Finns paid such a high price for independence that it makes sense the day is quite solemn and patriotic. The declaration of independence was followed by a very bloody civil war and then mere 20 years later the Soviets decided to correct the "mistake" of recognising Finland's independence. The result of the WW2 was awful for Finland, basically only a single step better than getting occupied by the Soviets. Of course that single step is a huge one, comparable to Heaven and Hell, but nonetheless, the consequences of the war are still evident today and will be into the foreseeable future. All of this is reflected in how Finns celebrate the independence day, I believe.
"20 years later the Soviets decided to correct the "mistake" of recognising independence" Sounds about right as to what's happening with Ukraine. The Muscovite empire simply doesn't change. Even if most of our politicians don't see it, enough of them in the right places do and especially the military.
@@Lis4InWonderl4nd Am I supposed to write an essay here in the UA-cam comments? It had consequences in demographics, in national psychology, in geography, in economics, in national politics, even in the global languages due to bastardising the country name Finland into the concept of finlandisation. Turkey has been annoyed by their country name in English resembling the species name of a bird, so they want themselves to be called Turkiye, which is okay with me. However, what is that compared to finlandisation? Many of the consequences are shared by all the countries heavily affected by the war, some are unique to those on the losing side (like Finland), whereas some only affect Finland specifically. I won't delve deeper into this. I ain't getting paid for this, nor even getting credits for studies.
@@herrakaarme sorry for bothering you! I'm just interested in se subject and it seems, like you know a lot about the subject. Thanks for the answer anyways.
About 25 years ago, my mother was invited to the president's ball because she had met them as part of her work. She told me afterwards that she spent the entire evening dancing with the young cadets there and had a really good time. (She was like 60 at the time)
There are special sections at the cemeteries called sankarihautausmaa (cemetery of heroes) that are for the fallen soldiers. Each town has it own where the soldiers of that town are buried. It was (and still is) finnish army code of conduct of ”kaveria ei jätetä” (no one is left behind). It meant that if you are wounded or killed you will be looked after. So wast majority of the soldiers killed in action were eventually buried at their home town or villages. This was actually quite an exeption from other countries that fought WW2. And it enables the relatives and future generations to pay a respect on indepence day for those who gave their ultimate sacrifice for our independece. So I do know where I can leave my candle.
Yes, and every year for independence day the churches will bring a wreath on their local cemetery's sankarihautausmaa or a monument built especially for remembering veterans. Cemeteries also look after the sankarihautausmaa, every single one I've visited has been well taken care of with fresh flowers and the cravestones in good condition. All the living veteran's are also invited to the Linnan Juhla (the one whe they shake hands for a hour) as a sign of respect.
There's a movie called Hiljaisuus ("Silence") it might be really hard to find, but it's an amazing movie about the winter and continuation wars, telling the story of the people who gather and take care of the fallen and send them home. I highly recommend.
My colleague’s uncle was severely wounded in a a skirmish with Soviet soldiers. In the telling, he stayed behind defending their position so his comrades could retreat. I think of the Ukrainian soldiers now and their sacrifices. Finland, I hear, is providing winter wear for the Ukrainian soldiers. Russia less so… an old story.
Watching the Independence Day's reception (aka the Handshaking Marathon) is much, much better if you have company, something good to eat, maybe some alcohol -- and a bingo card! Before the pandemic, my friends and I used to always get together to join the torchlight procession to the War Heroes' Cemetary, and then go to someone's home -- and play bingo, get pished, and judge all the fancy costumes. The bingo cards would have things like "guy steps on his partner's dress and nearly trips them", "iron grannies and grandads having the time of their lives on the dance floor", "someone becomes glued to the President's hand and refuses to let go", "very drunken but desperate to seem sober interviewee reviews the famous President's Palace Punch", and so on hahahaha! That was always tremendous fun, and it was a little tradition of our own that let us pay our respects properly and take the pish out of the pageantry and pomp of the Handshake Marathon. The graveyard thing is one of my favourite things about how we celebrate Christmas here in Finland, honestly. At least in my corner of the country, the tradition is to have the big Christmas dinner, and then to walk to the cemetary and visit family gravers and light the candles. It's always really moving, and it feels like we're including our dead relatives in the celebrations in a way. (And after that, home for glögi and opening the presents!) The sea of candles in the darkness just hits you in the heart, in a good way. Loved the video, Irish, please have a few joulutorttu for me, too, as I can't have any!
The way you described the Palace reception watching sounds like great fun 🤣 and sounds pretty much how we watched it back in 2019, but we didn't do the bingo so I'll have to look into doing that! And I absolutely love the graveyard tradition here, like you it's one of my favourite things!
@@aaronstavern I highly recommend the bingo, with a small prize if you've got a party! (We usually had a bottle of bubbly that the winner would then graciously share -- or not... You could of course go Very Traditional and just have a packet of coffee as the prize, too.) If your Mrs has watched plenty of Hanshake Marathons, she probably has a good list of gaffes/weird recurring things she remembers that'll fit perfectly in the bingo. I hope you all have a good one! :)
As a Canadian Finn I remember going to the national memorial in Helsinki. Like yourself I was surprised by the solemn nature of the monument of Mannerheim. There was no grand arch or plinth, no horse or some special edifice. There was a circle of stones slightly raised surrounded by the soldiers who died. I was deeply touched by both the humility and strength of that monument. I’m not surprised by your response . Families were split in the first war in 1917…my grandparents were on both sides. They were young and left for Canada. But I heard the stories over the years, the price of independence had a heavy cost between families and neighbours. Jumping up and down about it never seemed appropriate.
If you're watching the original unknown soldier I would say pay attention to the different dialects in the movie. The dialects are somewhat different than what we have today and some of them have even been lost altogether (mainly because those areas with these dialects were lost in the war). The recent unknown soldier movie mimics these dialects, but I would say that they're more authentic in the first version of unknown soldier. Cheers! Happy independence day!
Jes. And the types of the solders are from different areas speaking their own dialects. And the manners and temperaments are different. Expecially it is showned In 50 version.
@@aaronstavern I still think the scene about a salted herring aka silakka after the soldiers had a bit too much to drink is absolutely the best and there is no better character in the movie, but Rokka - he is so pleasantly funny and just enough defiant.
My late mother, may she rest in peace, always watched the entire President's Ball (or Linnan Juhlat). And she would quite cattily analyze everyone's outfits as if it were the Oscars' red carpet. So that's what I associate most strongly with our Independence Day. But it's true that it's never some jolly celebration or fest. There's a real strong sense of sadness, gratitude, pride and introspection.
The graveyard thing is something important to us outside Independence Day too.. For example during christmas people visit their dead ones, give them a candle ^^ We show respect to our dead on whole different level, than most countries. even during the eyar we often go on graveyards to check that everything is OK with our own dead ones' graves etc.. It is an important tradition, and teaches things I want my children to learn as well.. some of these traditions have waaay deeper meanings behind them.. See Finland as a country is still very young, but as people we have been here since very ancient times.
The ball is on again this week but due to COVID, they didn't invite the veterans to the main event. They had a separate event just for them and the President over the weekend to minimize any chance of exposure.
Graveyards are very beautiful at and around independence day, same goes for Christmas. As a graveyard worker myself, Tuesday will begin with brushing the snow off of the headstones, then light a candle for each one, 86 in total.
It's such a pleasure to return to watch this channel, because I'm a Finn and just like you I have a mutual respect to the Finnish and Irish cultures and mythology.
On the Independence Day of Finland, I remember the Finnish Veterans and Lottorna brave men and women including my own grandfather veteran Nils and grandmother Eva. They among many finns and swedish and swedish-finnish young people participated in the fight against ”ivan”. I am proud and greatful that their legacy gave me the possibility to live in such a great and safe country as Finland, where I was born and raised, my home country! I glady have historical conversations with Mother and Father, as said an honourable trip down memory lane. Suomi Finland is awesome and I intend to keep it that way.
When I first learned as a kid/preteen that a lot of other countries celebrate their independence days with festivities and joy I was confused. Because the Finnish way felt right for me. We were taught from a young age that wesacrificed a lot for our independence, and that the road to it was long and the journey only started in 1917 when we declared independence. We were a small speck of a country between superpowers, at the mercy of those who'd only used us as a stepping stone and battleground for centuries. Our national identity is grounded in sisu, in persevering even when every odd is against us. And yet, it's also grounded in being humble and grateful for what our sisu, what our battles win for us. At least, that's my view. We don't brag, we just fight quietly yet persistently, and afterwards we solemnly mourn the sacrifices of many and are grateful for the freedom we managed to get after decades of bloody wars.
