On Dec 4, 2015, at 21:54, Edward Morris <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Hello everybody,

 

 

This Sunday, December 6th, is Independence Day in the Republic of Finland. It was on this day ninety-nine years ago the Eduskunta, the Finnish parliament, adopted a resolution declaring Finland independent from Russia.

 

As in many countries, Independence Day in Finland is a time of remembrance and celebration. Befitting Finland, it is a day both of formality and of understatement. In the evening families traditionally light two candles, one blue and one white, and place them in the windows of their homes. As a foreign guest in the country I was always quite touched by the simplicity and beauty of the celebratory gesture. A Presidential reception is held in the evening, the telecast of which traditionally is amongst the most viewed television shows of the year in Finland. Shadow events, often in the form of demonstrations and gatherings benefiting charitable causes, take place concurrently.

 

Independence Day is also the day honours are announced and presented. It is with great joy I want  to let all of you know that this year Finnish President Sauli Niinistö will be bestowing upon NCSG Chair Tapan Tarvainen the honour and title of Knight of the White Rose of Finland. The White Rose Order was established in 1919 by General Carl Mannheim, a man who is considered by many, myself included, to be the greatest Finn of all time. The Grand Master of the Order is the President of the Republic of Finland.

 

I know everyone joins me in congratulating Tapani for being chosen to receive this high honour in recognition of his service to his country and to the world. I suspect we are probably the only SG at ICANN to have an actual Knight as a Chair, further evidence of the exceptionally high quality of person one encounters in the NCSG. Congratulations Tapani and Happy Independence Day, Hyvää itsenäisyyspäivää,  to all of our Finnish members and friends.

 

 

Best,

 

Ed Morris