Translating Modernity: Visions and Uses of Europe in Finland

Translating modernity to the periphery is a recurring theme in the discussions on Europe at its geo- cultural margins. In small and young countries such as Finland, “Europe” has been mobilized for nation-building in terms of accumulating cultural capital and, conversely, for challenging the strong national imperative in these countries; seeing things “from a European perspective” has often meant claiming to have a detached bird’s eye view on national questions. This article looks at some expressions of these dynamics in late nineteenth and early twentieth century Finland, notably within the cultural field, where identification with Europe has been articulated at the intersection of external pressures and internal debates, and in relation to other regional concepts such as Scandinavia.