Last weekend began the final of the Greatest Finns poll here in Finland and I thought I'd post the finalists here as an experiment to see how many of them the rest of the world knows, and hope to get some good discussions going. You military historians probably know a lot of them. I'll try to give a brief explanation after every one of them.
The first 10 are the finalist of whom we must vote.
Arvo Ylppö - A doctor who was largely responsible for our health care.
Urho Kekkonen - President from 1956 to 1982.
Mikael Agricola - Gave us our language.
Tarja Halonen - Our current president. :roll:
Aleksis Kivi - One of the most famous Finnish writers
Risto Ryti - Our president during WW2. Sacrificed himself for peace.
Elias Lönnrot - Collected Kalevala which is our national chronicle.
Adolf Ehrnrooth - Infantry general during WW2 and war-hero
Jean Sibelius - Famous Finnish classical composer.
C.G.E. Mannerheim - Commander in chief of three wars, President
Places 11-100
11. Matti Nykänen - Olympic winner and drunk.
12. Väinö Myllyrinne - The tallest Finn ever.
13. Ville Valo - Singer in HIM
14. Lalli - Beheaded a Swedish bishop in the middle ages.
15. Väinö Linna - Famous Finnish writer. Wrote "The Unknown Soldier".
16. Linus Torvalds - Invented Linux.
17. Pertti "Spede" Pasanen - Finnish comedian
18. Pentti Linkola - Finnish environmentalist.
19. Tove Jansson - Wrote the Moomin childrens-books.
20. Veikko Hursti - Helps the poor
21. Paavo Nurmi - A runner who won several olympic gold-medals.
22. Minna Canth - Finnish playwrite and writer.
23. J.K. Paasikivi - President after war.
24. J.V. Snellman - Philosopher and statesman.
25. Hertta Kuusinen - A communist.
26. Arto Saari - Skateboarder
27. Miina Sillanpää - First woman minister
28. Väinö Tanner - Statesman. Foreign minister during Winter War.
29. Lucina Hagman - Womens rights activist.
30. Cristfried Ganander - Another culture fella in the 1700's
31. Mika Waltari - Famous writer. Wrote Sinuhe.
32. Mika Häkkinen - Formula 1 driver. World champion twice.
33. Alvar Aalto - Famous architect.
34. Eugen Schauman - Assassinated a Russian governor in 1904.
35. Tapio Rautavaara - Singer & Olympic gold medalist
36. Eino Leino - Poet
37. Jaakko Pöyry - Industrialist
38. Otto Ville Kuusinen - Leader of the Reds during our civil war.
38. Juice Leskinen - Singer & poet.
40. Anders Chydenius - Writer and economist in the 1700's
41. Uno Cygnaeus - Invented our first proper school-system.
42. Jari Litmanen - Soccer player & Ajax man for life.
43. Katri Helena Kalaoja - A woman singer
44. Fanni Luukkonen - Leader of the womens paramilitary Lotta-organization.
45. Anneli Jäätteenmäki - A politician who shouldn't be here,
46. Karl Fazer - Made candy. His chocolate is great.
47. K.J. Ståhlberg - Our first president.
48. Mauno Koivisto - Another ex-president.
48. Helene Schjerfbeck - Painter
50. Reino Helismaa - Made lyrics for songs.
51. Jorma Ollila - CEO of Nokia
52. Lauri Törni - A.K.A Larry Thorne. Former SS and U.S Army
