In 2017, Finland celebrates 100 years of independence.Finland 100Finland 100 flag. Photo by Leena Koskela via Suomi Finland 100.Finland achieved independence on 6th December 1917, breaking away from Russia (between 1809 and 1917, Finland was an autonomous part of the Russian Empire; prior to this, the country was ruled by Sweden).In Finland, blue is very much the national colour of this northern country: found in its blue skies, countless blue lakes, the Finnish flag, butterflies and blueberries.Love is like a butterfly, and Finland is in love with the ‘Holly Blue’. To mark Finland?s centenary of independence, the Holly Blue butterfly (celastrina argiolus) was voted the national butterfly of Finland. Photo by Marianne Niemelä via Suomi Finland 100.Midsummer Day (Finnish Flag Day) is an official occasion on which the Finnish Flag is flown. Photo by Suvi-Tuuli Kankaanpää via Suomi Finland 100.Scrumptious Finnish blueberries. Photo by Vastavalo via Visit Finland.Iittala’s Ultramarine BlueTo commemorate Finland’s centenary, celebrated Finnish heritage brand Iittala has selected a colour from its extensive glass colour library: the ultramarine blue. Serene and calming, blue is a colour of great depth. Iittala’s vibrant ultramarine is a brilliant blue hue, made with a special glass recipe in Iittala’s glass factory in Finland. For Iittala, the ultramarine blue colour shows an appreciation of the warmth of the Finnish nationa...