Sixth of December I will open a bottle of sparkling wine and have a toast for my Patria . When I served my obligatory military service , 🎉part of my heart became part of our Defence Forces. Great times in Oulu in the Bothnia Artillery Regiment . Here in Spain I will watch the national independance military parade and eat Finnish Tapas.
I pretty much do all the things you mentioned. One of the things is, I always watch the original Tuntematon Sotilas, even though I pretty much know it by heart at this point. The new one is also good, but to me it`s missing some really important and iconic scenes and, of course, a movie made in the early 50`s has the atmosphere and the way people spoke and dressed, etc. more authentic. To me the original is, and always will be, one of the best movies ever made. Thank you for taking the time to talk about this topic so important to us.
One interesting coincidence about the parade being in Hamina this year. Like you said, the parade will have alot of symbolic meaning this year, and Hamina happens to be the town where the treaty was signed in 1809 that ended the Finnish War, and ceded Finland to Russia. I'm guessing this is mostly just a coincidence, but still interesting symbolism can be seen in it.
I've never understood the ball, and only watch glimpses of the more awkward moments during the handshake. Meanwhile the commentators and girlfriend who is glued to the screen are in awe of the fancy dresses. What I do like about the day is that it's definitely not a crazy party evening with fireworks and such all over the place, but much more of a quiet and humble evening.
German F1 four time champion Sebastian Vettel has many finnish friends and can speak some finnish. Once in a interview he said in finnish that he is almost like a finnish boy and he was asking that were is his invitation to independence day ball at presidential palace as his fellow driver Kimi Räikkönen had the invitation. It was lovely idea and president at that time Tarja Halonen was ready to send invitation for him. The president's office inquired through Vettel's Finnish fitness coach about his chances of attending the Independence Day reception at the presidential palace. Unfortunately, due to scheduling reasons, the time did not suit Vettel. However, Vettel was very taken and greatly appreciated the president's inquiry and the opportunity offered to him to arrive in Helsinki for the celebrations at the presidential palace. American television host, comedian, writer, and producer Conan O'Brien has been guest at presidential palace. He made many references to Finland and to our president during election year as he promoted voluntary re-election of Tarja Halonen as he and our president both have a little bit of the same look (mainly reddish hair). Clips of Conan visiting there can be found in youtube.
@@emankcin1701I don't know where from you get your information? Sebe was at times more popular than Kimi in Finland. Vettel also had a summer house in Finland.
I'm really hyped for the Independence Day reception! I love to watch it even though it lasts so long you manage to get bored😅 I really liked this video and it's nice to see your respectful take on the Finnish traditions😇
Note the order of precedence at entrance for the handshake line. The veterants still alive enter first, in order of their decorations. Hence the guys knighted by the Mannerheim cross, a Finnish equivalent of the Victoria Cross, had an automatic invitation '94-'12 and outranked _everyone_ including the former presidents, standing goverment ministers, diplomats, bishops etc. Basically the few that stood against many and drove back the endless horde of slavsh*t orc russians finally got officially the kudos they so well deserved.
Absolutely the same for me! That is the beauty of it (for me); for some people it might me a religious tradition, for some people not, and that is just so beautiful. Something humbling about it. Something connecting all of us who are showing love to the ones who have passed away. Take care Nuinwing!
to me that 1950's tuntematon sotilas will always be the best ones, since those actors lived in the time of war, so they know what it is all about. I've seen the newest tuntematon sotilas, i think it is ok, but I just prefer the "original" one more.
You might want to watch "täällä pohjantähden alla", which is based on a book also written by Väinö Linna and handles the years 1880-1920. That movie was also directed by Edvin Laine. EDIT: It's available on yle areena
@@aaronstavern It is indeed an interesting work and really worth watching if you are interested in seeing the events of the Finnish Civil War from the perspective of the Finnish Reds. I highly recommend. 👍
@@aaronstavern Honestly there are mountains of old movies from Finland and I tend to think many of them - even if not 'great budget' ones a LOT better than most modern ones. I do believe there are ways to buy those on DVD or find them in some other way - at least I have always loved the oldies, the black and white ones. The one about Santa - or what was the name of that the Rare Exports - aside. That one was funny and crazy enough (aka not too serious even if not really a comedy either). fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rare_Exports If you haven't seen the Rare Exports that will do as long as you don't watch it with anyone screamish about few hundred nude dudes running in the snow.
new subscriber, mate! Also I like the way you pronounce Finläänd as it should be (not Finln'd like most people say). When my one of my best buddies got an invitation to the President's ball, that's when I knew how successful of a businessman he had actually become : ) . Anyway: we need MORE independence day parties and really celebrate it! What I love about this it is one of the few holidays where people still act respectfully and it's not just another excuse to get drunk and go crazy. But on the other hand I really miss it when as a kid at school, we really celebrated independence day. Now it's more of a "whew...a day off from work, I'm gonna lay down for a bit" kinda holiday. Also, great point about the parade. I actually didn't come to think of it but now that you mentioned it , I will be observing.
I will always remember how lunch with mom's Finnish ex-pat friends in Texas as they wanted so much to share and tell of the hard times in their childhoods of the days of the Winter War and after how there was little to eat etc. War leaves scars. The Finnish of my mother's generation have always discussed it with us. I spent a large part of my early years in Finland... It's an important message.
Tuntematon sotilas from1955 you find on UA-cam texted here: ua-cam.com/video/1TOA3FRYBU4/v-deo.html I think one of the big reasons, back in time, to make independent day so important was that it perhaps helped to unite a people that wasn't all that united then. Some of those old conflicts Väinö Linna includes in the book but for a foreigner that may be harder to spot. It's also worth remembering that Finland become Finland proper in 1809 when it for the first time had a border both towards Sweden and Russia and much more.
In our family we have this tradition to make gingerbread houses for all on independence day 😊 it's super fun to gather together with siblings and their families and bake and decorate gingerbread for hours on end! Then later watch the President's palace resection, eat something fancy and take candles to the graveyard. You were on point on how beautiful the graveyards look on that day. It truly is something special.
Yes especially families with smaller children bake gingerbread cookies and/or houses on this day (or if everyone are tired because of serious flu 🤧 you buy them plain and just decorate them together, still fun). At least in our area (Raseborg in the south of Finland). 😊
I'm finnish and we've never had the "two candles" tradition in my family. We have burnt candles on the 6th though, but just regular ones. But we've had the joulutorttu tradition :) as well as serving some nice chocolates and having a fancier coffee time than on normal days.
Look, you cant celebrate anything in december and NOT HAVE joulutorttu, its like, the rules man XD those pastries are too good to pass up and im upset you cant get any ingrediants during the rest of the year
I actually forgot about the whole two candle tradition. My grandma used to burn two white and blue candles and I actually got to light them. But my parents dropped the tradition and grandma too because of health issues, which caused her to stop doing a lot of things. I had just compleatly forgotten about it.
A few years ago I asked my 20 something classmates what should I do to celebrate independence day. (I'm a native Finn but I really don't like the old-fashioned traditions like watching the presidents ball or the Unknown soldier.) So my classmates told me just to be hungover since it is a national holiday. That was a mistake... I did as I was told and drank the hardest "kalsarikännit" of my life on the 5.12. Then I celebrated the Finnish independence day by throwing up in to the toile bowl until I was certain I was going to die. NEVER AGAIN. Lets just all stick to the traditions by watching some tv and visiting some graves.
The Independence day ball celebrates Finnish successes, so it's not only athletes and celebs, but this year also nurses, doctors, ordinary citizens who have carried out random acts of kindness during COVID etc. I didn't celebrate Independence Day as much when I was younger, but with my Estonian boyfriend we started celebrating again some years ago. We take candles to the Malmi graveyard, where they also have the memorial for the Estonians who lost their lives during the war, fighting for Finland.
The independence day is the first time of the christmas season when I make rise porrirge (riisipuuro) and plum kisel (luumukiisseli) to go along with it. That's been my tradition for a decade or so. Joulutortut usually come around this time as well for my family.
You will normally see many war veterans in indepence day reception. Unfortunately, those veterans who are still living are really old and frail. President arranged separate reception to them this time. Keeping them safe from covid which is doing its round.
Joulukuu: December Joulu kuu: Christmas moon Kuukausi: Month Kuu kausi: Moon season Joulukuusi: Christmas tree Kuusi: Six or spruce 6.12 is the Finnish Independence Day and you can remember it by saying "Joulukuusi" (December, Six)
What I love the most of Independence dances in the Presidents castle is that there are always normal people invited. Ok, maybe you are Mother of The Year or done some wonderful voluntary work, but anyone can get the invitation. To my opinion it shows great equality. And to me the most interesting part is the food 😁
I think that's wrong. In finnish perspective there are no random people. You need to have done something special work as ordinary peole if it is possible that you will be invited. And these kind of people are only 1 or two. Finland is not independent yet. Thats my opinion. We have Lost a big piece of our independence to eu. That is sad. I dont celebrate so much in this year, but I try to save our independence. Thank you reading that. That way think finnish patriots, who are worried.
