista. Myös juhannusfestivaalit ja -konsertit ovat suosittuja, etenkin nuorten keskuudessa.

Juhannusperinteisiin kuuluu juhannussauna tuoreiden saunavihtojen kera, sekä pulahtaminen järveen. Koti, sauna ja soutuvene saatetaan koristella koivunoksin ja luonnonkukin, ja ruotsinkielisillä alueilla saatetaan pystyttää juhannussalko. Juhannuksena syödään ja juodaan hyvin. Etenkin grillaaminen on suosittua.

Tärkeä hetki juhannuksena on juhannuskokon sytyttäminen keskiyön tienoilla. Kokko on yleensä pystytetty järven rantaan, ja sen äärellä valvotaan seurustellen ja tunnelmoiden pitkälle yöhön, joskus aamuun saakka.

Juhannusta vietettiin Suomessa alun perin suomalaisten muinaisjumalan Ukon juhlana, sadon ja hedelmällisyyden varmistamiseksi. Tältä ajalta jäänteitä ovat myös leikkimieliset juhannustaiat, joiden tarkoitus on varmistaa tuleva sato ja naimaonni, tai ennustaa tuleva puoliso.

Juhannushäiden viettäminen oli myös ennen suosittua, mutta nykyään tapa on jo harvinaisempi. Juhannuksen viettoon kuuluu monilla myös romanttiset juhannustanssit. Tanssilavoille kokoontuu tällöin runsaasti ihmisiä tanssimaan lavatansseja, kuten valssia, humppaa, tangoa, foksia tai jenkkaa.

Juhannusta on nimitetty myös Ukon juhlaksi, mittumaariksi, mettumaariksi ja messumaariksi. Mittu,-mettu ja -messumaari nimet ovat lainasanoja ruotsinkielisestä ‘midsommar’ eli ‘keskikesä’-sanasta.

Many Finns have a tradition of spending the Midsummer at their summer cottages on the shores of lakes, which is why it is usually very quiet in the cities during Midsummer. Midsummer festivals and concerts are popular as well, especially among the young.

A part of Midsummer traditions is the Midsummer sauna, which includes fresh sauna bath whisks, and taking a dip in the lake. The home, sauna, and rowing boat may also be decorated with birch branches and natural flowers, and a maypole may be erected in Swedish-speaking areas. It is customary to eat and drink well during the Midsummer. Barbecuing is especially popular.

An important moment of Midsummer is the lighting of the Midsummer bonfire at midnight. The bonfire is usually placed at a lakeshore, and people will stay up socializing and enjoying the atmosphere next to it well into the night, sometimes until dawn.

Midsummer was originally celebrated as the feast of an ancient Finnish god Ukko, to ensure a good harvest and fertility. Other remnants of this ancient time are the playful Midsummer magic rituals, which were meant to ensure the future harvest and marital fortune, or to foresee one’s future spouse. Midsummer wedding celebrations also used to be popular, but nowadays that custom is less common.

Romantic Midsummer dance events are also a part of the Midsummer celebration for many people. Plenty of people will gather to dance pavilions at that time to participate in open-air dances like the waltz, humppa, tango, fox, or jenkka.

The Midsummer has also been called the Festival of Ukko, mittumaari, mettumaari, and messumaari. Mittu-, mettu-, and messumaari are loanwords from the Swedish word midsommar, which means “the middle of the summer.”

4. Midsummer Magic in Finland

Do you know why there are traditions of collecting flowers and staring into a pool (or natural spring of water) while naked on Midsummer night?

Midsummer magic is a part of Midsummer night. When you collect seven different flowers and put them under your pillow, you’ll see your future spouse in a dream. And when staring into a pool while naked, the image of your future spouse should appear on the water’s surface. There is a variety of different Midsummer magic traditions!

5. Useful Vocabulary for Finnish Midsummer Celebrations

Maypole

Here’s some vocabulary you should know for Midsummer in Finland!

  • Grillata — “Barbecue”
  • Juhannuspäivä — “Midsummer Day”
  • Sauna — “Sauna”
  • Virvatuli — “Will-o’-the-wisp
  • Suomen lipun päivä — “The Day of the Finnish Flag”
  • Juhannustaika — “Midsummer magic”
  • Keskiyön aurinko — “Midnight sun”
  • Juhannuskokko — “Bonfire”
  • Juhannussalko — “Maypole”
  • Juhannustanssit — “Midnight open-air dance”
  • Loitsu — “Incantation”
  • Saunoa — “Go to the sauna”
  • Mennä mökille — “Go to a cottage”

To hear each of these vocabulary words pronounced, check out our Finnish Midsummer Day vocabulary list. Here, each word is accompanied by an audio file of its pronunciation and a relevant image.

Conclusion

What do you think of Midsummer’s Eve traditions in Finland? Does your country celebrate Midsummer Day, and if so, what do traditions look like in your country? Let us know in the comments!

