Independence Day

The chosen elite celebrates, the common people watch – independence day celebration in Finnish homes opens a window to the mindset of Finnish people.

JAA

There is something very Finnish in the ritual that is repeated every year on 6 December when people sit at home before their television sets watching live coverage of invited guests arriving at the gala in the Presidential Palace.

Kirsi Mattila produced the development stage of the documentary film Independence Day, directed by Jaana Semeri. It was filmed by the Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE as their own production. Shot on 6 December 2012, the documentary was broadcast on YLE Channel 1 on 17 December 2012.