HISTORY

The first people coming from the east settle down around 500 BC in present Finland. Being located east of the other Scandinavian countries and separated from them by sea, Finland grew independently and didn’t take part in the great wave of Viking conquests. However it is presently acknowledged that Finland had been already in touch with Christianity before the big crusade undertaken by Sweden in 1157, which led to its domination over Finland till 1809. Then, Finland fell under Russian rule and the old capital Turku was replaced by a new one, Helsinki which closer to the Russian border. Swedish remained the official language, but the protest movement started growing.

Under the inspiration of Johan Vilhelm Snellman, Finish was claimed to become the official language. However, a compromise was found with the Swedish minority, as both language were declared official for some time. The Finnish writer, Elias Lönnrot published his epic narration “Kalevala”. By the end of the 19th century, Tsar Nicolas the 1st of Russia tried to turn Finland into an ordinary Russian province, but a great replica came from the artistic & intellectual community : Jean Sibelius composed “Finlandia”, Akseli Gallen-Kallela painted scenes of the Kalevala. A new Finnish constitution is written in 1906 granting the voting right to women, but it is only after the October 1917 revolution in Russia and the destitution of the Tsar, that Finland could, at last claim its independence. In 1955, Finland joins the U.N. and becomes a member of the European Community in 1995, after a referendum.

With 65% of its territory covered by forests and another 10% by lakes, Finland and its 5 million inhabitants still enjoy a preserved natural setting. Moreover, Finland has become a fast growing economic power, through the skill and enterprising mood of its inhabitants, who will move many a traveler by their kindness and hospitality sense. Another clue : best is to speak in English, for it may take a long time to learn Finnish language which is very unusual and nearly similar to none (except Estonian)…

Helsinki