Thank you for reminding me of this movie that I today found here in Australia on our multicultural tv channel (SBS) app and just finished watching. One of my cousins in Finland recommended I watch it many years ago, but at the time I couldn’t find it. Both my parents were children when they had to leave their homes in two different locations in the southern Karelia regions. As young adults they met in Helsinki, married and when my brother was 2 years old they immigrated to Australia. I grew up with many Finnish traditions including the dishes and language, and while my own children don’t know the language, they do know many of the dishes as well which I have continued to cook myself. Especially at Christmas time. I like reading the history and appreciate very much you sharing your researched knowledge.
First time I visited in 1982 I was blown away by the candles on all the graves on Christmas Eve. After many visits since and a good few years living there in 80s and 90s it still blows me away.
Great video. Never actually thought about how we Finns must seem with regard to how we feel about Independence Day. Also, your Finnish pronunciation is pretty darn good.
Tuntematon Sotilas also set the world record for amount of explosives used in one take. It probably hasn't been surpassed as everything is CGI these days.
for me celerbating indepence day in finland is rembering both of my grandfaters who fought during in winter war and listening sabaton about finnish song and go my day as usual since it's what my grandfaters fought for doing what i like and take the day off to do what i want. because it's something i have because my grandparents. watching the presidental summoning of quest is part of it just finding it funny that there is jugdment about clothes people are wearing is dumb for me i like to see the veterans since they are the stars of the show even if they went in their under wear idon't care since because they are the reason we can have this celerbation in the first place. it's in the end time when i miss mostly of my grandpops and my grandma reminds the suffer that they went trough. it's reminded everyday for me but this time of year it's expecially time to remeber them.
Watching Tuntematon Sotilas (Unknown Soldier) is a MUST thing during Independence Day. That 50's version of course. 😊 Great video and greetings from Porvoo, where Johan Ludvig Runeberg lived and died. Today was Runeberg's day too. 😊 Visited his home once on a class trip back in early 90's.
Hello there! Thank you for a great video about our Independence Day. Just a few comments: Dancing in the streets etc. is not really possible, seeing as it's in the middle of winter and the darkest time of the year. It's already dark outside just after 3 p.m. Not that we would be doing that anyway, because for us our freedom and independence are serious matters that we paid a heavy price for in our Winter War and Continuation War against the Soviets. It's still only about 78 years since the Continuation War ended. I myself was born on January 27, 1944, and Helsinki was heavily bombed in February, starting on February 6th. On December 6, 1969, having lived abroad for several years, as I was taking the tram home past 6 p.m., it was of course already dark and when I looked up from my reading, I was totally surprised to see candles lit in every window along the street. A light snow was falling. I had forgot about this beautiful, silent and solemn custom! What a way to celebrate our independence, joining an entire nation together like this, candles burning in "every" window all over the country, not just in Helsinki. It's a remembrance of the fallen in those wars, of our sadness, but also of our gratitude toward everybody who did their bit in what has been called 'a defensive victory'. But it was close... Regarding the movie "The Unknown Soldier", in my opinion, the original one from 1955 is the best. The actors who played in it had actually been alive at the time of the wars and thus had some first-hand knowledge of the reality and mood of the times. My maternal grandfather was a Jaeger, a Pfadfinder, a Colonel, and one of the military command staff surrounding Mannerheim. An uncle of mine was awarded the Mannerheim Cros.
We've always had the two candles lit on Itsenäisyyspäivä, and I had a vague idea that they somehow represented safe haven. This channel makes me want to learn my own culture better. It saddens me how much of it has been lost.
You hit the nail on the head! It's the cemetery and the president's gala! If you get invited to the gala, you know you have made it! The rest of us just watch it, and it's a must! It's a little bit like the Oscars TV event from Hollywood. Only the people welcoming you to the party are not TV reporters but the President and the First Lady. It's a great honor to be invited. I'm really happy that YLE started streaming it live on the Internet and I can watch it here in the US. I do, faithfully, even though I know very few of the celebrities anymore. Just like in Hollywood, the YLE commentators know every detail about the women's gowns, who is wearing whom. It's a little silly, but it's ours!
We arrived in Finland in the autumn of 2015 and the first 2 years we just spent a quiet day at home and went for a walk (we ave no telly) but in 2017 (centenary year) we were invited to an elderly neighbour’s house to watch the ball with her so we took some piparkakut, glögi and Fazer Vihreitä kuulia with us. It was as you say very different but also very interesting to see. We live in a different area since 2018 so can’t visit that neighbour but we still watch some of the celebrations and Vihreitä kuulia are still part of our tradition when watching!
Sorry this isn't very short like you requested but i just want to get this out. I never much cared for the independence day "celebration" But i celebrate or rather pay respects in my own way. I always just pick a named spot in a forest somewhere on a map and i just walk there, navigate around the swamps and find the best path there. Last independence day i went to "romminvuori" or "rum mountain" which was a big rock on a hill... But every time I've done it it's such a special feeling, even if it's the same woods I've walked in hundreds of times. I just walk. I think of the war, I think of the history, I think of the people, I pay mind to the beauty of the country and I pay my respects to the old gods of Finland. Now I'm not a spiritual person but i swear there's something about that day, every independence day I've hiked I've seen a moose or two up close almost like the fatherland is showing me some respect back. Oh and of course i sing a few old Finnish songs to myself on my way.
In my family we do everything said on the vid. There's a lot of emotion on this day and we watch all the Finnish war movies, interviews with veterans, documentaries, the ball, the military parade etc. We go and leave candles on graves of veterans and family. We also play Finnish anthems and hymns as well as old Finnish songs and quietly hum or sing along to them. We have a huge feast of traditional foods and we give thanks for our country's and our peoples security and wish for peace in the future as well. We also have a quiet moment at some point during the night for the price that had to be paid time and time again for what we now have. Thank you for the video!😄I used to cry a lot on independence day when I was young but I remember this day with honor and warmth in my heart.💙🤍
to make your president's ball handshaking marathon a bit more lighthearted you project it on a screen or a wall and paint a moustache on the wall, everytime anyone lineups their upper lip with said moustache you take a drink. We call this the viiksipeli, moustache game.
Interesting thing about the sankarihaudat "Graves of heroes", Every single soldier who died in the war,s was buried in their home town (Assuming their home town was on the Finnish side of the border after the war). My great grandfathers wasn't, so he was buried where his family had fled from Karelia. It sounds quite stupid on a military point of view, but the phrase "No man left behind" also included dead men. Out of roughly 98 000 casualties that Finland suffered during the war, only around 5000 were declared MIA. So a rough estimate would say that only around 3000 men were left dead on the field.
And there has been lots of them brought home after the war, decades later. Russians and Finnish together finding the soldiers killed in the war and brought home, be it in Russia or Finland.
These Independence Day events were missing from the video: The national flag of Finland will be raised to the flagpole on the morning of Independence Day on December 6. at 8:00 a.m. and counted in the evening at 8:00 p.m. The students' torchlight procession, which passes in front of the Presidential Palace and ends at the heroes' graves.
Nice video! Joulutorttu eating has allready begun here. But going to make some with the children on independence day also 😁 Otherwise it is going to be a quiet day. Going to cook some traditional foods, watch the parade and go for a walk to watch candles and christmas lights. The wife is going to watch the ball. I rather listen to finlandia and other finnish music. Tuntematon sotilas used to be the thing for me, but I have seen it a bit too many times so going too skip it now 😅
I don't know if you knew that there is actually three versions of The Unknown soldier movie (plus two versions of book but that's different story all together 😉): 1955, 1985 and 2017 Lot of people still say -55 version is the best. New one is grand but there is some invented stuff that isn't in the book at all. To be honest, I love the book but the movies have never sucked me in same way. It hasn't still stopped me from watching them in too many independence days when they have been on at TV 😂
In every Finnish celebration, there is always something that is in the middle, and I have to say that on Finland's Independence Day, it is television. Most of the events on Independence Day take place on television, such as traditional movies and the ball. Some Finnish cities also have their own small celebrations for it such as laying a wreath at a war memorial, but not all, and for shops and other services, it's just an extra Sunday which some companies hate and some don't. And since nothing special happens on Finland's Independence Day, I usually stay at home and read the news about the Independence ball in presidential palace and how protesters in Helsinki have broken shop windows and stolen Finnish flags just because they oppose nationalism. And I only read those news because I'm usually bored that day. But what was new to me in this video is that candles are taken to the graves on Independence Day, when I have thought that the traditional grave candle days are All Saints' Day (the first Saturday in November), St. Andrew's Day (30.11.), St. Thomas' Day (21.12.), St. Stephen's Day (26.12.), St. Knut's Day (13.1.) and St. Paul's Day (25.1.).
wow...I was watching your video and then up popped "photo from Lappajarvi"...where my great grandfather was from before moving to the US. His wife, great grandmother, came from Alajarvi. Though the towns/cities are close to each other, they met in the US, not Finland.
