Draft:Gujaratis in Finland
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|  |
ફિનલેન્ડમાં ગુજરાતીઓ | |
|---|---|
| Total population | |
| 2,000–3,000 (community estimate, 2024) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa, Turku | |
| Languages | |
| Gujarati, English, Finnish | |
| Religion | |
| Hinduism, Jainism, Islam, Christianity | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Gujarati people, Indians in Finland |
Gujaratis in Finland (Gujarati: ફિનલેન્ડમાં ગુજરાતીઓ) are members of the Indian diaspora originating from the Indian state of Gujarat and residing in the Republic of Finland. Although relatively new as a migrant group, Gujaratis have become an active part of Finland’s multicultural landscape through business, education, and cultural engagement.
History
[edit]Gujarati migration to Finland began in the late 1990s and early 2000s during the expansion of Nokia and the Finnish technology sector. Early arrivals were mostly IT professionals and engineers. By the 2010s, more families and working professionals had settled permanently in the country. Since the early 2020s, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of Gujarati students arriving for higher education, many of whom later establish small businesses in retail, restaurants, and information technology.
Demographics
[edit]According to Statistics Finland (2024), there were 16,404 residents in Finland born in India, with the largest concentrations in:
- Espoo – 5,016
- Helsinki – 3,321
- Vantaa – 1,824
- Turku – 918
Although the Finnish government does not publish data by Indian state, community estimates suggest there are about 2,000–3,000 Gujaratis nationwide. The majority live in the Helsinki Capital Region, with smaller clusters in Turku, Tampere, Oulu, and Jyväskylä.
Culture
[edit]Gujarati residents in Finland celebrate their cultural identity through festivals, food, language, and social associations. Major Gujarati festivals such as Navratri, Diwali, Janmashtami, and Gandhi Jayanti are celebrated annually, often open to the Finnish public. Events typically include Garba and Raas dancing, Gujarati music, traditional cuisine, and children’s cultural performances. The Gujarati community also conducts language classes, yoga sessions, and volunteer initiatives for newcomers.
Entrepreneurship
[edit]Gujaratis in Finland are noted for their entrepreneurial activity, reflecting the community’s global reputation for commerce and risk-taking. Common business sectors include restaurants, retail, IT consulting, and staffing services.
Prominent entrepreneurs include:
- Jignesh Patel, founder of *JP Työt*, *Movelt*, and *Key Staff*
- Chirag Suthar, involved in business consulting and technology start-ups and one of the founders of Gujarati Samaj Finland
Many recent graduates and professionals have also entered hospitality and service industries, marking the early stage of Gujarati economic participation in Finland.
Gujarati Samaj Finland
[edit]Gujarati Samaj Finland (GSF) is the principal cultural association representing the Gujarati community in Finland. It was founded in 2017 by community members including Chirag Suthar and Denish Manavadariya, and was officially registered in 2018 as a non-profit association (rekisteröity yhdistys).
Mission
[edit]The association’s mission is to “preserve and promote Gujarati language, arts, music, and festivals in Finland while building bridges with Finnish society through cultural and civic engagement.” GSF collaborates with Finnish municipalities, other cultural groups, and the Embassy of India, Helsinki to foster multicultural cooperation.
Activities
[edit]Major annual programs include:
- Navratri / Raas Garba Mahotsav – held at Energia Areena, Vantaa; the 2024 event had about 1,300 registered participants.
- Diwali celebrations – conducted in partnership with the Embassy of India.
- Gandhi Jayanti and Janmashtami commemorations.
- Youth volunteering, sports, and yoga sessions promoting community well-being.
GSF events are featured on the City of Vantaa’s cultural calendar and often attended by Finnish officials and the Indian Embassy. The association maintains an active online presence:
Integration and cooperation
[edit]Gujaratis in Finland actively engage with Finnish society through:
- Cultural partnerships with local municipalities (especially Vantaa and Espoo).
- Embassy collaboration in official observances.
- Participation in multicultural fairs and language schools promoting Gujarati and Indian culture.
Gujarati cuisine, particularly *thepla*, *undhiyu*, and *khichdi*, is now familiar in Indian restaurants across Finland, and cultural events increasingly feature Indo-Finnish collaborations.
Global Gujarati context
[edit]Gujaratis worldwide are known for their long history of trade and innovation. From the ancient ports of Lothal and Dholavira to the modern industrial hubs of GIFT City and Dholera Smart City, Gujaratis have contributed to global commerce and technological progress. Gujarat today hosts:
- GIFT City (Gandhinagar) – India’s first International Financial Services Centre (IFSC).
- Dholera Smart City – India’s largest planned industrial smart city and a hub for electronics, EVs, and hydrogen.
- Jamnagar Refinery – the world’s largest oil refining complex (Reliance Industries).
- Amul Dairy – Asia’s largest cooperative network.
- Major investments in solar and hydrogen giga-factories and semiconductor manufacturing.
Prominent Gujarati figures such as Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Vikram Sarabhai, Dhirubhai Ambani, Gautam Adani, Azim Premji, and Narendra Modi illustrate Gujarat’s influence in global leadership, business, and innovation.
See also
[edit]References
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