TV Viewers Vote Mannerheim as Greatest Finn
Finnish television viewers have voted Finland's wartime military commander, Marshall C.G.E Mannerheim as the "Greatest Finn". Viewers calling in to YLE TV-1 on Sunday night chose President Risto Ryti as the second-greatest, and President Urho Kekkonen came in third.
The ten finalists included General Adolf Ehrnrooth, President Tarja Halonen, pioneering paediatrician Arvo Ylppö, Medieval churchman and pioneer of the Finnish literary language Mikael Agricola, composer Jean Sibelius, writer Aleksis Kivi, and Elias Lönnrot, linguist, doctor, and compiler of the national epic, the Kalevala.
The process for choosing the Greatest Finn began in the spring, with a list of 100 names being narrowed down to ten. Each of the ten had a spokesperson, hosting a half-hour television programme pleading the cause for the nominee.
Programmes with a similar format have been held in various European countries. In the Best of Britain series, Winston Churchill was chosen number one. In Germany, viewers chose Chancellor Konrad Adenauer as their country's best.
Latest in: News
Tougher rules on gun storage likely
In the wake of Saturday's fatal shootings, Interior Minister Päivi Räsänen indicated that upcoming changes to gun laws may include stricter rules about keeping firearms under lock and key.
Hyvinkää shooting victims all young adults
Victims in Saturday's shooting incident were rushed to hospital in Hyvinkää and to the Meilahti and Töölö hospitals in Helsinki. Both men and women, all the victims were young adults.
Two dead, 7 injured in Hyvinkää shootings
A police officer that arrived on the scene was critically injured. A suspect taken into custody has confessed to police.
Finland’s coolest summer festivals
Summer is the most frenzied time in the Finnish cultural year, with fans and artists alike rushing to enjoy that brief intersection of warmth and relaxed free time. Here are a dozen of the season’s most unusual cultural events. Nearly all take place outdoors or in tents – so here’s hoping for a warm, dry-ish festival season.
Baby spuds herald arrival of summer
In a crucial sign of summer for Finns, the first field-grown potatoes of the year have been harvested in Rymättylä on Finland's south-west coast.
Cutting-edge Finnish fashion hits the catwalk
The newest names in Finnish fashion are taking centre stage on Friday evening at a gala event at Helsinki's old Suvilahti power plant.
Urpilainen returned as SDP chair
The Social Democrats gathered at a party convention in Helsinki to elect party leaders. Incumbent Jutta Urpilainen ran unopposed for the chairmanship.
EU unemployed seek Finnish jobs
Labour officials say there's been an almost daily flow of European jobseekers registering for employment opportunities in Finland -- some of them from Spain.
Finnish Olympic team sets sights on London
The full complement of about 55 athletes will fly the Finnish flag at the London 2012 Olympics. They will compete in a range of disciplines ranging from track and field and equestrian events to judo and sailing.
Finnair, cabin crew continue Flybe transfer talks
Finnair will resume talks next week with the Cabin Crew Union on the transfer of about 100 cabin crew from flag carrier Finnair to its partner Flybe.
Discuss this topic
0 comments
Thank you. Your message has been sent to Yle News. We publish comments between 9 AM and 5 PM.
Yle News reads all comments before publishing, and we reserve the right to edit long comments. Inappropriate comments will not be published.
Thank you. Your report has been sent to Yle News. We review the reports between 9 AM and 5 PM.
Yle News will review the comment you reported and will delete it if necessary.