National Veterans Day in Finland (27/04)

Every year on April 27, Finland celebrates the national holiday — National Veterans Day (Finnish). Kansallinen veteraanipäivä).

For the first time, festive events dedicated to this memorable day were held on April 27, 1987, becoming part of the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of Finnish independence.

The holiday was established 42 years after the end of World War II (1939—1945), Finland's participation in which Finnish historians usually present as «Three Wars»:

First — «Winter War» (1939—1940) — against the USSR.

Second — «Continuation of the war» (1941—1944) — against the Soviet Union on the side of Germany.

Third — «Lapland War» (1944—1945) — against Hitler's Germany to expel its troops from Northern Finland.

On National Veterans Day, the national flag is raised throughout the country in honor of Finnish veterans. Municipalities and city authorities organize various ceremonial events and ceremonies where they talk about veteran unions and organizations operating in Finland. Veterans themselves are invited to such events as guests of honor.

Veterans festivals are held in major cities of Finland.

The establishment of the memorable date — of the Day of Remembrance of the Dead in the Finnish calendar dates back to the same period.

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