Wednesday 25 November 2009

Knocking Finland

In the latest manifestation of what seems to be a neverending cycle of Nordic self-distrust and mutual dislike, Finnish author Sofi Oksanen has badly upset many of her compatriots by giving an extended interview to Danish television (mostly in English) in which she condemns Finland as an unpleasant, inward-turned country characterized by male chauvinism, repressed violence, actual violence against women and subservience to Russia. When asked in conclusion by her interviewer what Finland has to offer to the other Nordic countries, she says that she doesn't think other people have anything to learn from her country.

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