HOME LIFE IN FINLAND

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21520, 17 June 1933, Page 6 (Supplement)

HOME LIFE IN FINLAND

GENIUS FOR DEVELOPMENT VERSATILITY OF THE WOMEN It is perhaps only natural that a country in which the winter sometimes lasts for eight months should develop unusual national characteristics in its people, and that has proved to bo very much the case in Finland, says an overseas writer. For countless generations the Finns have worked during those winter months at self-development; study of every kind for the richer folk, ceaseless industry for the others. In tho outlying farms and villages, for instance, the women did all the spinning, weaving, dyeing, and making of the clothes for the household during the winter. They made candles, cured fish and meat, did all the household work, brought up the children and often started their rudimentary education. The men made all the furniture in the home out of wood grown in the forests near, and it is wonderful what can be made of wood in Finland, not only the heavy old bedsteads, chests, cupboards, chairs, tables, cradles, but all the kitchen utensils and farm implements—sledges, boats, runners, harness poles and other things too numerous to mention. They cured skins, made pelts into coats, cloaks, rugs, furs and caps, and made, too, leather goods. Country Weddings Of course that was in the olden days, but I note it to show how the ancient industry and perseverance have made the nation what it now is. As long back as 1552 the linen woven by the Finnish women was celebrated, and taxes to Russia were then paid by such means. A country wedding is still a joyous affair in Finland: it takes place, usually in the early spring, and is a real festival with the Runo bands from neighbouring villages to sing the proper wedding songs. Processions, feastings, and many ancient customs are revived to uphold tradition. There one sees the Finnish national dress, which, alas'! has almost disappeared except at such festivals. The national colours are red and yellow or white and blue, and the latter is the favourite of the country people, so there aro the loose blouses of fine Finnish linen, embroidered in blue a full skirt of dark wool with a broad woven strip of colours about two inches above the hem, and a large fringed apron with embroidered straps like braces. On the head may be worn a variety of decorations: perhaps a gailycoloured handkerchief or a scarf of heavy black silk, embroidered and fringed, or it mav even have—on special festivals—some of the pins and ornaments of filigree silver or plain silver balls sett, with amber or onyx. Women's Achievements There are many more women than men in Finland, and perhaps that is why women have' been so successful in almost every walk of life. Women are the equals of men, and are given equal rights in almost every way. They are brilliantly educated, fine linguists, musicians, and many have studied artists, writers, doctors and scientists. A number of women belong to the Geographical Society of Finland, and still more to the National Literary Society. They have all municipal rights to vote, may sit on town councils, and may matriculate at the University. In fact, there seems literally nothing which a Firinish woman cannot do! Looking: oyer the " Calendar of Woman's Work " published each year in Helsingfors, I find women employed in banks, insurance offices and breweries, as architects, bookbinders, carpenters, watchmakers, as heads of spinning and weaving factories, jewellers, magistrates, secretaries, directors of large institutions, and many employed in municipal offices. Their energy and organisation seem inexhaustible" and one cannot help thinking that some day Finland will be a very great nation—for what sort of men will the sons of such women as these turn out ?