Ceremonial Parliamentary session 5 December

Address of the Parliamentary Group regarding the celebratory decision of Parliament, Member of Parliament Antti Kaikkonen

Moving forward, together

The Civil War. The Winter War. The Continuation War. Financial crises.

The history of Finland has been a story of survival.

Those born a hundred years ago survived the war as youngsters and kept moving forward. They saw their trampled homeland and kept moving forward. They faced the Cold War and kept moving forward.

Although the past has been shaded by surviving adversity, the past has also brought a lot of caring and wisdom, as well as trust in the future. The kind of attitude that says — we will get through this, too.

Tomorrow, when we celebrate the 100th year of independence of the Republic of Finland, it is truly an occasion to celebrate. Independence is not a given. It requires the right timing, courage and wisdom.

On November 15th, 1917, Member of Parliament Santeri Alkio of the Agrarian League proposed that the Finnish Parliament take the highest level of decision-making power in Finland for itself. The proposal received the support of a majority of our predecessors in Parliament, and Finland took its first decisive steps towards independence.

But the early sense of hopefulness was tried as the Civil War tore through the country. Kyösti Kallio spoke to a full audience at Nivala church in May of 1918: “We must create a Finland where there are no Reds or Whites, only Finns who love their homeland, citizens of the Republic of Finland who each feel they are members of society and can flourish here.”

Slowly but surely, Finland began to rise.

This dawning sense of community saved our independence during times of war, when our veterans fought courageously together on the home front. Finland had been beaten nearly to death, but eyes were still focused on the future of the country.

And what a country our predecessors created for us indeed!

Free basic for all. Maternity and child welfare clinics. Health centres.

Wirtanen, Mannerheim, Canth, Forestry, the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, Kekkonen, Nokia, Ahtisaari, Supercell...

Over the past one hundred years, Finland has grown from a poor, bloodied nation to a state at the global forefront – from a survival story to a success story. Finland is now one of the safest, cleanest and happiest places in the world.

But just as important as history is looking forward. We cannot develop Finland for the past, only for the future. For today’s children and youth, and for those who are not yet born. This is also underlined by the celebratory decision made today.

The Finland that lies ahead is beginning to look better again. The is growing and rates are improving. Finland is once again on the rise.

But things are still not going well for everyone There are a lot of conflicts in our country, people living in bubbles and at opposite extremes. Kallio’s wise words still ring true today. Finland cannot be allowed to divide in two. We cannot be torn apart, we must build together. Let’s look after ourselves and each other – including those less fortunate. And let’s look after this wonderful homeland of ours. Let’s build an ever better Finland for our children, and keep looking forward.

Wishing everyone a great celebration of Finland’s independence. Yhdessä, tillsammans, together.