Product or a Living Creature?

Perspectives on the Historical Role of Fur Animals in Finland during the Twentieth Century

Abstract

During the last few decades, fur farming has stirred fierce debate in Finland. The fur industry has its advocates and opponents, who strive to justify their opinions on fur farming with various arguments. In different discussions and studies, people have occasionally referred to the history of humans and fur animals. Without exceptions, the interpretations have in these cases been short-sighted. People have referred to history to support their arguments, instead of contemplating what history can reveal about the shared past of the Finnish people and the fur animals.

This article is the first study of history on the shared past of fur animals and humans in Finland that explores the historical relationship between humans and fur animals from the perspective of interspecific history. By doing this, the article gives us a more comprehensive view of how the human understanding of fur animals has formed in the context of Finnish culture. It also sheds light on the question of how the captive fur animals, as well as the runaway minks, have affected Finnish history in the twentieth century. Thus, the article provides new and fresh perspectives to the Finnish discussion about fur farming.