The Pendulum of Translating Russian Literature in Finland

Abstract

This essay examines the translation and reception of Russian literature in Finland from the early nineteenth century until today. Our research suggests that bilateral contacts and common history with Russia have influenced Finnish translation decisions more than the evident European context of Russian literature. In Finland, relationship with Russia and attitudes to its culture have always been politicized by geographical proximity. Hostile relations have impacted translations, but during more friendly times, resurgent curiosity about Russian culture has sparked more intensive translation activities. Since the early days of Finnish literature, only a few intellectuals mastered their Eastern neighbour’s language or knew its culture well enough to translate Russian literature into Finnish. Consequently, translating Russian literature has been highly dependent on individual mediators, often with a transnational identity. At the same time, translations of Russian literature have, for Finns, been a means to interpret the Russian mentality and culture, and to analyse, forecast or evaluate the political tendencies in their larger neighbour.