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Finnish conscripts and the meaning of sisu
FROM THIS GALLERY
Finnish conscripts and the meaning of sisu
Finnish conscripts and the meaning of sisu
Финские призывники и что значит sisu
Finnish conscripts and the meaning of sisu
Finnish conscripts and the meaning of sisu
Why would anyone put themselves through military training deep in the forests of Finnish Lapland? These young conscripts explain their commitment to serving their country.
Assets details
- Publication date 03 November 2025
- Filming date 04 February 2024
- Location Sodankylä, Finland
- Version International
Synopsis
Sisu is a special word in Finnish culture. While its exact definition can vary, for most it means determination and composure in the face of adversity.
For the conscripts of the Finnish Army’s Jaeger Brigade, stationed in the vast forests of Finnish Lapland, sisu is crucial. Without it, they’d find it hard to endure the freezing temperatures and austere landscapes of the Nordic Arctic. We take a look at this uniquely demanding job and the spirit of sisu of our Finnish Ally.
Finland relies on a conscription-based military system, requiring all men aged 18 to 60 to complete military service, while women have the option to volunteer. Each year, around 21,000 conscripts complete their military training in Finland. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, this number has increased – the rise largely driven by female volunteers – and Finland made the historic decision to abandon military neutrality and subsequently joined NATO in April 2023.
Transcript
--UPSOT--
[Conscripts chanting] “Jaeger! Jaeger! Jaeger!”
--SOUNDBITE IN FINNISH—(English Subtitles)
Arttu Palokangas, Finnish Army conscript, Jaeger Brigade
“Defending your own country is a duty and it should be in everyone’s heart.”
--UPSOT--
[Conscripts groans]
--SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH—
Veera Remes, Finnish Army conscript, Jaeger Brigade
“Sisu. You cannot understand that word if you haven’t been in Finland. You have to come here and be outside to the point of breaking, when you’ve got so angry you have no other choice than to keep going on.”
--TEXT ON SCREEN—
FINNISH CONSCRIPTS
[AND THE MEANING OF SISU]
--TEXT ON SCREEN—
FINLAND’S CONSTITUTION REQUIRES ALL MEN AGED 18-60 TO COMPLETE MILITARY SERVICE
EACH YEAR, AROUND 21,000 CONSCRIPTS RECEIVE BASIC MILITARY TRAINING
GRAPHIC
VEERA REMES
Finnish Army conscript, Jaeger Brigade
--SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH—
Veera Remes, Finnish conscript, Jaeger Brigade
“To serve is mandatory for men but it’s not for women, but we can volunteer. As I did.”
GRAPHIC
ARTTU PALOKANGAS
Finnish Army conscript, Jaeger Brigade
--SOUNDBITE IN FINNISH—(English Subtitles)
Arttu Palokangas, Finnish conscript, Jaeger Brigade
“I’ve been in the Jaeger Brigade for a little over half a year. I’ve completed about 60 percent of my national service.”
--INTERVIEWER IN ENGLISH—
“Why would you put yourself through this?”
--SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH—
Veera Remes, Finnish Army conscript, Jaeger Brigade
“Yeah. I ask myself that sometimes.”
--TEXT ON SCREEN—
FINLAND SITS IN NATO’S HIGH NORTH, BORDERING RUSSIA
RUSSIA’S WAR OF AGGRESSION AGAINST UKRAINE
HAS MADE THESE CONSCRIPTS
EVEN MORE DETERMINED TO SERVE
--SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH—
Veera Remes, Finnish Army conscript, Jaeger Brigade
“The times have changed in terms of war. It’s not as simple as we learnt it to be when we grew up, like, wars are in the past. We have learnt that they are not.
For me it’s because I have a good life. That’s why I’m here, protecting it.
--SOUNDBITE IN FINNISH— (English Subtitles)
Arttu Palokangas, Finnish Army conscript, Jaeger Brigade
“Finns love to be in the forest. We are born with the ability to survive in the forest.”
--SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH—
Veera Remes, Finnish conscript, Jaeger Brigade
“We had a NATO Alliance survival training. It was basically a week with no sleep, with basically no food. That was intense being outside 10 hours a day.”
