vuodenvaihe

Vuodenvaihe is a Finnish term that translates to "year change" or "turn of the year." It commonly refers to the period surrounding the transition from one calendar year to the next, typically encompassing the days leading up to and immediately following New Year's Day. This period is a significant cultural moment in Finland, marked by various traditions and celebrations.

The most prominent aspect of Vuodenvaihe is New Year's Eve (Uudenvuodenaatto) and New Year's Day (Uudenvuodenpäivä). Finns often celebrate New Year's Eve with gatherings of family and friends, festive meals, and fireworks. A common tradition is to watch the televised New Year's reception from the Presidential Palace. Many also make resolutions for the coming year.

The period can also extend to include Epiphany (Loppiainen), celebrated on January 6th, which marks the end of the Christmas season. Historically, Vuodenvaihe was a time for reflection on the past year and anticipation of the future. While modern celebrations often focus on parties and fireworks, the underlying sentiment of transition and new beginnings remains. The length of the Vuodenvaihe period can be interpreted slightly differently, but it generally signifies the temporal shift from December to January. It is a time of both farewell to the old year and welcome to the new.