Tag: Finland

Midsummer Pond(ering)

Mia2 Comments
Midsummer sun 2017
Midsummer Eve 2017, Time 03.39 am

Today it’s Midsummer Eve and it’s time to pond(er) about why it’s celebrated. It’s a big day for some in Finland. I think it’s just another reason to get drunk. And damn, Finns are fond of that stuff. Yuck, I rather eat dirt. Fortunately, being drunk is not that cool anymore among young people. Midsummer is the longest day and the sun don’t go down all night. Especially in the North of Finland. Everyone wants to know how the weather will be like so there’s a lot of news about it weeks in advance. One day the weather is gonna be hot and the next rain. As it seems, it’s gonna be cool and rainy. I don’t really mind that. Rather that then a heatwave.

A lot of people go to their summer cottages and celebrate the Midsummer there. But a lot also stay in the city where events are held. In some places, people build a Maypole where they put different flowers on it. Then later people dance around the pole to live music. It’s usually accordion music. This tradition comes from Sweden so Finnish Swedes has taken this tradition as their own. But it’s also become popular among Finnish speaking citizens.

bonfire
From Pixabay

Another tradition is the Midsummer bonfire (Finnish; Kokko) Unless there is a forest fire warning, then it’s forbidden to light one up. It’s a big pile of wood that is lit up in the evening. It used to symbolise banishing evil spirits but now it’s just tradition where people gather around it to watch it burn. It’s just a big fire so it’s nothing special really. When you’ve seen one you’ve seen them all. But it is a beautiful sight I don’t deny that. If you ever visit Finland in the Midsummer that’s the one to see. That and of course the whole Midsummer in general.

Midsummer is not only about big bonfires and Maypoles. Also, many music festivals are popular. You could say Midsummer is the beginning of festivals. Many bands and artists who come from abroad are amazed how light it is outside. It depends on the weather though. Usually, it’s only dark a few hours and then it becomes light again. It’s a bit of a myth saying it never gets dark in the Midsummer because that’s not entirely true. Maybe if you’re in the North there’s a better chance. This year people will feel cold when it’s cloudy and windy at the festivals. Rather them than me.

I don’t really care about Midsummer. It’s just two days and then it’s over. I don’t care about festivals, bonfires or Midsummer magic. The only good thing is less traffic and some neighbours are away. I just want to close my eyes and wish Midsummer would be over soon. I won’t be going anywhere this year. Last year I went to see a bonfire with dad and then we went home. Now I don’t know if we go since the weather is the way it is. I don’t mind at all. I just too lazy to bother about the whole thing. If other people want to celebrate Midsummer it’s their business. Every year someone drowns or accidents happen and this year won’t be different. People really should drink less and be more careful out there. I guess that’s one way of getting rid of people from this planet.

So that was my Midsummer pond(ering) Lastly but not least. Here’s a tongue twister in Finnish. Try that if you can. Happy Midsummer Everyone!

Kokoo kokoon koko kokko! Koko kokkoko? Koko kokko
(trans. Gather up a full bonfire! A full bonfire? A full bonfire.)

Ragabash – The wolf

MiaLeave a comment

howling wolf front of moon

Looking through the internet for the word ragabash I found out it’s a roleplaying game but also someone has drawn a picture of a wolf that looks like a character in a horror movie. Now wolfs are a bit of a scary thing for Finns. Some think wolfs attack humans for no reason. As soon as people see one they want to shoot it. I’ve never seen a wolf in nature, only in a zoo. No wild animal attack humans without a reason. It’s just a myth. When there were no TV people made up stories. It’s an urban myth that wolfs are dangerous to humans. Only if their provoked or the animals is sick. It’s more dangerous to walk across the street than get killed by a wolf. Any wild animal for that matter. Even big dogs that run free can attack you.

People build their homes in a middle of nowhere and they complain wild animals are taking over their territory. The wild animals were there first. If you’re scared of wild animals, you shouldn’t move to a place like that in the first place. People don’t seem to know how to put themselves in the animals place. If someone tried to threaten you, would you just stand there or offend yourself? Humans are like animals. We all want to protect our loved ones from harm or ourselves. As soon as you see a wolf or any other wild animal, you should let it be. If a wild animal enters humans territory it’s only because people have come too close. And if you leave food close by it will attract unwanted company. It seems people have lost all contact with nature so they don’t know how to behave.

It’s quite often Finns are warned of wolfs coming too close to where humans live. There’s a lot of unnecessary hysteria which is a bit too much. People are teaching their kids to be scared and that’s not the way. Wild animals are always dangerous and they should never be taken for granted. They won’t become pets because they will always have that wild instinct in them. I find wolfs fascinating and they’re really underrated. If I saw one in nature I wouldn’t be afraid because I wouldn’t disturb them. I’m more afraid of dogs than of wolfs. Like any other wild animals, they hunt for food. A shame people believe more in myths than in facts. If a wolf is attacking a human or a pet, shooting a wolf is self-defence. But if you only see one, shooting is wrong. If that the only reason, then it’s just a stupid reason. I find that so ridiculous. There’s no need for hysteria. Too much is always too much.

The Finnish flag 100 years today

Mia1 Comment
flag of finland
Flag of Finland is 100 years old today (May 28)

Today the Finnish Flag is 100 years old. It’s a ceremony that only happens once. It didn’t always look like it does now. Here you can see the alternatives. I think it’s good they decided to have the blue cross on white background. There are certain rules when it comes to our flag. For example, you’re not allowed to write or draw anything on it. It’s disrespectful and you can get a fine for doing so. Even wrapping it around your body is a big no. A lot of athletes does this when they win a competition which some people don’t like at all. But I don’t know if it’s totally forbidden. On Midsummer Eve the flag is hoist to the flagpole and it’s there all night. That’s the only time. Other times it’s only hoisted until the sun goes down.

We’re very proud of our flag. It shows our patriotism and togetherness. Nothing beats the feeling when the flag is hoist when Finland wins in sport or other events. For us, it’s the most beautiful flag in the world. It represents what the country stands for. White is for snow in the winter. Not every winter though. At least not in the South. Blue is for the lakes and the sky. The cross is for Christianity, the most common religion. No matter where in the world Finns live, they’re proud of where they’re from. I couldn’t imagine where to have been born elsewhere. I haven’t always appreciated it. When I was a teenager, I wanted to live in the UK. But growing up here has been much easier. With the school system and all. Like wearing a school uniform like in the UK. So glad we don’t have anything like that here. There are so many things here that aren’t anywhere else. It does have its disadvantages but what country doesn’t.

This is the day for the flag of Finland. 100 years is a long time and I hope our flag will never change.