Finnish History

If you ask a Finn, they will likely be as baffled as you are. That’s why Melanie Dower, an expat who has been living in Finland for the past decade, has taken up the charge. Her vantage as an outsider entrenched in Finnish culture uniquely positions her to identify the keys to Finnish happiness that elude the rest of the world and that Finns take for granted. From sauna to strong social safety nets, Finnish life is made up of a constellation of habits and structures that leave its residents relaxed, healthy, and fulfilled.

There are 3 varieties of standard Finnish: "kirjakieli" or “book language” which is used in official documents, official speeches and the daily news; "yleiskieli" or “standard language” which is taught in schools - formal and correct, though more relaxed than the "book language"; and "puhekieli" or "spoken language" which is a frequently changing, more casual variety used in everyday conversation. This course teaches the standard Finnish language, "yleiskieli."

In 1939, tiny Finland waged war - the kind of war that spawns legends - against the mighty Soviet Union, and yet, their epic struggle has been largely ignored. Guerrillas on skis, heroic single-handed attacks on tanks, unfathomable endurance, and the charismatic leadership of one of this century's true military geniuses - these are the elements of both the Finnish victory and a gripping tale of war.

This book pulls back the curtain so you can get a better look at Finland’s history. Its history is exciting, even without the Vikings, and its proximity to Russia is something that is still talked about in the news today.

Forget hygge - it's time to blow out the candles and get out into the world! Journalist Katja Pantzar did just that, taking the huge leap to move to the remote Nordic country of Finland. What she discovered there transformed her body, mind, and spirit. In this engaging and practical guide, she shows listeners how to embrace the "keep it simple and sensible" daily practices that make Finns one of the happiest populations in the world, year after year. The Finns have a word for that, and this empowering book shows us how to achieve it.

Finnish mythology is filled with stories from northern gods and goddesses, magical animals and feisty forest spirits. Finland was an agricultural society for hundreds of years and before that the inhabitants were hunter-gatherers. Our mythology and folktales are intertwined with the surrounding nature, clear lakes, northern lights and the forest, which was the home of all kinds of mysterious events. In this book you will become familiar with old Finnish gods and goddesses and ancient festivals.

The first two editions of Finnish Lessons described how a small Nordic nation built a school system that provided access to a world-class education for all of its young people. Now available in 30 languages, this Grawemeyer Award-winning book continues to influence education policies and school practices around the globe. In this third edition, Pasi Sahlberg updates the story of how Finland sustains its exemplary educational performance, including how it responds to turbulent changes at home and throughout the world.

Simo Häyhä was a man of action who spoke very little, but he was respected by his men and his superiors and given many difficult missions, including taking out specific targets. Able to move silently and swiftly through the landscape, melting into the snowbound surroundings in his white camouflage fatigues, his aim was deadly and his quarry rarely escaped. The Russians learned of his reputation as a marksman and tried several times to kill him by indirect fire. He was promoted from corporal to second lieutenant and he was awarded the Cross of Kollaa.

This book describes the odd coalition between Germany and Finland in World War II, and their joint military operations from 1941 to 1945. This is a topic often missing in English, though in stark contrast to the numerous books on the shorter and less bloody Winter War. That conflict represented a gallant fight of a democratic “David” against a totalitarian “Goliath” that caught the imagination of the world. The story of Finland fighting alongside a “Goliath” of its own has not brought pride to that nation and was a period many Finns would rather forget.

In this groundbreaking account, Kimmo Rentola traces the epochal shifts in Soviet-Finnish relations. From the Winter War to Finland's exit from World War II in 1944, a possible Soviet-backed coup in 1948, and Moscow's designation of Finland as an enemy state in 1950, Finland was forced to navigate Stalin's outsize political and territorial demands. Rentola presents a dramatic reconstruction of Finland's unlikely survival at a time when the nation's very existence was at stake.

The five Basic Bootcamp lessons each center on a practical, real-life conversation. At the beginning of the lesson, we'll introduce the background of the conversation. After the conversation, you'll learn carefully selected vocabulary and key grammar concepts. Next, you'll hear the conversation one time at natural native speed. Finally, practice what you have learned with the review track.

The history of the Russian Revolution and the subsequent civil war has been well documented in a number of books and documentaries. What has received far less coverage is an almost uncannily similar situation in Finland during the same time period. Starting in 1917, Finland was convulsed by a series of events that provided a direct parallel to those in Russia. The revolution, the civil war that followed, and the impact of the end of World War I all helped to define the modern state of Finland. This is the story of a forgotten conflict, its roots, and its impact on Finland and beyond.

In December 1940, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill made a speech about a conflict that had some leading figures in Britain and France, including Churchill himself, briefly discussing the idea of going to war with the Soviet Union, even though they were already fighting Adolf Hitler. Of course, war makes strange bedfellows, and one year later, Churchill would find himself allied with the Soviet Union against Germany and Finland. It’s an interesting saga, one with roots in imperial Russian history and the desire of the Finns to be free in their northern forests.

Finland is a beautiful yet often overlooked country, famous for its windswept landscapes, icy temperatures, hardy people, and thousands of crystal-clear lakes. From its earliest inhabitants at the end of the last ice age, Finland has carved out a place for itself in the far north, creating a thriving economy, resilient culture, and a unique way of life that makes it a truly awe-inspiring place to visit. Now, this book sheds light onto Finland’s diverse and vibrant history.

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Heinäkuun 14. päivänä 1876 keisari Aleksanteri II lähti omassa junassaan Pietarista Helsinkiin tutustumaan suuriruhtinaskuntansa Suomen ensimmäiseen taideteollisuusnäyttelyyn. Mukaan matkalle tulivat hänen puolisonsa keisarinna Maria, tyttärensä Edinburghin herttuatar Maria, poikansa kruununperijä Aleksanteri ja hänen vaimonsa Maria Fjodorovna (Dagmar). Seurueeseen Pietarissa liittyvät Venäjän opetusministeri Dimitri Tolstoi ja kansanrunouden kerääjä Daniel Europaeus.

Kirja taustoittaa vuoden 1883 näkökulmasta Savitaipaleella vuonna 1820 syntyneen kulttuurivaikuttaja D.E.D. Europaeuksen (k.1884) elämäntyötä lapsuudesta vanhuusikään saakka. Hänen toimintansa perustana oli jatkuva tiedon hankkiminen kansanrunouden, kielitieteen, arkeologian ja laajemminkin koko kulttuurimme alueilta yhteisöjen, kansojen ja ihmiskunnan parhaaksi. Kansanrunouden kerääjänä hän merkittävällä tavalla oli tukemassa tohtori Elias Lönnrotin toimittaman Kalevalan uuden version syntyä (1849). Myös sen arviointiin Europaeus osallistui.

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Oli 22. kesäkuuta 1941 kello 3.41. Saksan sotilaat olivat valmiina taisteluun 1 800 kilometrin pituisella linjalla, joka ulottui Itämereltä Romaniaan. Helvetti oli hetkessä irti, kun Luftwaffen koneet suuntasivat puna-armeijan linjojen taakse ja tykistö avasi tulen. Seuraavaksi Saksan pelätyt panssarivaunut vyöryivät eteenpäin operaatio Barbarossassa Hitlerin hyökätessä Neuvostoliittoon. 3,7 miljoonan sotilaan hyökkäys oli siihen asti historian suurin.