Memorial Day for the End of the Winter War 2026 – Hornets roar in the sky as the nation observes a moment of silence

Today, Friday, March 13, 2026, Finland stood still. At 12 o'clock, many cities fell silent, but in Tampere and Kajaani, all eyes were on the sky – watching the Hornets roar low overhead as a tribute to those who, 86 years ago, endured that Icy Hell. The Memorial Day for the End of the Winter War has always been a solemn occasion, but this year it felt especially poignant. As the Hornets swept over the city centres, I could feel the same chill on my skin that my grandfather described feeling back in 1940, when silence finally descended on the front lines.

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

Rumours were already circulating yesterday that something was planned, but when the aircraft actually appeared, it still came as a surprise. In Tampere, Hämeenkatu was filled with people well before noon. Traffic came to a standstill, and people leaned on each other – some with tears in their eyes. As the jets emerged on the horizon and swept low towards the city centre, the sound wasn't just heard; it was felt deep in the chest. Many an elderly onlooker murmured quietly, "This is how we remember." The scene repeated in Kajaani: the aircraft made two passes, and the crowd of descendants of veterans standing in front of the town hall applauded – not loudly, but with deep 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 Finnish Winter War of 1939–1940 demanded and what it forged in us. This year, the memorial day was observed with an unusual warmth, even though temperatures in many places dipped below -10°C. In Helsinki, the President laid a wreath at the Hietaniemi Cemetery, and the Knights of the Mannerheim Cross were honoured in silent tribute. But for me, the most powerful moment was watching families with young children in Tampere pointing at the sky – those little hands waving didn't understand the war, but they sensed this was an important moment.

• Tampere: Flyovers just before eleven o'clock, with an estimated two thousand people gathering.
• Kajaani: The aircraft made two passes, the first just after twelve.
• Helsinki: The official programme at Hietaniemi drew hundreds who observed a moment of silence.
• Rovaniemi: Candles were also lit along the banks of the Tornionjoki River, in memory of the past.

And as I light a candle on my windowsill this evening, I think of those young men who, in the winter of 1940, gave their lives on the fronts of Kollaa, Suomussalmi, and Taipale. The Winter War is more than just a historical event for us – it's part of our identity. It's a reminder that when the bitter cold bites and the enemy is stronger, we never give up. Today, the Hornets declared that loudly, and we all heard it.

Observances of the memorial day continue into the evening, with many families watching old film footage and reading diaries. And if you happen to be out after nine o'clock tonight, listen carefully – somewhere in Finland, you might just hear one last roar, a final tribute to mark the end of the day.