Morning
Visit to Uspenski Cathedral
Special Independence Day service at the Cathedral
17.30
Torchlight procession greeted from the Presidential Palace balcony
19.00
Independence Day reception at the Presidential Palace
Some 2000 guests are invited to the Independence Day reception. They include members of the Government, members of Parliament, members of the European Parliament, the country's highest officials and the diplomatic corps accredited to Finland. The veterans of the Winter War are this year's special guests, in commemoration of the end of the war 60 years ago, as are influential young professionals from different walks of life and representatives of NGOs. Sciences and the arts are represented, for example, by Finns who have won national and international prizes. Other guests include persons the President and Mr. Arajärvi have met in the course of the year.