”Helan går” i Svenskfinland: En studie av snapsvisetraditionens funktion i konstruktionen av det finlandssvenska

A Study of the Function of the Drinking-song Traditionin the Construction of Finland-Swedish Ethnicity.

This article aims to explore the function of the drinking-song (“snapsvisa”) tradition as an important form of cultural expression within the Swedish-speaking minority of Finland (the so-called “Finland-Swedes”). This unique tradition is linked to the Swedes and the Finland-Swedes as a part of a joint history, and today the two meet in an annual playful competition between the two countries in creating new drinking songs. I argue that the drinking song tradition has a function of entertainment and cultural integration as well as of contribution to the continuity and stability of the culture; thus, it functions as an important part of the construction of a Finland-Swedish ethnicity. The study is theoretically informed by studies in the functions of music and folklore, including a special focus on humour. Methodologically, the research is based on fieldwork conducted between 2008 and 2017, comprising both interviews and observations. Additional material includes song texts, song books and internet sources.

Keywords: Drinking songs, Humour, Ethnicity, Identity.