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Finland is a Nordic country in northern Europe that borders Norway, Sweden, and Russia. It is the 8th largest country in Europe by area, and has the most densely forested land and the biggest archipelago in the continent. Finland also has 188,000 lakes, and a large part of its territory lies above the Arctic Circle in Lapland, the last untamed wilderness in Europe. Finland is a welfare state that aims to be carbon neutral by 2035, and is the happiest country in the world. Finland is known for its education system, Angry Birds, the Moomins, and design.
“Under the North Star” is a trilogy of novels by Väinö Linna, published in the 1950s and 1960s. The books explore the life of a Finnish family during a period of social and political upheaval, including World War I and the Finnish Civil War. The trilogy is widely regarded as a significant work of Finnish literature.
“Unknown Soldiers” is a novel by Väinö Linna, first published in Finnish in 1954. It tells the story of a Finnish infantry regiment during the Continuation War, exploring the harsh realities of war and its impact on society. The book is considered a significant work of Finnish literature.
“The Egyptian” is a historical novel by Mika Waltari, first published in Finnish in 1945. It tells the story of Sinuhe, a physician in ancient Egypt who rises to become an advisor to Pharaoh Akhenaten. The novel is considered a significant work of Finnish literature and praised for its historical detail and psychological depth.
“Kalevala” is an epic poem by Elias Lönnrot, first published in its final form in 1849. It is a compilation of Finnish and Karelian oral folklore and mythology, with fifty parts that tell stories about heroes and supernatural beings. The poem is celebrated for its narrative structure and distinctive style, and is considered a masterpiece of Finnish literature and a key text in the country’s national epic tradition.
“Purge” is a novel by Sofi Oksanen, first published in 2008. It tells the story of two women in Estonia whose lives are intertwined by a dark secret from the past. The novel explores themes of trauma and political oppression.
“The Other Side of Hope” is a 2017 Finnish film directed by Aki Kaurismäki. It tells the story of Khaled, a Syrian refugee who arrives in Finland and befriends Wikström, a middle-aged Finnish businessman who has recently purchased a failing restaurant. The film explores themes of immigration, hope, and human connection, and won the Silver Bear award for Best Director at the 2017 Berlin International Film Festival.
“The Man Without a Past” is a Finnish film released in 2002, directed by Aki Kaurismäki. It tells the story of a man who wakes up with no memory of his past life after being beaten and left for dead in a Helsinki park. The film explores themes of resilience, love, and identity, and won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival.
“The Unknown Soldier” is a Finnish war drama film directed by Edvin Laine. Based on a novel by Väinö Linna, the movie follows a group of Finnish soldiers during the Continuation War. It explores themes of heroism and sacrifice, and is considered a classic of Finnish cinema.
The movie depicts the experiences of a young Finnish soldier during the Winter War fought between Finland and the Soviet Union from 1939 to 1940. The film is notable for its realism and attention to detail, and was a critical and commercial success in Finland.
“Mother of Mine” is a 2005 Finnish-Swedish film directed by Klaus Härö. The movie depicts the experiences of a young Finnish boy who is sent to live with a Swedish family during World War II. The film explores themes of identity and belonging and is based on real-life events. It received critical acclaim and won several awards.
The music of Finland can be roughly divided into folk music, classical and contemporary art music, and contemporary popular music. The folk music of Finland belongs to a broader musical tradition, common amongst Balto-Finnic people, sung in the so-called Kalevala metre. Though folk songs of the old variety became progressively rarer in western Finland during the 19th century, they remained common in Karelia and other eastern parts of the country. Classical music includes composers such as Jean Sibelius, whose symphonies are still frequently performed in concert halls around the world. Contemporary popular music includes genres such as pop, rock, rap, and heavy metal. Finnish heavy metal bands such as Nightwish, Children of Bodom, and HIM have gained international recognition.
