Independence Day observed amidst restrictive measures

The nation on Monday celebrated the Independence Day in an exceptional manner for the second consecutive year due to the increasing trend of coronavirus outbreak.

The main celebrations of the day took place this year remotely due to the abnormal situation like the previous year.

The traditional Independence Day reception party at the Presidential Palace hosted by President Sauli Niinistö and first lady Jenni Haukio has been cancelled again.

Instead of the traditional reception attended by invited guests, the President invited all Finns to celebrate Independence Day remotely. Yle TV1's telecast the event from 4:00 pm.

This is the fourth time since the Second World War that the Presidential Palace has not turned into a crowdy party on the Independence Day evening.

At the initial years of the independence, the gala, however, would be cancelled or relocated on various occasions.

The president’s reception party was also shifted to Tampere Hall in 2013, as the Presidential Palace was being renovated, but last year it was cancelled for the first time in the history of 50 years of independence and also it was cancelled.

The Finnish Defence Forces also cancelled the Independence Day Parade and its side events scheduled to be held in Lahti due to the current coronavirus pandemic situation. The last year´s parade scheduled to be held in Pori was also cancelled.

Some public events, however, were held following the restrictive measures amidst the coronavirus situation.

Independence Day´s flag hoisting ceremony returned to Observatory Hill Park (Tähtitorninmäki) in Helsinki this year, which was shifted to Hämeenlinna last year following restrictions on gathering in the capital region due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The traditional 'The Unknown Soldier' (Tuntematon sotilas) on Independence Day, was also telecast by Yle TV1 at 1.10pm.

The country achieved liberation in 1917 from Imperial Russia.