img google image
Hyvää Itsenäisyyspäivää, Suomi!
Today is the Independence Day of Finland.
Home, sweet home.
After work, I will light up the candles, make glögi and relax.
Glögi
Cinnamon, cardamom, sour orange, ginger and cloves.
Red wine or blackcurrant juice.
Mix together and let it get delicious in low heat.
Don't boil the wine.
img google image
**************************
It is traditional for many Finnish families to light two candles in each window of their home in the evening. This custom dates to the 1920s, but even earlier, candles had been placed in windows on the birthday of poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg as a silent protest against perceived Russian oppression. A popular legend has it that two candles were used as a sign to inform young men on their way to Sweden and Germany to become jägers that the house was ready to offer shelter and keep them hidden from the Russians.
[text from wikipedia]
**************************
Your post gave me goosebumps! I miss the traditions my family in Germany gets to celebrate each year but often get lost over in the States. Though we get to celebrate new traditions now, there is something comforting about old customs :)
ReplyDeleteI've got to try that glögi! Sounds delicious!
I love traditions! I have a Finnish friend here in Brisbane - I wonder if her family did this? I love it when she teaches me new words, like "ihana"! :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I saw that my aunt and cousins are celebrating today in Finland as well.
ReplyDelete