Your challenge: Have an independent state form in the early middle ages covering roughly the area of modern Finland, and having Finnish (or something recognizably similar) as its dominant culture. It can be either Catholic or Orthodox (or something else-but I can't see how you could pull that off without venturing into ASB-land)
Furthermore, this state must maintain its national independence until at least the early modern era, and preferably up till the present.
Go!
Furthermore, this state must maintain its national independence until at least the early modern era, and preferably up till the present.
Go!