For Love of The Written WordJuha Lankinen
The Ostrobothnian Mystics, a small Finnish religious sect first became known in the 1850's. They copied manuscripts and letters from their friends in Stockholm and then circulated them for reading. About 230 manuscripts are held by the Helsinki University Library, the Finnish Literature Society and the Museum of Ostrobothnia in Finland. It is thought that there are manuscripts in private homes as well.
The Mystics movement was most influential in one village in Ostrobothnia but it spread later to other parts of the province. Members wer humble people, mostly farmers and craftsmen. The manuscript copying tradition was passed on in the family, and members also translated books from other languages into Finnish.
The Mystics most probably got their name because of their devotion and their literature. Their books also included writings on theosophy and the Western spirituality tradition.
Translated by Liisa Salmi