I served in the army last year and I was in a position that I would have been marching in the independence day parade if it hadn't been cancelled due to covid. I went to Hamina to see it this year and it felt bittersweet but really special. You can feel it in the air that Finns truly love and appreciate their country. Independence day is for remembering those who fought for the Finland we have today.
I was in the parade long time ago, it is a really humbling experience. People don't cheer or anything but watch in silence. That makes it precious. If they were cheering it would feel cheap and tacky.
Its very solem because many families lost men or know someone who has, my fathers uncle fought in the continuason war. The original black n white Unknown Soldier is still the best!!!! no mater how many new version they keep making!!!
I am a university student thus I do as the state commands and study. Yay! In all seriousness I overbooked my first period, slept through the last exam, and the re-exam is on Thursday.
Many people are celebrating 6.12 in their homes. Some are having dress codes, black suit and evening dress with dinner or just a more relaxed dinner or just sparkling wine and the independence reception on tv.
Greetings from a Finn, fantastic to hear your thoughts! My grandfather actually fought in the actual regiment that Tuntematon Sotilas is centered around. During the continuation war, he got captured by the Russians and spent almost 10 years as a POW in Siberia before finally getting back home to Finland. There is actually a documentary about him available in Yle Areena, filmed in 1995!
@@aaronstavern It is called "Kuin veljet keskenään - venäläinen visiitti" which translates to "Like brothers amongst eachother - Russian visit". About him and him getting visited by his POW buddy who used to be a Russian parachute infiltrator with Finnish roots, but who got also captured by Russians during the war and sent to the same POW camp due to some reasons explained in the documentary.
Well, our traditions include all you mentioned. But while my husband watches Tuntematon sotilas intensively, I bake the first round of gingerbread cookies and decorate a gingerbread house with my kid who is still a bit too young for a war movie.
As someone born 7th of december I usually have some relatives over and i serve them coffee and some bakings (usually something christmas themed). So I spend my morning baking and then by the time the ball starts the relatives has left and we’ll watch the broadcast from the presidents palace and after that we usually go to sauna. And we always light up the candles from 6pm to 9pm as the tradition is.
Independence Day was the most respected and sublime celebration day for my family when I was living with my parents and siblings. It was nothing crazy it was very humble celebration. We always visited my granparents which lived through all the 20th century wars in Finland. Also we visited the war hero graveyard if we had time. We had good food nothing too festive. Independence Day was so valuable our family didn't want to spoil it with selfish luxury! It was the day we went humble and honoured people which sacrificed their lives or gave good effort for our country. We always watched Tuntematon Sotilas and the Ball in the evening. The Ball is about the people which have done good deeds for Finland in the past or currently. Some viewers ofc are eye balling the dresses and it's totally fine. Many artists and stylists earn their whole income dressing up people which are invited to the Ball. Also people are able to protest or speak out their opinions by their dressing choices. We never had any christmas decorations or treats before The Inpendence Day. We waited until we celebrated The Independency Day first. My parents and granparents always got very upset and disapproving if they saw xmas decorations before and during the Independence Day. 7th december we went wild with prepping for christmas :D
Our independence is linked with the sacrifice of a lot of young men and women, that is why it is somber and we spend the day remembering them and what it took to get here.
I always kick my day off on the 6th by listening to Finlandia. I had never taken on the tradition to watch Tuntematon sotilas and had seen the 50s version only once or twice. Fell in love with the reboot version though and absolutely have to see it every year. My generation can't ever understand what the wars were like to be a part of but I think the new version really catches the horror and desperation, not to mention the comradery.
I just want it to drop thank you, for this video. I was born and raised in Finland and now living in California. Like last year, I watched the Independence day Ball from Presidents palace with my mom through video call and cooked some Finish food. Hopefully next year I can celebrate the day in Finland with my family and do pretty much all the traditions you just listed on your video 😄 I really enjoy watching this and I'm happy to hear, that you love joulutorttuja as well 👌 and you enjoy living in Finland 😊
Thank you Me too Just read the meaning of the remembering Finland days It's a country I would like to visit May God continue blessing you and the Finland
Ah, joulutorttu, my favourite! A couple of years ago there was some minor "stir" when the swedes saw something politically infringing in their shape. 😄
They have Tuntematon Sotilas as TV series in Netflix. Been wondering if it is only available in Finland or can you watch it in Sweden or the UK or elsewhere.
I remember when I watched the 1950's version of the film first time and dad asked me something like: What is not "authentical" in this movie? Obviously, I had no idea. Then he told that all the actors are too old. The young died in the wars. Made me see a different perspective. I really don't know how true this is but to me it makes sense.
My wife and I watch the procession of hands greeting hands and bobbing of heads every year. I'm English, my wife is Finnish - Lapland Finnish. We sit passing our opinions on the dresses the ladies wear (I'm not a x dresser by the way so I'm certainly not looking for ideas) which ones she likes and which ones I think she might look nice in. It has become a rather strange pastime and tradition for me because I'm more your oil and grease type of bloke. You know all those blokey things blokes like to do, like building stuff or tearing stuff apart, rebuilding it anew and swearing profusely when something doesn't fit. Which is something I do after watching the independence day gathering just to reassert me masculinity.
Finns paid such a high price for independence that it makes sense the day is quite solemn and patriotic. The declaration of independence was followed by a very bloody civil war and then mere 20 years later the Soviets decided to correct the "mistake" of recognising Finland's independence. The result of the WW2 was awful for Finland, basically only a single step better than getting occupied by the Soviets. Of course that single step is a huge one, comparable to Heaven and Hell, but nonetheless, the consequences of the war are still evident today and will be into the foreseeable future. All of this is reflected in how Finns celebrate the independence day, I believe.
"20 years later the Soviets decided to correct the "mistake" of recognising independence"
Sounds about right as to what's happening with Ukraine.
The Muscovite empire simply doesn't change. Even if most of our politicians don't see it, enough of them in the right places do and especially the military.
@@Tounushi yes.
May I ask what are the consequences you mean? "the consequences of the war are still evident today and will be into the foreseeable future"
@@Lis4InWonderl4nd Am I supposed to write an essay here in the UA-cam comments? It had consequences in demographics, in national psychology, in geography, in economics, in national politics, even in the global languages due to bastardising the country name Finland into the concept of finlandisation. Turkey has been annoyed by their country name in English resembling the species name of a bird, so they want themselves to be called Turkiye, which is okay with me. However, what is that compared to finlandisation?
Many of the consequences are shared by all the countries heavily affected by the war, some are unique to those on the losing side (like Finland), whereas some only affect Finland specifically.
I won't delve deeper into this. I ain't getting paid for this, nor even getting credits for studies.
@@herrakaarme sorry for bothering you! I'm just interested in se subject and it seems, like you know a lot about the subject. Thanks for the answer anyways.
About 25 years ago, my mother was invited to the president's ball because she had met them as part of her work. She told me afterwards that she spent the entire evening dancing with the young cadets there and had a really good time. (She was like 60 at the time)
There are special sections at the cemeteries called sankarihautausmaa (cemetery of heroes) that are for the fallen soldiers. Each town has it own where the soldiers of that town are buried. It was (and still is) finnish army code of conduct of ”kaveria ei jätetä” (no one is left behind). It meant that if you are wounded or killed you will be looked after. So wast majority of the soldiers killed in action were eventually buried at their home town or villages. This was actually quite an exeption from other countries that fought WW2. And it enables the relatives and future generations to pay a respect on indepence day for those who gave their ultimate sacrifice for our independece. So I do know where I can leave my candle.
Yes, and every year for independence day the churches will bring a wreath on their local cemetery's sankarihautausmaa or a monument built especially for remembering veterans. Cemeteries also look after the sankarihautausmaa, every single one I've visited has been well taken care of with fresh flowers and the cravestones in good condition. All the living veteran's are also invited to the Linnan Juhla (the one whe they shake hands for a hour) as a sign of respect.
