President of the Republic of Finland Alexander Stubb and his spouse Suzanne Innes-Stubb hosted a reception in honour of war veterans and members of the Lotta organisation at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki on Tuesday 2 December 2025.
In his speech, President Stubb stressed the efforts of the war generation in building an independent Finland.
“Finland’s 108 years of independence have been a success story. Finland has, by many measures, risen to become one of the most stable and secure countries in the world,” the President said.
“Your memories and deeds remain in our hearts. We honour the legacy of the wartime generations by ensuring the security of our country,” the President maintained.
The reception featured a variety of musical performances. The event began with orchestral music performed by the Guards Band, the official representative band of the Finnish Defence Forces. After the President’s speech, 15-year-old singer Matteus Pentti performed the traditional Suomen laulu (Song of Finland), accompanied by pianist Ilona Vähäsöyrinki. To conclude, the Opera Singers of the Finnish National Opera performed the Finlandia Hymn.
At the reception, the presidential couple had the opportunity to speak with several veterans and members of Lotta Svärd, the Finnish voluntary auxiliary organisation for women during wartime.
The reception was also be attended by President Tarja Halonen and Professor Pentti Arajärvi, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, Minister of Finance Riikka Purra, Minister of Education Anders Adlercreutz, First Deputy Speaker of Parliament Paula Risikko, and Commander of the Finnish Defence Forces Janne Jaakkola.
