Celebrating Finnish Independence Day 

or 

ITSENÄISYYSPÄIVÄ

 

Finland became independent on December 6, 1917, this day is a national public holiday and a flag day in Finland. This year  Finland celebrated 102 years of Independence, and I was a part of this celebration. We celebrated the day with our coordinator Riina's and coach Irene's families. That was a typical Finnish way of celebrating the day and I felt like a part of this country and people.

We started the day watching the legendary film ''The Unknown Soldier'' based on a novel about  the Second World War. Later we lighted blue and white candles and had a dinner all together.

Ater the the dinner it was time for the most important event, which is Independence Day Reception held by the President. It is a gala event for VIPs and specially selected guests and Veterans. The invitees include high-ranking officers, politicians, diplomats, as entertainers and activists. This event is broadcast on national TV. The TV reporters make comments about all the guests as they line up and shake hands with the president and his spouse on the way in. And we also did some commentary with our observation, while playing specal 'Bingo'.






 After the handshaking ceremony the band started playing, guests were enjoying the evening:dancing, eating and drinking and reporters are interviewing famous people and asking them about their ideas on independence.

But of course here everyone has his own way of celebrating this day. The main point is that the country worked hard to gain its freedom and fought hard to keep it. People learn at a young age that self-determination should never be taken for granted and they are reminded of this every year on December 6.