Despite poor weather, many still showed up for Finland’s Independence Day traditions.
A slideshow highlighting different events on Independence Day in Finland.
Finland marked its Independence Day on Saturday with the usual mix of solemn ceremonies, community events and political demonstrations, some of which required heavy police presence in central Helsinki.
Yle News reporter Matthew Schilke explained some of Finland’s Independence Day traditions in the video below.
The day’s official commemorations began in Helsinki, where President Alexander Stubb and his spouse Suzanne Innes-Stubb laid a wreath at the Hietaniemi Cemetery’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Despite steady rain, hundreds of people gathered to watch the ceremony, which concluded with a military band playing the national anthem.
Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP) and representatives of the Defence Forces, the Border Guard, veterans’ organisations and the City of Helsinki also laid wreaths.
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Finnish President Alexander Stubb lays a wreath at Hietaniemi Cemetery. Image: Jussi Koivunoro / Yle
Elsewhere, Kouvola hosted the national Independence Day parade, attracting large crowds along Salpausselänkatu. The march was reviewed by Lieutenant General Kim Jäämeri, Finland’s military representative to the EU and Nato.
In Helsinki, the traditional Heikki Hursti’s meal for the disadvantaged drew long queues despite the rain. Volunteers served free soup to around 800 people, continuing the decades-long charity tradition founded by Veikko and Toimi Hursti.
A second tradition — begun only last year — saw Helsinki cold-water swimmers gather again in Jätkäsaari to sing Finlandia while wading in the frigid sea.
Swimmers bear cold temperatures to sing Finlandia.Demonstrations and transport disruption
Independence Day also brought a series of politically charged marches and counter-protests, particularly in Helsinki’s Töölö district, prompting significant transport disruptions on tram and bus lines throughout the afternoon and evening.
The first major event was the “Suomi herää” (“Finland Awakens”) march, which departed from Railway Square with around 500 masked participants, including members of the far-right Active Club network.
Participants lit pyrotechnic torches, at times filling Mannerheimintie with thick smoke. Police said the burning flares caused safety risks in the crowd, and officers intervened in the actions of at least two people.
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The Finland Awakens march passed by the Finnish Parliament Building early in the evening. Image: Mikko Stig / Lehtikuva
One man who attempted to block the procession shouted “shame on you!” before police removed him from the route.
The march ended outside the Finnish Parliament Building, where police stood guard.
Later in the evening, authorities fenced off Töölöntori, the traditional starting point for the 612 torchlight march, which has in past years included far-right participants.
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The Töölöntori square fenced in ahead of Independence Day demonstrations. Image: Reetta Cremin / Yle
Police expect tensions as the counter-movement “Helsinki without Nazis” announced it would gather at the same location shortly before the 6:30pm start of the 612 procession.
All Points North’s latest episode examines the legacy of Finland’s dwindling war generation.
Listen to the episode via this embedded player, on Yle Areena, via Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Finland’s last remaining war veterans
All Points North takes a look at Finland’s diminishing population of war veterans and hears about how they impacted Finnish society as well as efforts to preserve their history. Presidential Reception
The day concludes with the Independence Day Reception at the Presidential Palace, where invited guests celebrate with President Stubb and his spouse. Yle’s live broadcast of the event begins at 6:15pm on Saturday.
The Presidential Reception can be watched in the embedded player below.
Yle’s coverage of the Presidential Reception.
The gala remains Finland’s most-watched annual television event.