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How are we celebrating? In February 2022, Ireland and Finland are celebrating 60 years of Diplomatic Relations. As part of these celebrations, The Finnish Embassy in Ireland will be hosting events, workshops and information campaigns to commemorate this anniversary. We hope to showcase the very best of both Finnish and Irish culture, and maybe even learn a little more about eachother along the way. While we may not know it, we share more in common with the Finns than we think, but our differences will give you a laugh! From differences in wardrobe strategy to how we greet a stranger, what sets us apart can bring us together. While the Irish deal with social awkwardness with the redundant “sorry” and verbal diarrhoea, German dramatist Bertolt Brecht once joked that the Finns have two official languages – Finnish and Swedish – and are silent in both. Experiencing this stoicism first-hand is quite a culture shock, topped only by mastering your inner Irish prude to embrace the naked sauna tradition, ideally followed by a nude plunge into the Baltic Sea. There are many ways to celebrate our Finnish friends: salty liquorice, tangy Emmental cheese on rye bread – all washed down with a bottle of vodka!
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Shared(ish) History Finland and Ireland have shared surprisingly similar historic journeys throughout the last century. Both countries were part of wider political unions and dominated by larger neighbours. One of the mantras that shaped the Finnish national consciousness was the notion that: ‘Swedes we are no longer. Russians we can never become. Therefore, let us be Finns!’ This is pretty close to Michael P. O’Hickey’s assertion that ‘We may, to all intents and purposes, cease to be Gaels; we may, in a sense, become West Britons; further we cannot go – Saxons we cannot become!’ Finland and Ireland both gained independence in 1917 and 1922 respectively. Ireland established diplomatic relations in Finland in 1962 on a non-residential basis covered from Moscow and after that Stockholm! Finland opened a resident Embassy in Dublin in 1989, and Ireland opened an Embassy in Helsinki in 1993. As another small country on the periphery of Europe, Finland is a like-minded partner for Ireland on a number of issues, particularly at EU level. Ireland has had a very good and close working relationship with Finland on a number of recent UN-mandated peacekeeping missions, both in UNIFIL II in Lebanon and in Chad. Finland has been an active supporter of the peace process in Northern Ireland. In 1995, former Finnish Prime Minister, the late Harri Holkeri, together with Senator George Mitchell and General John de Chastelain, were appointed by the Irish and British Governments to the International Body tasked with providing an international assessment of decommissioning.
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During the Easter Rising 31-year-old Finnish sailor Antti Mäkipaltio showed up at the GPO in Dublin with little English but determined to fight for Irish freedom.
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When taken inside, the Finnish sailor proved a liability with a shotgun and was put to work sorting ammunition in the back. Leaving Dublin he still wasn’t able to speak English but was able to recite the rosary in Irish. 5
Come on out February 1st – 6oth Anniversary Celebration Launch Drinks reception with special guest speakers 2nd – Let’s Get to Know Each Other Finnish/Irish speed friending event 3rd – Silicon Island How Ireland and Finland’s thriving tech industries can support eachother in the digital age 4th – A Night with Loituma and Kila Musical event celebrating Finnish folk music and Irish trad music 5th – Tunes with Denise Chaila and Alma Musical event celebrating Finnish pop music and Irish hip-hop and rap music A Night with Loituma and Kila Musical event celebrating Finnish folk music and Irish trad music 6th – Ruokaa Blasta Culinary event showcasing the best of Finnish and Irish produce together Kilkenny Design in Helsinki Art event showcasing the best of Finnish and Irish design together 7th – From Tara to Kalevala Puppet show inspired by the most well loved Irish and Finnish mythology – Suitable for all ages
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Get Involved On your phone www.samejustdifferent.com info@samejustdifferent.com T: 01 2849708
In person Embassy of Finland, Russell House, Stokes Pl, St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2.
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