This year, all Finns celebrated Independence Day together remotely. President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö and Mrs Jenni Haukio hosted the Independence Day celebration, which included presentations of Finnish performing art and scenes from celebrations held in previous decades. Viewers also followed how Independence Day was celebrated in different ways throughout Finland. Yle, the Finnish Broadcasting Company, broadcast the celebration live into viewers’ homes.
Regional broadcasts presented the strengths of Finnish society
During the evening, regional broadcasts brought viewers Independence Day greetings from different parts of Finland. At Jorvi Hospital in Espoo, staff from the pulmonary and intensive care unit shared their thoughts on the coronavirus pandemic and how they are copying with it. The pandemic has not stopped Finnish society at any stage; progress is being made even in the challenging circumstances.
Viewers heard about voluntary work and its importance in a broadcast from Ilomantsi. There, the Red Cross, the Evangelical Free Church and the Lions Club work together to ensure that EU food aid reaches those who need it.
The Finnish crew members of the cargo ship m/s Hjördis, which flies under the Finnish flag, related in a broadcast how they experience Finnishness while spending long periods abroad. The ship was sailing through the Kiel Canal on its way to the Netherlands with a cargo of Finnish steel industry products.
A regional broadcast of the Kainuu Brigade’s exercise at the Vuosanka firing range, on the other hand, conveyed to the viewers the thoughts on national defence and independence of conscripts and a woman performing voluntary military service. Viewers were also introduced to pure domestic food production from a greenhouse farm in Närpiö.
A video depicting Finland’s beautiful nature from Åland to Lapland led viewers to Enontekiö in north-west Finland to meet a reindeer farmer and his sons, who talked about the Sámi people’s relationship with nature and their concern to preserve nature for future generations. The visit to the north-west ended with a performance by reindeer farmer Juha Tornensis of a traditional joiku, which his grandfather, in his time, had dedicated to Helsinki.
Speeches of children and young people looked boldly to the future: happiness, close friends and relatives, and a desire to pursue dreams were uppermost in their thoughts. The children and young people also raised their concern about climate change and its effects.
Presidential couple met war veterans and a member of the Lotta Svärd
During Independence Day week, President Niinistö and Mrs Haukio met by remote connection Mr Yrjö Rimpinen from Kokemäki, a veteran of the Continuation and Lapland Wars, and Mrs Aila Salo from Rauma, who served as a junior Lotta in the Winter and Continuation Wars.
At the meeting, Mr Rimpinen said that he sometimes felt homesick while on the front, but the thought of leaving his position or not fulfilling his duty had never entered his mind. Mrs Salo emphasised the role of women in maintaining the country’s independence.
Before Independence Day, President Niinistö also met at the Presidential Palace General Jaakko Valtanen, who viewers have been accustomed in recent years to seeing as the first guest to arrive at the Hall of State. At the beginning of the meeting, the President read an excerpt from his diary about an earlier Independence Day, in which he described his feelings as the General stepped forward to shake his hand while the Jaeger March played: “As I shake his hand, my hand is steady, my gaze incisive, but deep inside there’s a tremor and emotion starts to overcome me.”
General Valtanen told President Niinistö that he trusts in the future and the young people of Finland. In the society of today, the desire to defend one’s own country and independence still strongly exists, and it stems from the fact that the status and rights of individual citizens have been safeguarded like they are in Finland. The general also agreed with President Niinistö that a sense of inclusion and belonging is an important part of this desire.
Extensive display of culture
An extensive display of various cultural performances was also seen on Independence Day. The celebration began in the traditional way with the Jaeger March, performed by the Guards Band. In the Hall of State, singers Aarne Pelkonen and Diandra touchingly interpreted various songs, including Kaj Chydenius’s Sinua, sinua rakastan. They were accompaned by musicians Jukka Perko, Marzi Nyman, Jani Pensola, Seppo Guangzhou and Eriikka Maalismaa.
The rap group Biolapset raised the atmosphere in the Atrium and in the Hall of Mirrors with their brisk number Ota pallosta kii. Actors Seela Sella and Esko Salminen also performed in the Atrium. The performance, directed by Mika Myllyaho, was based on a collage of quotations compiled and edited by Mrs Haukio.