GRAPHIC
SAMPSA KURSULA
Finnish Army conscript, Jaeger Brigade
--SOUNDBITE IN FINNISH—(English Subtitles)
Sampsa Kursula, Finnish Army conscript, Jaeger Brigade
“You need to bring blood to your fingers and toes so that you stay warm. Jumping, running, punching, all of that really improves blood circulation the extremities.”
--SOUNDBITE IN FINNISH—(English Subtitles)
Arttu Palokangas, Finnish Army conscript, Jaeger Brigade
“Even though it’s cold here, very cold, with barren conditions, it’s not scary, it feels like home. Lapland is the best place in the world.”
GRAPHIC
ILONA ROPPONEN
Finnish Army conscript, Jaeger Brigade
--SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH—
Ilona Ropponen, Finnish conscript, Jaeger Brigade
“We have snow. Then we have the aurora. We have one day in winter that we don’t have sun at all. Then we have one day in the summer when we don’t have dark at all. You don’t meet the same kind of people anywhere else that you meet in Lapland.”
--SOUNDBITE IN FINNISH—(English Subtitles)
Sampsa Kursula, Finnish Army conscript, Jaeger Brigade
“In my opinion, it’s important that there is military service and that it’s mandatory because that’s how we get the peace that we have in this country.”
--TEXT ON SCREEN—
THE FINNS HAVE SISU, A UNIQUE WORD THAT DESCRIBES THEIR FIGHTING SPIRIT
--SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH—
Ilona Ropponen, Finnish Army conscript, Jaeger Brigade
“Sisu, I feel like sisu is the need and will to do something in your inner heart and you know you want to do it and you’re going to do it, and then you are doing it. It’s part of the Finnish culture.”
--SOUNDBITE IN FINNISH—(English Subtitles)
Sampsa Kursula, Finnish Army conscript, Jaeger Brigade
“Sisu means that we push forward even though there are difficulties.”
--INTERVIEWER IN ENGLISH—
“Does it mean courage?”
--SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH—
Veera Remes, Finnish Army conscript, Jaeger Brigade
“I don’t think that catches the whole meaning because it’s like a fuel of anger you get when you are at the breaking point. And you can find that here in Finland.”
Usage rights
CLOSE
This media asset is free for editorial broadcast, print, online and radio use. It is restricted for use for other purposes.
Finnish conscripts and the meaning of sisu
Why would anyone put themselves through military training deep in the forests of Finnish Lapland? These young conscripts explain their commitment to serving their country.
Assets details
- Publication date 03 November 2025
- Filming date 04 February 2024
- Location Sodankylä, Finland
- Version Master
- Reference NATO961397
Synopsis
Sisu is a special word in Finnish culture. While its exact definition can vary, for most it means determination and composure in the face of adversity.
For the conscripts of the Finnish Army’s Jaeger Brigade, stationed in the vast forests of Finnish Lapland, sisu is crucial. Without it, they’d find it hard to endure the freezing temperatures and austere landscapes of the Nordic Arctic. We take a look at this uniquely demanding job and the spirit of sisu of our Finnish Ally.
Finland relies on a conscription-based military system, requiring all men aged 18 to 60 to complete military service, while women have the option to volunteer. Each year, around 21,000 conscripts complete their military training in Finland. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, this number has increased – the rise largely driven by female volunteers – and Finland made the historic decision to abandon military neutrality and subsequently joined NATO in April 2023.
Transcript
--UPSOT--
[Conscripts chanting] “Jaeger! Jaeger! Jaeger!”
--SOUNDBITE IN FINNISH—(English Subtitles)
Arttu Palokangas, Finnish Army conscript, Jaeger Brigade
“Defending your own country is a duty and it should be in everyone’s heart.”
--UPSOT--
[Conscripts groans]
--SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH—
Veera Remes, Finnish Army conscript, Jaeger Brigade
“Sisu. You cannot understand that word if you haven’t been in Finland. You have to come here and be outside to the point of breaking, when you’ve got so angry you have no other choice than to keep going on.”
--TEXT ON SCREEN—
FINNISH CONSCRIPTS
[AND THE MEANING OF SISU]
--TEXT ON SCREEN—
FINLAND’S CONSTITUTION REQUIRES ALL MEN AGED 18-60 TO COMPLETE MILITARY SERVICE
EACH YEAR, AROUND 21,000 CONSCRIPTS RECEIVE BASIC MILITARY TRAINING
GRAPHIC
VEERA REMES
Finnish Army conscript, Jaeger Brigade
--SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH—
Veera Remes, Finnish conscript, Jaeger Brigade
“To serve is mandatory for men but it’s not for women, but we can volunteer. As I did.”
