by Happy 94th, Finland!
a reposting from four years ago, just read 94th:
In honour of Finland’s 90th Independence Day (Itsenäisyys Päivä) today, I have lit these two candles in a window, as is the custom there. “Why two candles? Well, one is for home, the other is for country. This silent custom, handed down from generation to generation, could be described as Finland’s greatest popular movement, with a message that everyone can subscribe to.”
For me, personally, the two candles also represent my roots in two countries, Finland and Canada.
This 90th Anniversary year is a special one that has been celebrated all year leading up to December 6th. Though a holiday, it’s traditionally a serious day in Finland, but some lighthearted chuckles can be enjoyed over the symbols for Finnishness that these nine foreigners and naturalized Finns offer.
I also appreciated the historical perspective of Finland written by another Finnish emigrant who lives just south of us, in Seattle.
Hyvää Itsenäisyyspäivää to Finland and my Finnish readers!
(Note: have removed certain links that have since gone dead…)
December 6, 2011 in Finland, Estonia & Finno-Ugric by Marja-Leena
Lovely to hear of thread you still weave with Finland and your warp of Canada. I’ve been 30 years away from Canada and in Germany and can well relate to your 2 candle system.
It’s Saint Nikolas Day here. A well intentioned friend sent me “Happy Santa Day” wishes this morning. A lovely gesture, but Saint Nick is not Santa is he? And yet, how nice of him to think that it is so.
Our Independence Day is now over. TV showed the last of the Independence Day feast in Presidential Castle with the hostess, president Tarja Halonen, our first president who is a social democrat adn a woman. She’s been spokewoman especially for the rights of poor Third World country women and especially girl’s right to have schooling.
There will be in couple of months new presidential elections, but no “socialist” woman is in sight this time. Actually, to be a politician, is not very highly esteemed these days. For many reasons. There has been some not very reliable cases lately.
Finland is part of European Union and opened up that way more into the central Europe than maybe before.
But end up with this explanation, everybody probably has read the Finnish musicians story, that Marja-Leena had in the link,
We had the first snow today in Vaasa. Winter’s coming is slow this year. It seems to be +6 again, most everything melted back.
Happy Finnish Independence Day for all American Finns!
Lilalia, lovely to hear from you! Yes, we have similarities being long-time immigrants in our respective countries, including my German husband. In a way it is sad that there are so many old pre-Santa traditions from various parts of Europe that have been whitewashed by the commercial Coca-Cola Santa so I’m happy to read that they still are remembered in their home countries.
Ripsa, yes, I’ve great admiration for Tarja Halonen and am sad that she will soon not be president, and not replaced by a comparable person. Finland has achieved exemplary status in many areas in the last few decades – way to go for such a small country!
Happy 94th! I rather like the idea of having two candles in the window just for the simple symbolism of leaving and return.
Susan, I like that symbolism!
We had many Finnish friends, neighbors and work collegues in Switzerland. I was always impressed by their quietly joyful ways. It would be a treat to go there sometime and enjoy the Finnish ambience.
I’m putting off all Christmas preparations and activities until we get to Seattle and our children and grandchildren.
Hattie, I didn’t know that you met many Finns in Switzerland. What a lovely description – “quietly joyful ways”. How wonderful to go and spend Christmas with your family – happy holidays!
The day after is the birthday of my anoppi, Rauha, now deceased. We raised a glass to her memory at supper.
Black Pete, how nice to remember the two dates together. My father’s birthday (in August) was the same day as one of our nephews (husband’s side), the wedding anniversary of our middle daughter and her husband’s grandfather’s birthday, and the night of Perseids. Auspicious!