My home is where I lay my hat

Turku - Åbo

I've been living in Turku, Finland for 5 years now. I came here because I wondered what life is like in Turku, especially due to the fact that other Finnish people concider Turku a disgrace to our country for no reason what so ever. Here is an actual conversation I had with a friend from Lahti visiting Turku:

Me: So how do you like it in Turku?
Friend: I hate it. Turku is the asshole of Finland, it should burn again.
Me: Why on earth would you say that?
Friend: .... because the way it is. 

Hmm. 

Ok.

 I think that this is a common assumption from many people living in other cities besides Turku. Why do people hate Turku? Did it do something to hurt them? Did it not call you for a week after an amasing date? Did it talk badly about you behind your back? 

Apparently this collective hatred for Turku began 200 years ago. Then the Chairman of the Committee for Finnish Affairs, Count Gustaf Mauritz Armfelt was commissioned to say horrid thing about Turku, the then capital of Finland. In 1809 Finland was under the Russian empire, and because of this the capital of Finland was changed from Turku to Helsinki (therefore Turku is the oldest city in Finland). Armfelt said, and I quote, "Turku is the Sodom and Gomorrah's carnal cousin --- Turku should be burned to ashes". Apparantly, everything that was wrong with the world came from Turku according to Armfelt.

Turku residents also received their share of Armfelts wrath. For example, the City officials were lazy,  women were wicked, and Turku people in general were disgusting scum. Governor of Uusimaa and Häme, Fredrik Stjernvall, was also inspired to comment on the Turku residents. He said that the residents of Turku are stupid and narrow-minded.

I guess, somehow, up until this day and days to come, the wise words of these two gentlemen come to the minds of the people who have nothing to do with the history of Turku. Stay strong Turku, one of these days you will be appreciated the way you deserve.

-Johanna

source:

https://www.turkulainen.fi/artikkeli/103476-turku-viha-alkoi-200-vuotta-sitten