Celebrating with a Finnish Twist

“Friend’s Day” = Valentine’s Day

When the whole world is celebrating love Finland has it’s unique interpretation of the 14th of February. Valentine’s Day in Finland is celebrated as Ystävänpäivä, Friend’s Day. Finns decided to include everybody in this day. Friends, family, neighbors, colleagues – and of course the sweethearts too! – may all receive cards, flowers and chocolates on this day.

Laskiainen – Shrove Sunday

Shrove Sunday, or the Finnish version of Mardi Gras, is celebrated in February seven weeks before Easter on a Tuesday. The Finnish sleigh carousel or pole sledge, napakelkka, is not so common anymore but it is the quintessential Laskiainen sledge.

Laskiainen is traditionally a day of sledge riding, eating pea soup and buns filled with jam or almond paste. In the olden days folk believed that the coming year’s crop would be guaranteed by eating heavy and greasy food on this day.

Pääsiäinen – Easter

The closer it is to Easter the more witches and wizards are seen roaming in the streets. These children in disguise are taken very seriously. On Palm Sunday the little witches ring door bells shouting their magic verses: “Virvon, varvon, tuoreeks, terveeks, tulevaks vuodeks, vitsa sulle, palkka mulle” . This is a tradition that goes way back to Finland’s pagan days, and to the agrarian society, when it was believed that enchanters ensured a good crop for the coming year. They expect a small reward; sweets, Easter eggs or coins.

Easter meal includes lamb and the Finnish rye pudding mämmi that, although not visually very attractive, is worth trying with cream and sugar.

Many Finns like to go skiing on their Easter holiday too – the days are usually long and sunny, with lots of pure white snow in the north of the country.

Vappu – first of May

Springtime’s biggest party is Vappu, or Walpurgis’ night. All over the country generations come together on the eve of May Day in this carnival-style street festivity. Students and former students parade through town wearing their graduation white caps and enjoying the beginning of summer. But it’s not just balloons, confetti and champagne galore. Traditionallly May Day has a political context and Worker’s Day is celebrated May 1st when public speeches by party members can be heard in almost every public square of major cities. Vappu delicacies include tippaleipä, a type of funnel cake, and munkki, a type of doughnut, served with sima, Finnish mead – delicious!

Juhannus – Midsummer

Finland shuts down on Midsummer. During “Juhannus” most Finns are at their summer cottages by a bonfire eating sausages, going to sauna or swimming in a lake or in the sea in celebration of the year’s longest day when the sun does not set at all in most parts of the country.

People place birch braches on both sides of the front door in cottages or even in their boats to welcome visitors. It was originally a pagan celebration known as Ukon juhla, Ukko’s celebration, named after Ukko, considered to be the most significant god of Finnish mythology. Juhannus is celebrated on the Saturday falling between June 20th and 26th.

Itsenäisyyspäivä – Independence Day

Finland’s Independence Day on 6 December is all about commemorating those who lost theirs lives fighting for the country’s independence, both in WWI and WWII. Friends and family get together for a dinner at home or in a restaurant. Watching the Presidential Independence Day reception live from TV and critically examining the guests’ clothes and demeanor is a much loved tradition these days. People also take part in a torch light procession or visit the soldier’s graves at the cemeteries. White-blue candles are placed on the window sills.

Saint Lucia’s Day

Historically this day has been tied to the Swedish speaking Finns. Saint Lucia is one of the very few saints of the Lutheran Church who is commemorated. Every year, on December 13, a new Saint Lucia is crowned and she starts her parade through downtown Helsinki at the main Cathedral in the Senate Square. This kind of Lucia tradition is also found in Turku.

Pikkujoulu-season – Pre-Christmas party season

The pre-Christmas parties can start as early as beginning of November. It is the darkest period of the year that is lightened up by music, dance, Christmas lights and with the traditional Christmas drink glögi – an equivalent to mulled wine. Even Santa can pop into a Pikkujoulu party!

Joulu – Christmas

As everybody knows, the one and only Santa Claus lives in Lapland, in the north of Finland. There he prepares his presents and answers children’s letters with the help of his elves. Near his home is the theme park Santa Park which is offers great fun for the whole family.

Finns themselves prefer to be at home with their family for Christmas, preparing their traditional meal which often includes mashed rutabaga, carrot and potato casseroles. Salmon is very common and some people have turkey or ham. At midday on Christmas Eve the Peace of Christmas is broadcasted on TV and radio, straight from Finland’s “second capital” Turku.

A Christmas sauna is a must for many a Finn, as is a family excursion to the church to sing Christmas carols.

The celebration of national poet J.L runeberg – and other famous writers

Finland’s national poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg (1804 – 1877) is celebrated February 5 with a Runebergintorttu, Runeberg’s torte, a jam-topped muffin with almonds and rum or arrack. But as Finland loves all of its poets and novelists, virtually all famous writers have their own Flag Day. Unfortunately, though, not all have their own pastry.

The Finnish writer and social activist Minna Canth was the first woman to receive her own Flag Day on March 19. Elias Lönrot, known for compiling the Kalevala, the national epic of Finland is officially celebrated April 9. The Finnish poet and journalist Eino Leino is celebrated 6 July and Aleksis Kivi, one of the first authors in prose and lyrics in Finnish language, on October 10.

Photo: Mika Rampa