53. Georg Henrik von Wright - Philosopher
54. Arndt Pekurinen - Peace activist
55. Tauno Palo - Actor
56. Akseli Gallen-Kallela - Painter
57. J.L. Runeberg - Poet
58. Kyösti Kallio - President during Winter War.
59. Paavo Ruotsalainen - Err... A religious cult leader.
60. Lars Levi Laestadius - Another religious cult leader.
60. Lasse Virén - Won 4 olympic medals.
62. Helvi Sipilä - Human rights activist. Held high positions in the UN.
63. Yrjö Kallinen - Defense minister & peace activist.
64. A.I. Virtanen - Nobel prize winner in chemistry.
65. Nils-Aslak Valkeapää - Lappish activist.
66. Armi Kuusela - The first Miss Universe.
67. P.E. Svinhufvud - Our second president.
68. Aki Kaurismäki - Film director.
69. Kalle Päätalo - A writer.
70. Paavo Lipponen - Ex-prime minister.
71. Aurora Karamzin - Social worker in the 1800's
72. Sakari Topelius - Wrote childrens stories.
73. Alli Vaittinen-Kuikka - Pioneered medicine.
74. Simo Häyhä - A sniper.
75. Jaakko Ilkka - Rebelled agains the Swedes in the 1500's
76. Arto Javanainen - Hockey goalscorer extraordinaire.
77. Leena Palotie - Doctor who researches genetics.
78. Karita Mattila - Opera singer.
79. Veikko Hakulinen - Olympic gold medalist in skiing.
79. Helle Kannila - Librarian and womens rights activist.
79. Olavi Virta - Singer.
82. Hannu Salama - An author who was sentenced of blasphemy.
83. Irwin Goodman - Singer and drunkard.
83. Laila Kinnunen - Singer
83. Arvi Lind - Our own Tom Brokaw. Voice of Finnish news.
86. Kirsti Paakkanen - Owns Marimekko, a fashion company.
87. Larin Paraske - Poet.
87. Mathilda Wrede - Peace activist.
89. Erno Paasilinna - Author
89. Antti Tuisku - Finished third in our version of Idols. AAARRGGHH!!!
89. Annikki Tähti - Singer
92. Elisabeth Rehn - Former defense minister and UN official.
92. Esa Saarinen - Philosopher
94. Maiju Gebhard - Invented stuff to help the ladies.
94. Kalevi Sorsa - Served as prime minister for several terms.
96. A.F. Airo - Mannerheims chief of staff.
96. Lauri Ylönen - Singer for the rockband "The Rasmus" :roll:.
98. Raimo Helminen - Ice hockey player.
98. Armi Ratia - Fashion designer.
98. Veikko Sinisalo - Lefty-actor.
There are some pretty interesting choices here. For example Lauri Törni A.K.A Larry Thorne. He served in the armed forces of three countries. The Finnish, German and finally he was a green beret colonel whose chopper got shot down in Vietnam.
The first 10 are the finalist of whom we must vote.
Arvo Ylppö - A doctor who was largely responsible for our health care.
Urho Kekkonen - President from 1956 to 1982.
Mikael Agricola - Gave us our language.
Tarja Halonen - Our current president. :roll:
Aleksis Kivi - One of the most famous Finnish writers
Risto Ryti - Our president during WW2. Sacrificed himself for peace.
Elias Lönnrot - Collected Kalevala which is our national chronicle.
Adolf Ehrnrooth - Infantry general during WW2 and war-hero
Jean Sibelius - Famous Finnish classical composer.
