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Celebrating Finland’s 108th Independence Day in Helsinki
Reflecting on Independence Day
For Those Who Have Learned to Call Finland Home
Karl Balloch
On 6 December 2025, immigrants, second-generation Finns, and long-term residents came together to celebrate Finland’s I08th independence Day in Helsinki.Comparing to previous year, there were more men, women and children.It was an encouraging sign that how immigrant community, in Finland, has grown roots, branches, and new hopes. I was one of those who were honoured to speak and share their experiences on the Independence Day celebration on behalf of immigrants.
We prayed together in many languages including Arabic, Somali, Nepali, Balochi, Hindi and Persian, and asked for prosperity, safety and peace for Finland. We were grateful to Finland for sheltering us and giving us opportunities many of us could never imagine in our native homelands. Participants sang hymns, performed cultural dances, and had quiet moments for meditation. I saw something very meaningful in the hall that was gratitudes for Finns and for Finland, for the equality, justice, and personal and religious freedom that many nations around the world still cannot imagine in their societies. It was highlighted that how much resources, efforts and energy Finland invests to create opportunities to help immigrants to rebuild their lives.
What Does Happiness Mean In Finland
Finland is known as one of the happiest countries on earth, but the happiness here is not flashing on faces. It is a steady, invisible satisfaction and a calmness you feel deep in your soul and inner being. I, being here for seven years, now understand this well that happiness here is the SATISFACTION that you are protected, respected, and treated with dignity no matter where you come from. There are many “free” states in the world whose citizens are not free, and do not feel safe. But here, in Finland, freedom is not for a select group, for an elite class or for wealthy people, FREEDOM is for everyone and everybody.
You can feel this happiness reveals itself in ordinary moments.
- A mother from Afghanistan walking her children to school without fear.
- A Syrian family calling the doctor and being listened to patiently, even if Finnish words still come slowly.
- An Eritrean father signing his first rental contract, amazed by the transparency. He finds no corruption, no hidden conditions and money under the table.
- Neighbours from different backgrounds meeting in stairwells, opening apartments door for each other, sharing snow-shovelling duties, recipes, or simply the warmth of a small conversation on a cold morning.
These little moments may seem simple, but for many of us they carry a message we often do not speak of. These are the pieces of the jigsaw that rebuild and complete life. They are reminders that belonging is not made of grand gestures, but of small daily favours and showing care and kindness to one another.
Celebrating the Independence Day
Celebrating the Independence Day is not only a remembrance of Finland’s history.It is also a reminder that this freedom, safety, calmness and fairness did not appear by accident. It was built by people who worked hard, offered their lives, respected each other, and protected their independence with courage. As immigrants, we do not carry this history in our blood, but we should let it flow in our gratitudes and to make it run in our appreciation for Finns and Finland.
Trust and Kindness
Immigrants should appreciate that it was Finland’s trust on us that opened its borders for refugees. Finland did not invite trouble and challenges. Its opening the door for refugees is its compassion, kindness and trust. This trust is something should be realised, valued and appreciated. So I try to honour this trust through my work, through my writings, through the way I counsel and educate fellow immigrants. I want them to see the beauty of this country, not only in its forests and lakes, but also in its values of honesty, freedom, modesty, equality, reliability, and the strength of silence.
Gratitude: A Simple Way to Connect Across Cultures
After arriving in Finland, sometimes many immigrants miss big opportunities of showing gratitudes for the financial resources, and continuous efforts being put in to help them rebuild their lives, because their focus shifts on challenges of learning the language, unfamiliarity with Finnish social etiquettes and norms. Remember that gratitude unlock the doors of opportunities. A warm “thank you,” a genuine smile, punctuality, and or showing up on time when you have an appointment help you to introduce and make your real self known. These small acts build bridges faster than any textbook lesson. People began to trust you, not because you are perfect, but because you are reliable. I believe that gratitude and reliability are powerful forces that open hearts. Concluding my speech on the occasion of Finland’s 108th Independence Day 2025, I said something that came up from the depth of my heart. That was “ Thank you Finns for sharing your home, your country and soul with us. Thank you for the opportunities, for the freedom, justice, fairness and for the trust, and for allowing us to grow roots here without fear. “
I uttered these words because Finland is not just a country we live in and earn money.It is the first place where we discovered what peace and freedom truly feel like.
May we continue building a community where kindness, justice and humanity remain the foundations of daily life and sustained by gratitudes and appreciation for this Land, called Finland.
Hyvää itsenäisyyspäivää.