To learn more about the culture in Finland and the Finnish language, visit us at FinnishPod101.com. We provide an array of practical learning tools for every learner to ensure that anyone can master Finnish! Read more insightful blog posts like this one, study with our free Finnish vocabulary lists, and chat with fellow Finnish learners on our community forums. By upgrading to Premium Plus, you can also begin using our MyTeacher program to learn Finnish one-on-one with your own teacher!

Learning a new language is no easy goal, but know that your determination and hard work will soon reap rewards! And FinnishPod101 will be here with you for each step of your journey to Finnish mastery!

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Finnish Civil War & Memorial Day for the War Dead

Memorial Day for the War Dead

Memorial Day for the War Dead (also commonly referred to as Commemoration Day of Fallen Soldiers) is one of Finland’s most significant holidays. It seeks to commemorate Finland’s losses in various wars, as well as losses from the countries it fought. In particular, the Finnish Civil War sparked the idea for this day of commemoration in the war commander Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim.

In this article, we’ll be going over what this holiday is and take a look at the wars this day seeks to commemorate. After reading this article, you’ll have a better grasp of Finland’s history and events leading up to its culture today, which is vital for any language-learner. At FinnishPod101.com, we hope to make this learning journey both fun and informative!

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1. What is the Commemoration Day of Fallen Soldiers?

The Memorial Day for the War Dead, otherwise known as the Commemoration Day of Fallen Soldiers, is when Finland remembers those who lost their lives in Finnish wars. The idea was put into effect by the Finnish war commander Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim in 1940.

This holiday seeks to commemorate the fallen soldiers of the following Finnish wars:

  • Finnish Civil War — 1918
  • Finnish Winter War (also known as the Russo-Finnish War or Finnish Russian War) — 1939-1940
  • Finland Continuation War — 1941-1944
  • Lapland War — 1944

While these are the main focus of Memorial Day for the War Dead in Finland, note that Finns also died in the Heimosodat wars and during U.N. peacekeeping missions.

2. When is Memorial Day for the War Dead Observed?

Defending One's Country

The date of the Commemoration Day of Fallen Soldiers varies from year to year, though it’s always on the third Sunday in May. For your convenience, here’s a list of this holiday’s dates for the next ten years.

  • 2019: May 19
  • 2020: May 17
  • 2021: May 16
  • 2022: May 15
  • 2023: May 21
  • 2024: May 19
  • 2025: May 18
  • 2026: May 17
  • 2027: May 16
  • 2028: May 21

3. How is Memorial Day for the War Dead Celebrated?

Tomb Decorated with Flowers

Celebrations and commemoration activities aren’t extensive in Finland, though this holiday is close to Finns’ hearts. Typically, church services are held on Memorial Day for the War Dead. Following these services, Finns often visit the graves and tombs of fallen soldiers to pay their respects and to simply remember the sacrifice they made.

4. Additional Information on the Finnish Wars

Let’s look at each main war that we mentioned earlier, to give you a better idea of Finland’s history and what this day means to them.

1- Finnish Civil War (1918 )

After the Russian Empire collapsed in WWI, Finland—who was, up until that point, under Russia’s control—was left with a shaky structure of governance, as well as a power vacuum. This took place during a time of growth and improvement in Finland, a time when change was sought after and becoming increasingly necessary.

Germany planned to gain control of Finland with Russia’s collapse. The plan was to turn Finland into a monarchy under German control—called the Kingdom of Finland—seeing as Finland had fallen into Germany’s sphere of influence.

In the meantime, German and Finnish troops fought against the Russian Empire. 36,000 Finns lost their lives in the conflict. However, upon Germany’s loss in WWI, this plan never came to full fruition and was soon cancelled.

This allowed Finland to become an independent and democratic nation, despite the country’s inner turmoil and unease for decades after.

2- Finnish Winter War (1939-1940)

The Finnish Winter War began in 1939 when the Soviet Union invaded Finland in hopes of gaining territory which Finland had denied it. After this invasion, Finland had good fortune for about two months, being able to ward off the offensive forces until the Soviet Union gathered its bearings again.

Fortunately, the war didn’t last very long, though it was fought in very cold temperatures during the winter months. The League of Nations decided that the Soviet Union’s offensive invasion was illegal, and the Moscow Peace Treaty was signed not long after. The Winter War lasted for three-and-a-half months, and led to heavy losses and a few gains for both sides involved (Finland and the Soviet Union).

The Soviet Union ended up gaining much land from Finland (eleven percent of it), but lost good standing in the eyes of other countries, not to mention that its military was exposed as being fairly weak and ineffective. Finland lost much land and had difficulty during the war attaining enough supplies and support, but gained a higher standing in the eyes of other countries after the Moscow Peace Treaty.

