ArenaNet:International cultural references/Finland


 * Finland is a small country in northern Europe between Russia and Sweden. There's already a cultural reference to Molotov Cocktail, which was invented by Finns during Winter War, altough not many know the origins of the name for this kind of weapon. I'm surprised that it has found it's way to GW in the form of Molotov Rocktail. Most Finns are very proud of our past struggle against Soviet Union and I can't anything more Finland-related content to GW/2. But just in case, if you find use for a Finnish sauna, I (and of course the other Finns lurking around here)would be very impressed if sauna had some kind of reference in GW as well. Another possible cultural reference would be Finland numerous and popular bands. Namely Nightwish, HIM, and Lordi.

Some other stuff regarding Finland:

Juhannus ( Midsummer festival )

Finland also have Midsummer festival. Similar to Swedish Midsummer, but we dont do dance, instead of that we burn fires(big ones, controlled by firefighters). During midsummer there many music and religious festivals of different type around the country everyone gets to eat sausage and adults to get wasted with alcohol. In some parts of the country during midsummer festival single girls/women may collect 7 different type of flowers and put them under their pillows to see dreams about their future husband to be.

Sisu ("to have guts" in some military context translated as "cold will". )

Good sisu: Those who never give up, never back off, never panic and dont consider surrender as an option do have "sisu". It does not mean you are hotheaded or stubborn to the point where your actions become stupid. "Sisukas" person not only can have good judgement, but usually also has one. In the end it something in your heart that gives you strength to defeat yourself(all your fears etc) when it is most needed.

In some Finnish sport competitions, like Finlandia-hiihto, either great physical condition or "sisu" is required. Usually it is combination of both.

Bad sisu:

as explained in link above.

Don't forget Santa Claus, and heavy music! Finland is famous for its heavy bands. -The Legend --The preceding unsigned comment was added by User:The Legend (talk).
 * you do know santa claus isn't finnish right? But heavy metal is actually 1 of the things that come to mind when i hear finland [[Image:User_Teo_Sig_Icon.JPG|PLZ CLICK HERE]] ^ Teo ^ 13:31, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

Yes he is, even if one swedish professor says hey let us say that Santa Claus is from Kirgisia, what a brilliant idea If one man from Sweden says so that doesn't mean that is the truth. If I say that earth is flat and There's no such a thing than America, do you belive me? I don't think so. Sorry for my frustration ;P. - The Legend --The preceding unsigned comment was added by User:The Legend (talk).
 * i'm not following you... don't forget to sign your comments with 4 of these ~ [[Image:User_Teo_Sig_Icon.JPG|PLZ CLICK HERE]] ^ Teo ^ 15:17, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

Whatever that means teo.. And Yeah I'm new at this so sorry ;P User:The Legend
 * how do you know that Santa is finnish? [[Image:User_Teo_Sig_Icon.JPG|PLZ CLICK HERE]] ^ Teo ^ 18:30, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

Santa Claus, is not afraid of chilly weather – under his thick, red coat he is snug and very warm, as he commutes from Korvatunturi in Eastern Finnish Lapland to Rovaniemi every day. - Taken from Santaclaus.fi

''Korvatunturi (Mount Ear, near Polar Circle) is often portrayed as his home. The children see Santa and he asks if they have been good. '' and this one is taken from santaclaus.com Thousands of tourists and many big tv companies ( for example RAI and BBC) visit korvatunturi every year to see him.

And by the way, what makes you think he does not come from finland? User:The Legend
 * People believe in different things in other countries. That's nothing new. By the way, what comes to musicfestivals, don't forget Ruisrokki (Ruisrock). I've heard it's one of the oldest, maybe even the oldest rock festival that's still rollin' each year. - J.P. [[Image:User Jope12 sigicon.png|18px]] Talk  01:21, 12 July 2009 (UTC)
 * And of course these big fires are called as Kokko (Bonfire). - J.P. [[Image:User Jope12 sigicon.png|18px]] Talk  01:46, 12 July 2009 (UTC)
 * How could you forget saamelaiset (Sámi people), see this. About Sámi languages, look here. Although this culture is dying, i think it has a pretty important role in Finnish culture. Almost all of the finnish sámi people live in Lappi (Lapland). And what still comes to mind about music, there's Apocalyptica. How many metal bands you've heard about that plays cello? :D - J.P. [[Image:User Jope12 sigicon.png|18px]] Talk   02:13, 12 July 2009 (UTC)

"täl' puol'" and "tois' puol'"
I'm reminded of a Finnish friend who told me that in Turku, the side of the river with the Cathedral is colloquially called "this side of the river" and the other side "the other side of the river" regardless of your relative position with regards to the river. —  kyrasantae  16:29, 14 July 2008 (UTC)