Writer inspires not one, but two statues in the Finnish capital
Author and academic Zacharias Topelius is remembered for his poetry, prose and children’s stories. The year 2018 marks the 200th anniversary of his birth.
Every year on October 10, the Finnish flag is raised in honour of author Aleksis Kivi (Oct 10, 1834–Dec 31, 1872), who wrote the first novel in Finnish. The anniversary of his birth is also celebrated as Finnish Literature Day.
Hooray for Finnish, with all its grammatical glory and its endless supply of double vowels! April 9 is Finnish Language Day, and also commemorates Mikael Agricola, who is credited with creating the first written Finnish literature.
During her wide-ranging and consequential career, Minna Canth advocated for women’s rights and social causes. Her legacy continues; Minna Canth Day is celebrated annually on her birthday, March 19.
The work of Finland’s national poet, J.L. Runeberg, is often compared to that of the great European romantic poets. Nonetheless, many also know him because of a cake invented by his wife and later named after him.
