Independence Day observed amidst festivity, joy

The nation celebrated the country’s independence on Tuesday amidst festivity and joy and showing due respect to the war veterans almost peacefully excepting a few sporadic incidents of demonstrations.

The main celebration took place at the presidential palace in the traditional way where President Sauli Niinistö and First Lady Jenni Haukio accorded reception to hundreds of guests including senior citizens, professionals, cultural activists, diplomats and people from different strata of the society.

About 1,300 guests were invited to the celebrations which also commemorated Finnish cultural markers for many years.

Meanwhile, different groups including extremist far-right 612 and anti-extremists held five separate demonstrations in the capital and police said that the demonstrations were observed almost peacefully.

The President, high ups of the government, Defence Forces officials and people from different strata placed wreath at Hietaniemi cemetery to pay tributes to the war heroes.

The Finnish Defence Forces held the Independence Day National Parade in Hamina.

The parade was 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 participated in the parade.

The theme of the parade was Security will be done together.

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

The country achieved liberation in 1917 from Imperial Russia.