The President’s Independence Day Reception on 6 December 2009

President of the Republic Tarja Halonen and Dr Pentti Arajärvi hosted the traditional Independence Day Reception at the Presidential Palace on Sunday, 6 December 2009.

As in previous years, invitations had been sent to all the members of the Government, Members of Parliament and Finnish Members of the European Parliament as well as senior civil servants and the diplomatic corps accredited to Finland. Other guests included Finns who have distinguished themselves in some way or another and people whom the President and Dr Arajärvi have met during the past year. About 1,800 guests had been invited in all.

Once again special themes had been selected for the reception and were visible in decorations, music, dishes and guests. This year's themes were the Year 1809 and, in connection with environment and climate matters, Sustainable Development - A Cleaner World.

Guests at the reception were served a traditional buffet. This included layer loaves, pies, pasties and other savouries as well as biscuits, pastries and cakes. To drink there were fair trade organic coffee and tea, Palace Punch, wine, beer and soft drinks.

Some 150 flower arrangements graced the Palace, with blue and white the main colours. Some of the flowers were grown at Kultaranta, the President's summer residence. Natural materials were used extensively in decorations, reflecting the theme of sustainable development.

The traditional ball begun with the Aurora Waltz, which was composed by Yrjö Hjelt especially for this year's Independence Day Reception. Background music during the hand-shaking ceremony and later on dance music in the State Hall was provided by the Guards' Band under the direction of the Chief Conductor of the Finnish Defence Forces, Lieutenant Colonel Elias Seppälä, and the Head of the Guards' Band, Major Raine Ampuja. The Guards' Band Combo was directed by Captain Sami Hannula, with Antti Matikainen as vocal soloist.

The Yellow Salon on the third floor of the Palace was again reserved for jazz. On the programme this year was the Antti Sarpila Swing Band with soloist Johanna Iivanainen. The band consists of Antti Sarpila (clarinet), Marian Petrescu (piano), Mihai Petrescu (bass) and Keith Hall (drums). 

History of the Independence Day reception at the Presidential Palace

Independence Day greetings from the President of the Republic of Finland to expatriate Finnish community

Photos of the Reception