What to read after Finland, The Country of White Lilies?

 During most of Finland’s history, it had been ruled by different countries. The first instance of this was the Treaty of Nöteborg in 1323. This treaty was between Sweden and the Novgorod Republic and it established their borders. After the treaty, the majority of Finland became a part of Sweden. From 1323 through 1808, the majority of Finland was a part of Sweden. After 1808, Russia captured the region of Finland from Sweden. Russia captured the region of Finland from 1808 through 1809. Then, in 1906, Finland had its own parliament. Although, Russia recognized Finland’s independence on December 31, 1917. In 1906, Finland had universal and equal right to vote which also applied to women. Then, in August of 1939, Finland went under Soviet Union influence. Throughout Finland's history, Finland was not independent very often. Although, when Finland became independent, a man named Johan Vilhelm Snellman advocated and supported the development of Finnish culture and the development of the country. Snellman wanted Finland to have full independence and its own culture. 

Snellman was born on May 12, 1806 in Sweden. He was born after the establishment of semi-independent Finland. Snellman was a philosopher, statesman, and a journalist. He taught at a university in Helsinki. Snellman wanted Finland to be advanced in education and the arts. Snellman had told the young Finnish people that, “Your success in football does not make me happy! Young Finnish like you not to beat Germans, English, Frenchs, Hungarians by shooting to the ball; Instead of it, with your mind, your heart, science, craft, trade, carpentry I would love to defeat them to take your homeland forward with your willing.” This book explains Snellman’s ideas on developing a newly growing country. It focuses on increasing the quality of education and the school environment. This book became very popular among developing countries. It was first written in Serbia in 1923 under the title “Zidari of Belly” which translates to “Creators of Life”. It was next printed in Bulgarian in 1925 under the title “In the Country of White Lilies”. In Bulgarian, the book has gone through 14 editions. The book was also printed in Turkish in 1928. In Turkish, the book has gone through 16 editions. The first president of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, knew that this book held valuable information so he made all public employees read the book, he put it into the school curriculum, and made Turkish officers study the book. This book was then published in Russia in 2004 under the title “Finland, the Country of White Lilies”. 

Today marks the day that this book was translated to English by Atatürk Research Center CT.  (July 2020)