Finland is an unique country, just as unique as any country in this world, but some more. The last 100 years of Finnish history contains a huge leap from rural farming society to modern IT society. The Finnish people have changed from Sweidish speaking aristocrats and cursing farmers to "civilized" Westerners, ranking among the top nations in the world for literacy and higher education. Finnish economy has evolved from forestry and farming to high-tech and service industry. Finnish culture has changed from God-fearing and hard-working to God-less and individualistic. Family values have degenerated, but somethings have not changed: sarcasm, irony, over-consumption of alcohol, and unmovable determination a.k.a. sisu.
It is well known that Finnish people are not easy to befriend with, but it is also very true that Finnish friends prove to be very good friends, often friends for life! There are so many great things about Finland that the world has not discovered, but will these things stay the same if the world discovers them?
One interesting fact: when Finland faced Soviet Union in Winter war between 1939-1940, the president of Finland declared nationwide prayer for the country. And people prayed indeed. Many say that this fear of God was what saved Finland from losing the war, as it was really a miracle that such a small army could withstand the attack of Red Army for so long time. Nowadays the nation of Finland is far away from the atmosphere of prayer or fearing God, history is written by the conquerors, and modified as time passed...
Couple of literary pearls by Finnish author Väinö Linna:
The Unknown Soldier
Under the North Star trilogy
Happy Independence Day, Finland!
Google's way:
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