FACTS
- » Finland-Sweden Märkesåret 1809
- Finnish Settlements
- Bergslagen
- Värmland
- Arvika-Hedmark
- Sunne-Torsby
- Nora
- Arboga–Jädersbruk
- Hällefors
- Grythyttan
- Fiskars
Finland was part of Sweden for 600 years, from the 1200s until 1809. In the south-eastern parts of Finland there are settlements with especially strong links to Sweden. Swedish officials and tradesmen moved here, åbo university was built and Swedish fortresses were erected. There are still descendents from the migrants of that time in these parts of Finland, and Fin-Swedish is a well established language in the bilingual Swedish settlements. Many famous cultural personalities, authors, musicians and artists have their roots in these areas.
After the 1808-1809 war the countries were separated, and not until Finland’s declaration of independence in 1917 did new possibilities for closer contact open up again, now with both countries as independent states. Important driving forces were the common history, culture and legal system. During the second world war, when Finland was invaded by German soldiers, many young children were shipped to Sweden to escape the horrors of the war. During the 1960s and 1970s thousands upon thousands of Finnish workers were recruited by Swedish industries. At the same time Finland built up a strong identity of its own with design and advanced technology as key factors. After both Sweden and Finland became part of the EU, common cultural projects have become increasingly important and today many large corporations also have Finnish-Swedish ownership. Fiskars Design Village, the main Finnish landmark in Nordic Delight, has for centuries been owned by ironmasters of Swedish descent, and the ore for the ironworks was transported from mines on the Swedish island of Utö
Märkesåret 1809, Det nya Finland – Det nya Sverige (The new Finland – The new Sweden). In 2009 200 years have passed since the events 1808-1809 when Finland was separated from Sweden. This implied that 600 years of being one nation came to an end. The Finnish and Swedish governments have decided to bring attention to the fact that 200 years have passed since 1809. In both Sweden and Finland a range of cultural activities will take place, such as exhibitions, music, theme days in schools, lectures etc. Silja Line is one of the working partners in Nordic Delight, working as a link between Sweden and Finland.
The Swedish government’s page about Märkesåret 1809 »