Mahatma Gandhi

I do not want my house to be walled in on all sides and my windows to be stuffed. I want the cultures of all the lands to be blown about my house as freely as possible. But I refuse to be blown off my feet by any.

Mahatma Gandhi

INTERCULTURAL DIALOGUE: DESPITE THE DIFFERENCES

Russia -

Authors: Kazachkova A. Chistyakov N.Form: 9Helsinki, 2011

Finland

The following project will present a view on the importance of intercultural dialogue. In recent years practitioners in a wide variety of fields — scientific cooperation, academic research, business, management, education, health, culture, politics, diplomacy, development, and others — have realized just how important intercultural communication is for their everyday work.

Fast travel, international media, and the Internet have made it easy for us to communicate with people all over the world. The process of economic globalization means that we cannot function in isolation but must interact with the rest of the world for survival.

This project is about a country on the top of the world - full of pure and breathtaking natural surroundings, interesting people, places and contrasts. It’s a country especially for people who are searching for something completely different. If you think you have seen everything, think again.The complex task of our project is to study the roots, the forms and the development of cultural relations between Russia and Finland and their modern contacts.

At first, you may be wondering what Finland is like. Who are these Finns and what are they like? How do they live, and what are they interested in?

Finland and Russia have been Finland and Russia have been neighbors for hundreds of years. neighbors for hundreds of years. Our relationship has developed Our relationship has developed gradually towards the present gradually towards the present strong and balanced normal strong and balanced normal relations between neighbors.relations between neighbors. Diplomatic relations were established Diplomatic relations were established on 31 December 1920, when the on 31 December 1920, when the Finnish delegation exchanged Finnish delegation exchanged instruments of ratification for the instruments of ratification for the Treaty of Tartu with representatives of Treaty of Tartu with representatives of Russia in Moscow. Russia in Moscow. On the 31 December 2010 the On the 31 December 2010 the 90th anniversary of diplomatic 90th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Finland and relations between Finland and Russia was celebratedRussia was celebrated.

Russian Federation Republic of Finland

Finland is basically one big park, covered with forests and fields, Finland is basically one big park, covered with forests and fields, crossed by rivers and dotted with thousands of pure lakes. A few vibrant crossed by rivers and dotted with thousands of pure lakes. A few vibrant cities, of all shapes and sizes, are sprinkled here and there. So cities, of all shapes and sizes, are sprinkled here and there. So wherever you are, escape from urban life is always just a few steps wherever you are, escape from urban life is always just a few steps away.away.

The best thing about Finland is a cottage by the sea or a lake. The The best thing about Finland is a cottage by the sea or a lake. The starry skies on frosty winter nights. And the quiet that sets upon the starry skies on frosty winter nights. And the quiet that sets upon the lakeside cottages in the evenings.lakeside cottages in the evenings.

Finns are not exactly Indians, but they do have a certain kind of Finns are not exactly Indians, but they do have a certain kind of primeval connection with nature despite urbanization. People find their primeval connection with nature despite urbanization. People find their way to parks and their summer cottages and like to be outdoors. To way to parks and their summer cottages and like to be outdoors. To make enjoying nature easier, there is a clause in the law called make enjoying nature easier, there is a clause in the law called Everyman’s Right. It means that you’re allowed to go almost anywhere Everyman’s Right. It means that you’re allowed to go almost anywhere without special permission from the landowner.without special permission from the landowner.

Some people like heat, others cold. Some people love light, others dark, some love summer, others winter. Since Finland is truly packed with amazing contrasts, it’s safe to say that there’s something for everyone.

It is really quite unbelievable how in a small It is really quite unbelievable how in a small country like this you can meet such different country like this you can meet such different people depending on where you happen to people depending on where you happen to be. Although it’s a generalization, in be. Although it’s a generalization, in experience the country is divided more or experience the country is divided more or less like this: in western Finland live the less like this: in western Finland live the sophisticated Swedish speaking Finns, in sophisticated Swedish speaking Finns, in the south the trendy career people, in the the south the trendy career people, in the east the merry story-tellers and in the north east the merry story-tellers and in the north the genuine and jovial. They are all so the genuine and jovial. They are all so different, but all equally and originally different, but all equally and originally Finnish.Finnish.

Everything that Finns do, they do qualitatively and productively, but the whole process is represented as a beautiful and long one simultaneously. «We will sit down and we will allow haste to pass by» - this is about them.

