The Association of Finnish Culture and Identity (), also known as the Finnish Alliance, is a Finnish cultural organization. The official name of the association is in German and in French .
History The Finnish Alliance was founded by writer Johannes Linnankoski in 1906. The founding date was the 100th anniversary of Johan Vilhelm Snellman, a prominent national Finnish philosopher and statesman. The purpose was and is still today to awaken and to strengthen the sense of national identity, to promote Finnish, especially Finnish speaking, culture. A significant goal is to cultivate the Finnish language.
One of the most far-reaching manifestations of the Finnish Alliance’s activities was the mass fennification of family names in 1906–1907. This was repeated in 1935–1936 with the result of more than 200,000 people changing their family names into Finnish. The Association of Finnish Culture and Identity has played a remarkable role in Finnish cultural life. It provided the initiatives which led to the creation of the Finnish Cultural Foundation (), Finland Society (, an organization to unite the Finns abroad), and the Family Federation of Finland (). The association started a magazine, Suomalainen Suomi (), which was renamed as Kanava () in 1973. In the past the Association coull register protected surnames, for a fee.
The President of the Finnish Alliance in 1930–1932 was Urho Kekkonen, the President of Finland in 1956–1981.
The Finnish Alliance is an important element in the Finnish establishment. It provides expert advice on matters such as the displaying of the Finnish flag and Finnish family names. It creates and maintains contacts between Finland and Finns living abroad. The Association of Finnish Culture and Identity is well known for emphasizing the Finnish pupils’ and students’ right to determine for themselves the foreign languages they wish to study.
In addition, the Association of Finnish Culture and Identity pursues research, publishes books, sells Finnish flags made in Finland, gives lectures and is involved in many other activities in its goal to strengthen the Finnish identity.
Current board The current chairman of the association is professor emeritus Ilmari Rostila, 1st vice chairman is Susanna Koski, and 2nd vice chairman is Sebastian Vilja.
Chairmen
Chairmen Johannes Linnankoski 1906 Kaarle Krohn 1907 J. J. Mikkola 1907–1909 Väinö Voionmaa 1915–1916 1917–1918 Väinö Salminen 1919 1920–1924 1925–1926 Yrjö Ruutu 1928 1929 Urho Kekkonen 1930–1932 Veikko Heiskanen 1933–1947 Niilo Kallio 1948–1954 Veikko Heiskanen 1955–1956 1957–1968 1968–1970 Kari Tarasti 1970–1974 Jouko Hulkko 1974–1978 1978–1986 Martti Häikiö 1986–1988 1988–1996 Seppo Heikinheimo 1996–1997 Pentti Huttunen 1998–2003 2003–2009 Sampo Terho 2009–2017 Ilmari Rostila 2017–2025 Tiera Laitinen 2025-Present
References
External links