EDITORIAL Finland and Sweden - closer than ever on bicentenary of separation

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From a Finnish point of view, it might seem a bit strange that Sweden has wanted to make such a big issue of commemorating the “memorable year 1809" along with the Finns. It was then that Sweden lost Finland to Russia, which also meant a final end to Sweden’s period as a great power.
      Today, a ceremonial opening of the year takes place at the Swedish Parliament, which will be attended by the King of Sweden and the President of Finland, and the prime ministers of and speakers of Parliament both countries. During the year there will be many great events in both countries.
      Two hundred years is such a long time that the past can be examined dispassionately or appropriately from different points of view. In Sweden, the turning point in history is seen as the starting point of a new, modern Sweden.
     
The predominant interpretation of history in Finland has long been that Finland’s being separated from Sweden, as a grand duchy of Russia, established the prerequisites for Finland’s own development as a state, and in spite of many setbacks, for its national independence.
     The separation from Sweden was also decisively important for the development of the Finnish language, and the strengthening of its position.
     History buffs can imagine how Finnish history might have gone if Finland had stayed with Sweden. Would Finland have become independent slightly earlier, as Norway did, in the aftermath of the First World War, or perhaps only in the early 1990s, in connection with the great upheavals of Eastern Europe? On the other hand, if it were not independent, and still linked with Sweden, Finland might have averted the Winter War and continuation War, and been spared the casualties that were incurred. Perhaps we would have become prosperous earlier.
     
In Finland, people have learned to think that whatever happens, is good. From today’s self-satisfied national point of view, it is easy to say that things could have gone worse. Although the historical events in Finland and Sweden ended up being very different over the past 200 years or so, we are now very similar to each other as states and as societies: we are both among the better-off nations of the world.
      No matter how differently we may think in moments of setbacks in everyday life, or in sports events, Sweden is the closest of all countries for Finland. Accepting that fact has become easier for us now that national inferiority complexes are getting to be overcome.
     
Sweden’s primary position as a counterweight to Finland’s neighbour to the east is no longer as crucially important as it was in past decades. The world has changed.
      As members of the European Union, Finland and Sweden are close economic, political, and also military partners, without being specifically dependent on each other’s policies. For instance, on the issue of NATO membership, Finland should not set Swedish membership as a precondition for joining. However, many feel that this should be the case.
      A key purpose of commemorating the special year in Sweden has been to emphasise the affinity between the two countries, and to revive the badly deteriorated awareness of the common history. Young Swedes often do not know much about Finland - not even the fact that Swedish is still Finland’s second national language. In spite of its importance, the six hundred years of Swedish power are no longer a part of the mandatory history curriculum at Finnish schools. Instead, the course begins from the period of autonomy under Russia.
     
Helsingin Sanomat / First published in print 15.1.2009


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Swedish PM says Finland and Sweden do not need to apologise to each other over common history (16.1.2008)
  War of Finland 1808-1809 (28.2.2008)

Helsingin Sanomat