People and culture

Learning goals

Differences in culture and customs, celebrations and cuisine are often the first things an immigrant notices in a new country. What kind of things are valued in Finland and how the values are reflected in the society? Getting to know local customs and understanding why people act in a certain way helps with getting to know others and interacting with them. Newcomers may also want to learn more about the people living in Finland, the languages spoken and the religions that are practised in the country.

After completing this section, the participant of the civic orientation will:

• know about the demographics of Finland 
• understand the basics of religions, religious practice, non-religiosity, and freedom of religion in Finland
• be able to explain the values on which Finland has been built and why
• recognise key features of Finnish customs and their background
• know the most important celebrations and holidays in Finland
• be able to describe the Finnish cuisine.
   

Case study

Michael moved to Finland about a year ago to study for an English-language master’s degree at a university. The friends he has made at the university are all foreigners, and it has started to bother Michael that he doesn’t really know any Finns. After graduating, he would like to stay in Finland and work. His studies have included a couple of Finnish language courses, and in addition, Michael has also attended evening classes at the local Finnish Adult Education Center (työväenopisto). He would love to practice speaking Finnish in everyday situations, but in shops or public offices, people often start speaking English to him.

One Wednesday evening, Michael runs into his neighbour in the stairwell.
The man is wearing a bathrobe and holding a bundle of birch twigs with leaves. Michael and this neighbour have already reached the point where they greet each other whenever they meet. They greet each other now as well, and the neighbour notices Michael’s curious look. He explains that the building has a common sauna slot every Wednesday evening, open to all residents. There are separate times for men and women. The neighbour asks why Michael doesn’t come to the sauna too. He also explains something about the birch twigs, but Michael doesn’t understand what they’re used for in the sauna. Following the neighbour’s instructions, Michael goes home to get a towel and heads to the building’s basement to find the sauna. 

Six months later, Michael finds himself using building’s common sauna slot almost every week. There are usually two or three neighbours there who are happy to speak Finnish with Michael and tell him about Finnish sauna culture, including the tradition of using birch whisk for gently whipping oneself to improve circulation. He can also ask them about other aspects of Finnish society or customs. Michael finds it a bit amusing to make Finnish friends, he had to get naked and sweat it out with strangers in a steamy wooden room. However, through the sauna, he has already gotten to know two of his neighbours, and with one of them, he occasionally jogs.