There's a movie called Hiljaisuus ("Silence") it might be really hard to find, but it's an amazing movie about the winter and continuation wars, telling the story of the people who gather and take care of the fallen and send them home. I highly recommend.
My colleague’s uncle was severely wounded in a a skirmish with Soviet soldiers. In the telling, he stayed behind defending their position so his comrades could retreat.
I think of the Ukrainian soldiers now and their sacrifices. Finland, I hear, is providing winter wear for the Ukrainian soldiers. Russia less so… an old story.
2017 many of these hero graves there were standing someone local boy or man same age as the one in the grave. So many of them were less than 20yo 😔
Aren't there also graves of "the unknown soldiers" for people whose Bodies either couldn't be retrieved or just simply weren't recognized?
Watching the Independence Day's reception (aka the Handshaking Marathon) is much, much better if you have company, something good to eat, maybe some alcohol -- and a bingo card! Before the pandemic, my friends and I used to always get together to join the torchlight procession to the War Heroes' Cemetary, and then go to someone's home -- and play bingo, get pished, and judge all the fancy costumes. The bingo cards would have things like "guy steps on his partner's dress and nearly trips them", "iron grannies and grandads having the time of their lives on the dance floor", "someone becomes glued to the President's hand and refuses to let go", "very drunken but desperate to seem sober interviewee reviews the famous President's Palace Punch", and so on hahahaha! That was always tremendous fun, and it was a little tradition of our own that let us pay our respects properly and take the pish out of the pageantry and pomp of the Handshake Marathon.
The graveyard thing is one of my favourite things about how we celebrate Christmas here in Finland, honestly. At least in my corner of the country, the tradition is to have the big Christmas dinner, and then to walk to the cemetary and visit family gravers and light the candles. It's always really moving, and it feels like we're including our dead relatives in the celebrations in a way. (And after that, home for glögi and opening the presents!) The sea of candles in the darkness just hits you in the heart, in a good way.
Loved the video, Irish, please have a few joulutorttu for me, too, as I can't have any!
The way you described the Palace reception watching sounds like great fun 🤣 and sounds pretty much how we watched it back in 2019, but we didn't do the bingo so I'll have to look into doing that! And I absolutely love the graveyard tradition here, like you it's one of my favourite things!
@@aaronstavern I highly recommend the bingo, with a small prize if you've got a party! (We usually had a bottle of bubbly that the winner would then graciously share -- or not... You could of course go Very Traditional and just have a packet of coffee as the prize, too.) If your Mrs has watched plenty of Hanshake Marathons, she probably has a good list of gaffes/weird recurring things she remembers that'll fit perfectly in the bingo. I hope you all have a good one! :)
As a Canadian Finn I remember going to the national memorial in Helsinki. Like yourself I was surprised by the solemn nature of the monument of Mannerheim. There was no grand arch or plinth, no horse or some special edifice. There was a circle of stones slightly raised surrounded by the soldiers who died. I was deeply touched by both the humility and strength of that monument. I’m not surprised by your response .
Families were split in the first war in 1917…my grandparents were on both sides. They were young and left for Canada. But I heard the stories over the years, the price of independence had a heavy cost between families and neighbours. Jumping up and down about it never seemed appropriate.
You must be really good at hockey :D
@@lottaraatikainen3942 To be fair to the satue in front of Kiasma, it does look extremely badass.
@@margareeta1369 Haha! Hell no, I was terrible at hockey. My sport was track. I was high school champion in the 1,500 and 3,000m.
If you're watching the original unknown soldier I would say pay attention to the different dialects in the movie. The dialects are somewhat different than what we have today and some of them have even been lost altogether (mainly because those areas with these dialects were lost in the war). The recent unknown soldier movie mimics these dialects, but I would say that they're more authentic in the first version of unknown soldier.
Cheers! Happy independence day!
Oh nice, I'll definitely keep an ear out for them! I'm working on a dialect of Finland video aswell 😎
Jes. And the types of the solders are from different areas speaking their own dialects. And the manners and temperaments are different. Expecially it is showned In 50 version.
@@aaronstavern I still think the scene about a salted herring aka silakka after the soldiers had a bit too much to drink is absolutely the best and there is no better character in the movie, but Rokka - he is so pleasantly funny and just enough defiant.
@@aaronstavern Good luck! 😆
@@aaronstavern Cant wait for that one!
My late mother, may she rest in peace, always watched the entire President's Ball (or Linnan Juhlat). And she would quite cattily analyze everyone's outfits as if it were the Oscars' red carpet. So that's what I associate most strongly with our Independence Day. But it's true that it's never some jolly celebration or fest. There's a real strong sense of sadness, gratitude, pride and introspection.
Think If someone would drop something ?
That's the whole point. U gotta criticize the dresses!
The graveyard thing is something important to us outside Independence Day too.. For example during christmas people visit their dead ones, give them a candle ^^ We show respect to our dead on whole different level, than most countries. even during the eyar we often go on graveyards to check that everything is OK with our own dead ones' graves etc.. It is an important tradition, and teaches things I want my children to learn as well.. some of these traditions have waaay deeper meanings behind them.. See Finland as a country is still very young, but as people we have been here since very ancient times.
The ball is on again this week but due to COVID, they didn't invite the veterans to the main event. They had a separate event just for them and the President over the weekend to minimize any chance of exposure.
Graveyards are very beautiful at and around independence day, same goes for Christmas.
As a graveyard worker myself, Tuesday will begin with brushing the snow off of the headstones, then light a candle for each one, 86 in total.
They really are!
It's such a pleasure to return to watch this channel, because I'm a Finn and just like you I have a mutual respect to the Finnish and Irish cultures and mythology.
Kiitos elaini! 😎
finlan a irish hnn
On the Independence Day of Finland, I remember the Finnish Veterans and Lottorna brave men and women including my own grandfather veteran Nils and grandmother Eva. They among many finns and swedish and swedish-finnish young people participated in the fight against ”ivan”. I am proud and greatful that their legacy gave me the possibility to live in such a great and safe country as Finland, where I was born and raised, my home country! I glady have historical conversations with Mother and Father, as said an honourable trip down memory lane. Suomi Finland is awesome and I intend to keep it that way.
Estonian Independence Day on 24th February has similar traditions. So this applies to it too.
Our brothers
When I first learned as a kid/preteen that a lot of other countries celebrate their independence days with festivities and joy I was confused. Because the Finnish way felt right for me. We were taught from a young age that wesacrificed a lot for our independence, and that the road to it was long and the journey only started in 1917 when we declared independence. We were a small speck of a country between superpowers, at the mercy of those who'd only used us as a stepping stone and battleground for centuries. Our national identity is grounded in sisu, in persevering even when every odd is against us. And yet, it's also grounded in being humble and grateful for what our sisu, what our battles win for us. At least, that's my view. We don't brag, we just fight quietly yet persistently, and afterwards we solemnly mourn the sacrifices of many and are grateful for the freedom we managed to get after decades of bloody wars.
Sixth of December I will open a bottle of sparkling wine and have a toast for my Patria . When I served my obligatory military service , 🎉part of my heart became part of our Defence Forces. Great times in Oulu in the Bothnia Artillery Regiment . Here in Spain I will watch the national independance military parade and eat Finnish Tapas.
I pretty much do all the things you mentioned. One of the things is, I always watch the original Tuntematon Sotilas, even though I pretty much know it by heart at this point. The new one is also good, but to me it`s missing some really important and iconic scenes and, of course, a movie made in the early 50`s has the atmosphere and the way people spoke and dressed, etc. more authentic. To me the original is, and always will be, one of the best movies ever made. Thank you for taking the time to talk about this topic so important to us.
One interesting coincidence about the parade being in Hamina this year. Like you said, the parade will have alot of symbolic meaning this year, and Hamina happens to be the town where the treaty was signed in 1809 that ended the Finnish War, and ceded Finland to Russia.
I'm guessing this is mostly just a coincidence, but still interesting symbolism can be seen in it.
😯, they knew, they definitely knew
I've never understood the ball, and only watch glimpses of the more awkward moments during the handshake. Meanwhile the commentators and girlfriend who is glued to the screen are in awe of the fancy dresses. What I do like about the day is that it's definitely not a crazy party evening with fireworks and such all over the place, but much more of a quiet and humble evening.
Yeah its unique and very nice 👌🏻👌🏻
There is immense beauty in grief and sadness, and we Finnish know it in our souls. We tend to veer on melancholical side of feelings.
