Nation celebrates Independence Centenary today

The nation will celebrate the 100 years of the country’s independence on Wednesday with festivity and joy and show due respect to the war veterans.

This year the celebrations started from the very beginning of 2017 and the final celebrations already got momentum from Tuesday evening on the eve of the Independence Day.

The celebrations began with blue-and-white lights shows, by flying the flags and with countless events across Finland. The centenary of Finland will also be celebrated around the globe as people join in to share the country’s historic moment.

“The centenary of Finland’s independence has brought together Finns and friends of Finland all over the world,” said Pekka Timonen, general secretary of the Centenary of Finland’s Independence, Prime Minister’s Office.

“This is a long-awaited, unique moment in our country’s history, and we welcome all kinds of celebrations to honour Finland,” said Timonen.

The official opening of the centenary of Finland’s independence was held at the Market Square in Helsinki at 6.00 pm on Tuesday. One hundred Finnish flags were hoisted in the square, with children and young people taking part in the celebration.

The flag-hoisting ceremony was also attended by President Sauli Niinistö, Speaker of Parliament Maria Lohela, and Prime Minister Juha Sipilä.

The merry eve was followed by a dignified Independence Day with its traditions and festivities. The historic and emotional evening will be celebrated in homes and assembly halls across the country.

The centenary celebrations of Finland’s independence will culminate in a festive firework display, which will rise above Helsinki’s South Harbour at around 10.00 pm on December 6. The fireworks will also close the centenary celebrations.

The world will join in to celebrate the one hundred years of Finland’s independence. Dozens of well-known landmarks and iconic venues and buildings around the world will be illuminated with blue-and-white lights in honour of Finland.

All Finnish embassies will organise a reception for Finland’s 100th anniversary of independence, and numerous Finnish communities will hold parties to celebrate their home country. There will also be greetings and other accolades for the 100-year-old Finland.

The country achieved liberation in 1917 from the imperial Russia. Today is a public holiday.

Most of the business centres including super markets and chain shops will remain closed while the public transport will maintain the holiday schedule. The small shops not bigger than 400 square metres and stalls in round the clock refuelling stations, however, will remain open.

President Sauli Niinistö and First Lady Jenni Haukio will host an Independence Day Reception at the President’s Palace. The invitees are people from different strata including members of the government, lawmakers, senior civil servants, members of the diplomatic corps and people from different strata of the country.