On December 6th, Finland will celebrate its 90th year of independence. It's a national holiday with the main event being a formal reception and dance at the president's palace. Here is an excerpt from President Halonen's website - www.presidentti.fi/en/ - which is where I obtained the coat of arms above too:
"As in previous years, invitations had been sent to all members of the Government, Members of Parliament, the Finnish Members of the European Parliament, senior civil servants and members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Finland. Also among the guests will be Finns who have distinguished themselves in some way or another and persons whom the President and Dr Arajärvi have met in the course of the past year. About 1,900 guests have been invited in all."
Other people joke about not receiving invitations and they stay home and watch the reception line on TV for hours, to see and judge all the formal gowns, and I plan to do the same. I think we also put candles in the window in remembrance of war veterans. Ninety years seems so young, particularly when Finland has such ancient roots too. And of course it's a day off!
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