Independence Anniversary Year
90 years of independent Finland
By Sari Cojan and Salla Korpela
There is a popular custom in Finland, backed with varying degrees of enthusiasm by the entire population of 5,276,571* Finns, whereby flags are required to be flown and candles lit to celebrate independence every year on December 6.
The people of Finland are unanimous that the independence the country gained in 1917 is the basis for its subsequent success, prosperity and wellbeing. The popular movement for celebrating independence will be 90 years old this year, and the jubilee year will be marked in a relaxed, good-natured manner under the slogan Me/Vi (the Finnish and Swedish words for 'we'.)
© Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
In 2007, Finland will be celebrating the 90th anniversary of its independence. Proclaiming independence in the throes of the Russian revolution of 1917 was a courageous step in an uncertain situation, with no guarantee of success. In later years, independence has been celebrated in a spirit of solemnity, remembering and giving thanks for those who defended the country during the Second World War.
Tourists who find themselves walking about in the centre of Helsinki on December 6 may well wonder what is going on. The shops are closed and people have a day off, as they do on national holidays in most countries, but there is no sign of festivities. The streets are quiet and more or less deserted. Most restaurants and cafes are closed – apart from ethnic ones. As dusk falls in the afternoon, the lights begin to come on: a torch-lit procession of young people wearing the white caps that denote their student status proceeds solemnly from the national cemetery to Senate Square in the heart of Helsinki to listen to choral singing and dignified speeches.
Two candles demonstrate devotion
There is another practice associated with light that can be seen in every corner of the land when Finns place two lighted candles in every window of their homes. This old tradition dates far back to the days before independence when lighted candles were placed in the windows to celebrate the birthday of the King, and later, the Tsar.
As the movement for Finnish culture and identity grew stronger in the late 19th century, candles were no longer burned for the tyranny of the Tsar, but for the birthday of Johan Ludvig Runeberg, the patriarch of Finnish poetry, as a demonstration of national identity. When Finland became independent, the custom of lighting candles was naturally transposed to Independence Day. Why two candles? Well, one is for home, the other is for country. This silent custom, handed down from generation to generation, could be described as Finland's greatest popular movement, with a message that everyone can subscribe to.
Veterans' sacrifice remembered on Independence Day
There are many reasons why the Finns don't rush out into the streets to celebrate Independence Day. One of the most obvious ones is that the December festival takes place at a cold, dark time of year. In southern Finland, autumn has turned to winter, and the slush that usually covers the ground at this time scarcely tempts one outdoors. In northern Finland, the period of polar darkness has already begun, and the sun does not rise above the horizon at all.
The second reason for restraint and dignity is that the Finns paid dearly for retaining their independence during the Second World War. The war dead are remembered on Independence Day, and surviving veterans are honoured. A carnival atmosphere would not fit in with remembering the hardships they went through in the war years.
Glitz and glamour at the Presidential Palace
Amidst the restrained celebrations, however, the glamorous climax to the social year takes place: the President's Independence Day reception and ball. Every year, the President invites between 1,600 and 2,000 guests: representatives of the diplomatic corps, Members of Parliament, the Government, top civil servants, representatives of the armed forces, the churches, the top echelons of business, deserving celebrities, artists and sporting heroes, the great and the good. The reception is televised, and watching it has become a popular Independence Day tradition – over two million out of a population of just over five million switch on to watch. The cream of society line up to shake hands with the President, wearing splendid evening apparel which the general public delight in criticising from the comfort of their own sofas.
The tradition of the celebrations at the Presidential Palace has spread to the local level. Similar celebrations are organised in the provincial capitals, in municipalities, in associations and in homes. Fourth-grade pupils in Helsinki comprehensive schools are given a taste of the festivities in the big wide world when the Mayor of Helsinki invites all 5,000 of Helsinki's ten-year-olds to an Independence Day reception at Finlandia Hall.
*Preliminary data on the population of Finland at the end of 2006.
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