This year, I’m remembering my countrymen who perished in the 1918 Civil War. Also, the Finnish flag turns 100 today.

2018 marks the 100th anniversary of the Finnish post-independence clashes, and Finnish media has followed the events of the three-month hostilities. It seems to have wounded our national phyche, which make sense in a country as young as ours. For example, even though my grandparents were alive, they’ve never referred to it, let alone discussed it.

I’m very grateful for having grown up in a peaceful country.