GRAPHIC
ARTTU PALOKANGAS
Finnish Army conscript, Jaeger Brigade
--SOUNDBITE IN FINNISH—(English Subtitles)
Arttu Palokangas, Finnish conscript, Jaeger Brigade
“I’ve been in the Jaeger Brigade for a little over half a year. I’ve completed about 60 percent of my national service.”
--INTERVIEWER IN ENGLISH—
“Why would you put yourself through this?”
--SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH—
Veera Remes, Finnish Army conscript, Jaeger Brigade
“Yeah. I ask myself that sometimes.”
--TEXT ON SCREEN—
FINLAND SITS IN NATO’S HIGH NORTH, BORDERING RUSSIA
RUSSIA’S WAR OF AGGRESSION AGAINST UKRAINE
HAS MADE THESE CONSCRIPTS
EVEN MORE DETERMINED TO SERVE
--SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH—
Veera Remes, Finnish Army conscript, Jaeger Brigade
“The times have changed in terms of war. It’s not as simple as we learnt it to be when we grew up, like, wars are in the past. We have learnt that they are not.
For me it’s because I have a good life. That’s why I’m here, protecting it.
--SOUNDBITE IN FINNISH— (English Subtitles)
Arttu Palokangas, Finnish Army conscript, Jaeger Brigade
“Finns love to be in the forest. We are born with the ability to survive in the forest.”
--SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH—
Veera Remes, Finnish conscript, Jaeger Brigade
“We had a NATO Alliance survival training. It was basically a week with no sleep, with basically no food. That was intense being outside 10 hours a day.”
GRAPHIC
SAMPSA KURSULA
Finnish Army conscript, Jaeger Brigade
--SOUNDBITE IN FINNISH—(English Subtitles)
Sampsa Kursula, Finnish Army conscript, Jaeger Brigade
“You need to bring blood to your fingers and toes so that you stay warm. Jumping, running, punching, all of that really improves blood circulation the extremities.”
--SOUNDBITE IN FINNISH—(English Subtitles)
Arttu Palokangas, Finnish Army conscript, Jaeger Brigade
“Even though it’s cold here, very cold, with barren conditions, it’s not scary, it feels like home. Lapland is the best place in the world.”
GRAPHIC
ILONA ROPPONEN
Finnish Army conscript, Jaeger Brigade
--SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH—
Ilona Ropponen, Finnish conscript, Jaeger Brigade
“We have snow. Then we have the aurora. We have one day in winter that we don’t have sun at all. Then we have one day in the summer when we don’t have dark at all. You don’t meet the same kind of people anywhere else that you meet in Lapland.”
--SOUNDBITE IN FINNISH—(English Subtitles)
Sampsa Kursula, Finnish Army conscript, Jaeger Brigade
“In my opinion, it’s important that there is military service and that it’s mandatory because that’s how we get the peace that we have in this country.”
--TEXT ON SCREEN—
THE FINNS HAVE SISU, A UNIQUE WORD THAT DESCRIBES THEIR FIGHTING SPIRIT
--SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH—
Ilona Ropponen, Finnish Army conscript, Jaeger Brigade
“Sisu, I feel like sisu is the need and will to do something in your inner heart and you know you want to do it and you’re going to do it, and then you are doing it. It’s part of the Finnish culture.”
--SOUNDBITE IN FINNISH—(English Subtitles)
Sampsa Kursula, Finnish Army conscript, Jaeger Brigade
“Sisu means that we push forward even though there are difficulties.”
--INTERVIEWER IN ENGLISH—
“Does it mean courage?”
--SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH—
Veera Remes, Finnish Army conscript, Jaeger Brigade
“I don’t think that catches the whole meaning because it’s like a fuel of anger you get when you are at the breaking point. And you can find that here in Finland.”
Usage rights
CLOSE
This media asset is free for editorial broadcast, print, online and radio use. It is restricted for use for other purposes.