In St. Petersburg, there’s a monument dedicated to those lost during this war.

3- Finland Continuation War (1941-1944)

Not long after The Winter War, Finland once again fought against the Soviet Union. Germany served as a co-belligerent to Finland, having started the first battle against the USSR. The top three reasons for the war’s beginning are:

  • Regaining territory lost during The Winter War
  • Liberating Karelia
  • Expanding Finland to become “Greater Finland”

Ultimately, The Continuation War was a failure, ending in ceasefire.

In 1944, the Moscow Armistice was signed. The war resulted in the loss of 63,200 Finns, as well as 158,000 Finns with injuries.

4- Lapland War (1944-1945)

The Moscow Armistice signed to end the previous war posed a condition that led to the Lapland War between Finland and Nazi Germany: all German troops had to leave Finnish territory. This condition was made in light of the Soviet Vyborg—Petrozavodsk Offensive which took place in 1944.

The German evacuations were met with few problems at first, until the Soviet Union told Finland it needed to force the Germans out more effectively, as well demobilize the Finnish Army. As a result, Finland fought a few battles against Germany until most of the German forces had reached Norway (which it occupied at the time). In 1945, all of the German troops had left Finland.

WWII ended shortly after.

5. Useful Vocabulary for Commemoration Day of Fallen Soldiers

Candle for Grave

Here’s some vocabulary you should know for the Finnish Commemoration Day of Fallen Soldiers!

  • Sotilas — “Soldier”
  • Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim — “Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim”
  • Puolustaa — “Defend”
  • Sota — “War”
  • Hautakynttilä — “Grave candle”
  • Kaatua — “Fall”
  • Rauhanturvaaja — “Peacekeeper”
  • Sankarivainaja — “Hero of the deceased”
  • Menehtynyt — “Perished”
  • Leski — “Widow”
  • Sankarihauta — “Hero’s tomb”

To hear each of these vocabulary words pronounced, check out our Finnish Commemoration Day of Fallen Soldiers vocabulary list. Here, you’ll find each word accompanied by an audio file of its pronunciation.

Conclusion

Which event mentioned in this article do you think was the most interesting? Does your country have a holiday that honors those fallen in war? Let us know in the comments! We always love hearing from you.

To learn more about the culture in Finland and the Finnish language, visit us at FinnishPod101.com and take advantage of our numerous and effective learning tools. From insightful blog posts to free vocabulary lists and an online community forum, there’s something here for every learner! You can also create (or upgrade to) a Premium Plus account to begin using our MyTeacher program, where you can learn Finnish one-on-one with your own personal Finnish teacher.

We hope you took away something valuable from this article, and that you feel more knowledgeable about this aspect of Finnish history. Know that your hard work will pay off; before you know it, you’ll be speaking like a native Finn!

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How to Celebrate Easter in Finland

The Monday after Easter (Easter Monday) is Finland’s largest celebration during the Easter week. It’s a day of Finnish Easter pudding and more delicious traditional Finnish Easter food. However, it’s also a day of great religious significance for Finland’s Christian population. From its more religious celebrations to Easter witches, Easter in Finland is a delight!

Learn about Finland Easter traditions and more information about Easter in Finland with FinnishPod101.com! We hope to make learning about Finnish Easter both fun and informative; after all, cultural knowledge is a vital aspect of learning any language! So let’s get started.

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1. What is Easter Monday in Finland?

Easter, which is celebrated in-between March and April in Finland, is the oldest and most important Christian holiday.

Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus, but many Easter traditions of the Finns were originally pagan and are associated with the longer days. Easter week, which is also known as Silent Week, starts with Palm Sunday. The Easter holidays consist of Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday.

2. When is Easter Monday?

Daffodil Against White Background

The date of Easter Monday in Finland varies from year to year. For your convenience, here’s a list of this holiday’s date for the next ten years.

  • 2019: April 22
  • 2020: April 13
  • 2021: April 5
  • 2022: April 18
  • 2023: April 10
  • 2024: April 1
  • 2025: April 21
  • 2026: April 6
  • 2027: March 29
  • 2028: April 17

3. Reading Practice: How is Celebrated?

Large Festive Dinner

How is Easter celebrated in Finland? Read the Finnish text below to find out (and find the English translation directly below it)!

Palmusunnuntaina lapset pukeutuvat pääsiäisnoidiksi ja lähtevät naapurustoon virpomaan, mukanaan koristelemansa värikkäät pajunoksat. Virpoja toivottaa onnea ja terveyttä pajunoksia heiluttamalla ja lausumalla samaan aikaan virpomislorun. Palkaksi pienet noidat saavat yleensä suklaamunia tai muita makeisia. Koristellut pajunoksat symboloivat palmusunnuntain palmunlehviä ja kevään saapumista. Pajunkissoja ja koivunoksia laitetaan myös kodeissa maljakkoon esille, sekä rairuohoa kasvatetaan kevään ja elämän juhlistamiseksi.

