Springtime in Helsinki

Spring has arrived in Helsinki – finally! One can discover buds on the ground and in the trees and people are spending more time outside enjoying the first warm(ish) spring days.

Nature and especially weather conditions have been – and still are – very important to people living in these areas. I am originally from Northern Finland, where the sun does not set during the summer. This constant sunshine, which makes it difficult to decide whether to have breakfast or late-night snack (or even a drink!), is something to wait for.

The contrast is huge to the winter months when the sun sets in December and is not seen before January. It is no wonder that many poets (and ordinary men and women!) have asked the question: Why to live in a place like this? Polar night can be very tough both physically and mentally. If you are not careful it might even kill you, either as a result of hypothermia or deep depression. Still, many decide to live in that harsh place

This would not be possible without learning to accept the circumstances. Accepting the circumstances does not mean becoming passive or giving up, it means working to improve one’s life and making the living conditions to serve their purpose in the best possible way. This kind of thinking is behind much of - not only Finnish but Nordic – way of life; it is the foundation of what we have learned to know as the Nordic welfare state. As much as it applies in building up a society, it also gives a sort of philosophical basis for political thinking. Finland’s geopolitical (and economical) location is not the easiest one. Having such a big neighbouring state has forced Finland to be very practical in its political relationships with Russia. At the same time it is very clear that Finland wants to be politically – as much as culturally and economically – a western society.

The European Union is, therefore, seen first and foremost as a tool to modify the existing circumstances. The EU provides to Finland support at a time when friends, peace, stability and security are most needed. ‘Being in the EU’ is, therefore, seen in Finland more as a practical way of making sure that the stability of the society can be maintained.

One of the key lessons of surviving in the cold and harsh nature of Northern Finland is to avoid making unadvised and unpredictable decisions. Even if earlier decisions might not have been the best one, one should avoid making hasty decisions in an attempt to correct the situation. It might be better to stay where you are, take a deep breath and look around you before doing anything.

The Finns, too, are not fully satisfied with the EU but only 30 per cent would vote against EU membership. Almost 50 per cent say that they identify themselves also as ‘Europeans’, not seeing a need for any major changes.

I argue that it is the optimism, and hope that things will get better and that the future will look brighter, which keeps this nation as part of the European Union. All European nations are proud nations. All European countries are aware of their strengths. All nations hope to be recognized by all the good they represent. Perhaps the words of a great Finnish poet Eino Leino (1878-1926) who wrote this ‘Sonnet to Leila’, might cheer up the day. Europe’s love song might be like this one:

My silent voice you, Leila, somehow bothers,

you say that others maidens serenade,

but once I sang with endless accolade

and eyes and lips and neck, you know, have others.

 

You claim that now I’m not your special darling –

my feelings transform tinder into ash

and cords of love no longer may us lash,

and that I find myself a little charming!

 

The heaven’s art the sun has never captured,

for all it fashions stars. And so it paints

the sun’s reflection on the land enraptured.

 

I once to maidens lovely used to sing

but in your presence all my singing’s ruptured

disclosing self is all I have to bring.

(Translated by Rupert Moreton. Used with permission.)

About the author

Tuomas Mäkipää is a priest of the Anglican Church in Helsinki, Finland. He is a native Finn who studied theology at the University of Helsinki. His plan was to seek ordination in the Lutheran Church in Finland but eventually was called to serve in the Anglican Church under the Porvoo Agreement, an ecumenical document signed by Anglicans and Lutherans. He was ordained in 2010 and was elected to the General Synod of the Church of England in October 2015.