Dancers of the National Ballet danced the first waltz of the evening to the rhythm of Valse Lente. In addition, kantele artist Ida Elina and dancer Atte Kilpinen performed their own interpretation of the Finlandia hymn.
A fine evening ended with the YL Male Voice Choir’s rendition of the song Isänmaalle.
Due to the coronavirus situation, most of the evening’s performances were recorded in advance. In addition, the Biolapset performance, for example, consisted of several parts recorded at different times.
The celebration was organised in partnership with Finnish Broadcasting Company Yle, which broadcast the Independence Day events live.
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The presidential couple began the Independence Day celebrations by lighting candles in Helsinki Cathedral. Photo: Laura Kotila/Prime Minister’s Office
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President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö and Mrs Jenni Haukio laid a wreath at the Heroes’ Cross in Hietaniemi Cemetery in honour of Independence Day. Photo: Jon Norppa/Office of the President of the Republic
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Photo: Juhani Kandell/Office of the President of the Republic
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Children arriving at the Presidential Palace. Photo: Jon Norppa/Office of the President of the Republic
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Children bringing candles to the window of the Yellow Room of the Presidential Palace. Photo: Juhani Kandell/Office of the President of the Republic
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Children bringing candles to the window of the Yellow Room of the Presidential Palace. Photo: Juhani Kandell/Office of the President of the Republic
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Children bringing candles to the window of the Yellow Room of the Presidential Palace. Photo: Juhani Kandell/Office of the President of the Republic
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The Guards Band performing in the Hall of State of the Presidential Palace at the Independence Day celebration. Photo: Juhani Kandell/Office of the President of the Republic
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Aarne Pelkonen performing in the Hall of State of the Presidential Palace at the Independence Day celebration. Photo: Emmi Korhonen/Office of the President of the Republic
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Aarne Pelkonen performing in the Hall of State of the Presidential Palace at the Independence Day celebration. Photo: Emmi Korhonen/Office of the President of the Republic
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Aarne Pelkonen performing in the Hall of State of the Presidential Palace at the Independence Day celebration. Photo: Juhani Kandell/Office of the President of the Republic
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Aarne Pelkonen performing in the Hall of State of the Presidential Palace at the Independence Day celebration. Photo: Emmi Korhonen/Office of the President of the Republic
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Aarne Pelkonen performing in the Hall of State of the Presidential Palace at the Independence Day celebration. Photo: Juhani Kandell/Office of the President of the Republic
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Diandra and Aarne Pelkonen performing in the Hall of State of the Presidential Palace at the Independence Day celebration. Photo: Emmi Korhonen/Office of the President of the Republic
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Diandra and Aarne Pelkonen performing in the Hall of State of the Presidential Palace at the Independence Day celebration. Photo: Emmi Korhonen/Office of the President of the Republic
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Diandra and Aarne Pelkonen performing in the Hall of State of the Presidential Palace at the Independence Day celebration. Photo: Juhani Kandell/Office of the President of the Republic
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Diandra and Aarne Pelkonen performing in the Hall of State of the Presidential Palace at the Independence Day celebration. Photo: Emmi Korhonen/Office of the President of the Republic
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The YL Male Voice Choir performing on the balcony of the Presidential Palace at the Independence Day celebration. Photo: Juhani Kandell/Office of the President of the Republic
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The YL Male Voice Choir performing on the balcony of the Presidential Palace at the Independence Day celebration. Photo: Juhani Kandell/Office of the President of the Republic
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The YL Male Voice Choir performing on the balcony of the Presidential Palace at the Independence Day celebration. Photo: Juhani Kandell/Office of the President of the Republic
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The YL Male Voice Choir performing on the balcony of the Presidential Palace at the Independence Day celebration. Photo: Juhani Kandell/Office of the President of the Republic
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Diandra performing in the Hall of State of the Presidential Palace State at the Independence Day celebration. Photo: Juhani Kandell/Office of the President of the Republic
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Diandra performing in the Hall of State of the Presidential Palace State at the Independence Day celebration. Photo: Emmi Korhonen/Office of the President of the Republic
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Diandra performing in the Hall of State of the Presidential Palace State at the Independence Day celebration. Photo: Emmi Korhonen/Office of the President of the Republic
