Suomi - Finland 100

Suomi – Finland 100

By Nyiati & Frederic

Happy Independence Day to this beautiful country, with its glimmering skies and twilight forests, its gossamer summers and its starry winters! 

Source: https://www.lyyti.fi/uploaded_imgs/B741410CECBEA8A379C88AB.gif.

 We are incredibly happy to be here this year, as Finland celebrates a hundred years of independence. As international students, we thank our host country for everything it has given us: for its beautiful nature, its cultural vibrancy, its spirit of intellectual endeavour, and its warm and welcoming people.  

Independence Day in Finland is a solemn occasion, as people remember the sacrifices of their war heroes by candlelight processions and by watching the classic movie, Tuntematon Sotilas (The Unknown Soldier).  

It is wonderful to celebrate the hundredth year of Finland’s independence in this diverse community of passionate and inspired students, brought together by our love of Finland and our desire for intercultural understanding.

For the 100^th independence there have been multiple things going on all over the country including choirs singing, light shows, parades, and fireworks. Even other countries saluted Finland by illuminating buildings in blue and white on this special day. At JYU there have been also several events including a joint performance by all university choirs singing the Finlandia together.

Source: https://www.uusisuomi.fi/kotimaa/236857-100-vuotiaat-veteraanit-avasivat-linnan-juhlat-katso-ensimmaiset-kuvat-kattelysta.     

The culmination of the independence celebrations however, is the reception party at the president’s palace in Helsinki. The president invited this year about 1900 guests which rendered outstanding services to Finland (like e.g. veterans, artists, athletes, politicians etc.). For many Finns its consider to be the greatest honour, getting an invitation there. The president and his wife always welcome all the guest personally with a handshake-ceremony going on for hours shown life at TV.

                                                        

The Finland 100 celebrations ended with a big firework at the harbour of Helsinki accompanied by the Finlandia hymn of Jean Sibelius and the national anthem of Finland:

Got hooked up? -Then make sure to apply at JYU to be here in 2018 when its again time to light the candles, drink some Suomi100 tea, and enjoy the ceremony! 

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