December 6th 1917

Its Independence Day back home today. I was thinking about putting on a tie, but as there are no other Finns in the area, I do not think today will turn into a big celebration. Its sunny though for the first time in weeks here in Swansea, so at least that is something to smile about. And believe me, I am smiling about that.

The story of how Finland 'won' her independence is a classic Finn-Russo affair. The Delegation had travelled to see Lenin, to present their declaration and hopefully get it signed and approved by the big man. The story goes that the Delegation sat in the waiting room to Lenin's office in their black suites for a very long time and that Lenin, impressed by this signed the declaration. I don't know how accurate this is, but it sounds like a nice story. Anyway, what is very well known is that Stalin, after killing all his competition, was not a happy bunny about Lenin giving Finland her independence. He considered this a big mistake and figured that Lenin had grown soft and weak in his old age. Looking back at this story, of how the delegation sat patiently in the waiting room, does have some similarities to how the Russians dealt with the Finns after the many different wars they fought against each other during the Second World War. Parts of Finnish Karelia were lost and other significent land areas, especially near St. Petersburg, so that the city was better guarded against attack. Also a militarily significant port area, Porkkala, near Helsinki was 'rented' for 50 years. The Finnish President was expected to liason with the Soviet Embassador in Helsinki on a regular basis, which meant that an old man had to drag himself up several flights of an old spiral staircase to talk to the Soviets. Apparently the embassador took great pleasure in making a president submit to his power in such a manner. So looking at the story of Lenin making the delegation wait, its possibly true, just the amount of time might have been extended over the years to form the legend.

Today all the fancy people will make their way to the ball at the President's palace, all dressed up and watched on TV by the people. Tomorrow we can all read in the papers who had the best outfit, the worst outfit and who messed up by acting like a town fool under the influence. Also the scandals will be talked about, like the Finnish woman singer a few years back, who came dressed in a beautiful dress, which showed her perfect breasts and especially the protruding nipples. It was quite a shock for the cold nation. So Central European. Its rumoured that 'Lordi' will not come, as they have never appeared in public without their masks, and even though they have been invited, they are not allowed to come in those masks. Its all so exciting!

I spoke too soon, should have known better, its raining now, really hammering it down with a strong wind. This bloody island.

Anyway, I am happy today to be from a secluded small Nordic country. No-one really knows about the place and what they do know is usually positive or at least not too negative. Nobody wants to kill me for being from there. Excellent.

Hyvää itsenäisyyspäivää Suomi, 89 vuotta on kunnioitettava ikä!