President Halonen's 60th birthday on 24 December 2003

Office of the President of the Republic of Finland Press Release 8 December 2003

President of the Republic of Finland Tarja Halonen will celebrate her 60th birthday on 24 December 2003. In honour of this event a coffee concert will be arranged for invited guests at the Helsinki City Theatre on 21 December 2003.

Instead of gifts and flowers, well-wishers can send donations to the following funds:

Finnish Cultural Foundation, Nordea 157230-11486
Kansan Sivistysrahasto, Nordea 152130-6009
Svenska Kulturfonden, Aktia 405540-220

Please write "Tarja Halonen 60v" and the name of the well-wisher in the message section. The names of all well-wishers will be collected in a petition which will be presented to the President of the Republic.

Donations will be used to support activities promoting Finnish cultural diversity, including minority culture, as well as human and constitutional rights and democracy.

Individuals and organizations can also include their name in a book which will be open in the lobby on the Mariankatu side of the Presidential Palace on Monday, 22 December 2003 from 8am to 6pm (entrance Mariankatu 2).

The President of the Republic will also receive well-wishers on Monday, 22 December 2003, but the number is unfortunately quite limited.