NATIONAL ANTHEM OF FINLAND

The Finnish national anthem, with words by Johan Ludvig Runeberg and music by Fredrik Pacius, was first performed in 1848 by students celebrating Flora Day (May 13) in a meadow belonging to Kumtähti Manor in Helsinki.

J.L. Runeberg, headmaster of Borgå Lyceum in Porvoo, had written the original text in Swedish, Vårt land (Our Land), two years earlier. The poem was published in autumn 1846 as the prologue to Runebergs Fänrik Ståls sägner (The Tales of Ensign Stål), a collection of 35 heroic ballads set in the days of the War of Finland in 1808-09. As a result of this war, Sweden ceded Finland to Russia in the 1809 Treaty of Hamina. Runebergs aim was to stir Finnish patriotic feeling with his epic. He is said to have been inspired to write Vårt land by Mihaly Vörösmartys Szózat, the Hungarian national anthem published in 1836. Until well into the twentieth century, Finns responded strongly to the idealistic and political idealism of Fänrik Ståls sägner and Vårt land. Runeberg was promptly elevated to the status of national poet.

Runeberg was a conservative and moderate nationalist, and loyal to the powers that be. The main concern of the authorities was to prevent the emergence of radical ideas; the revolutionary spirit of the Marseillaise was finding some support in Finland at the time. Vårt land helped appease the patriotic yearnings of the students, and the bloodshed seen in other parts of Europe was averted in Finland.

Several composers had already attempted to set Runebergs lofty poem before Fredrik Pacius, a German-born composer and music lecturer at the University of Helsinki, but his was the first version to gain widespread popularity. The composer himself conducted the university choir in a slow, majestic first performance, andante maestoso, which moved the crowd to tears. Paciuss tune was later also adopted for Mu isamaa (My Country), the Estonian national anthem from 1918 to 1940 and again since 1990.

The historians like to say that Finland was born on Floras Day, May 13, 1848. Fredrik Cygnaeus, chairman of the student body, made the main speech at the celebration, concluding with the toast "To Finland". The student body had a flag, representing a laurel-crowned lion on a white field, made specially for the celebration; this can be said to have been the first Finnish flag. At the end the audience, several hundred strong, jubilantly joined in with Vårt land. For the first time, the idea of a distinct Finnish national identity had been put forward.

Vårt land rapidly won general acceptance as an expression of patriotic sentiment, especially after Paavo Cajander had published his polished Finnish translation (Maamme) towards the end of the 19th century.

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[Killerkalle06]

Im Swedish and my grandad was also swedish, he fought for Finland in the winter war, but the sad thing is..

He died..

Btw, greetings from sweden! =)

Love you finland!

[PYROjoSH09]

Hyvää Itsenäisyyspäivää Finland!

From Australia.

[exerciseexercise10]

i can imagine traveling to finland

[NIKOLAI84084]

Sweeden is a great country

[20031200]

@Mrjasonorum I beg to differ. IMO Austria I love because it sounds like a religious hymn. Russia's Anthem is bold, couragious, very inspiring. Sweden's Anthem is uplifting as is Finlands. France and Italy's Anthems are just sing songish, carnival sounding. Canada's Anthem is Modern yet inspires it's countrys values. USA's melody is a copycat of Englands with differnt words.

[20031200]

Just a few minutes ago I listened to 3 countries National Anthems. They were Sweden, Norway & Finland. Of the 3 the only one I don't care for is Norway's as it sounds like a funeral dirge. I find both Finlands and Swedens Anthems uplifting and inspiring. IMAO.

[dannishboy6]

I LOVE TO TRAVEL TO ALL COUNTRIES OF EUROPE

[P3rttiz]

wtf is that ´start some sort of italy?

[alisonweaver2528]

makes me think of home

[murr395]

Haha at first I thought the anthem had no melody and I was like dafuq? But then it started. Amazing anthem /Swede

[Mrjasonorum]

I like Sweden more than Finland, but the Anthem of Finland is the best in the world.

Greetings from Germany