Helsinki Russia linksHelsinki Russia links

The German-born architect who designed Helsinki’s The German-born architect who designed Helsinki’s central Senate Square admired St. Petersburg more than central Senate Square admired St. Petersburg more than any other city, and he planned the central cathedral, the any other city, and he planned the central cathedral, the sweeping square and the classical buildings in its image. sweeping square and the classical buildings in its image. The resemblance made Helsinki a convenient stand-in The resemblance made Helsinki a convenient stand-in during the Cold War, when it was used as a location for during the Cold War, when it was used as a location for Russian-set dramas such as “Gorky Park” and “Doctor Russian-set dramas such as “Gorky Park” and “Doctor Zhivago.”Zhivago.”

While Helsinki is very much a Finnish city too, with its While Helsinki is very much a Finnish city too, with its distinctive Art Nouveau architecture and contemporary distinctive Art Nouveau architecture and contemporary buildings, the influence of the Russian period of its history buildings, the influence of the Russian period of its history is still easy to see. Statues and monuments still is still easy to see. Statues and monuments still commemorate the tsars, as does the central commemorate the tsars, as does the central Aleksanterinkatu street, which is named after Alexander I. Aleksanterinkatu street, which is named after Alexander I. Alexander I is depicted on a frieze on the top of the Alexander I is depicted on a frieze on the top of the classical House of Estates, which dates to the 1890s. It classical House of Estates, which dates to the 1890s. It shows him with representatives of the aristocracy, clergy shows him with representatives of the aristocracy, clergy and bourgeoisie at the 1809 Porvoo Diet, which set the and bourgeoisie at the 1809 Porvoo Diet, which set the terms of Russian rule of Finland. terms of Russian rule of Finland. Tsar Alexander II, is commemorated with a statue on Tsar Alexander II, is commemorated with a statue on Senate Square, which was put up in the 1890s, after his Senate Square, which was put up in the 1890s, after his assassination. It’s dated 1863, when Alexander II visited assassination. It’s dated 1863, when Alexander II visited and decreed that Finnish was the national languageand decreed that Finnish was the national language.

““The best thing in Helsinki city is that whenever The best thing in Helsinki city is that whenever you need to go somewhere you just have to use you need to go somewhere you just have to use your legs. All the good parks, galleries and pubs your legs. All the good parks, galleries and pubs are so close to each other.”are so close to each other.”

Helsinki’s classic Russian-style buildings include the former officers’ casino on the harbor, a green-painted building that’s now a restaurant.

The city’s baroque Natural History Museum was built as a boy’s school by Russian architects and was originally named after Tsar Alexander II.

More mundanely, the city’s main brewery, Sinebryukhoff, is an omnipresent reminder of its Russian heritage. Now part of Carlsberg, it was started by a Russian émigré, Nikolai Sinebryukhoff, in the early 19th century.

A strange leftover from the Soviet era is a wistful statue of a woman in a windswept part of the harbor. Its inscription says that it’s a monument to Soviet and Finnish friendship dating from 1968.

Helsinki’s most distinctively Russian building is the brick Uspensky Cathedral with its elaborate green roofs. Inside, believers flock to the “Kozelshchanskaya” icon of the Virgin Mary, which is considered to be miracle-working.

If you can’t find inspiration in Finland, you probably can’t find it anywhere. Thanks to the unique, mind stirring culture and natural surroundings, Finns have always been full of creative cultural and technological ideas. Here high-tech engineers and bohemian artists live happily side by side.

Everyone always talks about Nokia phones when the conversation turns to Finland. I think the outer archipelago is much more astonishing than some piece of plastic you can talk to.

You’ve probably sat in a nice Finnish chair, admired fresh Finnish graphic design or been in a building designed by a Finnish architect without ever having been in Finland. Finnish design has been world famous for decades.

There aren’t many places that can give you a 100% snow guarantee in the winter. This true Christmas wonderland can.

Known as the home of Santa Claus and hundreds of thousands of reindeer, Lapland is a place you have to see for yourself. No matter what the season, the arctic ridges and national parks take your breath away. And nature’s own fireworks, the northern lights, dance 80 kilometers above the rugged wilderness.

With a common border more than 1,300 kilometers long, Finland has With a common border more than 1,300 kilometers long, Finland has always been closely tied to its eastern neighboralways been closely tied to its eastern neighbor

The territory of present Finland was the theatre of war between Russians and The territory of present Finland was the theatre of war between Russians and Swedes for centuries. Finland became part of the Russian Empire as the Grand Duchy Swedes for centuries. Finland became part of the Russian Empire as the Grand Duchy following the War of 1808-1809. This status gave Finland broad autonomy. It had its following the War of 1808-1809. This status gave Finland broad autonomy. It had its own unicameral parliament, currency and customs border with Russia. The Finnish own unicameral parliament, currency and customs border with Russia. The Finnish Language along with Russian and Swedish received an official status, which Language along with Russian and Swedish received an official status, which accelerated the formation of the Finnish nation. accelerated the formation of the Finnish nation.

