Indepencence Day Celebrations on 6 December 2023

  • President Sauli Niinistö laid a wreath at the Heroes' Cross at Hietaniemi Cemetery on the morning of Independence Day on 6 December 2023. Photo: Juhani Kandell /Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    President Sauli Niinistö laid a wreath at the Heroes' Cross at Hietaniemi Cemetery on the morning of Independence Day on 6 December 2023. Photo: Juhani Kandell /Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • President Sauli Niinistö laid a wreath at the Heroes' Cross at Hietaniemi Cemetery on 6 December 2023. Photo: Juhani Kandell /Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    President Sauli Niinistö laid a wreath at the Heroes' Cross at Hietaniemi Cemetery on 6 December 2023. Photo: Juhani Kandell /Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • President Sauli Niinistö and his spouse Jenni Haukio were welcomed to the ecumenical service at Helsinki Cathedral by Bishop Jukka Keskitalo of the Diocese of Oulu. Photo: Roni Rekomaa/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    President Sauli Niinistö and his spouse Jenni Haukio were welcomed to the ecumenical service at Helsinki Cathedral by Bishop Jukka Keskitalo of the Diocese of Oulu. Photo: Roni Rekomaa/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • President Sauli Niinistö and his spouse Jenni Haukio attendend the ecumenical service in Helsinki Cathedral. Photo: Roni Rekomaa/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    President Sauli Niinistö and his spouse Jenni Haukio attendend the ecumenical service in Helsinki Cathedral. Photo: Roni Rekomaa/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • The traditional Independence Day torchlight procession of university students brought light to the Esplanade. Photo: Roni Rekomaa/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    The traditional Independence Day torchlight procession of university students brought light to the Esplanade. Photo: Roni Rekomaa/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • The presidential couple greeted the torchlight procession from the balcony of the Presidential Palace. Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    The presidential couple greeted the torchlight procession from the balcony of the Presidential Palace. Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • The traditional Independence Day torchlight procession of university students brought light to the Esplanade. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    The traditional Independence Day torchlight procession of university students brought light to the Esplanade. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • At this year’s reception, the first guest to greet the President and his spouse was archiatre Risto Pelkonen. Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    At this year’s reception, the first guest to greet the President and his spouse was archiatre Risto Pelkonen. Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • President Niinistö shaking hands with University of Jyväskylä doctoral researcher Henna Kokko. Photo: Roni Rekomaa/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    President Niinistö shaking hands with University of Jyväskylä doctoral researcher Henna Kokko. Photo: Roni Rekomaa/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • The president welcomes long-distance runner Lasse Virén with his spouse Päivi Virén. Photo: Roni Rekomaa/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    The president welcomes long-distance runner Lasse Virén with his spouse Päivi Virén. Photo: Roni Rekomaa/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • President Niinistö greets Jere Pöyhönen, better known as the rap artist Käärijä. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    President Niinistö greets Jere Pöyhönen, better known as the rap artist Käärijä. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • Photo: Roni Rekomaa/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    Photo: Roni Rekomaa/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • President Niinistö welcomes Alli Korva, member of the Lotta Svärd organisation, to the Independence Day reception. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    President Niinistö welcomes Alli Korva, member of the Lotta Svärd organisation, to the Independence Day reception. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • The war veterans and members of the Lotta Svärd organisation entered the State Hall as the Jäger March was being played. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    The war veterans and members of the Lotta Svärd organisation entered the State Hall as the Jäger March was being played. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • The war veterans and members of the Lotta Svärd organisation entered the State Hall as Jäger March was being played. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    The war veterans and members of the Lotta Svärd organisation entered the State Hall as Jäger March was being played. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • The war veterans and members of the Lotta Svärd organisation entered the State Hall as the Jäger March was being played. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    The war veterans and members of the Lotta Svärd organisation entered the State Hall as the Jäger March was being played. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • Dr Pentti Arajärvi, President Tarja Halonen, President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö and Dr Jenni Haukio in the State Hall after the welcoming ceremony. Photo: Juhani Kandell /Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    Dr Pentti Arajärvi, President Tarja Halonen, President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö and Dr Jenni Haukio in the State Hall after the welcoming ceremony. Photo: Juhani Kandell /Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • Jenni Haukio in discussion with war veteran Iisakki Saarnisto, 99, from Laihia in Ostrobothnia. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    Jenni Haukio in discussion with war veteran Iisakki Saarnisto, 99, from Laihia in Ostrobothnia. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • At the coffee reception, President Niinistö talked with war veteran Aarno Muotka (left), 100, and member of the Lotta Svärd foundation Eila Henttu (right), 95. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    At the coffee reception, President Niinistö talked with war veteran Aarno Muotka (left), 100, and member of the Lotta Svärd foundation Eila Henttu (right), 95. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • At the coffee reception, the YL Male Voice Choir performed the song To the Fatherland. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    At the coffee reception, the YL Male Voice Choir performed the song To the Fatherland. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • War veterans Niilo Vunneli, 100, and Tenho Ruottu, 98, singing Veteraanin iltahuuto, Song of the Finnish Veterans. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    War veterans Niilo Vunneli, 100, and Tenho Ruottu, 98, singing Veteraanin iltahuuto, Song of the Finnish Veterans. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • Member of the Lotta Svärd organisation, Alli Korva, 101, reciting a poem. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    Member of the Lotta Svärd organisation, Alli Korva, 101, reciting a poem. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • The first waltz was danced to the tune of Valse Lente by Oskar Merikanto. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    The first waltz was danced to the tune of Valse Lente by Oskar Merikanto. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • The presidential couple dancing in the Hall of State. Photo: Roni Rekomaa/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    The presidential couple dancing in the Hall of State. Photo: Roni Rekomaa/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • Sami Pitkämö and his orchestra played classics and evergreens in the Salon on the third floor. Photo: Roni Rekomaa/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    Sami Pitkämö and his orchestra played classics and evergreens in the Salon on the third floor. Photo: Roni Rekomaa/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

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