Finland Independent Day

        December 6 is one of most important national holiday in Finland, Independence Day.
In 1917 Finland declared the independency from the Russia and became a free nation. People cerebrate this special day with family dinner at home watching the Presidential Independence Day Reception at the Presidential Palace. Every year about 2000 guests are invited from the nation wide and enjoyed the music and dinner for the reception and it is broadcasted on national TV, with which people can feel join the cerebration together.
This year President chose to come to Tampere for the ceremony due to the presidential Palace’s renovation. City of Tampere was excited more than usual. Tampere University had student’s torch procession to the city hall. From the city Hall balcony the woman Mayer gave the special speech to the people with white and blue balloons (Finnish national flag colors). Unfortunately I don’t understand the contents but it sounded stately, then more than 1000 balloons flew up to the sky with the salute of cannon.
Soon after that fireworks started at the harbor. It was only 15 min or less of the show but red, blue, and orange, many colors were so gorgeous. Usually quiet Finnish people cheered loudly.
At that time it was still before 5 pm even though it was deeply dark already. People got to return home with alacrity for the holiday dinner and watching the presidential reception on TV.
However for us it was too early to go home, so we walked around the city for a while anyway. Even though it was snowing all the time. It’s holiday!