Kvenfolkets dag - kväänikansan päivä is celebrated on 16 March each year. The day marks the first organisation of the Kvens with the establishment of the first local chapter Ruijan kväänit - Pyssyjokilaiset Norske kvener - Børselv in 1984.
The day is celebrated throughout the country with various activities in the local organisations. The local branches often mark the day with good food, cosy get-togethers, cultural events, lectures on Kven issues, etc.
In recent years, more and more people have taken part in the celebrations, for example by hoisting the kvääniflaku - the Kven flag - outside town halls and other municipal buildings. The kvääniflaku was adopted at the national board meeting of the Norwegian Kven Association in 2017, and is also used in Sweden and Finland. The flag was designed by Bengt Johansson-Kyrö. The symbol in the Kven flag is a sunflower, an «aurinkonkukka». This has been found on older artefacts in Kven areas and is still used in Kven handicrafts.
In addition to Kven People's Day, the Kven Language Day is celebrated on 26 April each year. The date marks the day in 2005 when Kven language was recognised as a minority language in Norway.
On Kven Day, «Hyvän illan» is a popular song choice.
- Hyvän illan (video w/text) / Hyvän illan (text)
Onnee Kväänikansan päiväle! Congratulations on the day of the Kven people!
