Flag days in Finland

Flag days in Finland are days of the year when the national flag is flown nationwide, either by law or by custom. The flag of Finland is generally flown only on special occasions to celebrate or honour someone or something. Any citizen has a right to fly the flag on their own property if they deem it appropriate,[1][2] for example in celebration birthdays or weddings. On certain days of the year the state officially flies the flag, and recommends all private citizens to do so as well.[3]

The Finnish flag

By law, the Finnish flag must be flown from public buildings on the following days.[4] It is recommended that private citizens to also fly the flag on these days.

Customary flag days

It has become customary to fly the Finnish flag on the following occasions. These dates are also listed in the Finnish State Calendar compiled by the University of Helsinki, and it is recommended that the flag is flown on these occasions.[5]

Time

The flag is flown from 8 AM to sunset, or until 9 PM if sunset happens later. There are three exceptions:

  • On Midsummer the flag is flown through the night, from 6 PM on Midsummer Eve to 9 PM on Midsummer Day.
  • On Independence Day the flag is flown from 8 AM to 8 PM.
  • On election days, the flag is flown from 8 AM to 8 PM.

Additionally, it is recommended that during the polar nights north of the Arctic Circle the flag is flown from 8 AM to 4 PM.

See also

References

  1. Liputuspäivät ja liputusajat — Sisäministeriö (in Finnish)
  2. Finnish flag days — Ministry of the Interior
  3. Flag Days and Holidays in Finland
  4. Asetus liputuksesta Suomen lipulla (383/1978). (Decree on flying the Finnish flag), 2§ as changed with decree 187/1996. Retrieved 2-6-2008. (in Finnish)
  5. Vakiintuneet liputuspäivät Archived January 26, 2012, at the Wayback Machine (Customary flag days). Finnish ministry of interior affairs. Retrieved 2-6-2008. (in Finnish)
  6. Ministry of the Interior - The days the flag is flown Archived 2012-08-12 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
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