Independence Day Review
Finland celebrated its independence last Sunday. Living in Greece for almost three years has given me more perspective to this issue than the 11+ years in Brussels before it. Perhaps it is because both Finland and Greece have a bigger neighbour who’s always sought to enlarge its influence across the borders, both countries are in the furthest corners of our continent and both people speak something which to most people is simply Greek (or Finnish).
I discussed the independence and its meaning with my grandmother. We used to light up two candles at every window all around the country. It is quite impressive, when you see that from small villages to big towns. Now that I am abroad, I don’t do that anymore – at least not every year – but my conversation with my grandmother made me think that every time there’s darkness and oppression around, two lights by the window could provide a silent sign of hope, resistance and determination. Perhaps we should light candles up more often.
My faith in Nation States and their future is perhaps weaker than ever, but I still think that some values we have forged through them are worth defending, and my own Helmi-mummu gave me a good reminder of that. We will only be as strong as we all are, together. We will succeed if we try harder than others. We can survive, if we believe in ourselves and see an opportunity where there used to be just negativity.
One shouldn’t need a discussion with an 89-year old to remember this, but perhaps it is helpful to get a point of view from someone, who has personally seen how fragile peace and independence can be. Perhaps that will also help us to appreciate not only our own, but everyone who is different. Because that is what freedom and independence allows us to do; to be ourselves and all different.
