Recognition of Finland’s independence: a time of contemplation

• Main Author: Adél Furu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: The Romanian Association for Baltic and Nordic Studies 2018-08-01
• Series: Revista Română pentru Studii Baltice şi Nordice
• Subjects: independence; finland; russia; sweden; germany; memory; symbols
• Online Access: https://f-origin.hypotheses.org/wp-content/blogs.dir/5711/files/2019/01/06.-Furu.pdf

The article deals with the measures Finland has had to take in order to determine Russia and other states to recognize Finland as an independent republic. Independence Day in Finland is not a time of festivity but a time of contemplation. We analyze the attitude problems of other countries in recognition of Finland’s independence: Nordic and Western countries but especially Russia. It is also important to investigate in what ways the Finnish government handled relations with Russia and the nature of their relation around 1917. This study also outlines how the Finnish government has acted to obtain the recognition of Finland’s independence by other states. History is explored – in addition to the great state and ideological events – also at the level of everyday life as well as the economic and living conditions. We look at the way people have experienced the period preceding the independence and the year of independence itself. The study presents how the traditions of Independence Day have already stabilized in the early years of independence and how they continued to be respected till nowadays; how the Finns have committed to the official symbols of the country and how these symbols have been rethought and changed since the 19th century.