Jan Sibelius Day and Finnish music ( phin. Jean Sibeliuksen ja suomalaisen musiikin päivä ) – national holiday in Finland, which is celebrated annually on December 8.
The holiday is dedicated to the birthday of the great composer Jan Sibelius ( 1865-1957 ), and he received his official status in 2011. Since then, the state flag of Finland has traditionally been hoisting on flagpoles across the country on December 8.
Born in a family where they spoke Swedish, young Jan Sibelius studied at a Finnish-language school, every year more and more closely approaching the culture, spirit and history of Finland and its people. Subsequently, this culture will play great importance in the work of the future composer, who has already shown his talent widely by the age of 10.
The work of Jan Sibelius, even during the life of the national composer and symbol of the greatness of the Finnish nation, recognized in his homeland, was closely intertwined with the Finnish national epic. Ancient legends and legends served him as landmarks that he perfectly reflected in his music, where voices, spirit and mood of epic heroes are clearly heard. It also feels the beauty and severity of the northern nature, the coolness of forests and lakes, a hum of silent silence hanging in the air, emanating from fabulous and bewitching beauty. It is believed that the nature of Finland was for Sibelius a certain energy source and muse, helping to clearly present paintings from the tales of antiquity that once occurred in the homeland of the composer.
In addition to Finland, the composer gained the greatest popularity in his life in England and the USA, where he was recognized by many critics and listeners of « as the favorite symphony player ».
A significant part of the works of Jan Sibelius is not among the world famous and widespread among performers. The reason for this, according to many critics and musicians, is the – language barrier due to the fact that the Finnish language, which contains many of Sibelius' choral works, as well as the national culture of Finland, is little known and common.
In the homeland, grateful descendants, and contemporaries, even during the life of the composer, immortalized his name, calling them streets in cities across the country, parks and squares. In the capital of Finland, Helsinki, a monument to Jan Sibelius is erected. This place is considered one of the main attractions of the Finnish capital. The monument is located in the park, also bearing the name of the composer. It is a « vertically hanging » in the air, metal pipes fastened together, resembling simultaneously organ pipes. Nearby is the second composition of the monument, in the center of which is – the bronze head of Jan Sibelius. It is believed that the movement of air in the pipes resembles the motives of the works of the Finnish composer. By the way, one of these works is an unofficial anthem of Finland.
In addition to the monument in the capital, monuments are also erected in other cities. In Hyuvenlinna, where Jan Sibelius was born, in addition to the monument, you can visit the house-museum of the great Finnish composer.
The Lahti Concert Hall, called Sibelius Hall, is filled annually on December 8 with the sound of Ian Sibelius' musical works, which, however, are performed on this day not only here, but throughout the country. In September of each year, the annual music festival of Jan Sibelius, dedicated to the date of his death, takes place in Lahti.
No less solemnly celebrated the Day of Jan Sibelius and Finnish music at the main educational music institution of Finland, located in Helsinki, also proudly bearing the name of the illustrious national composer.