Finnish Culture Trivia Quiz

Answer: Cinnamon roll

Pulla is very similar to a cinnamon roll as it is prepared in a similar manner and has similar ingredients. Traditionally it is made into a knotted bread loaf and then sliced, but some varieties more closely resemble a traditional cinnamon roll. Pulla usually contains almonds and other nuts and may sometimes have a coffee flavor.

Answer: Sami

The kantele is a stringed instrument that looks like a small harp turned on its side but it is actually a kind of zither. Kanteles vary in size and number of strings. Large concert kanteles can have over 40 strings while most small ones have about 15. It is said that the Sami people made the first kantele out of a whale jawbone.

Answer: Thrillers

Ilkka Remes is well known for his thriller novels, of which his first published was called "Paakallokehraaja" or "Death's-head Moth". Remes also writes some young adult books that are also thrillers featuring young adult characters. His real name is Petri Pykala.

Answer: Long distance running

Paavo Nurmi is known as the Flying Finn, although that nickname is sometimes used to refer to any successful Finnish track athlete. Hannes Kolehmainen was the first person to be called a Flying Finn in 1912. Nurmi won nine Olympic gold medals and three silver between 1920 and 1928 and set numerous world records. During the Paris Games in 1924, he won five gold medals and every race he entered in.

Answer: Santa Claus

Joulupukki actually translates to "Christmas goat" and has his origins in Norse mythology. However over time, Joulupukki has transformed into Santa Claus and acts much like he does elsewhere in the world. The original Joulupukki was said to be an ugly creature who would go around Finland scaring small children.

Answer: Lakeside cottages

During the Juhannus in late June, the sun does not set in certain parts of Finland. Many Finns build large bonfires and tell folk stories during this time. Finns, particularly from large cities like Helsinki, travel to the countryside during this time.

The holiday has its origins in paganism and was dedicated to the god Ukko, but it now honors John the Baptist. The cottages are called mokki and are often located on islands in the lakes and are typically secluded from other mokki.

Answer: Classical

Classical music was very popular in 20th and early 21st century Finland compared to most other places. Kaija Saariaho is a composer while Linda Brava is a concert violinist. Both attended the Sibelius Academy, which is named after Jean Sibelius, Finland's most famous composer who died in 1957. Sibelius is credited with helping Finnish nationalism spread during the fight for independence against Russia.

Answer: Cheese

Leipajuusto is traditionally made from cow's milk, but most any milk can be used. However, the secret to Leipajuusto is that the milk must come from an animal in its late stages of gestation. This gives it a richer flavor. Leipajuusto is baked into a disk until it is nearly charred on the outside.

Answer: Elias Lonnrot

Elias Lonnrot was something of a Renaissance man. In addition to being a writer, he was also a scientist and physician. The "Kalevala" is a compilation of many different works of Finnish mythology. Much of what we know about Finland's culture can be found in the "Kalevala", though it is unknown how much Lonnrot changed things around as the "Kalevala" was created for political purposes against the Russians.

It was first published in 1835.

Answer: Sauna

It is said that every household in Finland has a sauna. Indeed, surveys found that there were over three million saunas in Finland for about 5 million people. The origins of the sauna are unknown but historians believe it can be traced back to nomadic people because saunas were easy to transport and could be lived in when not heated. For centuries, it was common practice for women in Finland to give birth in a sauna.