Independence Day brings Finns together, if only around their TV sets
Demonstrators stay at home this year
The 87th celebration of Finnish independence once again tugged at the heartstrings of Finns around the country.
Candles appeared in windows in the traditional manner, marking the sacrifices of former generations, and there were good crowds both for the ceremonial raising of the Finnish flag in Helsinki’s Kaivopuisto and for torchlight parades by students.
Wreaths were laid at the grave of the Unknown Soldier, and at the tomb of Marshal C.G.E. Mannerheim, who had only a day before been voted "Greatest Finn of All Time" in a television programme.
One absentee this year, at least compared with the past two or three Independence Days, was the anti-establishment demonstration outside the Presidential Palace, although the police turned up in force just in case guests arriving for the Presidental Reception would have had their progress hindered as on previous occasions.
Apart from police officers shivering in the cold, the streets around the Palace did have a few curious onlookers and a clutch of press representatives waiting for something to happen, but the only two actual demonstrators were in very peaceful mood.
One bore a placard deploring the introduction of a ban on masks at demonstrations. There has been some speculation that this law hampered plans for the demonstrations that have in previous years led to fierce scuffles with police.
Inside the Palace, President Tarja Halonen and her husband Pentti Arajärvi hosted a crowd of around 2,000 in the social do of the year.
This year, which marks the 60th anniversary of the end of Finland’s involvement in World War II (the guns fell quiet in the Continuation War with the Soviet Union in September 1944), there was a larger than usual contingent of war veterans at the event.
One familiar face was absent, however. Over the past several years, General Adolf Ehrnrooth has been the first to enter the Palace and begin the President’s lengthy hand-shaking operation.
Ehrnrooth, a war hero who in later life became something of an "independence icon", died earlier this year. He was another who figured prominently in the Finnish Broadcasting Company’s "Greatest Finns" listings. In any event, his place was taken this year by Pentti Iisalo , holder of Finland’s highest award for gallantry in the field, the Mannerheim Cross.
The television coverage of the gala was enough for most people, who sit at home discussing the elegance or otherwise of the dresses and hair-dos, and play "spot the celebrity" as a family game.
Earlier on Monday, 12,000 people did turn out in Mikkeli to watch a military parade, at which the sacrifices of the Continuation War veterans were once again well to the fore in the speeches.
Previously in HS International Edition:
Finland celebrates Independence Day (8.12.2003)
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 7.12.2004 - TODAY |
Independence Day brings Finns together, if only around their TV sets
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