NordenBladet – The Finns in Sweden, also known as the Finnish-speaking minority in Sweden, constitute a significant portion of the country’s immigrant population. Although the exact number of Finns in Sweden is not known, estimates suggest that there are approximately 150,000 to 200,000 Finns living in the country.

The history of the Finns in Sweden dates back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when significant numbers of Finns immigrated to Sweden for economic reasons. This trend continued throughout the 20th century, with many Finns choosing to settle in Sweden for better job opportunities and a higher standard of living.

Finns in Sweden are primarily concentrated in the cities of Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö, although there are also significant Finnish communities in other parts of the country. These communities are usually made up of both first- and second-generation Finnish immigrants, and they work hard to preserve their cultural heritage and identity.

It is difficult to determine the exact number of Swedish Finns living in Northern Sweden as there is no official data on the exact number of Finnish-speaking individuals in the region. However, according to estimates by the Swedish-Finnish Cultural Association of Northern Sweden, there are approximately 5,000 Finnish-speaking individuals living in Northern Sweden. This number may be higher or lower, depending on various factors such as migration patterns and demographic changes.

Forest Finns (Finnish: Metsäsuomalaiset, Norwegian bokmål: Skogfinner, Norwegian nynorsk: Skogfinnar, Swedish: Skogsfinnar) were Finnish migrants from Savonia and Northern Tavastia in Finland who settled in forest areas of Sweden proper and Norway during the late 16th and early-to-mid-17th centuries, and traditionally pursued slash-and-burn agriculture, a method used for turning forests into farmlands. By the late 18th century, the Forest Finns had become largely assimilated into the Swedish and Norwegian cultures, and their language, a variety of Savonian Finnish (Värmland Savonian dialect), is today extinct, although it survived among a tiny minority until the 20th century.

It is important to note that the Finnish-speaking minority in Northern Sweden is a small but active community, and they work hard to preserve their cultural heritage and identity. Through cultural organizations, community events, and language classes, the Finnish-speaking minority in Northern Sweden is able to ensure that their heritage and culture continue to thrive in the region.

Map of areas with Finnish speaking population in southern Sweden, 2005. Original version created by Mikael Parkvall 2005. Photo: Wikipedia /CC BY-SA 4.0

Today Finnish is an official minority language of Sweden. The benefits of being a “minority language” are however limited to Finnish-speakers being able to use Finnish for some communication with local and regional authorities in a small number of communities (Borås, Borlänge, Botkyrka, Degerfors, Enköping, Eskilstuna, Fagersta, Finspång, Gällivare, Gävle, Göteborg, Gislaved, Hällefors, Håbo, Hallstahammar, Haninge, Haparanda, Hofors, Huddinge, Järfälla, Köping, Kalix, Karlskoga, Kiruna, Lindesberg, Ludvika, Luleå, Malmö, Mariestad, Motala, Norrköping, Nykvarn, Olofström, Oxelösund, Pajala, Söderhamn, Södertälje, Sandviken, Sigtuna, Skövde, Skellefteå, Skinnskatteberg, Smedjebacken, Solna, Stockholm, Sundbyberg, Sundsvall, Surahammar, Tierp, Trelleborg, Trollhättan, Trosa, Uddevalla, Umeå, Upplands-Väsby, Uppsala, Västerås, Norrtälje, Upplands-Bro, Älvkarleby, Örebro, Örnsköldsvik, Österåker, Östhammar, Övertorneå) where Finnish immigrants make up a considerable share of the population, but not in the rest of Sweden.

Despite the challenges that come with immigration, the Finnish-speaking minority in Sweden has worked hard to preserve its cultural heritage and identity. This is achieved through various means, including the following:

Cultural Organizations: The Finnish-speaking minority has its own cultural organizations, such as the Finnish Cultural Association in Sweden, which promote and preserve Finnish language and culture in the country.

Media: The Finns in Sweden have access to Finnish-language media, including Finnish-language newspapers and radio stations, which provide a platform for the community to express their views and share information about their heritage and culture.

Education: There are Finnish-language schools in Sweden, offering education in Finnish from early childhood education to upper secondary education. This helps to ensure that the Finnish language and culture are passed down from generation to generation.

Community Celebrations and Festivals: The Finnish-speaking minority in Sweden participates 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.

Political Representation: The Finnish-speaking minority in Sweden has a voice in the political system, with representatives from the community serving in local and national government bodies. This helps to ensure that the community’s interests and concerns are heard and addressed.

In conclusion, the Finns in Sweden form a significant and vibrant part of the country’s immigrant population, and they work hard to preserve their cultural heritage and identity. Through their cultural organizations, media outlets, education system, community celebrations and festivals, and political representation, the Finnish-speaking minority is able to ensure that their heritage and culture continue to thrive in Sweden.

Finns in Sweden (Swedish: sverigefinländare) and Sweden Finns (Swedish: sverigefinnar, Finnish: ruotsinsuomalaiset)

Regarding the distinction between “Finns in Sweden” and “Sweden Finns,” it is important to note that the English language sometimes lacks the distinction between these two terms. The term “Finns in Sweden” emphasizes nationality rather than linguistic or ethnic belonging and thereby includes all Finnish heritage regardless of language. On the other hand, the term “Sweden Finns” emphasizes linguistic and ethnic belonging rather than nationality and usually excludes Swedish-speaking Finns.

In other words, “Finns in Sweden” refers to all people of Finnish descent who live in Sweden, regardless of the language they speak or their ethnic background. “Sweden Finns,” on the other hand, refers specifically to Finnish-speaking individuals and communities in Sweden who identify with the Finnish language and culture, and who may or may not have a Swedish-speaking background.

This distinction is important because it helps to clarify the different identities and experiences of Finnish-speaking individuals and communities in Sweden. While some Finns in Sweden may choose to fully assimilate into Swedish culture, others may choose to maintain a strong connection to their Finnish heritage and identity. By understanding the distinction between “Finns in Sweden” and “Sweden Finns,” it is possible to gain a deeper appreciation for the rich cultural heritage of the Finnish-speaking minority in Sweden.

Sweden Finns’ Day
Sweden Finns’ Day (Finnish: Ruotsinsuomalaisten päivä; Swedish: Sverigefinnarnas dag) is an anniversary celebrated in Sweden on 24 February. The anniversary was approved by the Swedish Academy in 2010, and was held for the first time in 2011. 24 February was chosen as the date of the anniversary, as this was also the birthday of Carl Axel Gottlund, a collector of folk poetry and a defender of the status of the Finnish language. The purpose of the day is to celebrate the Sweden Finns and to recognize their history, language and culture as a part of Sweden’s cultural heritage.

Featured image: Unofficial flag of Sweden Finns

Read also:
Preserving Heritage and Identity: The Swedish-Speaking Minority in Finland