University of Helsinki
The Finnish Independence Day is celebrated on December 6. Independence was achieved in 1917, so 2016 marks the 99th year of an independent Finnish state.
Traditionally, Independence Day, a public holiday, is celebrated quietly by lighting two blue-and-white candles by the windows for everyone to see from the outside, and by watching the President’s Independence Day Reception and Ball from television. Finnish way of celebrating the independence can seem quite tranquil and not so rip-roaring. For students, though, the celebrations include instead an atmospheric torchlight procession within the Helsinki city centre.
The student unions of the capital region (HYY, AYY and SHS) organise the traditional torchlight procession of university students. Students follow the flags of their student union and student organisations or student nations, carrying torches and wearing their white Finnish student caps.
This year the theme of the procession is equal and global Finland.
The students’ torchlight procession is full of singing and festive cheer for an equal and forward-looking Finland. Dig up your student cap and some weather-appropriate outerwear. Dark clothing is recommended for standard-bearers and marshals, but for others – come as you are! You can find the event for the torchlight on Facebook.
The torch procession leaves from the Hietaniemi Cemetery gates at 5 p.m., and proceeds through the city centre towards the Senate Square. By the Presidential Palace the President of the Republic greets the procession. The programme begins at the Senate Square with the performance of the choirs. The programme also includes speeches from students and the Mayor. To cap the event off, the Finnish national anthem, Maamme, is sung together at the Senate Square.
You can join the procession either after the flag of your own student organisation, or at the end of the parade. Be early enough to make sure you get a torch, and wear a dark over-coat out of respect to the tradition, if possible. After the torch parade, many student organisations, the student nations especially, hold their own Independence Day receptions or parties, or gather together to watch the independence day reception.
Come and congratulate 99-year-old Finland with us!
