Finns welcome New Year amid festivity, joy

The celebrations of New Year 2023 have begun across the country amid festivity and joy after restricted celebrations in the last two years against the backdrop of coronavirus outbreak.

The celebrations attracted several thousands of people who welcome the 2023 moment after midnight through fireworks displays almost every part of the country.

Although most of the local authorities arranged fireworks display, people also individually organised the fireworks by their own across the country.

After two exceptional years, the City of Helsinki celebrated the turn of the year together at a grand event on Kansalaistori.

The festival-goers were entertained by top Finnish artists Isac Elliot and Cledos with guests. There is programme for all ages.

The city, however, cancelled the New Year's fireworks to ensure the safety of the people due to bad weather conditions.

The New Year’s Eve celebrations kicked off at 5:30 p.m. with Skidit Pakkasdisko, a children’s disco that makes the entire family dance. MC New Ro, DJ Orkidea, the young dancers of StepUp School and the Galante choir, among others, guarantee a party atmosphere. The early evening programme climaxes show at 6 p.m.

The late-night concert’s warm-ups began with DJ duo Paha Vaanii at 10:30 p.m. The concert kicked off with Emma award-winner F and artist on the rise Hassan Maikal, followed by a New Year’s greeting from Mayor Juhana Vartiainen.

The main act for this year’s concert is a rare joint gig by Isac Elliot and Cledos. Isac Elliot has released some of the most listened songs of the year and received several Finnish and international awards.

Cledos is a top name in new wave rap music, reaching multi-platinum streaming numbers with his own and featured songs.

The New Year show rises to exceptional heights with an impressive group of featured artists that includes, for example, BEHM, william and DAVI.

The New Year’s Eve concert hosted by Emma Karasjoki and Gogi Mavromichalis and the he party continued at Kansalaistori with DJ duo Paha Vaanii playing Finnish music until 12:30 a.m.

"Fireworks are always accompanied by the risk of heavy wind. The fireworks must also come down somewhere, which is why the situation in the middle of the city is always tricky. Unfortunately this is what happened, but safety comes first”, Stuba Nikula, the CEO of the Helsinki Event Foundation responsible for the implementation of the event, apologized for the situation.