Mämmi on kaikista perinteisin suomalainen pääsiäisherkku. Se on imellettyä, makeaa ruispuuroa, joka valmistetaan ruismaltaasta ja ruisjauhoista. Mämmi tarjoillaan yleensä kuohukerman, maidon tai vaniljajäätelön kanssa. Pasha puolestaan on rahkajälkiruoka, joka on levinnyt suomalaisten pääsiäispöytiin ortodoksien perinteestä. Pääsiäiseen kuuluvat myös pieniä leluja sisältävät suklaamunat ja pääsiäisrakeet. Suolaisia herkkuja ovat erilaiset lammas- ja kalaruoat, verimakkara ja uunijuusto.

Aiemmin uskottiin, että juuri pääsiäisenä hyvät ja pahat voimat taistelevat keskenään. Savun ja kipinöiden uskottiin karkottavan noitia ja pahoja henkiä, joten pääsiäislauantaina sytytettiin suuria rovioita, eli pääsiäiskokkoja.

On Palm Sunday, children dress up as Easter witches and go around the neighborhood to do virpominen, carrying colorful willow branches they have decorated themselves. The person conducting the virpominen, known as the virpoja, gives wishes of happiness and good health while waving the willow branches, and reciting a rhyme called virpomisloru, to the receiver. As a reward, the little witches usually receive chocolate eggs or other sweets. The embellished willow branches symbolize the palm leaves from Palm Sunday and the arrival of spring. Willow catkins and birch twigs are also placed in a vase in homes, and Easter rye grass is grown to celebrate spring and life.

Mämmi is the most traditional Finnish Easter delicacy. It is malted, sweet rye porridge which is prepared from rye malts and rye flour. Mämmi is usually served with whipped cream, milk, or vanilla ice cream. Pasha, in turn, is a curd dessert that has spread to Finnish Easter tables from the Orthodox tradition. Chocolate eggs that contain small toys and Easter drops are also a part of Easter. Savory delicacies include different kinds of lamb and fish dishes, blood sausage, and baked cheese.

It was previously believed that during Easter, good and evil forces would fight each other. Smoke and sparks were believed to expel witches and evil spirits, so large stakes and Easter bonfires were lit on Easter Saturday.

4. Additional Information

Do you know any other names the “Holy Week” can go by?
Holy Week is also known as a Silent Week or Torment Week, and each day has its own special name, Palm Sunday, Beam Monday, Holy Tuesday, Holy Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday.

5. Must-know Finnish Vocab for Easter Monday

Purple Easter eggs in Ryegrass

Here’s some vocabulary you should know for Easter Monday in Finland!

  • Tipu — “Chick”
  • Kristinusko — “Christianity”
  • Toinen pääsiäispäivä — “Easter Monday”
  • Ilmestyä — “Appear”
  • Opetuslapsi — “Disciple”
  • Vapaapäivä — “Day off”
  • Juhla-ateria — “Festive dinner
  • Narsissi — “Daffodil”
  • Rairuoho — “Ryegrass
  • Koivunoksa — “Birch twig”
  • Ylösnousemus — “Resurrection”

To hear each word pronounced, check out our Finnish Easter Monday vocabulary list. Here, you’ll find each word accompanied by an audio of its pronunciation.

Conclusion

What do you think about the Finnish celebration of Easter? Are Easter celebrations similar in your country, or different? Let us know in the comments!

To learn even more about Finnish culture and the language, visit us at FinnishPod101.com. We offer an array of insightful blog posts, free vocabulary lists, and an online community to discuss lessons with fellow Finnish learners. You can also take advantage of our MyTeacher program, and learn Finnish with your own personal teacher, by upgrading to a Premium Plus account!

All of your efforts will soon reap rewards, and you’ll be speaking like a native in no time! And we’ll be here to teach you and support you all the way there! Best wishes and happy Easter (be sure to enjoy some Finnish chocolate Easter eggs for us)!

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Runeberg Paiva: Celebrate the Day of Johan Ludvig Runeberg!

Day of Johan Ludvig Runeberg

Johan Ludvig Runeberg was Swedish-Finnish and is known for his writing and poetry. He was born on February 5, 1804 and died on May 6, 1877. Runeberg rose to the status of Finland’s national poet during his lifetime, due to his work being very “patriotic,” or isänmaallinen.

Runeberg has received numerous awards for his work and is highly honored in Finnish culture. Thus, by learning about Runeberg Paiva you’ll get a nice look at Finland’s history and its values. It’s our wish at FinnishPod101.com to help you learn all you need to know about Finnish culture, and this famous Finnish poet is no exception.

So, who was Runeberg and what is Runeberg Paiva?

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1. What is the Day of J.L. Runeberg?

