Association of Finnish Culture and Identity

The Association of Finnish Culture and Identity (Finnish: Suomalaisuuden Liitto), also known as the Finnish Alliance, is a Finnish cultural organization. The official name of the association is in German Verband für das Finnentum e. V. and in French La Ligue Finlandaise.[1]

Association of Finnish Culture and Identity
Formation12 May 1906 (1906-05-12)
HeadquartersHelsinki, Finland
President
Professor Emeritus Ilmari Rostila
Websitesuomalaisuudenliitto.fi

History

The Finnish Alliance was founded by writer Johannes Linnankoski in 1906.[2] The founding date was the 100th anniversary of Johan Vilhelm Snellman, a prominent national Finnish philosopher and statesman. The purpose was and is still today to awaken and to strengthen the sense of national identity, to promote Finnish, especially Finnish speaking, culture.[2] A significant goal is to cultivate the Finnish language.[1]

One of the most far-reaching manifestations of the Finnish Alliance’s activities was the mass fennification of family names in 1906–1907. This was repeated in 1935–1936 with the result of more than 200,000 people changing their family names into Finnish. The Association of Finnish Culture and Identity has played a remarkable role in Finnish cultural life. It provided the initiatives which led to the creation of the Finnish Cultural Foundation (Suomen kulttuurirahasto), Finland Society (Suomi-Seura, an organization to unite the Finns abroad), and the Family Federation of Finland (Väestöliitto).[1] The association started a magazine, Suomalainen Suomi (Finnish: Finnish Finland), which was renamed as Kanava (Finnish: Channel) in 1973.[2]

The President of the Finnish Alliance in 1930–1932 was Urho Kekkonen, the President of Finland in 1956–1981.[1]

The Finnish Alliance is an important element in the Finnish establishment. It provides expert advice on matters such as the displaying of the Finnish flag and Finnish family names. It creates and maintains contacts between Finland and Finns living abroad. The Association of Finnish Culture and Identity is well known for emphasizing the Finnish pupils’ and students’ right to determine for themselves the foreign languages they wish to study.[1]

In addition, the Association of Finnish Culture and Identity pursues research, publishes books, sells Finnish flags made in Finland, gives lectures and is involved in many other activities in its goal to strengthen the Finnish identity.[1]

Current board

The current chairman of the association is professor emeritus Ilmari Rostila, 1st vice chairman is Susanna Koski, and 2nd vice chairman is Sebastian Vilja.[3]

Chairmen
The founder of the Association of Finnish Culture and Identity, writer Johannes Linnankoski.
Chairmen
Johannes Linnankoski1906
Kaarle Krohn1907
J. J. Mikkola1907–1909
Väinö Voionmaa1915–1916
A. A. Koskenjaakko1917–1918
Väinö Salminen1919
Rafael Engelberg1920–1924
J. R. Koskimies1925–1926
Yrjö Ruutu1928
Elpiö Kaila1929
Urho Kekkonen1930–1932
Veikko Heiskanen1933–1947
Niilo Kallio1948–1954
Veikko Heiskanen1955–1956
Erkki Salonen1957–1968
Kauko Sipponen1968–1970
Kari Tarasti1970–1974
Jouko Hulkko1974–1978
Veikko Löyttyniemi1978–1986
Martti Häikiö1986–1988
Erkki Pihkala1988–1996
Seppo Heikinheimo1996–1997
Pentti Huttunen1998–2003
Heikki Tala2003–2009
Sampo Terho2009–2017
Ilmari Rostila 2017–present

See also

References
  1. "Suomalaisuuden Liitto". 2017-12-10. Archived from the original on 2017-12-10. Retrieved 2021-02-07.
  2. Andrew G. Newby; Richard Mc Mahon (2017). "Select Document: John Hampden Jackson, 'Finland and Ireland: assorted comparisons' (1937)". Irish Historical Studies. 41 (160): 259. doi:10.1017/ihs.2017.35. S2CID 165268135.
  3. "Yhteystiedot – Suomalaisuuden Liitto" (in Finnish). Retrieved 2021-02-07.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.