Finnish celebration

The Day of Kalevala, Finnish epic The day of Kalevala is celebrated for Finland’s national epic by Elias Lönnrot. It is also called Finnish culture day on 28 February every year. Kalevala day is an official flag day.

The Midsummer / Juhannus Juhannus is a midsummer party. It is celebrated at the time of the summer solstice between June on Saturday. Finnish people often go to their summer cottages and have a sauna especially on Midsummer Day.

Finland’s Independence Day Finland’s Independence Day is celebrated on 6 December. Finland became independent in On that day the president of Finland has a party at the his/her residence. The president invites Finnish people who have done something special. Millions of Finnish people watch the program on TV.

Norssikarnevaalit (Carneval which is named after fish called herring smelt (norssi in Finnish), a market place and cultural happening) It´s in May and it opens the summer season in Paltamo. You can buy smoked fish in carneval day. There are many different kind of market stalls where you can buy things and performances.

Rautaa, tervaa ja rosvoja (Iron, tar and robbers) It´s local happening in village called Hakasuo in Paltamo. It`s usually in last Sunday of July. The name comes from three important things of this area. About 150 years ago iron was taken up from the lake called Kivesjärvi near by. There was a small factory where they processed this iron. When this factory became bankrupt the unemployed man started to steal richer farms and people who rowed tar boats. Probably they were the only pirates in inland waters in Finland.

Making tar was also important source of livelihood in Paltamo during 18th and 19th centuries. This happening takes place on the yard of an old mill. People come there to meet each other, listen to traditional music and eat traditional food like porridge made of barley and smoked fish.

Made by Aino Toivonen Reeta Heikkinen from Paltamo, Finland

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