The Åland Islands, explored

*Ocean Noises*

In the cold waters of the Baltic Sea, at the mouth of the Gulf of Bothnia sits a unique group of islands. Made up of over 6,700 islands, a population of 30,000 lives on only 60-80 of them with Fasta Ålands, the largest, serving as the home of 90% of the population. 

Sitting almost exactly between Finland and Sweden, The natural question is, Who do the islands belong to? A quick Google search will tell you they are a region of Finland, yet this simple answer leaves their rich culture and unique position completely hidden. They may be Finnish, yet their only official language is Swedish. The mystery continues as the islands have their own parliament, government, and function as an autonomous state of Finland but are almost entirely culturally Swedish. How such a Swedish place could become part of Finland is embroiled in post-WW1 discussions of the world’s future.

Following the conclusion of WW1 and the surrender of Germany, as I’m sure has been beaten into almost every American child for years in almost every history class, the Paris peace conference was convened to decide the course of the world. This was key to creating the post-war world order and involved creating the League of Nations, the predecessor to the modern United Nations. Much as the UN does today, it was tasked with settling international disputes and ensuring world peace in the post-war setting.

[ROBIN BATES ON THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS]

That was the voice of Northwestern History Professor Robin Bates, whose research and teaching focuses on French and European history, which is tied to the League of Nation’s founding. The League’s founding was rife with issues, with many colonial possessions that had contributed to the war effort left out of the settlement.

[OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT WORLD POWERS]

Much of these problems were exasperated by another AI, American Isolationism, as the post-war years trundled on the United States began to retreat back across the ocean, focusing on its own affairs and leaving Europe to sort itself out amidst a gathering economic storm. This led to the League being unable to back its own resolutions. Much of the Goals of the League were to prevent war and attempt to create buffer states between existing world powers, which often failed quite spectacularly.

[DANZIG FIASCO]

This makes the Åland Islands a unique success of the League of Nations.

[PROFESSOR’S SURPRISE]

While the islands had voted overwhelmingly to join Sweden, with over 95 Percent voting in favor, it had been long considered part of the Finnish state. As part of the agreement, the archipelago was deemed a demilitarized zone, allowing peace in a strategically important area of the baltic sea. Additionally, it ensured that the islands would remain an autonomous state, part of Finland but with its own legislature and governance as stated in the Act on the Autonomy of Åland of 1920. This laid the framework for the island’s current existence which was reaffirmed upon Finland Joining the EU in 1991, as a stipulation of their entry.

Many academic papers argue that this ruling was one of the first examples of explicitly defining what constitutes a minority and protecting their culture. When President Woodrow Wilson submitted the United State’s addition to the charter of the League of Nations

“The League of Nations shall require all new States to bind themselves as a condition precedent to their recognition as independent or autonomous States, to accord to all racial or national minorities within their several jurisdictions exactly the same treatment and security, both in law and in fact that is accorded to the racial or national majority of the people.”

While this wording was ultimately rejected by the league, as they believed at the time that minority issues would be uncommon, it was a unique effort towards preserving the unique cultures and identities of minority groups that should be cherished and preserved.

This culture has been preserved thanks to this ruling and cooperation through the years on the part of Finland. This history that has placed the Åland Islands at the center of world events on the economically and militarily vital baltic sea, has created a unique culture, that while Swedish, incorporates elements of Finnish culture. 

Scandinavia as a whole has a long history of music, from Viking times to their unique and varied style brought to the yearly Eurovision Music Competition. Long known for such pop acts as ABBA and heavy metal, the Åland Islands take a much softer approach, specializing in Nordic Jazz.

That was the voice of  Jussi Fredricksson, of Archipelago Sea Jazz, an organization that holds a yearly jazz festival in the capital of the islands, Marieham, as well as 3 other festivals on the finish mainland. These festivals weave the Nordic tradition into jazz while incorporating elements of the local culture to create an enjoyable festival experience.

[FESTIVAL BACKGROUND]

[FESTIVAL CULTURE]

The festival is held across the island’s capital of Mariehamn, with venues both inside and outside along the streets and waterfront. These performances are intermixed with local food such as herring, which is often taken across Finland and Sweden for Sale, and events showcasing local craftsmen and talent for tourists and locals alike.

From its thriving apple and cider industry to the thousands of tourists it draws in the warmer summer months, the Åland Islands have sailed a treacherous path to reach the present. Through it all they’ve maintained a unique status as one of the few successes of the League of Nations, and one that survives to this day as a unique corner of Scandinavia and the world. 

If you ever happen to reach Europe, why not sail to the islands as has been done for centuries to enjoy and explore a unique clash of Scandinavian culture? Sit by the sea, enjoy a little bit of jazz, and appreciate the momentous history that has led to a unique little corner of the world.