Paper short abstract:

By analyzing thematic writings and survey data, this paper looks how individual Finns relate to the Independence Day and who celebrates the Independence Day. Relating to the Independence Day is discussed within the theoretical frame of civil religion.

Paper long abstract:

In the 2000s and 2010s, the Finnish Independence Day was celebrated with traditional public forms, but simultaneously the idea of Finnishness were contested in various Left wing and Far-Right demonstrations. Earlier studies have focused on these public forms. By analyzing thematic writings (N=66) and survey data (N=1208), this paper looks how individual Finns relate to the Independence Day and who celebrates the Independence Day. Relating to the Independence Day is discussed within the theoretical frame of civil religion.

From the writings, three modes of relating to the Independence Day were found. The traditional mode focuses on war-remembrance, traditional symbols and habits (candles, flags, eating and drinking well, visiting graves) and media ritual. Negotiating mode takes reflective, ironic or humorous distance to the traditions but still participates in them, for example by inventing new individual forms of celebration. Critical mode focuses on the elitism and corruption of the society, and often uses the Independence Day as platform for more general social critique.

On the basis of the survey, higher class position (indicated by self-identification and education), being a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church (ELCF) and Finnish speaking increased the odds of celebrating the Independence Day. Participating in Independence Day celebrations is majority activity, and it is more popular on the well-to-do parts of the society, echoing the ideas of the "good citizen", and being reflected in the accusations of elitism. The role of the ELCF as majority religion is accepted as cultural religion, thus blending as part of banal nationalist backdrop of the Independence Day and Finnish civil religion. The symbolic center of the Independence Day traditions, however, focuses on the war-remembrance.