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Diandra performing in the Hall of State of the Presidential Palace State at the Independence Day celebration. Photo: Emmi Korhonen/Office of the President of the Republic
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Diandra performing in the Hall of State of the Presidential Palace State at the Independence Day celebration. Photo: Juhani Kandell/Office of the President of the Republic
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The presidential couple being interviewed by Yle’s presenters. Photo: Juhani Kandell/Office of the President of the Republic
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Before Independence Day, the President of the Republic of Finland and Mrs Haukio met Mrs Aila Salo, who served as a junior Lotta in the Winter and Continuation Wars, and Mr Yrjö Rimpinen, a veteran of the Continuation and Lapland Wars. Photo: Jon Norppa/Office of the President of the Republic
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Before Independence Day, the President of the Republic of Finland and Mrs Haukio met Mrs Aila Salo, who served as a junior Lotta in the Winter and Continuation Wars, and Mr Yrjö Rimpinen, a veteran of the Continuation and Lapland Wars. Photo: Jon Norppa/Office of the President of the Republic
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Before Independence Day, President Niinistö also met at the Presidential Palace General Jaakko Valtanen, who viewers have been accustomed in recent years to seeing as the first guest to arrive at the Hall of State. Photo: Jon Norppa/Office of the President of the Republic
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Before Independence Day, President Niinistö also met at the Presidential Palace General Jaakko Valtanen, who viewers have been accustomed in recent years to seeing as the first guest to arrive at the Hall of State. Photo: Jon Norppa/Office of the President of the Republic
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Before Independence Day, President Niinistö also met at the Presidential Palace General Jaakko Valtanen, who viewers have been accustomed in recent years to seeing as the first guest to arrive at the Hall of State. Photo: Jon Norppa/Office of the President of the Republic
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Biolapset performing in the Atrium of the Presidential Palace at the Independence Day celebration. Photo: Antti Nikkanen/Office of the President of the Republic
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Biolapset performing in the Atrium of the Presidential Palace at the Independence Day celebration. Photo: Antti Nikkanen/Office of the President of the Republic
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Biolapset performing on the Atrium balcony of the Presidential Palace at the Independence Day celebration. Photo: Antti Nikkanen/Office of the President of the Republic
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Biolapset performing in the Presidential Palace at the Independence Day celebration. Photo: Juhani Kandell/Office of the President of the Republic
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Biolapset performing in the Presidential Palace at the Independence Day celebration. Photo: Juhani Kandell/Office of the President of the Republic
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Actors Seela Sella (left) and Esko Salminen performing in the Atrium of Presidential Palace at the Independence Day celebration. Photo: Antti Nikkanen/Office of the President of the Republic
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Actor Seela Sella performing in the Atrium of Presidential Palace at the Independence Day celebration. Photo: Antti Nikkanen/Office of the President of the Republic
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Actor Esko Salminen performing in the Atrium of Presidential Palace at the Independence Day celebration. Photo: Antti Nikkanen/Office of the President of the Republic
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Actors Seela Sella (left) and Esko Salminen performing in the Atrium of Presidential Palace at the Independence Day celebration. Photo: Emmi Korhonen/Office of the President of the Republic
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Dancers of the National Ballet performing the first waltz in the Hall of State of the Presidential Palace at the Independence Day celebration. Photo: Emmi Korhonen/Office of the President of the Republic
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Dancers of the National Ballet performing the first waltz in the Hall of State of the Presidential Palace at the Independence Day celebration. Photo: Juhani Kandell/Office of the President of the Republic
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Dancers of the National Ballet performing the first waltz in the Hall of State of the Presidential Palace at the Independence Day celebration. Photo: Emmi Korhonen/Office of the President of the Republic
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Dancers of the National Ballet performing the first waltz in the Hall of State of the Presidential Palace at the Independence Day celebration. Photo: Emmi Korhonen/Office of the President of the Republic
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Kantele artist Ida Elina and dancer Atte Kilpinen performing their own interpretation of the Finlandia hymn. Photo: Juhani Kandell/Office of the President of the Republic
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Kantele artist Ida Elina and dancer Atte Kilpinen performing their own interpretation of the Finlandia hymn. Photo: Juhani Kandell/Office of the President of the Republic
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President of the Republic Sauli Niinistö and Mrs Jenni Haukio in an interview during the Independence Day celebration at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki on 6 December 2020. Photo: Emmi Korhonen/Office of the President of the Republic