Yesterday we commemorated Finnish Independence Day with my wife’s family at our place, with a typical Finnish dinner.
As much as I like Finland and respect the people that gave their lives for it, I haven’t yet understood why is it such a sombre occasion. Or rather, I understand that it is like that since such events are rather recent and, well, Finns tend to be melancholic, but I don’t feel comfortable with it. I’d rather have a celebration of Finnishness, but of course I understand it’s not my holiday, it’s theirs. I don’t mean to offend anyone with these observations.
What I really don’t like is sitting down and watching the reception at the presidential palace. There are these kind of receptions in Mexico, the United States and other countries as well on their national day, but Finland is the only place I know where people feel compelled to sit in front of the TV to watch a line of guests arrive and greet the president, and where the newspapers will have all the pictures of the party with a special focus on what where the guests wearing. Is it that Finland would have liked to have these kind of “royal happenings” more often, given that it is the only republic amongst its Nordic sisters?
Regardless, hope you had a hyvää itsennäisyyspäivää whichever way you decided to commemorate it.
Now, what am I going to do with my blue/white candles…?
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