Finland Times

 

Sauli Niinistö and first lady Jenni Haukio accorded reception to the guest at Independence Day celebration programme at president’s Palace on Saturday night. Photo Lehtikuva.

The nation celebrated Independence Day across the country with due respect on Saturday excepting an incident of sporadic clash in the capital.

 

A protest took place in Helsinki where the protesters vandalised and ransacked windows glasses of some buildings and cars.

 

The police said a group of demonstrators numbering about 200 gathered in the city’s Itäkeskus area at about 6:30pm and approached the Helsinki City centre by Metro.

 

They carried banners and festoons in protest against the government’s austerity policies and chanted anti-capitalist slogans.

 

Police rushed to the spot and searched the protesters and the Metro left for Helsinki after a five minutes delay, reported Yle.

 

The President and first lady were dancing at the Independence Day reception. Photo Lehtikuva.

But, when the agitating people left the Metro and brought out procession in the city centre, they damaged windows of a number of building and cars.

 

Police arrested about 20 demonstrators in connection with the incident, reported the news agency STT.

 

Meanwhile, the main celebration took place at the President’s Palace where President Sauli Niinistö and First Lady Jenni Haukio accorded reception to about 1,800 designated guests.

 

The guests were found to shake hands with the president and the first lady where about a hundred war veterans were also present.

 

Background music during the hand-shaking ceremony and dance music later on in the State Hall were performed by the Guards’ Band under the direction of Chief Conductor of the Finnish Defence Forces Lieutenant Colonel Elias Seppälä and Head of the Guards’ Band Major Jyrki Koskinen. 

 

The agitating people found to break windows during the demonstration in Helsinki. Photo Lehtikuva.

Led by Captain Lassi Ikäheimo and with Eeppi Ursin as the vocal soloist, the Guards’ Band Combo played light dance music during the evening. 

 

Tuomas Logrén and Savuava Kirnu also performed in the third-floor salon. 

 

The traditional buffet included light savoury and sweet refreshments, such as quiche, pastries and cakes. 

 

The death of the mother of President Sauli Niinistö, however, did not hamper the celebration.

Hilkka Niinistö, mother of the president passed away in Salo on Friday at the age of 98. 

 

Police arrest the agitators during the demonstration. Photo Lehtikuva.

Earlier, the president’s office sources said the sad incident would not affect the celebration.

 

Visitors have also been advised not to offer condolences to the president and his spouse at the Independence Day Reception.

 

Hilkka Niinistö was a nurse by profession and was present in last year’s Independence Day celebrations in Tampere.

 

Earlier, on the eve of the day, the president in a message to the nation in observance of 97th Independence Day said, “On the 6th of December each year, we Finns have the privilege of celebrating our country’s independence. This also gives us the opportunity to pause and consider what independence and Finland means to us.” 

 

The president said, “the 6th of December is also dedicated to those who defended and cherished our independence.” The priceless results of their work can be seen in the everyday lives of each and every one of us, he added.