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Message started by sandie99 on Dec 6th, 2008 at 8:54am

Title: Finland's 91st Independence Day!
Post by sandie99 on Dec 6th, 2008 at 8:54am
Today my dear home country celebrates its 91st Independence Day. :)
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The celebrations begun early this morning with the raising of the Finnish flag ceremony, which took place at Tähtitorninmäki right here in Helsinki. This year, we listened to it on radio. Every year two songs are sung during the ceremony: Siniristilippumme (Our Blue crossed Flag) and Maammelaulu (Finland's National Anthem).

Around noon our president, the prime minister, all other ministers, the members of Finland's government and other invited quests attend a special church service.

This year the city of Turku will host annual military parade. In this traditional parade the current soldiers are honoring all the Finland war veterans.

The hightlight of the day will be, of course, the Finland's president's party, "Linnan juhlat" (party at the castle), in which 1900 people are annually invited. The eyes of the nation will be at the ladies dresses, some of which are indeed amazing. Among the quests will be members of the parliament, ministers, important members of Finland's business world, foreign diplomats, priests and many singers, authors and athletes. Some of the quests are ordinary Finns, whom the president has met during her annual travels across the country. It's always fun to see who arrives with who and can the journalists who host the show spot all the important quests... :)

Finland's president hosted the very first Independence Day reception back in 1919 and the reception has been held almmost every year since. Each president will bring something new to the party, but its nature will remain the same, and its always an honor to be invited.

Sanna


Title: Re: Finland's 91st Independence Day!
Post by sandie99 on Dec 6th, 2008 at 9:17am
For me, Finland's Independence Day is important. It takes me back to all those years to those days when the men of my grandfather's generation fought hard to keep this country independent. Many of them passed away. Many more, such as my grandfather, were scarred for life in many ways, both physically and mentally.

The Unknown Soldier, a black and white film based on the novel by Väinä Linna, is shown every Independence Day for a reason. It's a classic, which tells one story about our soldiers and the war they had to fight. As the soldiers who actually lived it are getting older and many of them are already gone, there will be once a day when the only connection to those days and those heroes will be via the famous book and the famous film.

Less than a century ago this beautiful country I live in wasn't independent. I know very well that many Finns don't think about that anymore. My generation has been lucky in many ways, so many forget the sacrifices which the older generations had to make... but I believe that we should not forget what happened in the past, never.

So, come 6pm we will stare at blue and white candles and recall those people who we can thank for our freedom and our independence. Happy Independence Day, Finland.

Title: Re: Finland's 91st Independence Day!
Post by Jackie on Dec 6th, 2008 at 9:26am
Happy Independece Day, Sanna......enjoy the celebration! :)

Much Love,
Jackie

Title: Re: Finland's 91st Independence Day!
Post by FramCire on Dec 6th, 2008 at 10:28am
Happy Independence Day FINLAND!!!!!!!

Sounds like a great day, I just wonder where my invite to the pary was.  I know I'm not a celeb or from Finland nor a star nor a dignitary nor would I wear a cool dress.  

I guess I wont make the party.   :'(

ENJOY!

Title: Re: Finland's 91st Independence Day!
Post by barry_sword on Dec 6th, 2008 at 11:23am
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY FINLAND!!!

Title: Re: Finland's 91st Independence Day!
Post by Rolomatic on Dec 6th, 2008 at 2:07pm
Sandie, we had a exchange student from near Helsinki and she said the whole country gets drunk...

Cheers, Roland. [smiley=me&mb.gif]

Title: Re: Finland's 91st Independence Day!
Post by George_J on Dec 6th, 2008 at 8:52pm
Happy Independence Day, Sanna.   :)

Best wishes,

George

Title: Re: Finland's 91st Independence Day!
Post by Callico on Dec 6th, 2008 at 9:37pm
A very happy Independence Day to you and to Finland!  Finland fought long and hard to achieve and keep her independence, and I am glad you are one of a minority who bothers to know and care.  

Finland may not be one of the larger or wealthier countries of the world, but there is a lot you have done that has enriched the rest of the world.

Jerry

Title: Re: Finland's 91st Independence Day!
Post by Charlie on Dec 7th, 2008 at 2:23am
Hope you had a good day Sandie.

We were always taught what a tough bunch your ancestors were and as you say, it wasn't so long ago.

Charlie

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