Finnishness, an ethnic concept?

Posted on November 25th, 2007 chivacongelado 2 comments

As we know, there is not that many foreigners in Finland, society is very homogeneous, and the country has a history of emigrants, not really immigrants. Discussing these details with a couple of friends (a Finn by birth and a Finn by naturalisation) over a beer last Thursday, I started thinking that Finnishness is an ethnic, not only a cultural concept.

This would be behind the perceived fact that an immigrant who comes here, no matter how well he/she (hän) adapts to the place, learns the language and adopts the culture will not be regarded as a Finn, even when holding a Finnish passport as he/she wouldn't "look like us".

If this idea happens to be right, it forecasts trouble for the integration of those immigrants that are already here and those that are coming, since the host society would not be ready for it. Really wonder if that is the case. Any opinions?

Not that nationality being a cultural concept is a guarantee of success. Just ask the French.

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2 responses to “Finnishness, an ethnic concept?”

Finnish citizenship test | Try not. Do or do not. There is no try. November 6th, 2009 at 17:17

[...] I got 85%, while natural-born Finns I know got 30 points less. Doesn’t seem to make me or any other foreigner any more or less of a Finn in the eyes of society to know for example how people in Rauma speak, as the more I explore suomalaisuus it looks that it is an ethnic rather than cultural concept. [...]
Open letter to the Finnish political elite | Try not. Do or do not. There is no try. April 26th, 2010 at 23:23

[...] “Maassa maan tavalla”: This phrase, part “In Rome do as the Romans”, part “Love it or leave it” was uttered to great effect by the leader of the Finnish Social Democrats. She went further on to talk about the need for foreigers to obey the law and learn the language. My first problem with this statement is not its content, but its patronising tone. When you move abroad you know you will face new situations and have to adapt to your environment, which does include learning at least some of the local language. Following the law is also part of this process (who wants to move thousands of kilometres at a considerable cost only to end up in jail?). Furthermore, my second concern is related to the fact that Finnish laws and Finnish customs are not the same thing. Are we a tolerant enough society to accept people who look, dress and sound different as long as they contribute to society and pay their taxes, or is there an ideal of Finnishness they need to adhere to? Have we agreed on what that ideal is? [...]

@vampyrse I'll miss you guys as well, but a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do =) Enjoy the games (OK, I know you will).