Suomi Finland 100; celebration of a century long independence

Finland becomes a hundred years old and celebrates this milestone across the world with the color blue lighting up famous landmarks. The 100 year mark was set on Finland’s Independence Day December 6, 2017.
Coincidentally, 2017 is also a landmark year for Ethio-Finnish cooperation, which officially began 50 years ago in 1967. The main sectors of cooperation are in water and sanitation, education, agriculture and land administration.
Many joyful centenary festivities are bringing people together both in Finland and around the world. As the Finns are the biggest coffee drinkers in the world, the whole country will gather to enjoy birthday coffee to honor the 100-year-old Finland. Also, the Finnish flag will fly for two consecutive days, and the whole country will be illuminated with blue and white lights, the colors of Finland.
As part of the celebrations, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland has launched a world-wide campaign during which iconic monuments around the world will be lit up in blue and/or white, the colors of the Finnish flag. As part of the campaign, the Embassy of Finland in Addis Ababa in cooperation with Ethiopian partners have lighted up the statue of the Lion of Judah in front of the National Theater between December 5 to 6, 2017.This is the first time ever that the statue of the Lion of Judah has been lit up.
The statue is an emblem of Ethiopia’s history and heritage, and the lion is also an important national symbol of Finland, as it is depicted on the country’s official coat of arms.
Celebrations in Ethiopia included several music concerts that feature collaborations between leading Finnish and Ethiopian jazz musicians. You can find details about the public performances at the Embassy of Finland in Ethiopia Facebook pages.
Finland became an independent state on 6 December 1917. The newly born state was willed into being by Finns after a long struggle. For a hundred years the Finns have been engaged in the building of their country and making decisions together. The unbroken period of 100 years of democracy is exceptional, and Finland has often reached top positions in different international rankings.