Финские призывники и что значит sisu
Sisu — особое в финской культуре слово. Хотя существует несколько его точных определений, главным образом, оно означает решимость и самообладание перед лицом испытаний. Для призывников Егерской бригады Сухопутных войск Финляндии, базирующейся в бескрайних
Assets details
- Publication date 03 November 2025
- Filming date 04 February 2024
- Location Sodankylä , Finland
- Version Master-with-subs
- Themes Video
- Reference NATO962481
- Music Broken Grasp Instrumental -Blainey, Final Exhale Instrumental – Blainey, Arisen Again Instrumental - Boorman
Transcript
--UPSOT--
[Военнослужащие срочной службы скандируют] "Егерь! Егерь! Егерь!"
--SOUNDBITE IN FINNISH—
Артту Палокангас, военнослужащий срочной службы СВ Финляндии, Егерская бригада
«Защита своей страны — это долг, и каждый должен нести его в своем сердце».
--UPSOT--
[Военнослужащие срочной службы стонут]
--SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH—
Веера Ремес, военнослужащая срочной службы СВ Финляндии, Егерская бригада
«Sisu. Вы не поймете это слово, если не бывали в Финляндии. Надо приехать сюда, побыть на морозе долго, оказаться на грани срыва, когда вы дико разозлитесь, и у вас будет только один вариант — продолжать».
--TEXT ON SCREEN—
ФИНСКИЕ ПРИЗЫВНИКИ
[И ЧТО ОЗНАЧАЕТ СИСУ]
--TEXT ON SCREEN—
ПО ФИНСКОЙ КОНСТИТУЦИИ ВСЕ МУЖЧИНЫ В ВОЗРАСТЕ 18-60 ЛЕТ ОБЯЗАНЫ ПРОЙТИ ВОЕННУЮ СЛУЖБУ
ЕЖЕГОДНО БАЗОВУЮ ВОЕННУЮ ПОДГОТОВКУ ПРОХОДЯТ ОКОЛО 21 000 ПРИЗЫВНИКОВ
GRAPHIC
ВЕЕРА РЕМЕС
Военнослужащая срочной службы СВ Финляндии, Егерская бригада
--SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH—
Веера Ремес, военнослужащая срочной службы СВ Финляндии, Егерская бригада
«Служба обязательна для мужчин, но не для женщин, хотя мы можем служить волонтерками. Я так и сделала».
GRAPHIC
АРТТУ ПАЛОКАНГАС
Военнослужащий срочной службы СВ Финляндии, Егерская бригада
--SOUNDBITE IN FINNISH—(English Subtitles)
Артту Палокангас, военнослужащий срочной службы СВ Финляндии, Егерская бригада
«Я служу в Егерской бригаде чуть больше полугода, уже отслужил 60 процентов всего срока».
--INTERVIEWER IN ENGLISH—
«Зачем вы подвергаете себя таким испытаниям?»
--SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH—
Веера Ремес, военнослужащая срочной службы СВ Финляндии, Егерская бригада
«Да. Иногда я сама задаю себе такой вопрос».
--TEXT ON SCREEN—
ФИНЛЯНДИЯ НАХОДИТСЯ НА КРАЙНЕМ СЕВЕРЕ НАТО, НА ГРАНИЦЕ С РОССИЕЙ
ВОЕННАЯ АГРЕССИЯ РОССИИ ПРОТИВ УКРАИНЫ
УКРЕПИЛА РЕШИМОСТЬ ЭТИХ ПРИЗЫВНИКОВ
ПРОЙТИ ВОИНСКУЮ СЛУЖБУ
--SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH—
Веера Ремес, военнослужащая срочной службы СВ Финляндии, Егерская бригада
«Времена изменились в плане войн. Когда мы росли, мы думали, что войны как бы остались в прошлом. Теперь мы поняли, что это не так.
Я здесь потому, что хорошо живу. Эту хорошую жизнь я и защищаю».
--SOUNDBITE IN FINNISH— (English Subtitles)
Артту Палокангас, военнослужащий срочной службы СВ Финляндии, Егерская бригада
«Финны любят бывать в лесу. У нас врожденная способность выживать в лесу».
--SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH—
Веера Ремес, военнослужащая срочной службы СВ Финляндии, Егерская бригада
«У нас был тренинг НАТО по выживанию. По сути, это неделя без сна и еды. Очень было напряженно — проводить по 10 часов в день под открытым небом».
