Independence Day of Finland ( fi, itsenäisyyspäivä; sv, självständighetsdagen) is a national public holiday, and a
flag flying day A flag flying day is a day, when it is decreed, either officially or by tradition, that the national flag should be hoisted by every official agency in the country and private citizens and corporations are also recommended to fly the national flag, ...
, held on 6 December to celebrate
Finland's declaration of independence
The Finnish Declaration of Independence ( fi, Suomen itsenäisyysjulistus; sv, Finlands självständighetsförklaring; russian: Провозглашение независимости Финляндии) was adopted by the Parliament of Finl ...
from the
Russian Empire
The Russian Empire was an empire and the final period of the Russian monarchy from 1721 to 1917, ruling across large parts of Eurasia. It succeeded the Tsardom of Russia following the Treaty of Nystad, which ended the Great Northern War. ...
when the
Bolsheviks
The Bolsheviks (russian: Большевики́, from большинство́ ''bol'shinstvó'', 'majority'),; derived from ''bol'shinstvó'' (большинство́), "majority", literally meaning "one of the majority". also known in English ...
took power in late 1917.
History
The movement for Finland's
independence
Independence is a condition of a person, nation, country, or state in which residents and population, or some portion thereof, exercise self-government, and usually sovereignty, over its territory. The opposite of independence is the statu ...
started after the
revolutions in Russia, caused by disturbances inside
Russia
Russia (, , ), or the Russian Federation, is a List of transcontinental countries, transcontinental country spanning Eastern Europe and North Asia, Northern Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, largest country in the ...
from hardships connected to the
First World War
World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
. This gave Finland an opportunity to withdraw from Russian rule. After several disagreements between the non-socialists and the social-democrats over who should have power in Finland, on 4 December 1917, the
Senate of Finland
The Senate of Finland ( fi, Suomen senaatti, sv, Senaten för Finland) combined the functions of cabinet and supreme court in the Grand Duchy of Finland from 1816 to 1917 and in the independent Finland from 1917 to 1918.
The body that would beco ...
, led by
Pehr Evind Svinhufvud
Pehr Evind Svinhufvud af Qvalstad (; 15 December 1861 – 29 February 1944) was the third president of Finland from 1931 to 1937. Serving as a lawyer, judge, and politician in the Russian Grand Duchy of Finland, he played a major role in the ...
, finally made a Declaration of Independence which was adopted by the Finnish parliament two days later.
Independence Day was first celebrated in 1917. However, during the first years of independence, 6 December in some parts of Finland was only a minor holiday compared to 16 May, the
Whites
White is a racialized classification of people and a skin color specifier, generally used for people of European origin, although the definition can vary depending on context, nationality, and point of view.
Description of populations as " ...
' day of celebration for prevailing in the
Finnish Civil War
The Finnish Civil War; . Other designations: Brethren War, Citizen War, Class War, Freedom War, Red Rebellion and Revolution, . According to 1,005 interviews done by the newspaper ''Aamulehti'', the most popular names were as follows: Civil W ...
. The left parties would have wanted to celebrate 15 November, because the people of Finland (represented by parliament) took power 15 November 1917. When a year had passed since declaration of independence, 6 December 1918, the academic people celebrated the day.
Observance
During the early decades of independence, occasion marked by patriotic speeches and special church services. From the 1970s onwards, however, Independence Day celebrations have taken livelier forms, with shops decorating their windows in the blue and white of the
Finnish flag
The flag of Finland ( fi, Suomen lippu, sv, Finlands flagga), also called ' ("Blue Cross Flag"), dates from the beginning of the 20th century. On a white background, it features a blue Nordic cross, which represents Christianity.
The stat ...
, and bakeries producing cakes with blue and white icing.
It is traditional for Finnish families to light two candles in each window of their home in the evening. This custom dates to the 1920s; but even earlier, candles had been placed in Finnish windows on poet
Johan Ludvig Runeberg's birthday as a silent protest against Russian oppression. A popular legend has it that two candles were used as a sign to inform young Finnish men on their way to
Sweden
Sweden, formally the Kingdom of Sweden,The United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names states that the country's formal name is the Kingdom of SwedenUNGEGN World Geographical Names, Sweden./ref> is a Nordic country located on ...
and
Germany
Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...
to become
jägers that the house was ready to offer shelter and keep them hidden from the Russians.