Kiitos mielenkiintoisesta videosta ja hyvää itsenäisyyspäivää! 🇫🇮
German F1 four time champion Sebastian Vettel has many finnish friends and can speak some finnish. Once in a interview he said in finnish that he is almost like a finnish boy and he was asking that were is his invitation to independence day ball at presidential palace as his fellow driver Kimi Räikkönen had the invitation. It was lovely idea and president at that time Tarja Halonen was ready to send invitation for him. The president's office inquired through Vettel's Finnish fitness coach about his chances of attending the Independence Day reception at the presidential palace. Unfortunately, due to scheduling reasons, the time did not suit Vettel. However, Vettel was very taken and greatly appreciated the president's inquiry and the opportunity offered to him to arrive in Helsinki for the celebrations at the presidential palace. American television host, comedian, writer, and producer Conan O'Brien has been guest at presidential palace. He made many references to Finland and to our president during election year as he promoted voluntary re-election of Tarja Halonen as he and our president both have a little bit of the same look (mainly reddish hair). Clips of Conan visiting there can be found in youtube.
I didn't know this Vettel story! He seems like a top guy 👌🏻 thank you for sharing this story!
Sadly many Finns don't like Seb because he beat Kimi over and over again. Or Nico Rosberg who is partly Finn. Finns can be very cringe 🙈
@@emankcin1701I don't know where from you get your information? Sebe was at times more popular than Kimi in Finland. Vettel also had a summer house in Finland.
I'm really hyped for the Independence Day reception! I love to watch it even though it lasts so long you manage to get bored😅 I really liked this video and it's nice to see your respectful take on the Finnish traditions😇
Note the order of precedence at entrance for the handshake line. The veterants still alive enter first, in order of their decorations. Hence the guys knighted by the Mannerheim cross, a Finnish equivalent of the Victoria Cross, had an automatic invitation '94-'12 and outranked _everyone_ including the former presidents, standing goverment ministers, diplomats, bishops etc. Basically the few that stood against many and drove back the endless horde of slavsh*t orc russians finally got officially the kudos they so well deserved.
I always think of those graveyard candles as a physical representation of the warm memories and love we have for our loved ones who have passed.
Absolutely the same for me! That is the beauty of it (for me); for some people it might me a religious tradition, for some people not, and that is just so beautiful. Something humbling about it. Something connecting all of us who are showing love to the ones who have passed away. Take care Nuinwing!
to me that 1950's tuntematon sotilas will always be the best ones, since those actors lived in the time of war, so they know what it is all about. I've seen the newest tuntematon sotilas, i think it is ok, but I just prefer the "original" one more.
Very enjoyable and interesting video, Aaron. Thanks.
Cheers Barbara!
You might want to watch "täällä pohjantähden alla", which is based on a book also written by Väinö Linna and handles the years 1880-1920. That movie was also directed by Edvin Laine. EDIT: It's available on yle areena
Perfect, thank you 😎
@@aaronstavern It is indeed an interesting work and really worth watching if you are interested in seeing the events of the Finnish Civil War from the perspective of the Finnish Reds. I highly recommend. 👍
@@aaronstavern Also the second part is also on that service "Akseli ja Elina" ends after the WWII.
There's also a more recent version of the movie made in 2009
@@aaronstavern Honestly there are mountains of old movies from Finland and I tend to think many of them - even if not 'great budget' ones a LOT better than most modern ones. I do believe there are ways to buy those on DVD or find them in some other way - at least I have always loved the oldies, the black and white ones.
The one about Santa - or what was the name of that the Rare Exports - aside. That one was funny and crazy enough (aka not too serious even if not really a comedy either). fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rare_Exports
If you haven't seen the Rare Exports that will do as long as you don't watch it with anyone screamish about few hundred nude dudes running in the snow.
new subscriber, mate! Also I like the way you pronounce Finläänd as it should be (not Finln'd like most people say). When my one of my best buddies got an invitation to the President's ball, that's when I knew how successful of a businessman he had actually become : ) . Anyway: we need MORE independence day parties and really celebrate it! What I love about this it is one of the few holidays where people still act respectfully and it's not just another excuse to get drunk and go crazy. But on the other hand I really miss it when as a kid at school, we really celebrated independence day. Now it's more of a "whew...a day off from work, I'm gonna lay down for a bit" kinda holiday. Also, great point about the parade. I actually didn't come to think of it but now that you mentioned it , I will be observing.
Thank you and Welcome! Yeah you're absolutely right about it been a nice relaxed holiday and more needed!
I will always remember how lunch with mom's Finnish ex-pat friends in Texas as they wanted so much to share and tell of the hard times in their childhoods of the days of the Winter War and after how there was little to eat etc. War leaves scars. The Finnish of my mother's generation have always discussed it with us. I spent a large part of my early years in Finland... It's an important message.
I really like your stuff here in UA-cam. Keep on rocking. And cos off you I would like to know more about Irland.
Tuntematon sotilas from1955 you find on UA-cam texted here:
ua-cam.com/video/1TOA3FRYBU4/v-deo.html
I think one of the big reasons, back in time, to make independent day so important was that it perhaps helped to unite a people that wasn't all that united then.
Some of those old conflicts Väinö Linna includes in the book but for a foreigner that may be harder to spot.
It's also worth remembering that Finland become Finland proper in 1809 when it for the first time had a border both towards Sweden and Russia and much more.
In our family we have this tradition to make gingerbread houses for all on independence day 😊 it's super fun to gather together with siblings and their families and bake and decorate gingerbread for hours on end! Then later watch the President's palace resection, eat something fancy and take candles to the graveyard.
You were on point on how beautiful the graveyards look on that day. It truly is something special.
Yes especially families with smaller children bake gingerbread cookies and/or houses on this day (or if everyone are tired because of serious flu 🤧 you buy them plain and just decorate them together, still fun). At least in our area (Raseborg in the south of Finland). 😊
I always listen to "Veteraanin Iltahuuto" on the Finnish Independence Day, a beautiful veteran song:
ua-cam.com/video/arKxCiTZoyQ/v-deo.html
I'm finnish and we've never had the "two candles" tradition in my family. We have burnt candles on the 6th though, but just regular ones.
But we've had the joulutorttu tradition :) as well as serving some nice chocolates and having a fancier coffee time than on normal days.
Look, you cant celebrate anything in december and NOT HAVE joulutorttu, its like, the rules man XD those pastries are too good to pass up and im upset you cant get any ingrediants during the rest of the year
I actually forgot about the whole two candle tradition. My grandma used to burn two white and blue candles and I actually got to light them. But my parents dropped the tradition and grandma too because of health issues, which caused her to stop doing a lot of things. I had just compleatly forgotten about it.
These are specifically the things and exactly what Finnish people do on independence day. 🇫🇮
A Finn approves. 👍
A few years ago I asked my 20 something classmates what should I do to celebrate independence day. (I'm a native Finn but I really don't like the old-fashioned traditions like watching the presidents ball or the Unknown soldier.) So my classmates told me just to be hungover since it is a national holiday. That was a mistake...
I did as I was told and drank the hardest "kalsarikännit" of my life on the 5.12. Then I celebrated the Finnish independence day by throwing up in to the toile bowl until I was certain I was going to die. NEVER AGAIN.
Lets just all stick to the traditions by watching some tv and visiting some graves.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
awww 😄Sometimes needs to learn by the hard way and you surely will learn and remember those lessons. Have a peaceful Independence day.
The Independence day ball celebrates Finnish successes, so it's not only athletes and celebs, but this year also nurses, doctors, ordinary citizens who have carried out random acts of kindness during COVID etc.
I didn't celebrate Independence Day as much when I was younger, but with my Estonian boyfriend we started celebrating again some years ago. We take candles to the Malmi graveyard, where they also have the memorial for the Estonians who lost their lives during the war, fighting for Finland.
The independence day is the first time of the christmas season when I make rise porrirge (riisipuuro) and plum kisel (luumukiisseli) to go along with it. That's been my tradition for a decade or so. Joulutortut usually come around this time as well for my family.
I absolutely love luumukisseli. Because I live in Australia my aitti makes mine with mangoes. Believe it or not it’s very yummy.
Good to have you here brother !
Cheers Jarmo!
You will normally see many war veterans in indepence day reception. Unfortunately, those veterans who are still living are really old and frail. President arranged separate reception to them this time. Keeping them safe from covid which is doing its round.
Joulukuu: December
Joulu kuu: Christmas moon
Kuukausi: Month
Kuu kausi: Moon season
Joulukuusi: Christmas tree
Kuusi: Six or spruce
6.12 is the Finnish Independence Day and you can remember it by saying "Joulukuusi" (December, Six)
Ohh nice!
That is so clever. How did i live 31-years and only now heard that. 😂 kiitos! 🇫🇮🤍
@@annielion 33. Just heard it.