C.G.E. Mannerheim - Commander in chief of three wars, President
Places 11-100
11. Matti Nykänen - Olympic winner and drunk.
12. Väinö Myllyrinne - The tallest Finn ever.
13. Ville Valo - Singer in HIM
14. Lalli - Beheaded a Swedish bishop in the middle ages.
15. Väinö Linna - Famous Finnish writer. Wrote "The Unknown Soldier".
16. Linus Torvalds - Invented Linux.
17. Pertti "Spede" Pasanen - Finnish comedian
18. Pentti Linkola - Finnish environmentalist.
19. Tove Jansson - Wrote the Moomin childrens-books.
20. Veikko Hursti - Helps the poor
21. Paavo Nurmi - A runner who won several olympic gold-medals.
22. Minna Canth - Finnish playwrite and writer.
23. J.K. Paasikivi - President after war.
24. J.V. Snellman - Philosopher and statesman.
25. Hertta Kuusinen - A communist.
26. Arto Saari - Skateboarder
27. Miina Sillanpää - First woman minister
28. Väinö Tanner - Statesman. Foreign minister during Winter War.
29. Lucina Hagman - Womens rights activist.
30. Cristfried Ganander - Another culture fella in the 1700's
31. Mika Waltari - Famous writer. Wrote Sinuhe.
32. Mika Häkkinen - Formula 1 driver. World champion twice.
33. Alvar Aalto - Famous architect.
34. Eugen Schauman - Assassinated a Russian governor in 1904.
35. Tapio Rautavaara - Singer & Olympic gold medalist
36. Eino Leino - Poet
37. Jaakko Pöyry - Industrialist
38. Otto Ville Kuusinen - Leader of the Reds during our civil war.
38. Juice Leskinen - Singer & poet.
40. Anders Chydenius - Writer and economist in the 1700's
41. Uno Cygnaeus - Invented our first proper school-system.
42. Jari Litmanen - Soccer player & Ajax man for life.
43. Katri Helena Kalaoja - A woman singer
44. Fanni Luukkonen - Leader of the womens paramilitary Lotta-organization.
45. Anneli Jäätteenmäki - A politician who shouldn't be here,
46. Karl Fazer - Made candy. His chocolate is great.
47. K.J. Ståhlberg - Our first president.
48. Mauno Koivisto - Another ex-president.
48. Helene Schjerfbeck - Painter
50. Reino Helismaa - Made lyrics for songs.
51. Jorma Ollila - CEO of Nokia
52. Lauri Törni - A.K.A Larry Thorne. Former SS and U.S Army
53. Georg Henrik von Wright - Philosopher
54. Arndt Pekurinen - Peace activist
55. Tauno Palo - Actor
56. Akseli Gallen-Kallela - Painter
57. J.L. Runeberg - Poet
58. Kyösti Kallio - President during Winter War.
59. Paavo Ruotsalainen - Err... A religious cult leader.
60. Lars Levi Laestadius - Another religious cult leader.
60. Lasse Virén - Won 4 olympic medals.
62. Helvi Sipilä - Human rights activist. Held high positions in the UN.
63. Yrjö Kallinen - Defense minister & peace activist.
64. A.I. Virtanen - Nobel prize winner in chemistry.
65. Nils-Aslak Valkeapää - Lappish activist.
66. Armi Kuusela - The first Miss Universe.
67. P.E. Svinhufvud - Our second president.
68. Aki Kaurismäki - Film director.
69. Kalle Päätalo - A writer.
70. Paavo Lipponen - Ex-prime minister.
71. Aurora Karamzin - Social worker in the 1800's
72. Sakari Topelius - Wrote childrens stories.
73. Alli Vaittinen-Kuikka - Pioneered medicine.
74. Simo Häyhä - A sniper.
75. Jaakko Ilkka - Rebelled agains the Swedes in the 1500's
76. Arto Javanainen - Hockey goalscorer extraordinaire.
77. Leena Palotie - Doctor who researches genetics.
78. Karita Mattila - Opera singer.
79. Veikko Hakulinen - Olympic gold medalist in skiing.
79. Helle Kannila - Librarian and womens rights activist.
79. Olavi Virta - Singer.
82. Hannu Salama - An author who was sentenced of blasphemy.
83. Irwin Goodman - Singer and drunkard.
83. Laila Kinnunen - Singer
83. Arvi Lind - Our own Tom Brokaw. Voice of Finnish news.
86. Kirsti Paakkanen - Owns Marimekko, a fashion company.
87. Larin Paraske - Poet.
87. Mathilda Wrede - Peace activist.
89. Erno Paasilinna - Author
89. Antti Tuisku - Finished third in our version of Idols. AAARRGGHH!!!
89. Annikki Tähti - Singer
92. Elisabeth Rehn - Former defense minister and UN official.
92. Esa Saarinen - Philosopher
94. Maiju Gebhard - Invented stuff to help the ladies.
94. Kalevi Sorsa - Served as prime minister for several terms.
96. A.F. Airo - Mannerheims chief of staff.
96. Lauri Ylönen - Singer for the rockband "The Rasmus" :roll:.
98. Raimo Helminen - Ice hockey player.
98. Armi Ratia - Fashion designer.
98. Veikko Sinisalo - Lefty-actor.
There are some pretty interesting choices here. For example Lauri Törni A.K.A Larry Thorne. He served in the armed forces of three countries. The Finnish, German and finally he was a green beret colonel whose chopper got shot down in Vietnam.