Today is the Independence Day of Finland and Finland celebrates its 90th birthday. There are going to be festivities all around the country, but the main event will be the reception held at the presidential castle in the evening. Finland’s President and her husband throw a party for about 2000 people –politicians, artists, actors, writers, sportsmen, executives, some ordinary people, too. The gathering is broadcasted alive and all those who were not invited to the party, sit at home on their sofas and look at the somewhat stiff-looking merrymaking in TV.
The Finnish way of celebrating the independence of the nation isn’t something you’d call a carnival. No, the Finnish way is to celebrate such an occasion with dignity, modesty, and humbleness. Laughter for nothing is forbidden, because the independence was gained by war, defended by war and we all know that war demands offers: dead soldiers and civilians, dead happiness and laughter, and still –after decades- the laughter is forbidden.
On such a day, you have to remember the times when the nation was “all for one –one for all”. You have to admire the spirit of those days, the oneness that people felt, the sacrifices one was willing to do for the country.
On days like this, I always feel that people wish there would be a war going on again, because during no other period, the times have been so good when considered the mental state of a nation. Only then, there was bravery, honesty, modesty, unselfishness, and respect for the others.
A national feeling demands a mutual enemy, preferably a war. Otherwise, a nation isn’t anything. It loses its moral, its strength, its honesty, and its power.
An Independence Day is for me a day to remember how important an enemy is for a nation.
I think it’s weird.
Or am I?
21 comments:
Its a shame they didn't invite you.
But you can have your own party, I think you will have more fun ;)
Shame on them, not on me:))
I'm not into partying, I'm into sleep rather, it's much more fun, Griesmail!
How could we know are you going to Linna or not, Susu - we don't even know who you are! ;D
I'm going to watch the party, but I think I have to take a few glass of wine... Eihän sitä selvinpäin kestä :D
Well, if you see somebody with four eyes at the Castle tonight, you can think that it is me or that you should drink less, Elina:)))
I think I have an old picture of me at that party. But that was a long time ago so you wouldn't recognize me if you saw it. And I believe that the partying has changed a little since those days.
And yes, or should I say no. The Independence Day is not for remembering enemies, at least it shouldn't be.
Should I open a bottle tonight? I'm alone with the cats and the rain (but there are no dogs).
What, have you been at the Castle, HPY? You must find that photo and post it in your blog.
Yes, I believe you should open a bottle and make a toast for yourself and the cats.
HPY, I believe you can watch at the party on the net, look at yle.fi
I must have a look and see if it's still the same.
Hi hi, I'm looking at the ordinary people coming in from Mariankatu.
The net is amazing, isn't it? To look at ordinary people live:))
Yep, and so far I have seen nobody I know. But I don't know anybody anymore. I would like to see more of the old house, though.
They don't show much of the building. People are of more interest.
A lot of actors this year, I think.
And the women still don't know that they should put their medals at right, whereas men put them on the left side.
I didn't know that.
What amazes me every year, is that if you wear a splendid outfit for the occasion, shouldn't you have your hair also fixed? It looks somewhat odd when you dress up in silver and gold and then your hair is a mess.
I think it all looks a little bit like a mess. Almost 2000 persons is much too much for that old house. But you're right about the hairdos and I should say that there are also some other things that we didn't see before. Neckties... I'm out!
Luckily I've never been in, HPY:)
Happy Birthday, Finland! :)
On behalf of the Finnish people, I thank you, Mick.
It's true. A good enemy can bring the best out of us.
That's true, but sometimes the means to beat the enemy aren't so good, Kenneth.
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