State festivities
Official Independence Day festivities usually commence with the raising of the Finnish flag on
Tähtitorninmäki ("Observatory Hill") in
Helsinki
Helsinki ( or ; ; sv, Helsingfors, ) is the Capital city, capital, primate city, primate, and List of cities and towns in Finland, most populous city of Finland. Located on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, it is the seat of the region of U ...
. A religious service is held at
Helsinki Cathedral
Helsinki Cathedral ( fi, Helsingin tuomiokirkko, ; sv, Helsingfors domkyrka, ) is the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, Finnish Evangelical Lutheran cathedral of the Diocese of Helsinki, located in the neighborhood of Kruununhaka in the c ...
, and official visits are made to the
war memorials
A war memorial is a building, monument, statue, or other edifice to celebrate a war or victory, or (predominating in modern times) to commemorate those who died or were injured in a war.
Symbolism
Historical usage
It has ...
of
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...
. Another event is the annual military parade by personnel of the
Finnish Defense Forces
The Finnish Defence Forces ( fi, Puolustusvoimat, sv, Försvarsmakten) are the military of Finland. The Finnish Defence Forces consist of the Finnish Army, the Finnish Navy and the Finnish Air Force. In wartime the Finnish Border Guard (which i ...
, which is one of the big highlights and is a nationally televised event.
YLE
Yleisradio Oy ( Finnish, literally "General Radio Ltd." or "General Broadcast Ltd."; abbr. Yle ; sv, Rundradion Ab, italics=no), translated to English as the Finnish Broadcasting Company, is Finland's national public broadcasting company, found ...
, Finland's national public service broadcaster, broadcasts the movie adaptation of ''The Unknown Soldier'' ( fi, Tuntematon Sotilas), based on
Väinö Linna
Väinö Linna (; 20 December 1920 – 21 April 1992) was a Finnish author. He gained literary fame with his third novel, ''Tuntematon sotilas'' ( ''The Unknown Soldier'', published in 1954), and consolidated his position with the trilogy ''Tää ...
's
iconic novel.
In most years, the original
1955 film has been shown (dozens of times) and every year since 2000; but the
1985 version has also been shown once—in 1997 and in addition to the
2017 version premiered in 2021.
The traditional torch cavalcade by students has been held annually since 1951. The cavalcade is held in various towns and cities with a
university
A university () is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. Universities typically offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. In the United States, t ...
and
wreath
A wreath () is an assortment of flowers, leaves, fruits, twigs, or various materials that is constructed to form a circle .
In English-speaking countries, wreaths are used typically as household ornaments, most commonly as an Advent and Chri ...
s are placed on
war grave
A war grave is a burial place for members of the armed forces or civilians who died during military campaigns or operations.
Definition
The term "war grave" does not only apply to graves: ships sunk during wartime are often considered to b ...
s.
In the evening, the
Presidential Independence Day reception is held for approximately 2,000 invited guests at the
Presidential Palace. This event, known informally also as ''
Linnanjuhlat'' ("the Castle
Ball
A ball is a round object (usually spherical, but can sometimes be ovoid) with several uses. It is used in ball games, where the play of the game follows the state of the ball as it is hit, kicked or thrown by players. Balls can also be used f ...
"), is broadcast on national television and has been a perennial favourite of the viewing public. The first presidential ball was organized in 1919, and the event has been held most years since.
The reception invariably attracts the attention of demonstrators in support of various causes,
and various demonstrations and shadow parties are held to coincide with the official event. The late philanthropist
Veikko Hursti organized the most popular of these demonstrations, providing free food to the poor and underprivileged. Since Hursti's death in 2005, the tradition has been carried on by his son, Heikki Hursti.
The most popular television segment of the Independence Day reception is the entrance of the guests. These include persons who receive invitations every year, including the knights of the
Mannerheim Cross
The Mannerheim Cross ( fi, Mannerheim-risti, sv, Mannerheimkorset), officially Mannerheim Cross of the Cross of Liberty ( fi, Vapaudenristin Mannerheim-risti, link=no, sv, Frihetskorsets Mannerheimkors, link=no) is the most distinguished Finnis ...
(traditionally the first ones to enter), members of the government and the
Parliament of Finland
The Parliament of Finland ( ; ) is the unicameral and supreme legislature of Finland, founded on 9 May 1906. In accordance with the Constitution of Finland, sovereignty belongs to the people, and that power is vested in the Parliament. The ...
, archbishops, judges, high military and police officers, and various diplomats and dignitaries. The second group includes guests of the President's own choosing: typically entertainers; activists; sportspersons; and in general, people who have been in the spotlight over the past year. The last guests to enter are always the surviving former Finnish presidents.