Runeberg’s best-known work is “The Tales of Ensign Stål,” or in Finnish Vänrikki Stoolin tarinat, which is a collection of Johan Ludvig Runeberg poems which commemorate the Finnish war. The opening poem of the work was later composed to become the “Finnish national anthem,” or Suomen kansallislaulu, called Maamme which means “Our Land.”

Runeberg’s poems were written in Swedish and dealt largely with life in rural Finland. Another famous poem of his, “Bonden Paavo,” or “Farmer Paavo,” is about a poor farmer who persevered despite years of difficult climates and poor harvests. The farmer fights off starvation by mixing bark into his bread. After several years, he finally reaps a rich harvest. Despite assurances from God that he can now eat bread made solely from grain, the farmer continues to mix bark into his bread in order to share the bounty with his struggling neighbor.

Runeberg has received numerous national accolades including a day dedicated in his honor. Runeberg’s home, located in the center of Porvoo, was the first museum house in Finland. In addition, a number of monuments and memorials have been erected in his honor, and numerous streets, squares, and parks have been named after him.

For example, there is a Runeberg street in Helsinki and a Runeberg park in his birth city of Jakobstad. One of Finland’s most prominent “literary awards,” or kirjallisuuspalkinto in Finnish, the Runeberg Prize, was also established in his honor.

Further, Runeberg has been memorialized with a commemorative coin to celebrate the 200th anniversary of his birth. The coin was minted in 2004, and features Runeberg’s portrait on one side and a font from a Swedish newspaper on the reverse.

Thus, it’s clear why Runeberg is so highly regarded by the Finnish people. Enough so that there’s a day held each year in his honor: The Day of J.L. Runeberg or Runeberg Paiva.

2. When is it?

February 5

Each year, the Finnish people celebrate the famous Finnish poet J.L. Runeberg on the date of his birth, February 5.

3. How is it Celebrated?

Runeberg Tarts

Runeberg’s Day is a well-established “flag day,” or liputuspäivä. Literary-themed events are held this day at places such as bookstores and cafes. Further, the Runeberg Prize mentioned earlier is fittingly awarded on this day in Porvoo.

A well-known way to celebrate the day is to eat “Runeberg tarts,” or Runebergintorttuja, which are sweet pastries said to have been Runeberg’s favorite treat. The baked goods are usually available in grocery stores and cafes from January up until the day of J.L. Runeberg. Some of the cafes in Porvoo offer the pastries all year round.

The cylindrical shaped, arrack- or rum-flavored tarts contain wheat flour, bread crumbs, cookie crumbs, and almonds, and they are decorated with raspberry jam and icing. (Do we need to wait until Runeberg Paiva to eat these?!)

4. Additional Information

It’s said that Johan Ludvig Runeberg’s wife, Fredrika Runeberg, developed the pastry mentioned above for her sweet-toothed husband from whatever ingredients she could find in the pantry.

She was also a distinguished writer; she was the first Finnish historical novel writer, achieving popularity through her short stories as well as her novels. Talk about a great match!

4. Reading Practice: Fredrika Runeberg

Learn more about Johan Runeberg’s wife in the Finnish text below (the English translation is below):

  • Myös Johan Ludvig Runebergin vaimo Fredrika Runeberg oli ansioitunut kirjailija. Hän oli ensimmäisiä suomalaisia historiallisen romaanin kirjoittajia. Romaanien lisäksi hän saavutti suosiota lyhyillä kertomuksillaan.
  • Johan Ludvig Runeberg’s wife, Fredrika Runeberg, was also a distinguished writer. She was the first Finnish historical novel writer, achieving popularity through her short stories as well as her novels.

It’s also said that Johan Ludvig Runeberg’s wife developed Runeberg tarts for her sweet-toothed husband from whatever ingredients she could find in the pantry. Yum!

5. Must-know Vocab

Man Sitting at Typewriter with Drink

Here’s some vocabulary for you to go over in order to fully understand this Finnish holiday and celebrate it to its fullest.

  • päivä — “day”
  • runoilija — “poet”
  • kirjailija — “writer”
  • toimittaja — “journalist”
  • kansallisrunoilija — “national poet”
  • kansallislaulu — “national anthem”
  • torttu — “tart”
  • manteli — “almond”
  • rommi — “rum”
  • liputuspäivä — “Flag Day”

To hear the pronunciation of each word, be sure to check out our Finnish J.L. Runeberg Day vocabulary list. Here, you’ll find each word accompanied with an audio file so you can listen while you read.

Conclusion

As you can see, Johan Ludvig Runeberg was one of the most influential Finnish writers and his work holds great significance to the Finnish people. Thus, J.L. Runeberg Day is widely celebrated and held in reverence by many Fins.

What do you think about Runeberg and the Finns’ celebration of him? Is there a famous writer or other influential person your country celebrates? Let us know in the comments!

