As a Finnish descendant, I have an interest in the doings of Finns. Martti Ahtisaari, the 10th president of Finland, has received the Nobel Peace Prize for his diplomatic work. Like my father, Ahtisaari was born in Karelia and was displaced when the region was invaded by the Soviets. That experience shaped his sentiment to advance peace and to help those who have gone through the same hardships. Not to mention that Finns are notoriously laid back:
A visitor to the capital from the north attributed Ahtisaari's success in diplomacy to the Finnish qualities of patience, calmness and tenacity, adding: "He's a Finn - we never give up, we stay cool and we listen without interrupting."
-- Nobel peace prize boosts Finland, BBC News, 10/10/2008
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