Vol.28, Issue 09, 14 November 2025

Image source: SwikBlog – Finnish Swedish Heritage Day 2025

Hey, have you noticed more flags flying on November 6th? — that there seemed to be more Finnish flags flying on November 6th?
Maybe you saw them on campus, outside the library, or waving quietly along the streets and thought:
“Huh? Is today some kind of special day?”

You’re right! In Finland, the flag isn’t raised for no reason. It only goes up to mark something meaningful — a special person or an important day.
And November 6th is one of them: Ruotsalaisuuden päivä, or the Swedish Heritage Day.

A Day with a Story

This day actually has a pretty long history. It started back in the early 1900s to commemorate King Gustav II Adolf of Sweden, who died in battle on this date.
But over time, the meaning of the day changed.

Now, it’s not really about the king anymore — it’s a celebration of Finland’s Swedish-speaking community and the country’s bilingual identity.

You might already know that Finland has two official languages: Finnish and Swedish. About 5% of Finns speak Swedish as their mother tongue.
You can see Swedish everywhere — on street signs, in official documents, even on milk cartons (mjölk means milk, by the way ).

Quiet, but Meaningful

Ruotsalaisuuden päivä isn’t loud or flashy — no parades, no holidays. But it carries a quiet message:
that language diversity is something worth celebrating.

Some schools might have small activities, libraries display books by Swedish-speaking authors, and some cafés might serve blue-and-yellow themed desserts.
It’s subtle, but it makes you pause and think about how languages connect us.

My Thoughts

As an international student living in Finland, I was quite surprised when I first learned that this day existed.
It’s not common for a country to have a special flag day for a minority language — and I think that’s beautiful.

To me, it shows Finland’s deep respect for culture and equality. Living here, I’ve come to see that language is not just a tool for communication — it’s a way to understand and connect with others.

Finland’s bilingual spirit tells us that being different doesn’t mean being apart — it means learning to share the same sky in harmony.

So next time you see the blue-and-white flag fluttering in the chilly November air, maybe smile and say:

“Hyvää ruotsalaisuuden päivää!” (Happy Swedish Heritage Day!)