Johan Vilhelm Snellman statue in Helsinki. Photo: Oriol Salvador via Flickr
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Flags were raised across Finland on Monday to commemorate Johan Vilhelm Snellman, the 19th-century philosopher, journalist and statesman whose legacy is closely tied to the development of Finnish national identity.
Snellman’s birthday, 12 May, is recognised as an official flag day and has been marked as Finnish Identity Day since 1952.
Born in Stockholm in 1806, Snellman became a key advocate for the Fennoman movement, which sought to promote Finnish culture and language during the period of Russian rule.
Snellman’s influence is visible in two central developments in Finnish history. He was a driving force behind the 1860 introduction of the Finnish markka, Finland’s first independent currency. He also played a pivotal role in the 1863 language decree, which established Finnish as an official administrative language alongside Swedish. This marked a turning point in recognising the Finnish-speaking majority in public life and governance.
Throughout his career, Snellman promoted the use of Finnish in education and official communication. He served as a senator in the Finnish government under the Russian Empire, where he used his position to advocate for national autonomy through cultural and economic means rather than confrontation.
Snellman also left a mark on Finnish journalism and public discourse. He was the founding editor of Maamiehen Ystävä (The Countryman’s Friend), one of the earliest Finnish-language newspapers. Before that, he published Saima, a Swedish-language paper that was closed by the authorities due to its critical stance on state policy.
His vision was that a strong national identity could be built by elevating the Finnish language and culture, which were then largely subordinate to Swedish-speaking elites and the Russian imperial administration.
Today, Snellman’s statue stands outside the Bank of Finland in central Helsinki, on the street that bears his name. The location underlines his role in shaping Finland’s economic and institutional foundation.
Schools and public offices often use the day to educate about Snellman’s contributions and the broader history of Finnish independence. While not a public holiday, the flag day remains a symbol of national pride and cultural continuity.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
