No Longer Russia's

December 6, 1917 marks Finland's independence from Russia.  In observance of this day, all of the shops close down and families gather around the country.  Compared to the festivities surrounding America's Fourth of July, I found the celebrations in Finland to be more subdued.  Rather than lighting up the sky with fireworks, the Finns light up their window sills with two blue and white candles.  And instead of having large parades with crowds of spectators, Joensuu had a smaller parade with the only spectators being those who happened to glance out their window as it passed by.  However, despite the differences in tradition, I still enjoyed the holiday quite a bit.

Maria prepared two Independence
Day candles for our window.

In the morning, Maria (my Finnish flatmate) prepared two candles for our window.  Then, in the afternoon, Tiina (my Finnish friend) and I joined the Joensuu parade.  Our parade was escorted by two police cars as we walked from the university to the cemetery.  Once we arrived at the war memorial, several individuals gave speeches about Finnish history and heroes.

I got to be a part of this parade.  As the
snow came down, two police cars escorted us
from the university to the town's cemetery.

After warming up with a cup of glögi (a common Finnish Christmas drink), Tiina and I went over to her sister's place.  While there, we watched the President's Independence Day Reception.  This reception is an annual event aired on national TV in which the president invites around 2000 guests to the presidential palace.  For the first hour or two, the president and her husband shake the hand of each person who attends.  After, the guests enjoy dinner and dancing.

While at Tiina's sister's home, we watched the President's
Independence Day Reception.  The first hour or two, the
president (left) shakes the hand of each guest who attends.
Photo © Office of the President of the Republic of Finland.