90th anniversary commemorative coin
The 90th anniversary of Finland's Declaration of Independence was selected as the main motif for a high-value commemorative coin, the €5
90th Anniversary of Finland's Declaration of Independence commemorative coin, minted in 2007. The reverse shows
petroglyph
A petroglyph is an image created by removing part of a rock surface by incising, picking, carving, or abrading, as a form of rock art. Outside North America, scholars often use terms such as "carving", "engraving", or other descriptions ...
ic aesthetics, while the obverse has a nine-oar boat with rowers, symbolizing collaboration as a true Finnish trait. Signs of music and Finnish
kantele
A kantele () or kannel () is a traditional Finnish and Karelian plucked string instrument (chordophone) belonging to the south east Baltic box zither family known as the Baltic psaltery along with Estonian kannel, Latvian kokles, Lithuanian ...
strings can be discerned in the coin's design.
100th anniversary
The centenary of Finland’s independence was celebrated in 2017. The theme was "Together."
Global illuminations
Country, city, site illuminated:
* Argentina, Buenos Aires, The Usina del Arte cultural centre
* Australia, Adelaide, Adelaide Town Hall
* Australia, Brisbane, Story Bridge and Victoria Bridge
* Australia, Canberra, Telstra Tower, the Old Parliament House, Malcolm Fraser Bridge, Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre (Parkes)
* Australia, Hobart, Railway Roundabout Fountain, Elizabeth Street Mall and the Kennedy Lane Tourism Precinct
* Australia, Perth, The Council House building and Trafalgar Bridge
* Austria, Vienna, The Wiener Riesenrad Ferris wheel
* Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, The Christ the Redeemer statue
* Bulgaria, Sofia, The National Palace of Culture
* Canada, Niagara Falls
* Cyprus, Nicosia, The White Walls building
* Czech Republic, Prague, The Dancing House designed by Frank Gehry
* Estonia, Tallinn, Stenbock House (The seat of the Government)
* Estonia, Tartu, The Vanemuine Theatre, Võidu sild Bridge,
* Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Lion of Judah monument in front of the Ethiopian National Theatre
* Greece, Athens, The Arch of Hadrian
* Hungary, Budapest, Elizabeth Bridge
* Iceland, Reykjavik, Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Center
* Ireland, Dublin, Mansion House, the residence of the Lord Mayor of Dublin
* Italy, Rome, The Colosseum
* Kazakhstan, Astana, The bridges across the Ishim River, St. Regis hotel
* Latvia, Jelgava, Railway Bridge
* Latvia, Riga, The Tower of the Town Hall in the Old Town, the Railway Bridge across the Daugava river
* Lithuania, Vilnius, Three Crosses monument
* Mexico, Mexico City, The Angel of Independence monument (Ángel de la Independencia)
* Mozambique, Maputo, Maputo Fortress
* Netherlands, Alkmaar, Stadskantine Alkmaar
* Norway, Oslo, Holmenkollen ski jumping hill
* Poland, Warsaw, The Palace of Culture and Science
* Portugal, Lisbon, Belém Tower (a UNESCO World Heritage Site)
* Russia, Lumivaara, Lumivaara Church
* Russia, Moscow, The Embassy of Finland
* Russia, Petrozavodsk, The National Theatre
* Russia, Saint Petersburg, The Museum of Ethnography
* Serbia, Belgrade, Ada Bridge, Palace Albania
* Sweden, Stockholm, Globen
* Switzerland, Montreux, The Mannerheim memorial
* Ukraine, Kyiv, The Embassy of Finland
* United Kingdom, Newcastle, The Gateshead Millennium Bridge
[FI SV EN Almost 30 countries and 50 sites The world congratulates the 100-year-old Finland by lighting up in blue and white http://valtioneuvosto.fi/en/article/-/asset_publisher/10616/maailma-onnittelee-satavuotiasta-suomea-sinivalkoisin-juhlavalaisuin 20171207]
See also
*
History of Finland
*
Independence Day Reception (Finland)
*
Timeline of Independence of Finland (1917–1920)
References
External links
{{commons category-inline, Independence Day (Finland)
December observances
1917 establishments in Finland
Finland
Finland ( fi, Suomi ; sv, Finland ), officially the Republic of Finland (; ), is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. It shares land borders with Sweden to the northwest, Norway to the north, and Russia to the east, with the Gulf of B ...
Public holidays in Finland
Finnish flag flying days