An important holiday for every Finn is celebrated in Finland every last Saturday in August every year. It is called Finnish Nature Day.
For most vacationers, the main destination has always been considered the south: warm sea, sun, hot sand, palm trees, azure bays and lagoons. Very romantic. However, there are people who have always been attracted in the opposite direction by – to the north. The beauty and fairy-tale world of northern nature give devoted connoisseurs, as well as those who encountered this phenomenon for the first time, truly inimitable peace, amaze with their inner strength and energy.
The nature of Finland is wonderful and amazing in this sense. And Finns really appreciate and know how to take care of what nature gave them. You can talk endlessly about the beauty of lakes, forests, national parks of Finland, rocky skerries, the fairy-tale world of Lapland, illuminated by the northern lights or the sun, who never want to hide behind the horizon. Suffice it to recall such places as national parks «Koli», «Nuuxio», «Oulanka», «Linnansaari», «Repovesi», «Saaristomer» and many others. It is worth mentioning that in total there are 39 national parks in Finland, located in all regions of the country and covering a wide variety of landscapes, revealing the diversity of flora and fauna of this northern state.
The nature of the country is unique and highly valued by Finns. That is why in 2013, among other holidays in Finland, Finnish Nature Day appeared, one of the main initiators of the establishment of which was Jenny Haukio –, wife of the President of the country Sauli Niinistö.
The holiday emphasizes the deep connection of the people of Finland with the nature of the country, is intended to pay attention to problems related to the environment, and to contribute to the improvement of nature conservation methods. To this end, the country hosts various events every last Saturday in August: scientific conferences, concerts, exhibitions.
Since 2017, Finnish Nature Day has also become a holiday of the national flag, that is, on this day national flags are hung in the country. The official day of raising the flag in Finland is not timed to coincide with every holiday celebrated in the country, which once again emphasizes the recognition of the significance of Finnish Nature Day.
The holiday was first held in the «Nuuksio» National Park in 2013 at the Haltia Science Center of Finland, opened there in the same year. In addition to government agencies headed by the Minister of Environment, as well as scientists, numerous environmental organizations, as well as activists, take part in the festive events.
Among other problems discussed at events dedicated to the holiday, the problem of urbanization and the separation of the consciousness of the younger generation from nature due to the global informatization of the modern world has become new. In order to return the younger generation to the origins of nature, picnics, outdoor lunches, trips to national parks with the involvement of the best guides, as well as a variety of environmental events with the involvement of activists are held.