The Embassy of Finland celebrates the Nordic country’s 90th Independence Day with a reception hosted by Ambassador of Finland Kim Luotonen. The Parliament of Finland adopted the Finnish declaration of independence in 1917, making the country an independent nation-state after being under Russian rule since 1809. A national public holiday, independence day in Finland used to be a solemn affair, but since the 1970s, the holiday has become much livelier. Finland, with a population of approximately 5.3 million, is a member of the European Union, and the only Nordic state to use the euro as its currency upon its initiation in January 1999. Korea and Finland established diplomatic relations in 1973. The reception will be from 12 to 2 p.m. on Dec. 6 at the Sapphire Ballroom at the Lotte Hotel in Sogong-dong. The Sapphire Ballroom is located in the main building of the hotel on the third floor. For more information call (02) 732-6737 or (02) 739-0685 or e-mail sanomat.seo@formin.fi.