What I love the most of Independence dances in the Presidents castle is that there are always normal people invited. Ok, maybe you are Mother of The Year or done some wonderful voluntary work, but anyone can get the invitation. To my opinion it shows great equality.
And to me the most interesting part is the food 😁
I think that's wrong. In finnish perspective there are no random people. You need to have done something special work as ordinary peole if it is possible that you will be invited. And these kind of people are only 1 or two. Finland is not independent yet. Thats my opinion. We have Lost a big piece of our independence to eu. That is sad. I dont celebrate so much in this year, but I try to save our independence. Thank you reading that. That way think finnish patriots, who are worried.
@Maaseudunpuolesta I don't mean random people. I mean that anyone has same chances to get the invitation if you are doing something to our country.
Thank you for reminding me of this movie that I today found here in Australia on our multicultural tv channel (SBS) app and just finished watching. One of my cousins in Finland recommended I watch it many years ago, but at the time I couldn’t find it. Both my parents were children when they had to leave their homes in two different locations in the southern Karelia regions. As young adults they met in Helsinki, married and when my brother was 2 years old they immigrated to Australia. I grew up with many Finnish traditions including the dishes and language, and while my own children don’t know the language, they do know many of the dishes as well which I have continued to cook myself. Especially at Christmas time. I like reading the history and appreciate very much you sharing your researched knowledge.
Thank you for this lovely comment 👌🏻💪🏻
Skyrim's ost in the background is giving me life! 😁
First time I visited in 1982 I was blown away by the candles on all the graves on Christmas Eve. After many visits since and a good few years living there in 80s and 90s it still blows me away.
Great video. Never actually thought about how we Finns must seem with regard to how we feel about Independence Day. Also, your Finnish pronunciation is pretty darn good.
He's lived here for agesss and we are happy with pronouncing Helsinki correctly. If that is not Finnish sentiment I don't what is.🙉
Tuntematon Sotilas also set the world record for amount of explosives used in one take. It probably hasn't been surpassed as everything is CGI these days.
Daaaamn didn't know that!
Well, my way of celebrating is mostly just watching unknown soldier and then going to sauna sometimes we have lighted up those two candles.
for me celerbating indepence day in finland is rembering both of my grandfaters who fought during in winter war and listening sabaton about finnish song and go my day as usual since it's what my grandfaters fought for doing what i like and take the day off to do what i want. because it's something i have because my grandparents. watching the presidental summoning of quest is part of it just finding it funny that there is jugdment about clothes people are wearing is dumb for me i like to see the veterans since they are the stars of the show even if they went in their under wear idon't care since because they are the reason we can have this celerbation in the first place. it's in the end time when i miss mostly of my grandpops and my grandma reminds the suffer that they went trough. it's reminded everyday for me but this time of year it's expecially time to remeber them.
Watching Tuntematon Sotilas (Unknown Soldier) is a MUST thing during Independence Day. That 50's version of course. 😊 Great video and greetings from Porvoo, where Johan Ludvig Runeberg lived and died. Today was Runeberg's day too. 😊 Visited his home once on a class trip back in early 90's.
Fascinating to hear a foreigner’s view
Hello there! Thank you for a great video about our Independence Day. Just a few comments:
Dancing in the streets etc. is not really possible, seeing as it's in the middle of winter and the darkest time of the year. It's already dark outside just after 3 p.m. Not that we would be doing that anyway, because for us our freedom and independence are serious matters that we paid a heavy price for in our Winter War and Continuation War against the Soviets. It's still only about 78 years since the Continuation War ended. I myself was born on January 27, 1944, and Helsinki was heavily bombed in February, starting on February 6th.
On December 6, 1969, having lived abroad for several years, as I was taking the tram home past 6 p.m., it was of course already dark and when I looked up from my reading, I was totally surprised to see candles lit in every window along the street. A light snow was falling. I had forgot about this beautiful, silent and solemn custom! What a way to celebrate our independence, joining an entire nation together like this, candles burning in "every" window all over the country, not just in Helsinki. It's a remembrance of the fallen in those wars, of our sadness, but also of our gratitude toward everybody who did their bit in what has been called 'a defensive victory'. But it was close...
Regarding the movie "The Unknown Soldier", in my opinion, the original one from 1955 is the best. The actors who played in it had actually been alive at the time of the wars and thus had some first-hand knowledge of the reality and mood of the times. My maternal grandfather was a Jaeger, a Pfadfinder, a Colonel, and one of the military command staff surrounding Mannerheim. An uncle of mine was awarded the Mannerheim Cros.
We've always had the two candles lit on Itsenäisyyspäivä, and I had a vague idea that they somehow represented safe haven.
This channel makes me want to learn my own culture better. It saddens me how much of it has been lost.
You make great videos about Finland!! My lovely wife is Austrian and she had learned a bit our way of life since 2011.
You hit the nail on the head! It's the cemetery and the president's gala! If you get invited to the gala, you know you have made it! The rest of us just watch it, and it's a must! It's a little bit like the Oscars TV event from Hollywood. Only the people welcoming you to the party are not TV reporters but the President and the First Lady. It's a great honor to be invited. I'm really happy that YLE started streaming it live on the Internet and I can watch it here in the US. I do, faithfully, even though I know very few of the celebrities anymore. Just like in Hollywood, the YLE commentators know every detail about the women's gowns, who is wearing whom. It's a little silly, but it's ours!
Thank you for the tuntematon recommendation.
We arrived in Finland in the autumn of 2015 and the first 2 years we just spent a quiet day at home and went for a walk (we ave no telly) but in 2017 (centenary year) we were invited to an elderly neighbour’s house to watch the ball with her so we took some piparkakut, glögi and Fazer Vihreitä kuulia with us. It was as you say very different but also very interesting to see. We live in a different area since 2018 so can’t visit that neighbour but we still watch some of the celebrations and Vihreitä kuulia are still part of our tradition when watching!
Sorry this isn't very short like you requested but i just want to get this out.
I never much cared for the independence day "celebration"
But i celebrate or rather pay respects in my own way.
I always just pick a named spot in a forest somewhere on a map and i just walk there, navigate around the swamps and find the best path there. Last independence day i went to "romminvuori" or "rum mountain" which was a big rock on a hill...
But every time I've done it it's such a special feeling, even if it's the same woods I've walked in hundreds of times.
I just walk. I think of the war, I think of the history, I think of the people, I pay mind to the beauty of the country and I pay my respects to the old gods of Finland.
Now I'm not a spiritual person but i swear there's something about that day, every independence day I've hiked I've seen a moose or two up close almost like the fatherland is showing me some respect back.
Oh and of course i sing a few old Finnish songs to myself on my way.
Your way is an awesome way to remember! I really like it, thank you for sharing!
In my family we do everything said on the vid. There's a lot of emotion on this day and we watch all the Finnish war movies, interviews with veterans, documentaries, the ball, the military parade etc. We go and leave candles on graves of veterans and family. We also play Finnish anthems and hymns as well as old Finnish songs and quietly hum or sing along to them. We have a huge feast of traditional foods and we give thanks for our country's and our peoples security and wish for peace in the future as well. We also have a quiet moment at some point during the night for the price that had to be paid time and time again for what we now have. Thank you for the video!😄I used to cry a lot on independence day when I was young but I remember this day with honor and warmth in my heart.💙🤍
I'm glad you're finally getting views :)
to make your president's ball handshaking marathon a bit more lighthearted you project it on a screen or a wall and paint a moustache on the wall, everytime anyone lineups their upper lip with said moustache you take a drink. We call this the viiksipeli, moustache game.
Great video! You didnt mention about Finlandia hymni? Thats quite sensitive song in that day.
I want to do a separate video on this 🤟🏻🤟🏻
Interesting thing about the sankarihaudat "Graves of heroes", Every single soldier who died in the war,s was buried in their home town (Assuming their home town was on the Finnish side of the border after the war). My great grandfathers wasn't, so he was buried where his family had fled from Karelia. It sounds quite stupid on a military point of view, but the phrase "No man left behind" also included dead men. Out of roughly 98 000 casualties that Finland suffered during the war, only around 5000 were declared MIA. So a rough estimate would say that only around 3000 men were left dead on the field.
And there has been lots of them brought home after the war, decades later. Russians and Finnish together finding the soldiers killed in the war and brought home, be it in Russia or Finland.
I believe lottas (women who helped in the war) who died in the war are also buried in hero graveyards, so it isn't just men.
