Nation celebrates Independence Day today

The nation will celebrate the 106th Independence Day on Wednesday with festivity and joy and show due respect to the war veterans.

The country achieved liberation in 1917 from Imperial Russia. Today is a public holiday.

All the government, semi-government and private offices, excepting the emergency services will remain closed.

President Sauli Niinistö and First Lady Jenni Haukio will host the Independence Day Reception at the President’s Palace.

Some 1,700 people from all over the Finland will be invited to the Independence Day reception party.

The guests include a variety of people with long and illustrious careers who have been trailblazers, role models and mentors in their fields.

The theme of this year´s reception party is “changing times”.

The National Parade on the Independence Day of Finland will be held in Oulu this year with the theme “ Defenders of Independent Finland.”

The parade will be participated by troops from the Army, Navy, Air Force, National Defence University, and the Finnish Border Guard, as well as veterans’ and national defence organisations, altogether up to 1,300 personnel in total.

Meanwhile, police said that several demonstrations will be held in Helsinki on the Independence Day.

Independence Day events will cause changes in traffic arrangements, public transport routes and pedestrian traffic in Helsinki, said police in a press release.

Security arrangements during Independence Day are the Helsinki Police Department’s largest annual operation, involving cooperation with several different police units and authorities.

“During Independence Day, Helsinki will host various events from morning until late in the night. The police will ensure the smooth flow of these events and maintain public order throughout the day,” said Superintendent Jere Roimu, director of operations for Independence Day events at the Helsinki Police Department.

The Helsinki Police Department has already been notified of some demonstrations or parades.

Aviation will be restricted in the centre of Helsinki on Independence Day between 6 am and 12 midnight.

This restriction applies to both manned and unmanned aviation (drones). The temporary restriction zone will be established to safeguard the authorities’ aviation activities and the public events to be held in the area.

The authorities will have significant aviation activities in the area on Independence Day, and compliance with the restriction will be monitored closely.

Any violations will be subject to a fine, and equipment may also be ordered forfeit to the State as an instrument of crime, said police.