Independence Day reception for war veterans and members of the Lotta Svärd at the Presidential Palace on 1 December 2022

  • President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö and Mrs Jenni Haukio hosted a reception in honour of Finland’s independence for war veterans and members of the Lotta Svärd at the Presidential Palace on Thursday,1 December 2022. Photo: Matti Porre/The Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö and Mrs Jenni Haukio hosted a reception in honour of Finland’s independence for war veterans and members of the Lotta Svärd at the Presidential Palace on Thursday,1 December 2022. Photo: Matti Porre/The Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • “It is an honour to celebrate Finland’s independence with you. Our independence, which we have because of you. I want to state that we remember, we respect and we thank you.” Photo: Juhani Kandell/The Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    “It is an honour to celebrate Finland’s independence with you. Our independence, which we have because of you. I want to state that we remember, we respect and we thank you.” Photo: Juhani Kandell/The Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö and Mrs Jenni Haukio hosted a reception in honour of Finland’s independence for war veterans and members of the Lotta Svärd at the Presidential Palace on Thursday,1 December 2022. Photo: Matti Porre/The Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö and Mrs Jenni Haukio hosted a reception in honour of Finland’s independence for war veterans and members of the Lotta Svärd at the Presidential Palace on Thursday,1 December 2022. Photo: Matti Porre/The Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • In discussion with General Jaakko Valtanen. Photo: Juhani Kandell/The Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    In discussion with General Jaakko Valtanen. Photo: Juhani Kandell/The Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • Helka Visuri, 100, from Punkaharju, served as a member of the Lotta Svärd in communications at Pieksämäki. Photo: Matti Porre/The Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    Helka Visuri, 100, from Punkaharju, served as a member of the Lotta Svärd in communications at Pieksämäki. Photo: Matti Porre/The Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • Total Cello Ensemble, who closed the event solemnly with Jean Sibelius’ ‘Finlandia’, performed at the event. Photo: Matti Porre/The Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    Total Cello Ensemble, who closed the event solemnly with Jean Sibelius’ ‘Finlandia’, performed at the event. Photo: Matti Porre/The Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • In discussion with Otto Virkki, a war veteran from Imatra. Photo: Matti Porre/The Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    In discussion with Otto Virkki, a war veteran from Imatra. Photo: Matti Porre/The Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • Hanna Tähti (left), from Tampere, became a war orphan at the age of one. On the right, Annikki Mäkelä, a member of the Lotta Svärd from Helsinki. Photo: Juhani Kandell/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    Hanna Tähti (left), from Tampere, became a war orphan at the age of one. On the right, Annikki Mäkelä, a member of the Lotta Svärd from Helsinki. Photo: Juhani Kandell/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • 101-year-old war veteran Eero Blåfield, from Espoo, was 18 years old when he went to the Winter War as a volunteer. Photo: Juhani Kandell/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    101-year-old war veteran Eero Blåfield, from Espoo, was 18 years old when he went to the Winter War as a volunteer. Photo: Juhani Kandell/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • Eila Karhula, 95, from Sulkava, became a junior member of Lotta Svärd in 1934. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    Eila Karhula, 95, from Sulkava, became a junior member of Lotta Svärd in 1934. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö and Mrs Jenni Haukio hosted a reception in honour of Finland’s independence for war veterans and members of the Lotta Svärd at the Presidential Palace on Thursday,1 December 2022. Photo: Matti Porre/The Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö and Mrs Jenni Haukio hosted a reception in honour of Finland’s independence for war veterans and members of the Lotta Svärd at the Presidential Palace on Thursday,1 December 2022. Photo: Matti Porre/The Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • War veteran Unto Hakuli, from Lemi. Photo: Juhani Kandell/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    War veteran Unto Hakuli, from Lemi. Photo: Juhani Kandell/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö and Mrs Jenni Haukio hosted a reception in honour of Finland’s independence for war veterans and members of the Lotta Svärd at the Presidential Palace on Thursday,1 December 2022. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö and Mrs Jenni Haukio hosted a reception in honour of Finland’s independence for war veterans and members of the Lotta Svärd at the Presidential Palace on Thursday,1 December 2022. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

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