This is Finland - Part II (famous Finns)

Finally we have another post from the “This is Finland” series. This time I want to present to you some Finnish personalities that are well-known around the globe. So let’s start.

1 Formula One drivers

There are nine Finnish drivers in the history of F1 so far. Kimi Raikkönen (aka The Iceman) is my favorite one. I’m so glad that he came back to Formula 1 after a 2-years break (and managed to finish the 2012 season in the 3^rd place!). Besides him, Heikki Kovalainen and Valtteri Bottas (who was recently promoted to a race driver for Williams) are going to race in 2013. I’ve heard Finns are excellent drivers because they have to drive in difficult conditions like the icy roads. And that might be true, since Finland has produced more world champions per head of population than anywhere else. There are three Finnish Formula One World Drivers’ Champions: Keke Rosberg (Williams – 1982), Mika Häkkinen (McLaren – 1998/1999) and Kimi (Ferrari – 2007).

2 Finnish Bands

When I tell someone that I’m moving to Finland, most of my relatives and friends only know that it stays in Europe (although they don’t know exactly where) and that it’s a cold place. But some of my friends have their eyes sparkling when I tell them that hoping that I’ll send them a CD of their favorite Finnish band. Mostly heavy metal bands. I’ve heard few Nightwish songs and a version of Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game” by HIM, and a nice song by The Rasmus. But that’s it. It’s not my favorite music style, but in Brazil these Finnish bands are pretty famous among heavy metal lovers.

 

3 Sibelius

 

I’m not a connoisseur of classical music, but I always see something about Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) when I’m researching about Finland. The Finnish composer’s work comprises world classical music favorites such as Valse Triste and Finlandia, as well as the most recorded violin concerto of the 20th century. It also includes a symphonic cycle of seven symphonies that has become one of the most esteemed and popular cycles since Beethoven. Sibelius composed small and easily accessible pieces, but also unique masterpieces of great depth, such as Luonnotar and Tapiola. The Finnish 100 mark bill featured his image until it was taken out of circulation in 2002.

4 Angry Birds

Ok, the next famous Finns are not real people, but they’ve recently became very popular all over the world. I’m talking about the cute characters of Angry Birds, a video game franchise created by Finnish company Rovio Entertainment. In the original game, players use a slingshot to launch birds at pigs, with the intent of destroying all the pigs on the playing field. The combination of addictive gameplay, comical style, and low price is the key to Angry Birds’ success. The characters of the game have been featured in many situations, my favorite were the “HockeyBird”, the official mascot of the 2012 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships and the “IceBird” in Kimi’s cap.

5 Santa Claus

Last, but not least, we have: Santa Claus! Christmas has already gone… but I’m still in Christmas mood, so I couldn’t leave Santa out of this list. Yes, Santa Claus exists and he lives in Finland, more precisely at Santa Claus Village at the Arctic Circle in Rovaniemi, Lapland. In Finnish he is “Joulupukki”, which literally means Christmas goat or Yule Goat. One interesting thing is that in the 30’s, the Coca-Cola Santa Claus picture used in advertising was designed by a son of Finnish emigrants, Haddon Sundblom.