For more information on Finnish culture, visit us at FinnishPod101.com. We offer an array of insightful blog posts, vocabulary lists on a variety of topics, and even an online community where you can discuss lessons with fellow Finnish learners! You can even download our MyTeacher app to take advantage of a one-on-one learning experience with your own personal language teacher.

We hope you enjoyed learning about this Finnish holiday, and that you’ll enjoy making Runeberg tarts even more! Until next time, good luck in your language-learning!

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How to Say Happy New Year in Finnish & New Year Wishes

Learn all the Finnish New Year wishes online, in your own time, on any device! Join FinnishPod101 for a special Finnish New Year celebration!

How to Say Happy New Year in Finnish

Can you relate to the year passing something like this: “January, February, March – December!”? Many people do! Quantum physics teaches us that time is relative, and few experiences illustrate this principle as perfectly as when we reach the end of a year. To most of us, it feels like the old one has passed in the blink of an eye, while the new year lies ahead like a very long journey! However, New Year is also a time to celebrate beginnings, and to say goodbye to what has passed. This is true in every culture, no matter when New Year is celebrated.

So, how do you say Happy New Year in Finnish? Let a native teach you! At FinnishPod101, you will learn how to correctly greet your friends over New Year, and wish them well with these Finnish New Year wishes!

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Table of Contents

  1. How to Celebrate New Year in Finland
  2. Must-Know Finnish Words & Phrases for the New Year!
  3. Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions in Finnish
  4. Inspirational New Year Quotes
  5. Inspirational Language Learning Quotes
  6. How To Say Happy New Year in 31 Languages
  7. How FinnishPod101 Can Help You Learn Finnish

But let’s start with some vocabulary for Finnish New Year celebrations, very handy for conversations.

1. How to Celebrate New Year in Finland

Like everywhere in the world, in Finland the New Year is one of the most important celebrations of the year. In Finland, the New Year celebration is focused mainly on New Year’s Eve or uudenvuodenaatto, that is, on the last day of December. New Year’s Day, uudenvuodenpäivä, on January 1, is a public holiday, when many people wind down at home with their families.

Now, before we get into more detail, do you know the answer to this question-

Do you know what dishes are typically associated with Finnish New Year?

If you don’t already know, you’ll find out a bit later. Keep reading.

Shops and offices typically close earlier than usual on New Year’s Eve, after which it’s time to concentrate on the celebrations for the coming year. Given Finns’ great love for saunas, relaxing in a sauna is often a vital part of a New Year’s Eve program in Finland. Many go to restaurants and clubs to celebrate the New Year, while more formal New Year’s celebrations include the opera and the theater.

Some highlights of New Year’s celebrations include pewter casting, or tinan valaminen, and fireworks, or ilotulitteet. The horseshoe-shaped pewter pieces are melted in a metal ladle, after which the melted pewter is dropped into snow or water where it solidifies into a statuette. People observe the interesting shapes the statuette takes on, and use them to try to make predictions for the coming year. For example, a piece in the shape of a ship may foretell travel, and a lace-like surface may predict money. The fireworks portion of the festivities are greatly loved by all, especially children. In Finland, fireworks are allowed to be set off only between 6 pm and 2 am on the night of New Year’s Eve.

Shops are closed during New Year’s Day, allowing everyone to spend the day peacefully with their families. The president of Finland also gives a traditional New Year’s speech, which is broadcast live on TV. Many Finns choose to watch the Vienna Philharmonic’s New Year’s concert on television. Making New Year’s resolutions or uudenvuodenlupaus, on New Year’s Day is one of the most popular traditions, encouraging people to look forward to the upcoming year. Resolutions usually revolve around changing bad habits, starting new hobbies, or setting goals.

In the past, Finns celebrated the New Year as “Kekri,” a feast of harvest, during October or November. At the time, people would try to predict the future by throwing a bath whisk on the roof of a sauna, or by throwing hay on the roof purlins. The direction where the bath whisk would point would predict the future; if the stem was pointing towards the town church and graveyard, death was expected. But if the leaves were pointing towards the church, it meant marriage for the unmarried, and happiness for the married. On some occasions the stem was thought to point in the direction of the house of one’s future spouse. A similar tradition held that when a bundle of hay was thrown towards the roof purlins, one would ask a question at the same time—if most of the hay stayed on the purlins, the answer would be “yes”, if most of it fell back on the floor, the answer would be “no”.

Now it’s time to answer our quiz question-

Do you know what dishes are typically associated with Finnish New Year?

The New Year is not a time to get stressed about cooking, so people try to focus on easy and delicious food instead. Surprisingly, potato salad and wieners are a primary part of the New Year’s menu for many Finns! The drink of choice is, of course, sparkling wine or champagne!

Happy New Year!
Hyvää uutta vuotta!

