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Today marked exactly 200 years since Alexander I closed the Diet of Borgå (Porvoo). For four months in 1809, representatives from all over the new Russian Grand Duchy of Finland had assembled in Borgå.
To mark the occasion, the municipal authorities in Borgå organised a recreation of the festivities of two hundred years ago in the old town of the city. Borgå has an extensive and well preserved wooded old town and is Finland’s second oldest city, founded in 1346. Alexander I granted his newly captured Finland (which Sweden had lost to Russia) an autonomous entity in his Russian Empire, with the right to its own laws, culture and religion. As during the Swedish period, the territory of what is now Finland was an integral part of the Swedish realm, one can consider that 1809 is the point in which Finland becomes a distinct entity – and thus an important stepping stone on the road to independence in 1917.
The festivities of the anniversary day included Alexander I turning up to the main square in the Old Town to address his “new” subjects. Various other persons and exhibits in 1800s-clothing and style were also on display for the public. Music and theatre acts in 1809 themes were also presented.
Finland and Sweden are both celebrating a commemoratory year of activities to mark the 200th anniversary of the events of 1809. Borgå, being the location of the 1809 diet, has been a centre point of festivaties. Major events were held in March to mark the anniversary of the opening of the diet in 1809. Russian president Medvedev also visited the city this year as part of the anniversary events. The picture is of “Tsar Alexander I” at the opening celebrations in late March.
An official complaint to the Advertising Ethics Council has been made by a private person over the religion critical bus adverts in Helsingfors/Helsinki.
The adverts which carry the text “There is probably no God – Stop worrying and enjoy life” are part of a campaign by organised by the Free Thinkers and Humanist Association. It has attracted criticism of both Christian churches and Muslims in Finland.
The complainant has argued that the advertisements are hurtful towards all those that believe in a religion. The decision of the relavent authorities in this matter should be an interesting one to watch. Presumably if it is ruled to be considered false advertising, some proof that there is a God would have to be offered to counter act the false claim. If the complainants manage to come up with this, I expect we can see this story very soon as the top story on all newspapers and tv news channels. Until then, perhaps it is best just to allow freedom of speech to take its course. After all, it brings the subject of religion towards the top of the agenda. And this is surely a good thing for not just the atheist campaigners – but also the churches, who are given column space in newspapers to defend their position. All publicity is good publicity, so they say.
