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 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.
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]