GRAPHIC
САМПСА КУРСУЛА
военнослужащий срочной службы СВ Финляндии, Егерская бригада
--SOUNDBITE IN FINNISH—(English Subtitles)
Сампса Курсула, военнослужащий срочной службы СВ Финляндии, Егерская бригада
«Чтобы быть в тепле, нужно, чтобы кровь прилила к пальцам рук и ног. Прыжки, бег, удары — все это улучшает приток крови к конечностям».
--SOUNDBITE IN FINNISH—(English Subtitles)
Артту Палокангас, военнослужащий срочной службы СВ Финляндии, Егерская бригада
«Здесь холодно, очень холодно, суровые условия, но это не пугает, здесь чувствуешь себя как дома. Лапландия — лучшее место в мире».
GRAPHIC
ИЛОНА РОППОНЕН
военнослужащая срочной службы СВ Финляндии, Егерская бригада
--SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH—
Илона Роппонен, военнослужащая срочной службы СВ Финляндии, Егерская бригада
«У нас снег. И северное сияние. Зимой у нас есть один день, когда солнца нет вообще. А летом — один день, когда вообще не темнеет. Нигде больше вы не встретите таких людей, как в Лапландии».
--SOUNDBITE IN FINNISH—(English Subtitles)
Сампса Курсула, военнослужащий срочной службы СВ Финляндии, Егерская бригада
«Я считаю, важно, чтобы была военная служба, причем обязательная, потому что именно благодаря ей у нас в стране мир».
--TEXT ON SCREEN—
У ФИННОВ ЕСТЬ SISU, УНИКАЛЬНОЕ СЛОВО, ВЫРАЖАЮЩЕЕ ИХ БОЕВОЙ ДУХ
--SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH—
Илона Роппонен, военнослужащая срочной службы СВ Финляндии, Егерская бригада
«Sisu, я понимаю sisu, как потребность и желание в глубине души сделать что-то, и вы знаете, что хотите этого и сделаете это, а затем вы делаете это. Это часть финской культуры».
--SOUNDBITE IN FINNISH—(English Subtitles)
Сампса Курсула, военнослужащий срочной службы СВ Финляндии, Егерская бригада
«Sisu означает, что мы идем вперед, несмотря на трудности».
--INTERVIEWER IN ENGLISH—
«Означает ли это мужество?»
--SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH—
Веера Ремес, военнослужащая срочной службы СВ Финляндии, Егерская бригада
«Я не думаю, что это полностью выражает смысл, потому что это как бы топливо из злости, которую вы испытываете на грани срыва. И вы можете найти его здесь, в Финляндии».
Usage rights
CLOSE
This media asset is free for editorial broadcast, print, online and radio use. It is restricted for use for other purposes.
Finnish conscripts and the meaning of sisu
Why would anyone put themselves through military training deep in the forests of Finnish Lapland? These young conscripts explain their commitment to serving their country.
Assets details
- Publication date 03 November 2025
- Filming date 04 February 2024
- Location Sodankylä, Finland
- Version Master-with-subs
- Reference NATO961399
Synopsis
Sisu is a special word in Finnish culture. While its exact definition can vary, for most it means determination and composure in the face of adversity.
For the conscripts of the Finnish Army’s Jaeger Brigade, stationed in the vast forests of Finnish Lapland, sisu is crucial. Without it, they’d find it hard to endure the freezing temperatures and austere landscapes of the Nordic Arctic. We take a look at this uniquely demanding job and the spirit of sisu of our Finnish Ally.
Finland relies on a conscription-based military system, requiring all men aged 18 to 60 to complete military service, while women have the option to volunteer. Each year, around 21,000 conscripts complete their military training in Finland. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, this number has increased – the rise largely driven by female volunteers – and Finland made the historic decision to abandon military neutrality and subsequently joined NATO in April 2023.
Transcript
--UPSOT--
[Conscripts chanting] “Jaeger! Jaeger! Jaeger!”
--SOUNDBITE IN FINNISH—(English Subtitles)
Arttu Palokangas, Finnish Army conscript, Jaeger Brigade
“Defending your own country is a duty and it should be in everyone’s heart.”
--UPSOT--
[Conscripts groans]
--SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH—
Veera Remes, Finnish Army conscript, Jaeger Brigade
“Sisu. You cannot understand that word if you haven’t been in Finland. You have to come here and be outside to the point of breaking, when you’ve got so angry you have no other choice than to keep going on.”
