Mothers Day

The Western tradition of Mothers' Day is a mix of family and commercial values, but in Finland, unlike other countries, this day has also acquired national importance. The idea of a day dedicated to all mothers was first conceived in the USA in the early part of this century, and soon spread to Europe. In Finland, primary schools were the first to organize Mothers' Day celebrations; all mothers were invited to the school on the second Sunday in May, where they were given flowers and their children provided the entertainment. Mothers' Day 1918 was a particularly important day, as the Finnish Civil War had created thousands of war widows, who were honoured on this day. In 1919, Mothers' Day parties were organized all over Finland.

The Second World War once again provided a poignant reason to remember mothers, and from 1946, deserving mothers have been awarded medals. The solemnity of the occasion has been stressed by the role played by the President of Finland in these ceremonies. In recent years, people in Finland have become increasingly alienated from the values connected with this day, and it now looks as if Mothers' Day has passed the peak of its popularity.