In search of Finnish roots/Research by artists

Research by artists

“Flash and burn cultivation” in Räisälä.1890. Photo, A. Aarnio. 5:1. NBA.	Go to picture gallery >>

The Finnish intellectuals, scientists and artists wanted to think through their motives on national identity by doing research traveling to their roots in the Finnish countryside.

At the beginning of 1800 a child had to learn Swedish language to be accepted in a school. Also Elias Lönnrot, the collector of our national epic, Kalevala, was first sent from his home village to study Swedish, paid by his older brother, before he could start the education in town.

The national, traditional culture and language was found in the countryside. The characteristic surroundings of traditional Finnish life with its poems, music, dance, clothes, architecture and the way of life in large areas had been developing separately during the Swedish dominion because of the distances and the very different language. Especially the eastern part of Finland and Lapland excited everybody who made their research there. Many of our talented painters traveled to the countryside to paint and draw people and landscapes. Later, also photographers noted down the last moment of our transient national tradition.

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