Finland - Blog Posts
I'm gonna add to this with some additions that are missing currently.
Haloo Helsinki is like the peak of finnish pop-rock currently. They have an amazing catalogue of complete bangers, that I feel have quite rich language as well.
PMMP is one of the most iconic finnish pop bands ever. They sold out multiple arenas after not making music or touring for a decade. Incredibly high quality music with really deep lyricism. They also sing really clearly most of the time so it should be pretty good for learning the language.
Gonna also give a mention to Happoradio, CMX, and Apulanta, which are all great finnish rock bands.
Do you have any good Finnish song recommendations? I'm wanting to learn Finnish and listening to songs in a language helps me learn faster. Love your blog by the way
Terve! Kiva, että pidät blogista. :)
Thinking of just lyrics, I think Zen Café, Happoradio, Arttu Wiskari, and Johanna Kurkela have some pretty interesting ones. Leevi and the Leavings from the previous ask, too. Juice Leskinen, Irwin Goodman.
Honestly, it also depends on what kind of music you like.
Perhaps my followers could share some of their favourite Finnish language music? I honestly know nothing about today's popular music in Finland.
For a learner, I would advise focusing on lyrics in kirjakieli (grammatically correct standard Finnish) or yleiskieli (spoken Finnish close to kirjakieli) rather than anything in obvious puhekieli (spoken Finnish dialects which can be pretty different from standard Finnish).
The first fictional book in the Finnish language was not an epic adventure nor a grand drama, but a tale of seven countryboy brothers fumbling around, getting drunk, misbehaving, leaving chores undone, almost getting themselves killed, and still making it through life.
idk y'all, i feel like there's just something very finnish about the melancholic hopelessness and tragic nature of life, the fleeting summers and harsh winters, celebration songs composed in a minor key, blue and white, lakes and summer sky and snow, the inherent unfairness of existence, the forever feeling of not belonging, the chronic avoidance of any stranger while also propping lost gloves onto street signs in the hope that they may return to their owners, the silence of 3am, the "silence" of an untouched forest, the old wisdoms and folk songs
it's almost as if the entire culture was built on mourning as a form of perseverance, the importance of sitting in silence every now and then, and the concept of love thy neighbour that existed way before the bound bible found it's way to the finnish wildlands
To me, one of the core finland experiences is walking a long ass distance in the dead of night in freezing temperatures, on a quest to find the nearest bus stop that actually runs this late.
Just did that (still like 40 minutes away from home, but in the relatively warm bus now (bus also an integral part of the experience)) and I haven't felt more finnish in a while.
When you're a famous rock star but you also live in Finland
When you're the president but you also live in Finland.
That is beautiful, it's like the ice bucket challenge but hardcore :}
Finland, since 1918
Look I don’t really have anything to say about the Finnish flag. But I do want to point out that they just celebrated the most bizarre holiday I’ve ever heard of:
National Sleepy Head Day (Finnish: Unikeonpäivä) is celebrated in Finland on July 27 every year. Traditionally on this day, the last person in the house (also dubbed as the “laziest”) to wake up is woken up using water, either by being thrown into a lake or the sea, or by having water thrown on them. Other traditions include shaving the left side of the “laziest” man’s chest. It is based on the story of the Saints of Ephesus who slept in a cave for some 200 years during the Middle Ages whilst hiding from persecution by Decius, the Roman Emperor at the time.
In the city of Naantali, a Finnish celebrity is chosen every year to be thrown in the sea from the city’s port at 7 a.m. The identity of the sleeper is kept secret until the event. People who are chosen have usually done something to the benefit of the city. Every city mayor has thus far been thrown to the sea at least once, but other sleepers have included the president Tarja Halonen’s husband, Dr Pentti Arajärvi, the CEO of Neste Oil Risto Rinne, along with many writers, artists and politicians. The celebrations continue into the evening in Naantali and include activities for people of every age.
Like seriously what the fuck is going on in Finland.
Krijasto
It should not be any surprise that a majority of the Happiest report countries in the world, also have the highest reported intellect, education and success. One such country, Finland, is consistently praised for various reasons. It has great access to nature (including the Northern Lights) and a clean environment, there is a real sense of community as it is not uncommon for people who have lost their wallet to have it returned and high parental leave for all parents; and there is a great freedom to express oneself as seen with the creativity that has pushed design boundaries, created mobile games and metal music.
While not the only foundation of these achievements, another instrument of this success is the love Finland has for their books and public libraries. Noted as the country that takes out/borrows the most libraries in the world these libraries truly are epicenters of the community where new and established residents may learn, explore, think, question and grow
(1) https://s3.amazonaws.com/happiness-report/2019/WHR19.pdf
(2) https://www.visitfinland.com/article/greatest-things-about-finland/
(3) https://www.buzzfeed.com/frankmartela/12-surprising-things-in-which-finland-is-the-best-fvkn
(4) https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/may/15/why-finlands-cities-are-havens-for-library-lovers-oodi-helsinki
Kaikki, jotka päinvastoin näkevät suurimman uhan Venäjällä, ei Amerikassa, ovat tyhmiä ja epäpäteviä! (Все, кто наоборот видят главную угрозу в России, а не в Америке тупые и не дееспособные !)
Cuisine - Karelian Pies Karjalanpiirakka These savory Karelian Pies karjalanpiirakka are a favorite in Finland. Rice porridge in a rye crust, baked until golden. These pastries are eaten at breakfast or lunch.
