Columnist: Why do Swedes celebrate National Day so strangely?

Sweden's National Day on June 6th is a curious affair, according to a Swedish-Finnish columnist for Dagens Nyheter. During his first summer in Stockholm, he observed picnic blankets spread across a park, light summer attire, and popping champagne corks under the sun. Despite the cheerful atmosphere, he struggled to grasp the focus of the celebration – whether it was on Gustav Vasa, the 1809 government form, the flag, or a combination of all three, or none at all.

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Finland celebrates its 'national day' on December 6th. In a completely different way than Sweden.

The following year, while at Skansen, a popular open-air museum, on National Day, the celebration was dampened by a downpour, even with performances by the King and a musical group. This experience highlighted a stark contrast with Finland's Independence Day on December 6th. Finland's celebration, occurring in the darkest time of the year, is a solemn event culminating in a grand ball at the presidential palace. The true significance, the author notes, is Finland's narrow escape from invasion by Joseph Stalin, a historical context that explains why almost all Finns celebrate their Independence Day, while only two out of five Swedes observe their National Day.

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The atmosphere is happy, but I fail, I don't get a proper grip.

The author points out that the televised handshakes between the president and guests at the Finnish ball are among Finland's most-watched broadcasts, rivaled only by ice hockey World Cup finals against Sweden. In contrast, if viewership determined Sweden's national day, the Melodifestivalen final would hold that title. However, the author identifies a stronger contender for a true Swedish national celebration: cinnamon bun day. This day is impossible to miss weeks in advance, with cinnamon scents filling the air and long queues outside bakeries. The passion for the cinnamon bun is so intense that unions mobilize when the day falls on a Saturday, as workers risk missing out on the treat.

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National Day and the Finnish equivalent, Independence Day, are like night and day.

The columnist concludes that Sweden's National Day might need a more robust pastry, one that matches the cinnamon bun's status and offers a comforting color against Stockholm's greenery. He playfully wonders if a deal could be struck with the Smålanders for their marzipan cake to serve this purpose.

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What is actually celebrated is that Finland narrowly escaped being invaded by Josef Stalin.