The President’s Independence Day Reception on 6 December 2008

President of the Republic of Finland Tarja Halonen and Dr Pentti Arajärvi held the traditional Independence Day Reception at the Presidential Palace on Saturday 6 December 2008. As in previous years, invitations had been sent to all members of the Government, Members of Parliament, the Finnish Members of the European Parliament, senior civil servants and members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Finland. Also among the guests were Finns who had distinguished themselves in some way or another and persons whom the President and Dr Arajärvi had met in the course of the past year. About 1,900 guests were invited in all.

President of the Republic Tarja Halonen and Doctor Pentti Arajärvi before the Reception. Copyright © Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

The theme of this year’s reception was the Baltic Sea, which was reflected in the guests who have been invited as well as in the dishes, decorations and music. In the list of guests, special attention was paid to people who have worked to protect the Baltic Sea. This year marks the anniversaries of several significant events in Finnish history, in particular the Civil War of 1918. Therefore, the second theme of the reception was reconciliation, and among the guests, there were people who had participated in the discussion on this topic, for example, from fields of science and art.

Guests at the reception were served a traditional buffet. The buffet included layer loaves, pies, pasties and other savouries as well as cakes, and biscuits. The Baltic Sea theme was reflected in different herring dishes as well as in other dishes.

President Halonen and Doctor Arajärvi before the Reception. Copyright © Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

To drink there were fair trade coffee, organic tea, Palace Punch, wine, beer and soft drinks. There were about 150 flower arrangements decorating the Palace which included natural materials appropriate to the Baltic Sea theme, such as reeds and stones. Many of the flowers were from Kultaranta, the President’s summer residence.

Background music during the hand-shaking ceremony and later on dance music in the State Hall was provided by the Guards' Band. The band was conducted by Chief Conductor of the Finnish Defence Forces, Lieutenant Colonel Elias Seppälä, and Senior Lieutenant Sami Hannula. The Guards’ Band's Combo ensemble performed in the State Hall with Inga Söder as vocal soloist. The first waltzes, the Wedding Waltz of Akseli and Elina and the Baltic Sea Waltz, were connected to the themes of the reception.

As in previous years, there was jazz music in the Yellow Salon on the third floor of the Palace. This year music was provided by Jukkis Uotila Trio, which consists of Jukkis Uotila (piano), Christian Spering (bass) and Joonatan Rautio (saxophone).

Mrs. Tellervo Koivisto, President Mauno Koivisto, President Tarja Halonen, Doctor Pentti Arajärvi, President Martti Ahtisaari and Mrs. Eeva Ahtisaari. Copyright © Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

Photos of the Recetion

History of the Independence Day reception at the Presidential Palace