NordenBladet – The Swedish-speaking minority in Finland, also known as the Swedish Finns (finlandssvensk), constitute about 5% of the Finnish population and have a long history of settlement in the country. The Swedish Finns are one of the two official minority languages in Finland, along with the Sami language.
The Finnish Swedes have a rich cultural heritage and a strong sense of identity, and they work hard to preserve these traditions for future generations. Through their education system, cultural organizations, media outlets, political representation, and community celebrations and festivals, they are able to ensure that their heritage and culture continue to thrive in Finland.
The Swedish-speaking population in Finland has its roots in the Middle Ages, when Swedish settlers arrived in the coastal regions of Finland. The settlement of Swedish-speaking people in Finland increased significantly during the late Middle Ages and early modern period, when Finland was part of the Kingdom of Sweden*. During this time, the Swedish language became the dominant language in many parts of Finland, particularly in the coastal areas and on the islands.
After Finland gained independence from Russia in 1917**, the status of the Swedish-speaking minority became a significant political issue. The Swedish-speaking Finns have maintained their cultural identity and language throughout the 20th century, and their rights have been protected by the Finnish constitution. The Swedish-speaking minority has its own cultural organizations, such as the Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland (Svenska Kulturfonden or Stiftelsen för utbildning och kultur på svenska i Finland sr), and its own media, including several Swedish-language daily newspapers.
The Swedish-speaking minority*** in Finland is concentrated in certain areas, particularly in the archipelago of the Åland Islands, where Swedish is the sole official language. The Swedish-speaking minority is also well represented in other coastal areas, such as the Helsinki metropolitan area and the Turku region.
More than 17,000 Swedish-speaking Finns live in officially monolingual Finnish municipalities, and are thus not represented on the map. Finland is a bilingual country according to its constitution. This means that members of the Swedish language minority have the right to communicate with the state authorities in their mother tongue.
In terms of education, the Swedish-speaking minority in Finland has its own comprehensive school system, which provides education in Swedish from early childhood education to upper secondary education. Swedish-speaking students also have the option to study in Finnish-language schools if they so choose.
In terms of employment, the Swedish-speaking minority is well represented in a range of professions, including the public sector, where many Swedish-speaking Finns work as civil servants. Swedish-speaking Finns are also well represented in the private sector, particularly in areas such as commerce and industry.
Overall, the Finnish Swedes have a long history of preserving their heritage and identity in the country. This is achieved through various means, including the following:
Education: The Finnish Swedes have their own comprehensive school system, providing education in Swedish from early childhood education to upper secondary education. This helps to ensure that the Swedish language and culture are passed down from generation to generation.
Cultural Organizations: The Swedish-speaking minority has its own cultural organizations, such as the Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland, which promote and preserve Swedish language and culture in the country.
Media: The Finnish Swedes have their own media outlets, including several Swedish-language daily newspapers, which provide a platform for the community to express their views and share information about their heritage and culture.
Political Representation: The Finnish government and society have a long-standing commitment to protecting the rights and interests of the Swedish-speaking minority. This includes ensuring that the community is represented in government and other political institutions, and that their voices are heard in important decisions that affect their community.
Community Celebrations and Festivals: The Finnish Swedes participate in community celebrations and festivals that promote and celebrate their heritage and culture. This helps to keep the community connected and strengthen their sense of identity.
The Swedish-speaking minority in Finland plays a significant role in the country’s cultural and linguistic diversity, and its members are proud of their heritage and identity. The Finnish government and society have a long-standing commitment to protecting the rights and interests of the Swedish-speaking minority, and efforts are ongoing to promote and preserve the Swedish language and culture in Finland.
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* Finland was part of Sweden for almost 700 years from around 1150 until the Finnish War of 1809 after which Finland became an autonomous part of the Russian Empire as the Grand Duchy of Finland.
** Finland declared its independence on 6 December 1917. The formal Declaration of Independence was only part of the long process leading to the independence of Finland.
*** About 5.2 percent of Finland’s population are part of the Swedish-speaking minority, but the population has steadily declined since the 18th century, when nearly 20 percent spoke the language. However, Swedish remains one of the country’s official languages.
Featured image: An unofficial flag of the Swedish-speaking minority of Finns
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Preserving Heritage and Identity: Finnish-speaking minority in Sweden