2. Must-Know Finnish Words & Phrases for the New Year!

Finnish Words & Phrases for the New Year

1- Year

vuosi

This is pretty self-explanatory. Most countries follow a Gregorian calendar, which has approximately 365 days in a year, while in some cultures, other year designations are also honored. Therefore, New Year’s day in Finland could fall on a different day than in your country. When do you celebrate New Year?

2- Midnight

keskiyö

The point in time when a day ends and a new one starts. Many New Year celebrants prefer to stay awake till midnight, and greet the new annum as it breaks with fanfare and fireworks!

3- New Year’s Day

uudenvuodenpäivä

In most countries, the new year is celebrated for one whole day. On the Gregorian calendar, this falls on January 1st. On this day, different cultures engage in festive activities, like parties, parades, big meals with families and many more.

You can do it!

4- Party

juhla

A party is most people’s favorite way to end the old year, and charge festively into the new one! We celebrate all we accomplished in the old year, and joyfully anticipate what lies ahead.

5- Dancing

tanssi

Usually, when the clock strikes midnight and the New Year officially begins, people break out in dance! It is a jolly way to express a celebratory mood with good expectations for the year ahead. Also, perhaps, that the old year with its problems has finally passed! Dance parties are also a popular way to spend New Year’s Eve in many places.

6- Champagne

samppanja

Originating in France, champagne is a bubbly, alcoholic drink that is often used to toast something or someone during celebrations.

7- Fireworks

ilotulitus

These are explosives that cause spectacular effects when ignited. They are popular for announcing the start of the new year with loud noises and colorful displays! In some countries, fireworks are set off to scare away evil spirits. In others, the use of fireworks is forbidden in urban areas due to their harmful effect on pets. Most animals’ hearing is much more sensitive than humans’, so this noisy display can be very frightful and traumatising to them.

Happy Near Year!

8- Countdown

lähtölaskenta

This countdown refers to New Year celebrants counting the seconds, usually backward, till midnight, when New Year starts – a great group activity that doesn’t scare animals, and involves a lot of joyful shouting when the clock strikes midnight!

9- New Year’s Holiday

uudenvuodenloma

In many countries, New Year’s Day is a public holiday – to recuperate from the party the previous night, perhaps! Families also like to meet on this day to enjoy a meal and spend time together.

10- Confetti

konfetti

In most Western countries, confetti is traditionally associated with weddings, but often it is used as a party decoration. Some prefer to throw it in the air at the strike of midnight on New Year’s Eve.

11- New Year’s Eve

uudenvuodenaatto

This is the evening before New Year breaks at midnight! Often, friends and family meet for a party or meal the evening before, sometimes engaging in year-end rituals. How are you planning to give your New Year greetings in 2018?

12- Toast

nostaa malja

A toast is a type of group-salutation that involves raising your glass to drink with others in honor of something or someone. A toast to the new year is definitely in order!

13- Resolution

uudenvuodenlupaus

Those goals or intentions you hope to, but seldom keep in the new year! Many people consider the start of a new year to be the opportune time for making changes or plans. Resolutions are those intentions to change, or the plans. It’s best to keep your resolutions realistic so as not to disappoint yourself!

14- Parade

paraati

New Year celebrations are a huge deal in some countries! Parades are held in the streets, often to celebratory music, with colorful costumes and lots of dancing. Parades are like marches, only less formal and way more fun. At FinnishPod101, you can engage in forums with natives who can tell you what Finnish New Year celebrations are like!

3. Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions

New Year’s Resolutions List

So, you learned the Finnish word for ‘resolution’. Fabulous! Resolutions are those goals and intentions that we hope to manifest in the year that lies ahead. The beginning of a new year serves as a good marker in time to formalise these. Some like to do it in writing, others only hold these resolutions in their hearts. Here are our Top 10 New Year’s resolutions at FinnishPod101 – what are yours?

Learn these phrases and impress your Finnish friends with your vocabulary.

New Year's Resolutions

1- Read more

Lukea enemmän.

Reading is a fantastic skill that everyone can benefit from. You’re a business person? Apparently, successful business men and women read up to 60 books a year. This probably excludes fiction, so better scan your library or Amazon for the top business reads if you plan to follow in the footsteps of the successful! Otherwise, why not make it your resolution to read more Finnish in the new year? You will be surprised by how much this will improve your Finnish language skills!

2- Spend more time with family

Viettää enemmän aikaa perheen kanssa.

Former US President George Bush’s wife, Barbara Bush, was quoted as having said this: “At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict, or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a friend, a child, a parent.” This is very true! Relationships are often what gives life meaning, so this is a worthy resolution for any year.

3- Lose weight

Laihtua.

Hands up, how many of you made this new year’s resolution last year too…?! This is a notoriously difficult goal to keep, as it takes a lot of self discipline not to eat unhealthily. Good luck with this one, and avoid unhealthy fad diets!

