Finland is celebrating its Independence Day on December 6!
Celebrating this special day is very dear to me and I honour my favourite country every year with preparing treats and traditions that I have picked up during my year in Finland.
Let me introduce you a little more to Finland and its tradition of celebrating Independence Day:
Finland had been ruled by Sweden until the early 19th century, and then by Russia. Sweden had lost the war against Napoleon and Russia had then invaded Finland in 1808. When Finland was given to Russia one year later, it became the Grand Principality of Finland within Russia. Though when the Imperial Russia was faced with the revolutions of 1917, the rule took an ending as Finns negotiated the sovereign independence. The deal was sealed by the Finnish Parliament on December 6.
Ever since then, the independence is celebrated on this day.
There are many different things that the Finnish people do to honour their homecountry. Some of which include putting special blue-and-white candles in the windows, baking some “joulu tähti” or “piparkakku” (Christmas Stars or Gingerbread cookies – I will introduce you to them in a different post ☺), visiting the cemeteries, or celebrating with a delicious dinner in the evening.
The most anticipated part of celebrations though is the “Linnan Juhlat” – the Castle ball – at the Presidential Castle where the President holds the Independence Day Reception. Almost all of Finland is glued to the TV watching the around 2000 guests walk down the exceptional catwalk while fashion experts comment on their dresses. Gossiping is usually very un-Finnish but it is great fun in big groups while enjoying some nice treats and drinks. As a plus, you get to know about the invited people who all have done something remarkable during the year. Moreover, it is a great opportunity to learn the language!
Here a few impressions from some of my past celebrations:
