Re the Finnish concept of sisu (Why we all need sisu – the Finnish concept of action and creativity in hard times, 10 February), Estonian, one of the Finno-Ugric languages, has the same word. In Estonian, sisu means something that is inside – as in a box, jar, luggage, or a letter, book, or in a fruit or vegetable.
With regard to humans, it is a quality or a characteristic, or even the absence of meaning to life if a person seems to be lacking sisu. In Estonian folklore, sisu is a source of strength. When living in Estonia recently, I often heard foreigners comment about “the strong Estonian woman”.
Hence, the content of the book of Estonian women’s stories from the second world war, Carrying Linda’s Stones (which I co-authored), didn’t surprise many readers.
Ilvi Jõe-Cannon
Sarasota, Florida, US
• I am a Finn and the concept of sisu, for me, has two aspects. On an individual level, it is a form of conviction that whatever I’m doing is all right and if I keep doing it I will be rewarded.
Collectively, sisu is a glue that makes us do things that we feel are good for the collective, but not necessarily for me as an individual. My point is that sisu and creativity do not go together well.
Michael Djupsjöbacka
Kronoby, Finland
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