Australia pauses to remember the end of the Winter War 2026 – Hornets roar overhead as nation falls silent

Today, Friday 13 March 2026, Finland stood still. At midday, cities across the nation fell silent, but in Tampere and Kajaani, all eyes were on the sky – watching as Hornets thundered low overhead in tribute to those who, 86 years ago, endured that Icy Hell. The day marking the end of the Winter War has always been a solemn occasion, but this year felt particularly poignant. As the Hornets swept across the city centres, you could feel it in your bones – the same shudder my grandfather described feeling back in 1940 when silence finally fell across the front line.

The roar of the Hornets strikes a chord – crowds gather in Tampere and Kajaani

Rumours had been swirling since yesterday that something special was planned, but when the jets actually appeared, it still caught everyone by surprise. In Tampere, Hämeenkatu was packed well before noon. Traffic came to a standstill, and people leaned on each other – some with tears in their eyes. As the aircraft emerged on the horizon and swooped low over the city centre, the sound wasn't just heard, it was felt deep in your chest. More than a few older folk were heard murmuring softly: "This is how we remember." The scene played out again in Kajaani: two flyovers, and the crowd of descendants of veterans gathered outside the town hall applauded – not loudly, but with quiet respect.

The spirit of the Winter War lives on – today it was seen and heard

This day isn't just about history. It's a living reminder of what the Finland Winter War 1939–1940 demanded and what it gave us. This year's remembrance felt especially heartfelt, despite the cold snap pushing temperatures below minus ten in many places. In Helsinki, the President laid a wreath at Hietaniemi Cemetery, and the Knights of the Mannerheim Cross received their own silent tribute. But for me, the most powerful moment was watching young families in Tampere pointing to the sky – those little hands waving didn't understand war, but they sensed this was a moment that mattered.

• Tampere: Flyovers just before 11 am, with an estimated crowd of around two thousand.
• Kajaani: Two passes from the jets, the first just after midday.
• Helsinki: The official program at Hietaniemi drew hundreds who gathered in silence.
• Rovaniemi: Candles were also lit along the Tornio River, in memory of times past.

And tonight, as I light a candle on the windowsill, I think of those young blokes who gave their lives in the winter of 1940 on the frozen battlefields of Kollaa, Suomussalmi and Taipale. The Winter War isn't just Talvisota to us – it's part of who we are. It's a reminder that when the cold bites hard and the enemy is stronger, we never, ever give up. Today, the Hornets shouted that message loud and clear, and we all heard it.

Remembrance continues into the evening, with families across the country digging out old footage and reading diaries from the time. And if you're out and about after nine, keep your ears open – somewhere across Finland, you might just hear one last roar, a final tribute to cap off the day.