4- Save money

Säästää rahaa.

Another common and difficult resolution! However, no one has ever been sorry when they saved towards reaching a goal. Make it your resolution to save money to upgrade your subscription to FinnishPod101’s Premium PLUS option in the new year – it will be money well spent!

5- Quit smoking

Lopettaa tupakoinnin.

This is a resolution that you should definitely keep, or your body could punish you severely later! Smoking is a harmful habit with many hazardous effects on your health. Do everything in your power to make this resolution come true in the new year, as your health is your most precious asset.

6- Learn something new

Oppia jotain uutta.

Science has proven that learning new skills can help keep brain diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s at bay! It can even slow down the progression of the disease. So, keep your brain healthy by learning to speak a new language, studying towards a qualification, learning how to sew, or how to play chess – no matter how old you are, the possibilities are infinite!

7- Drink less

Juoda vähemmän.

This is another health resolution that is good to heed any time of the year. Excessive drinking is associated with many diseases, and its effect can be very detrimental to good relationships too. Alcohol is a poison and harmful for the body in large quantities!

8- Exercise regularly

Harrastaa liikuntaa säännöllisesti.

This resolution goes hand-in-hand with ‘Lose weight’! An inactive body is an unhealthy and often overweight one, so give this resolution priority in the new year.

9- Eat healthy

Syödä terveellisesti.

If you stick with this resolution, you will lose weight and feel better in general. It is a very worthy goal to have!

10- Study Finnish with FinnishPod101

Opiskelen suomea FinnishPod101.comin kanssa.

Of course! You can only benefit from learning Finnish, especially with us! Learning how to speak Finnish can keep your brain healthy, it can widen your circle of friends, and improve your chances to land a dream job anywhere in the world. FinnishPod101 makes it easy and enjoyable for you to stick to this resolution.

4. Inspirational New Year Quotes

Inspirational Quotes

Everyone knows that it is sometimes very hard to stick to resolutions, and not only over New Year. The reasons for this vary from person to person, but all of us need inspiration every now and then! A good way to remain motivated is to keep inspirational quotes near as reminders that it’s up to us to reach our goals.

Click here for quotes that will also work well in a card for a special Finnish new year greeting!

Make decorative notes of these in Finnish, and keep them close! Perhaps you could stick them above your bathroom mirror, or on your study’s wall. This way you not only get to read Finnish incidentally, but also remain inspired to reach your goals! Imagine feeling like giving up on a goal, but reading this quote when you go to the bathroom: “It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop.” What a positive affirmation!

5. Inspirational Language Learning Quotes

Language Learning Quotes

Still undecided whether you should enroll with FinnishPod101 to learn a new language? There’s no time like the present to decide! Let the following Language Learning Quotes inspire you with their wisdom.

Click here to read the most inspirational Language Learning Quotes!

As legendary President Nelson Mandela once said: “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.” So, learning how to say Happy New Year in Finnish could well be a way into someone special’s heart for you! Let this year be the one where you to learn how to say Happy New Year, and much more, in Finnish – it could open many and unexpected doors for you.

6. How To Say Happy New Year in 31 Languages

Here’s a lovely bonus for you! Why stop with Finnish – learn how to say Happy New Year in 31 other languages too! Watch this video and learn how to pronounce these New Year’s wishes like a native in under two minutes.

7. Why Enrolling with FinnishPod101 Would Be the Perfect New Year’s Gift to Yourself!

If you are unsure how to celebrate the New Year, why not give yourself a huge gift, and enroll to learn Finnish! With more than 12 years of experience behind us, we know that FinnishPod101 would be the perfect fit for you. There are so many reasons for this!

Learning Paths

  • Custom-tailored Learning Paths: Start learning Finnish at the level that you are. We have numerous Learning Pathways, and we tailor them just for you based on your goals and interests! What a boon!
  • Marked Progress and Fresh Learning Material Every Week: We make new lessons available every week, with an option to track your progress. Topics are culturally appropriate and useful, such as “Learning how to deliver negative answers politely to a business partner.” Our aim is to equip you with Finnish that makes sense!
  • Multiple Learning Tools: Learn in fun, easy ways with resources such 1,000+ video and audio lessons, flashcards, detailed PDF downloads, and mobile apps suitable for multiple devices!
  • Fast Track Learning Option: If you’re serious about fast-tracking your learning, Premium Plus would be the perfect way to go! Enjoy perks such as personalised lessons with ongoing guidance from your own, native-speaking teacher, and one-on-one learning on your mobile app! You will not be alone in your learning. Weekly assignments with non-stop feedback, answers and corrections will ensure speedy progress.
  • Fun and Easy: Keeping the lessons fun and easy-to-learn is our aim, so you will stay motivated by your progress!

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There’s no reason not to go big in 2018 by learning Finnish with FinnishPod101. Just imagine how the world can open up for you!