It is our independence day today. I wouldn't mention it unless it was 100th independence day. I am not those guys who makes big deal about where I am from. I like Finland. I just don't like the narrative of our independence we have during this time of the year. It is always about war and how we kept our independence. This year has been little different since it is 100th independence day. People have looked our history more than just those moments of when our country had to fight for its independence.
Usually independence day contains showing of Tuntematon Sotilas and President's independence day party. Both are quite opposite what is good in Finland at the moment. Tuntematon Sotilas is war movie which tells how we fought to keep our indepence. President's independence day party is showing important people to common people. To me safety, equality and social mobility are best things in Finland. We forget those to have this sacred ritual of remembering war and showing who are above everyone else. It doesn't help that other times Finland's symbols are taken by people who want us to turn our backs to rest of the world and discriminate minorities.
This campaign video from last presidential elections. It is too good to be forgotten as only a political campaign video. Story behind it shows what is good in Finland. Video was made for openly gay candidate who has foreign partner. He made it to second round of election. We always have more than one or two serious candidates in election. If nobody get over half of the votes there will be second round for two who got most of the votes in first round. It is not two party system where you have to vote for lesser evil. This candidate Pekka Haavisto got reasonable amount of votes in second round too. Finland wasn't ready for him that time but it was positive to see how much support he got.
I am not going to watch Tuntematon Sotilas or President's independence day party. I will enjoy fruits of social mobility our education system have given me in one of the safest and best functioning countries in the world. I think that is the important thing in our independence and we shouldn't be looking backwards or upwards.
