Saturday, August 15

Today India celebrates its 74th Independence Day, and we have come to the embassy in Kulosaari to join in the celebrating.

The ambassador gives a short speech, announcing open days for direct dialogue, and then reads out the official government speech in English. He only arrived very recently and this constitutes his first formal engagement. He and his wife look like a global power couple, in an engaging and friendly way.

Every year the speech finishes with the opening of the flag. It sits at the top of the flagpole folded tightly, with masses of flower petals wrapped inside. When the flag is opened the petals fall.

As they settle around the pole I watch and photograph the resulting pattern. Children pick them up and throw them around.