Europe’s Northern Frontier. Perspectives on Finland’s Western Identity

Finland’s identity in relation to Europe has traditionally been defined in terms of its northern location, its agrarian past and its Lutheran state Church. The country’s perceived political and cultural character has also been determined by its geographical position between two spheres of power – Finland has been seen either as a mediator between East and West, or as an outpost of the West. Another persistent preoccupation has been the idea that Finland has a “short” history. The above clichés are at once accurate and erroneous. The book provides a counterweight to cursory political and economic images of Finland by filling out the background to our political and economic history and by accentuating different features of Finnish identity in the world of ideas and art.