Finland Independence Day
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- 1809Finland becomes a grand duchy of Russia after Swedish rule ends
- 1917Finnish parliament declares independence on 6 December
- 1940Winter War ends — Finland retains independence despite Soviet pressure
Why Finland celebrates 6 December
On 6 December 1917, the Finnish Senate declared independence from Russia following the October Revolution, which had dissolved the authority of the Russian Provisional Government. The declaration was made in a country that had been a grand duchy under Russian rule since 1809 and, before that, part of Sweden for nearly 700 years.
Independence came at a turbulent moment. Within weeks of the declaration, Finland descended into a bloody civil war between the Red Guards and White Guards — a conflict that left deep wounds that took decades to heal. The Winter War of 1939-1940 against the Soviet Union and the Continuation War that followed gave Finnish independence a much harder-won character than the relatively peaceful declaration might suggest.
Finnish Independence Day is one of the most solemn national holidays in the Nordic countries. The presidential Independence Day reception — broadcast live on national television — is watched by virtually every Finn. Candles are placed in windows across the country at six in the evening as a symbol of remembrance. Blue and white are everywhere.
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The Finnish flag has a blue Nordic cross on a white field. The blue represents the lakes and sky of Finland — a country of over 180,000 lakes — while white represents the snow. The cross design follows the tradition of all Nordic national flags. The flag was officially adopted in 1918, shortly after independence.
Finnish cuisine is shaped by the long winters, the forest and the sea. Simple, honest and deeply seasonal — rye bread, berries, mushrooms, fish and reindeer define the Finnish table.
What to eat
KarjalanpiirakkaKarelian pasties — oval rye crusts filled with rice porridge, eaten with egg butter.
GraavilohiCured salmon with dill, sugar and salt — served thin-sliced with mustard sauce and rye bread.
LihapullatFinnish meatballs in cream sauce — smaller and spicier than Swedish ones, served with mashed potato.
KalakukkoRye bread loaf filled with small vendace fish and pork — a traditional Finnish forest lunch.
MustikkapiirakkaFinnish blueberry tart with a crumbly pastry base — wild blueberries picked in August forests.
RönttönenKarelian rye pastry filled with lingonberry jam and rice porridge — a northern Finnish specialty.What to drink
KoskenkorvaFinnish grain vodka — the most popular spirit, drunk neat or in long drinks with grapefruit soda.
LonkeroGin and grapefruit soda — Finland's beloved canned long drink, invented for the 1952 Helsinki Olympics.
Salmiakki shotsSalted liquorice spirits — a Finnish tradition that divides opinion across Scandinavia.Finland culture
Finnish culture is shaped by sauna, nature, design and an extraordinary musical tradition. The Sibelius symphony, the Helsinki design school and Moomin are Finnish exports known worldwide.
SaunaThe Finnish sauna is a social institution — there are 3.3 million saunas for 5.5 million people, used weekly.
Independence Day receptionThe presidential reception at the Helsinki Palace is watched live on TV by over two million Finns.
Candles in windowsAt 6pm on 6 December, Finns place two candles in every window — a national act of remembrance.
Sibelius musicJean Sibelius's Finlandia is the emotional national anthem — played at ceremonies and sports events.