Itsenäisyyspäivä

One hundred and five years ago today, the Republic of Finland was established after declaring independence from Russia. Previously an autonomous region of the Russian Empire, a Senate was formed in 1917 with the express purpose of attaining independence as soon as possible from the Bolshevik government following the October Revolution.

Finland’s road to independence was a long one; after centuries of Swedish rule, Finnish independence was floated as an idea by Empress Elizabeth of Russia during the 18th century war between Sweden and Russia. However, the rise of a Finnish national identity began with the Grand Duchy of Finland when it was “elevated as a nation among nations” by Tsar Alexander I of the Russian Empire.

This past weekend, the Consulate General of Finland in Los Angeles hosted a celebration for Finnish Independence Day. Tom of Finland Foundation’s Cofounder Durk Dehner and CXO S.R. Sharp were on hand for the festivities. Hosted by Consul General Okko-Pekka Salmimies, the Ambassador of Finland to the U.S. Mikko Hautala gave the keynote address. Happy Independence Day!

L to R: Consul General of Finland, Okko-Pekka Salmimies; ToFF Cofounder, Durk Dehner; Ambassador of Finland to the U.S., Mikko Hautala; ToFF CXO, S.R. Sharp; © Consulate General of Finland, Los Angeles

Published: 6th December 2022

Categorised in: Events, News