Nation celebrates Independence Day today

The nation will celebrate the 105th Independence Day on Tuesday with festivity and joy and show due respect to the war veterans.

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

All the government, semi-government and private offices, excepting the emergency services will remain closed.

President Sauli Niinistö and First Lady Jenni Haukio will host the Independence Day Reception at the President’s Palace.

Some 1,300 people from all over the Finland are invited to the Independence Day reception party and the number of guests is about a third lower than in previous years.

The guests include healthcare professionals, people responsible for overall security, volunteers as well as experts working on the success factors of the future.

In addition to the smaller number of guests than usual, health security will be taken into account also in other arrangements for the reception.

The theme of the reception is Finland as a nation that trusts in itself.

The Finnish Defence Forces will celebrate the Independence Day by a national parade in Hamina.

The theme of the parade is Security will be done together. The review of troops will be arranged on Hamina sports field and the pass in review on Kadettikoulunkatu.

The Finnish Defence Forces’ and other agencies’ equipment will be on display for familiarisation at the square of the Finnish Flag.

The parade will be participated by troops from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and National Defence University, as well as from the Finnish Border Guard and veterans’ and national defence organisations altogether up to 1,200 personnel. The event will include equipment of the Police, Rescue Department and Customs.