Independence Day to be celebrated remotely

Finland’s Independence Day will be celebrated this year remotely, due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Instead of the traditional reception attended by invited guests, President Sauli Niinistö and First Lady Jenni Haukio will invite all Finns to celebrate Independence Day remotely, said the President’s Office in press release on Tuesday.

“The reception has traditionally gathered around two thousand Finns at the presidential palace. But Independence Day is also celebrated at home, by millions in front of their televisions. Although this year we will not meet in the traditional way at the presidential palace, this will by no means diminish the significance of the celebration. We will celebrate Finland and our independence together with all Finns through a new kind of programme,” said Niinistö in a statement.

The partner of the event is Yle, the Finnish broadcasting company which will show the Independence Day live on Yle TV 1.

During the evening, viewers will enjoy presentations of Finnish performing art as well as compilations of scenes from Independence Day receptions held in previous decades.

In addition to the presidential palace, the broadcast will visit different parts of Finland and follow how Finns celebrate Independence Day in different ways.

Viewers will have the opportunity to send their own greetings to the evening’s broadcast.