102 years ago today, Finland took advantage of the Bolshevik uprising that ousted the tsar. The parliament, up to that point organized as serving the Grand Duchy that Finland was under Russia, voted 100-88 in favor of declaring independence. .
One of the traditions for Finnish Independence Day is lighting two candles, something that began as a signal in windows that marked houses safe for Finnish soldiers to find refuge in.
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Today, you’ll see two candles in windows, and now the candles used are often white and blue, the national colors and those in the flag.
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These candles were a gift from my dear friend @evahesanto on my visit in November. .
💙🇫🇮💙 Happy Independence Day!
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#finland🇫🇮 #Suomi #finnishindependenceday #suomenitsenäisyyspäivä #itsenäisyyspäivä #traditions #finnishhistory #finnishwarhistory #girlingray #lyonwrites
***Book trivia!***
Leila was the first character I “met” and knew would be in the story. By the time I finished the first draft, the story was almost equally Leila’s and Sini’s. But as the book grew and changed through many revisions, Sini became the clear protagonist. That meant the book needed to begin with her. And THAT meant yanking the original opening chapter, which was from Leila’s point of view.
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Now, for the first time, readers can see that old chapter! Visit my website to read it! .
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#finland🇫🇮 #historicalfiction #historymemes #wwiihistory #wwiifiction #womensfiction #winterwar #talvisota #finnishhistory #suomenhistoria #suomi #girlingray #lyonwrites #writersonig #whattoreadnext #newreleases
