What is Sisu?
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What does “sisu” actually mean and how is it different from resilience or perseverance?
What is Sisu? Thanks for asking. Trying to come up with a translation for the Finnish term sisu is a bit of a lost cause. Rotten Tomatoes described it as a white knuckled form of courage and unimaginable determination in the face of overwhelming odds, while the BBC has defined it as strength and perseverance in a task that for some may seem crazy to undertake, almost hopeless. It's not exactly the same as resilience, because that comes after a setback. And it's not perseverance either, which is more linked to a long-term goal, whereas Sisu really relates to a given moment in time. It could be finding the strength to have a complicated discussion with your manager at work, for example, or attempting to resolve a conflict.
Where does the word “sisu” come from and what are its linguistic and historical roots?
Sisu is based on honesty and respect to oneself and towards others, and it's no wonder the whole world is keen to learn more about Sisu, given Finland and neighbouring Nordic countries consistently come top of world happiness rankings. So where does it come from? The word Cesus in Finnish literally means guts, which is probably as close of an equivalent term as you could find in English. The linguistic origins go back to at least the 18th century. Sociologist Amelia Larty gave a TED talk on the subject in 2014, which had close to 40 million views at the time of recording. Lati explained how the start of the Winter War is often referenced when talking about Sisu. The year was nineteen thirty nine.
How did the Finnish concept of sisu shape the nation’s response during the Winter War?
and the Second World War was about to break out. The Soviet Union invaded Finland, with the Finns outnumbered threefold by two and a half million Russian soldiers. Nevertheless, they decided to fight. Against the odds they managed to resist and remain independent. In 1940 the Treaty of Moscow was signed, The New York Times famously ran a headline reading, Sisu, a word that explains Finland. The country and its people quickly gained an international reputation for bravery.
What modern films and media are bringing the story of sisu and the Winter War to global audiences?
In May 2023, we'll actually see the UK release of a Finnish-American historical action film depicting the Winter War. Before being released in Finland in January, it debuted at the Toronto Film Festival in September 2022. and won a number of awards at the latest edition of the Sitchess Film Festival, including Best Film.
What are some examples of people who personified Sisu?
In twenty eighteen, author Joanna Nylund dedicated a book to the subject entitled Sisu the Finnish Art of Courage. She included a number of Finnish personalities who stood out for their Sisu, like the late Nobel Peace Prize laureate Marty Atisari. He's remembered for having intervened to help resolve a number of international conflicts, in Kosovo and Iraq, for example.
Who are some real‑life examples of people who embody sisu and how can anyone develop this trait?
But really it's a characteristic that anyone can embrace, even if not involved in acts of heroism. It's all about pushing yourself a little bit further, even in difficult situations, and sticking to your guts no matter what setback you end up facing. There you have it. Now you know what Sisu is. In under three minutes we answer your questions. What would you like to know about? Use the comments section to send us your questions.
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Chapters
5 chapters
1
What does “sisu” actually mean and how is it different from resilience or perseverance?
0:04–0:52
2
Where does the word “sisu” come from and what are its linguistic and historical roots?
0:52–1:37
3
How did the Finnish concept of sisu shape the nation’s response during the Winter War?
1:37–2:07
4
What modern films and media are bringing the story of sisu and the Winter War to global audiences?
2:07–2:57
5
Who are some real‑life examples of people who embody sisu and how can anyone develop this trait?
2:57–3:26