Finnish Independence Day (06/12)

Every year on December 6, Finland celebrates the anniversary of state independence. The first independence holiday was celebrated in the country on December 6, 1917 — after the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Finnish Parliament.

Until 1917, Finland was the Grand Duchy of Finland, which was part of the Russian Empire On December 4, 1917, the Finnish Senate signed the country's Declaration of Independence, which was approved by parliament two days later.

Independence Day in Finland (Finnish. Itsenäisyyspäivä is a national holiday.

The holiday begins with the traditional ceremony of raising the national flag. Moreover, in Finland on Independence Day you can see flags not only on government institutions, but also on private houses.

Independence Day — is one of the most ceremonial and popularly loved national holidays in the country. A festive service begins at noon in the main Cathedral in Helsinki. During the day there is a military parade, performances by creative and other groups.

In the evening, a traditional student torchlight procession takes place in the center of the Finnish capital, starting with the lighting of candles on the graves and memorials of Finnish presidents and ending with a rally on the historical Senate Square, in front of the main Cathedral. The culmination of the holiday was an evening reception at the presidential palace in Helsinki.

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