- Lara
I was invited as a guest to try this whole blogging thing out. American by birth, I just recently passed the 40-years-in-Finland milestone and am toying with the idea of my own blog to share some thoughts and experiences. So thanks for the chance to try this out! Bear in mind, I'm just a gran'ma with a point-and-shoot in her pocket.
It was Sunday of Midsummer weekend when we were welcomed to this rustic Finnish fisherman's cottage by the sea for the baptism/christening of the newest little family member. On the surface day-to-day life on the west coast of Finland can appear remarkably similar to America, but differences can often be better observed at times of celebration. To me, many Finnish traditions and customs seem fairly formal in contrast to the otherwise generally informal approach to everyday life here.
Midsummer weekend is already a very special (nearly sacrosanct?) time in Finland and the weather was at its summery best on this particular occasion.
A baptism celebration is the only traditional party for a new baby here, although in recent years there has been some attempt to import the baby shower tradition. Aside from any religious significance, this event functions as a formal occasion to celebrate a new family member. To start, the minister arrived to do the deed with a group of about 25 relatives gathered round for a short ceremony. The Paul Revere bowl used hints at something not-so-Finnish present in this little boy's family tree.
Afterwards everyone adjourned indoors for coffee, cake, and other goodies, as well as catching up with family members that we don't get to see very often. The Finnish coffee service is as traditional as an English tea party, I would say, and as the coffee maker I was reminded by my daughter that it's a matter of honor to brew it up strong.
My impression is that these baptism parties are usually private family affairs here, one where the baby's name is finally revealed. Until then it's a carefully guarded secret (if the parents have indeed managed to make a decision) and often a temporary working name is used meanwhile.
The upcoming generation of cousins took their freedom out under the incoming crop of apples while the older ones lingered over coffee.
Anyway you look at it, the girls have had a clear majority in this generation so I think that most of us were happy to have at least one more little boy join the group.
Eventually everyone settled down together outdoors to enjoy a bit of music by the family band including a very gentle version of "We Will Rock You" adapted for the occasion. In the past Lara and her younger sister have sung at our family celebrations, accompanied by their father. This time it was lovely that the older children wanted to take part too.
As the afternoon drew to a close, some headed off to play frisbee or do a little wading down by the water's edge, while those who had longer trips home, just headed off.
