FINNISH CULTURE, FOOD & HERITAGE

The Finnish Way of Life

• Closeness to Nature: Many Finns love to spend time in forests, by lakes, and at their summer cottages. Nature is an essential part of Finnish identity.
• Silence and Peace: In Finland, privacy and personal space are highly valued. You might notice this on trains and buses, where it can remain very quiet even with many people on board. A Finn may seem reserved at first, but this often reflects a respect for calm and personal boundaries.
• Honesty and Directness: Finns tend to speak plainly and avoid unnecessary small talk. They usually don’t find silence awkward, but rather view it as natural and acceptable. Practical thinking and keeping one’s word are core values.

Finnish Music

• Jean Sibelius: Finland’s national composer, whose works (such as Finlandia) have greatly influenced the nation’s sense of identity and cultural heritage.
• Metal Music: Finland is widely known for its many successful metal bands, such as Nightwish, HIM, Children of Bodom, and Apocalyptica. Metal music is a significant part of Finland’s distinctive music scene.
• Folk Music: Instruments like the kantele and traditional runo singing (from the Kalevala tradition, for example) are part of Finland’s musical heritage. Folk music still features at festivals and in fusion with modern styles.

Finnish Food Culture

• Basic Ingredients: Finnish cuisine uses for example plenty of potatoes, root vegetables, fish, mushrooms, and game. Domestic food is highly valued for its purity and high-quality ingredients.
• Traditional Finnish foods:
  • Karjalanpiirakat (Karelian pies filled with rice or mashed potatoes, often served with egg butter)
  • ruisleipä (rye bread, a staple in Finnish diets)
  • lohikeitto (creamy salmon soup with potatoes and sometimes carrots)
  • korvapuusti (cinnamon buns, often flavored with cardamom)
  • mämmi (a traditional Easter pudding made from rye flour and malt)
• Everyday home cooking is typically simple and nutritious.
• Coffee: Finland is one of the world’s top coffee-consuming nations per capita. Taking coffee breaks is an important part of daily life and social interaction.

Other Cultural Features

• Sauna Culture: The sauna is sacred to Finns—a place for relaxation, peace and also togetherness. People use it year-round, often following traditions and habits, such as going on Saturdays and, in summer, whisking each other with birch twigs (vihta). Most Finnish homes have their own sauna. Read more about Finnish sauna culture.
• Changing Seasons: There is a stark contrast between the long, dark winters and the bright summers. In summer, many Finns head to their cottages to enjoy the midnight sun, while in winter, they spend more time at home.
• Festivals and Traditions: Finland has several unique celebrations, such as Midsummer (Juhannus), Independence Day (December 6), and May Day (Vappu, on May 1). On Midsummer, people light bonfires, and on Independence Day, many people like to watch the festive reception at the Presidential Palace.
• Design and Architecture: Finnish design is internationally renowned (think Alvar Aalto, Marimekko, Iittala). Simplicity, functionality, and natural materials are hallmarks of Finnish design.

Communication and Interaction

• Modesty: Finns often shy away from too much self-promotion. Modesty is seen as a virtue, though the level of skill and quality in many areas is notably high.
• Punctuality: Sticking to agreed schedules is important, and timeliness is considered polite.
• Family and Friends: Though independence and privacy are valued, close relationships are important to many. A Finn might show warmth only after getting to know you better.