Following the October Revolution in Russia, the Finnish Parliament adopted on Following the October Revolution in Russia, the Finnish Parliament adopted on December 6, 1917 a declaration of state independence, but attempts to seek its December 6, 1917 a declaration of state independence, but attempts to seek its recognition without the Soviet Government's authorization were in vain.recognition without the Soviet Government's authorization were in vain.

Soviet Government adopted a decree on the recognition of the state independence of the Finnish Republic on December 31, 1917.

There were a lot of obstacles in relations between the Soviet Union and Finland, which had only just received independence. The countries waged two wars against each other: in 1939-40, and in 1941-44, as Finland allied with Nazi Germany.

Following the Second World War, the Soviet Union received the Karelian Isthmus, Vyborg, the western Bay of Vyborg, lands to the west and north of Lake Ladoga, a group of islands in the Gulf of Finland, a part of the Rybachy and Sredny Peninsulas in the Barents Sea, and the Pechenga area. Over 400,000 people moved from these territories to Finland.

The present Russian-Finnish border is specified by the 1947 Paris Peace Treaty. Also, the two countries concluded an agreement on the Aland Islands demilitarization.

In the post-war period, Soviet-Finnish relations became an example of a peaceful coexistence policy; they were characterized through an intensive political dialogue and trade, which in the mid-1980s reached 25% of Finland's foreign trade volume.

From time to time, the Finnish media bring up From time to time, the Finnish media bring up the question of demanding that Russia return the question of demanding that Russia return lands formerly belonging to Finland. However, the lands formerly belonging to Finland. However, the Finnish Government believes that there are no Finnish Government believes that there are no territorial disputes between the two countries, territorial disputes between the two countries, with the present Russian-Finnish border specified with the present Russian-Finnish border specified by international legal acts. by international legal acts.

On December 30, 1991 Finland recognized On December 30, 1991 Finland recognized Russia as the Soviet Union's successor state. In Russia as the Soviet Union's successor state. In January 1992, Russia and Finland concluded the January 1992, Russia and Finland concluded the Agreement on Basic Principles of Relations. Agreement on Basic Principles of Relations.

•Russian and Finnish officials have developed stable political Russian and Finnish officials have developed stable political contacts at the top and high levels. Finnish President Tarja contacts at the top and high levels. Finnish President Tarja Halonen paid an official visit to Russia at the beginning of her Halonen paid an official visit to Russia at the beginning of her first term, in June 2000.first term, in June 2000.• In September 2001 and in August 2005, the Russian In September 2001 and in August 2005, the Russian President paid official visits to Finland.President paid official visits to Finland.• In 2007, the two heads of state met twice, on July 19 in In 2007, the two heads of state met twice, on July 19 in Saransk, the Republic of Mordovia, and on September 30 Saransk, the Republic of Mordovia, and on September 30 when Tarja Halonen was on a private visit to Moscow to when Tarja Halonen was on a private visit to Moscow to participate in theatre director Yury Lyubimov's birthday participate in theatre director Yury Lyubimov's birthday celebrations.celebrations.• On June 28, 2008 Russian President Dmitry Medvedev held On June 28, 2008 Russian President Dmitry Medvedev held his first meeting with his Finnish counterpart after assuming his first meeting with his Finnish counterpart after assuming office at the Fifth World Congress of Finno-Ugric Peoples in office at the Fifth World Congress of Finno-Ugric Peoples in Khanty-Mansiisk. On April 20-21, 2009 President Medvedev Khanty-Mansiisk. On April 20-21, 2009 President Medvedev paid an official visit to Finland. paid an official visit to Finland. •On June 5, 2009 Halonen attended the 13th St Petersburg On June 5, 2009 Halonen attended the 13th St Petersburg International Economic Forum. On August 11, 2009 International Economic Forum. On August 11, 2009 Medvedev and Halonen held an informal meeting in Sochi, Medvedev and Halonen held an informal meeting in Sochi, where Halonen also met with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. where Halonen also met with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. Medvedev and Halonen spoke by telephone on August 11 and Medvedev and Halonen spoke by telephone on August 11 and 16, 2008, on December 26, 2008 and on October 6, 2009. 16, 2008, on December 26, 2008 and on October 6, 2009.