I celebrate the Independence Day exactly how you described 😁
I don't really do anything on independence day, except celebrate my grandpa's bithday
These Independence Day events were missing from the video:
The national flag of Finland will be raised to the flagpole on the morning of Independence Day on December 6. at 8:00 a.m. and counted in the evening at 8:00 p.m.
The students' torchlight procession, which passes in front of the Presidential Palace and ends at the heroes' graves.
Nice video!
Joulutorttu eating has allready begun here. But going to make some with the children on independence day also 😁
Otherwise it is going to be a quiet day. Going to cook some traditional foods, watch the parade and go for a walk to watch candles and christmas lights. The wife is going to watch the ball. I rather listen to finlandia and other finnish music. Tuntematon sotilas used to be the thing for me, but I have seen it a bit too many times so going too skip it now 😅
Sound perfect 👌🏻😎
I hope you got an invite 😂🇮🇪🇫🇮no better man to represent Ireland
I don't know if you knew that there is actually three versions of The Unknown soldier movie (plus two versions of book but that's different story all together 😉): 1955, 1985 and 2017 Lot of people still say -55 version is the best. New one is grand but there is some invented stuff that isn't in the book at all. To be honest, I love the book but the movies have never sucked me in same way. It hasn't still stopped me from watching them in too many independence days when they have been on at TV 😂
karelian stew with joulutorttu. thats going to be my independence day
you should listen "Veteraanin iltahuuto" - Song of The Finnish Veterans. it bears important message.
In every Finnish celebration, there is always something that is in the middle, and I have to say that on Finland's Independence Day, it is television. Most of the events on Independence Day take place on television, such as traditional movies and the ball. Some Finnish cities also have their own small celebrations for it such as laying a wreath at a war memorial, but not all, and for shops and other services, it's just an extra Sunday which some companies hate and some don't. And since nothing special happens on Finland's Independence Day, I usually stay at home and read the news about the Independence ball in presidential palace and how protesters in Helsinki have broken shop windows and stolen Finnish flags just because they oppose nationalism. And I only read those news because I'm usually bored that day.
But what was new to me in this video is that candles are taken to the graves on Independence Day, when I have thought that the traditional grave candle days are All Saints' Day (the first Saturday in November), St. Andrew's Day (30.11.), St. Thomas' Day (21.12.), St. Stephen's Day (26.12.), St. Knut's Day (13.1.) and St. Paul's Day (25.1.).
wow...I was watching your video and then up popped "photo from Lappajarvi"...where my great grandfather was from before moving to the US. His wife, great grandmother, came from Alajarvi. Though the towns/cities are close to each other, they met in the US, not Finland.
I served in the army last year and I was in a position that I would have been marching in the independence day parade if it hadn't been cancelled due to covid. I went to Hamina to see it this year and it felt bittersweet but really special. You can feel it in the air that Finns truly love and appreciate their country. Independence day is for remembering those who fought for the Finland we have today.
I was in the parade long time ago, it is a really humbling experience. People don't cheer or anything but watch in silence. That makes it precious. If they were cheering it would feel cheap and tacky.
Its very solem because many families lost men or know someone who has, my fathers uncle fought in the continuason war. The original black n white Unknown
Soldier is still the best!!!! no mater how many new version they keep making!!!
Your videos have beautiful introductions and are very interesting.
Thank you!
the 50's version of Tuntematon Sotilas is much better than the 2017 version.
My wife and I stood in that line to shake hands with the President in 2012, quite surreal, but now it's done.
Oh nice one! Yeah I'm sure it was!
Finland has had a dark past sadly. Cannot help but I respect Finns for their willingness to defend their country from Ruzzia.
I usually just make something fancy to eat and drink some Pommac with it. This year I made some cocktail pieces with brie and fig jam.
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I am a university student thus I do as the state commands and study. Yay!
In all seriousness I overbooked my first period, slept through the last exam, and the re-exam is on Thursday.
Many people are celebrating 6.12 in their homes. Some are having dress codes, black suit and evening dress with dinner or just a more relaxed dinner or just sparkling wine and the independence reception on tv.
Greetings from a Finn, fantastic to hear your thoughts! My grandfather actually fought in the actual regiment that Tuntematon Sotilas is centered around. During the continuation war, he got captured by the Russians and spent almost 10 years as a POW in Siberia before finally getting back home to Finland. There is actually a documentary about him available in Yle Areena, filmed in 1995!
What is the name of this! Thank you for the amazing info ✊🏼✊🏼
@@aaronstavern It is called "Kuin veljet keskenään - venäläinen visiitti" which translates to "Like brothers amongst eachother - Russian visit". About him and him getting visited by his POW buddy who used to be a Russian parachute infiltrator with Finnish roots, but who got also captured by Russians during the war and sent to the same POW camp due to some reasons explained in the documentary.
Well, our traditions include all you mentioned. But while my husband watches Tuntematon sotilas intensively, I bake the first round of gingerbread cookies and decorate a gingerbread house with my kid who is still a bit too young for a war movie.
I celebrated my birthday on Finland's Independence Day 😎
Nice 😎
Happy Birthday - Hyvää Syntymäpäivää
As someone born 7th of december I usually have some relatives over and i serve them coffee and some bakings (usually something christmas themed). So I spend my morning baking and then by the time the ball starts the relatives has left and we’ll watch the broadcast from the presidents palace and after that we usually go to sauna. And we always light up the candles from 6pm to 9pm as the tradition is.
Independence Day was the most respected and sublime celebration day for my family when I was living with my parents and siblings. It was nothing crazy it was very humble celebration. We always visited my granparents which lived through all the 20th century wars in Finland. Also we visited the war hero graveyard if we had time. We had good food nothing too festive. Independence Day was so valuable our family didn't want to spoil it with selfish luxury! It was the day we went humble and honoured people which sacrificed their lives or gave good effort for our country. We always watched Tuntematon Sotilas and the Ball in the evening.
The Ball is about the people which have done good deeds for Finland in the past or currently. Some viewers ofc are eye balling the dresses and it's totally fine. Many artists and stylists earn their whole income dressing up people which are invited to the Ball. Also people are able to protest or speak out their opinions by their dressing choices.
We never had any christmas decorations or treats before The Inpendence Day. We waited until we celebrated The Independency Day first. My parents and granparents always got very upset and disapproving if they saw xmas decorations before and during the Independence Day. 7th december we went wild with prepping for christmas :D
5 December, 2017, is a HECK of a date to visit Finland, wow.
Our independence is linked with the sacrifice of a lot of young men and women, that is why it is somber and we spend the day remembering them and what it took to get here.
I always kick my day off on the 6th by listening to Finlandia. I had never taken on the tradition to watch Tuntematon sotilas and had seen the 50s version only once or twice. Fell in love with the reboot version though and absolutely have to see it every year. My generation can't ever understand what the wars were like to be a part of but I think the new version really catches the horror and desperation, not to mention the comradery.
I just want it to drop thank you, for this video. I was born and raised in Finland and now living in California. Like last year, I watched the Independence day Ball from Presidents palace with my mom through video call and cooked some Finish food. Hopefully next year I can celebrate the day in Finland with my family and do pretty much all the traditions you just listed on your video 😄 I really enjoy watching this and I'm happy to hear, that you love joulutorttuja as well 👌 and you enjoy living in Finland 😊
Thank you
Me too Just read the meaning of the remembering Finland days
It's a country I would like to visit
May God continue blessing you and the Finland
Through my expirience it is a quiet day with the only exception being singing of patriotic songs like Maame and the Porilaisten Marssi.
Happy Christmas waiting,
Ah, joulutorttu, my favourite! A couple of years ago there was some minor "stir" when the swedes saw something politically infringing in their shape. 😄
First thing that came to mind when I seen them was a ninja star throwing weapon 🤣🤣🤣
They have Tuntematon Sotilas as TV series in Netflix. Been wondering if it is only available in Finland or can you watch it in Sweden or the UK or elsewhere.
I remember when I watched the 1950's version of the film first time and dad asked me something like: What is not "authentical" in this movie?
Obviously, I had no idea. Then he told that all the actors are too old. The young died in the wars. Made me see a different perspective.
I really don't know how true this is but to me it makes sense.
My wife and I watch the procession of hands greeting hands and bobbing of heads every year. I'm English, my wife is Finnish - Lapland Finnish. We sit passing our opinions on the dresses the ladies wear (I'm not a x dresser by the way so I'm certainly not looking for ideas) which ones she likes and which ones I think she might look nice in.
It has become a rather strange pastime and tradition for me because I'm more your oil and grease type of bloke. You know all those blokey things blokes like to do, like building stuff or tearing stuff apart, rebuilding it anew and swearing profusely when something doesn't fit. Which is something I do after watching the independence day gathering just to reassert me masculinity.