--TEXT ON SCREEN—
FINNISH CONSCRIPTS
[AND THE MEANING OF SISU]
--TEXT ON SCREEN—
FINLAND’S CONSTITUTION REQUIRES ALL MEN AGED 18-60 TO COMPLETE MILITARY SERVICE
EACH YEAR, AROUND 21,000 CONSCRIPTS RECEIVE BASIC MILITARY TRAINING
GRAPHIC
VEERA REMES
Finnish Army conscript, Jaeger Brigade
--SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH—
Veera Remes, Finnish conscript, Jaeger Brigade
“To serve is mandatory for men but it’s not for women, but we can volunteer. As I did.”
GRAPHIC
ARTTU PALOKANGAS
Finnish Army conscript, Jaeger Brigade
--SOUNDBITE IN FINNISH—(English Subtitles)
Arttu Palokangas, Finnish conscript, Jaeger Brigade
“I’ve been in the Jaeger Brigade for a little over half a year. I’ve completed about 60 percent of my national service.”
--INTERVIEWER IN ENGLISH—
“Why would you put yourself through this?”
--SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH—
Veera Remes, Finnish Army conscript, Jaeger Brigade
“Yeah. I ask myself that sometimes.”
--TEXT ON SCREEN—
FINLAND SITS IN NATO’S HIGH NORTH, BORDERING RUSSIA
RUSSIA’S WAR OF AGGRESSION AGAINST UKRAINE
HAS MADE THESE CONSCRIPTS
EVEN MORE DETERMINED TO SERVE
--SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH—
Veera Remes, Finnish Army conscript, Jaeger Brigade
“The times have changed in terms of war. It’s not as simple as we learnt it to be when we grew up, like, wars are in the past. We have learnt that they are not.
For me it’s because I have a good life. That’s why I’m here, protecting it.
--SOUNDBITE IN FINNISH— (English Subtitles)
Arttu Palokangas, Finnish Army conscript, Jaeger Brigade
“Finns love to be in the forest. We are born with the ability to survive in the forest.”
--SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH—
Veera Remes, Finnish conscript, Jaeger Brigade
“We had a NATO Alliance survival training. It was basically a week with no sleep, with basically no food. That was intense being outside 10 hours a day.”
GRAPHIC
SAMPSA KURSULA
Finnish Army conscript, Jaeger Brigade
--SOUNDBITE IN FINNISH—(English Subtitles)
Sampsa Kursula, Finnish Army conscript, Jaeger Brigade
“You need to bring blood to your fingers and toes so that you stay warm. Jumping, running, punching, all of that really improves blood circulation the extremities.”
--SOUNDBITE IN FINNISH—(English Subtitles)
Arttu Palokangas, Finnish Army conscript, Jaeger Brigade
“Even though it’s cold here, very cold, with barren conditions, it’s not scary, it feels like home. Lapland is the best place in the world.”
GRAPHIC
ILONA ROPPONEN
Finnish Army conscript, Jaeger Brigade
--SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH—
Ilona Ropponen, Finnish conscript, Jaeger Brigade
“We have snow. Then we have the aurora. We have one day in winter that we don’t have sun at all. Then we have one day in the summer when we don’t have dark at all. You don’t meet the same kind of people anywhere else that you meet in Lapland.”
--SOUNDBITE IN FINNISH—(English Subtitles)
Sampsa Kursula, Finnish Army conscript, Jaeger Brigade
“In my opinion, it’s important that there is military service and that it’s mandatory because that’s how we get the peace that we have in this country.”
--TEXT ON SCREEN—
THE FINNS HAVE SISU, A UNIQUE WORD THAT DESCRIBES THEIR FIGHTING SPIRIT
--SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH—
Ilona Ropponen, Finnish Army conscript, Jaeger Brigade
“Sisu, I feel like sisu is the need and will to do something in your inner heart and you know you want to do it and you’re going to do it, and then you are doing it. It’s part of the Finnish culture.”
--SOUNDBITE IN FINNISH—(English Subtitles)
Sampsa Kursula, Finnish Army conscript, Jaeger Brigade
“Sisu means that we push forward even though there are difficulties.”
--INTERVIEWER IN ENGLISH—
“Does it mean courage?”
--SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH—
Veera Remes, Finnish Army conscript, Jaeger Brigade
“I don’t think that catches the whole meaning because it’s like a fuel of anger you get when you are at the breaking point. And you can find that here in Finland.”
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