Russian-Finnish trade is mutually beneficial. In 2010, Russian-Russian-Finnish trade is mutually beneficial. In 2010, Russian-Finnish trade reached about $12.5 billion, with exports totaling Finnish trade reached about $12.5 billion, with exports totaling $8.5 billion and imports reaching $3.8 billion, while in 2008, $8.5 billion and imports reaching $3.8 billion, while in 2008, trade reached $22.4 billion.trade reached $22.4 billion.

According to Russia's Federal Customs Service, from January According to Russia's Federal Customs Service, from January through November of 2010 trade turnover between the two through November of 2010 trade turnover between the two countries totaled $11.6 billion, showing an overall decrease of countries totaled $11.6 billion, showing an overall decrease of 44%, with Russia's exports at $8 billion (a 44.7% decrease) and 44%, with Russia's exports at $8 billion (a 44.7% decrease) and imports accounting for $3.5 billion (a 42.7% decrease). imports accounting for $3.5 billion (a 42.7% decrease).

• Friendship societies promote closer contacts, with cultural Friendship societies promote closer contacts, with cultural cooperation developing in various areas as well. Since 2000, cooperation developing in various areas as well. Since 2000, the Russian-Finnish Cultural Forum has been held annually. the Russian-Finnish Cultural Forum has been held annually.

• The two countrieshave over 150 pairs of twin towns and villages.

• Contacts between Finno-Ugric peoples, including Karelians, Veps, Komi, Mordvins, Mari, Udmurts, Khanty, Mansi and Komi-Permyaks, have been developing successfully, with Finland fostering these ethnicities' national and cultural development. The two countries cooperate to preserve the national and cultural identity of Russians that live in Finland and to help them develop ties with their historical homeland.

The Finns and Russians aren’t that much different: Both survive in The Finns and Russians aren’t that much different: Both survive in extreme weather conditions, both have a poor background, both love to extreme weather conditions, both have a poor background, both love to get blinded on a Friday night. Russians are Europeans, and Finns are get blinded on a Friday night. Russians are Europeans, and Finns are Asians who became Europeans. Based on the language and history, Asians who became Europeans. Based on the language and history, Finns came over from central Asia and northern Russia, and lost their Finns came over from central Asia and northern Russia, and lost their genetics due to Russian and Swedish presence. genetics due to Russian and Swedish presence.

Russians came over from Central Europe as Slavs (Poles were there, Russians came over from Central Europe as Slavs (Poles were there, Czechs, Serbians, all the awesome Slavs), and were discovered by Czechs, Serbians, all the awesome Slavs), and were discovered by Swedes. Hence the connection. Finland just happened to be stuck Swedes. Hence the connection. Finland just happened to be stuck between two European powers.between two European powers.

And if we compare the national mentalities, Finns do have a lot more in And if we compare the national mentalities, Finns do have a lot more in common with the Russians than with the Swedish. Both Finns and common with the Russians than with the Swedish. Both Finns and Russians are stereotypically somewhat melancholic, introverted, and, Russians are stereotypically somewhat melancholic, introverted, and, hardworking while enjoying dark humor.hardworking while enjoying dark humor.

Because of these similarities, Russian people, who live in Finland, have Because of these similarities, Russian people, who live in Finland, have had an easier time to assimilate into the Finnish society because the had an easier time to assimilate into the Finnish society because the different language and religion have remained as merely aesthetic different language and religion have remained as merely aesthetic differences.differences.

Intercultural communication cannot be achieved only with mastering Intercultural communication cannot be achieved only with mastering foreign languages. It needs overcoming of the cultural barrier, too. foreign languages. It needs overcoming of the cultural barrier, too. This barrier is “invisible” and is only felt when there is a clash of two This barrier is “invisible” and is only felt when there is a clash of two or more cultures. The cultural misunderstanding can cause great or more cultures. The cultural misunderstanding can cause great conflicts, even wars. In such conflicts people start to understand conflicts, even wars. In such conflicts people start to understand better their national culture, their vision of life, their boundaries, so better their national culture, their vision of life, their boundaries, so that they can accept the “otherness”.that they can accept the “otherness”.

Intercultural communication is a crossing point of cultures, which, on Intercultural communication is a crossing point of cultures, which, on the other hand, presupposes a culture of crossing lines. The the other hand, presupposes a culture of crossing lines. The Russian proverb “В чужой монастырь со своим уставом не ходят” Russian proverb “В чужой монастырь со своим уставом не ходят” is still valid. Its analogue in English expresses the same thought in is still valid. Its analogue in English expresses the same thought in other words: “When in Rome, do as Romans do”. In both languages other words: “When in Rome, do as Romans do”. In both languages the wisdom of the people tries to avoid cultural clash. the wisdom of the people tries to avoid cultural clash.

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