Saima was a Swedish language weekly newspaper which was published in Kuopio, Finland.[1] It was one of the first Swedish language newspapers in Finland. The paper adopted the libertarian theory of the press[2] which would lead to its closure in 1846 soon after its start in 1844.
Type | Weekly newspaper |
---|---|
Founder(s) | Johan Vilhelm Snellman |
Founded | 4 January 1844 |
Language | Swedish |
Ceased publication | 31 December 1846 |
Headquarters | Kuopio |
Country | Finland |
Saima was founded by Johan Vilhelm Snellman, a Swedish-origin Finnish politician, in 1844.[1] Its first issue appeared on 4 January 1844.[3][4] Snellman was also the editor-in-chief of the paper which was one of the earliest examples of the active and critical publications.[5][6] The paper was headquartered in Kuopio[7][8] and came out weekly.[9] It addressed the Swedish-speaking upper and middle classes.[10] Soon after its start Saima became one of the leading publications in the country.[10]
Snellman published articles on nationality, language and literature in the paper.[11] He argued in an article in the second issue of Saima dated January 1844 that Finland did not have a national literature.[11] The paper ceased publication in 1846 when it was banned by the Russian Governor General Aleksandr Mensjikov due to its liberal political and cultural stance which were considered to be a threat to the rule of Grand Duke of Finland, Nicholas I.[6][8][10] The last issue of Saima appeared on 31 December 1846.[3]