Helsinki marks Ukraine’s Independence Day

The City of Helsinki will celebrate the Independence Day of Ukraine on Wednesday in befitting manners.

Ukraine celebrates its independence each year on 24 August, and this year, the date also marks six months of Russia’s war of aggression in the country.

The City of Helsinki will hoist the Ukrainian flags at several city locations marking the day, said the city in a press release.

The city is compiling a book of greetings for the people of Ukraine. The book is entitled “We Stand with Ukraine” and residents of Helsinki are encouraged to write greetings to include in it.

Contributions to the book can be submitted at the Helsinki-info service point on the first floor of the Oodi Central Library until 24 September.

Children’s drawings are also welcome, for example, in addition to other forms of greetings. The Helsinki-info service point will have some paper and supplies available, or you can prepare something in advance.

Helsinki Mayor Juhana Vartiainen will present the book to Ukraine’s Ambassador to Finland Olga Dibrova in September.

“The City of Helsinki and our residents have a strong need to show sympathy and support to the people of Ukraine. For this reason, too, it is important that we honour Ukraine’s Independence Day with gestures of this nature. The city and our broad support network of volunteers consider it a matter of the heart that the Ukrainians who have fled the war feel welcome and safe in Helsinki,” Vartiainen said.