President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö visited Tampere on Saturday 20 January 2024. During the visit, the President discussed with representatives of the City of Tampere and the Pirkanmaa region. After the meeting, the President took part in a public skating event in Sorsapuisto Park.
The visit began with a meeting with representatives of the City of Tampere and the Pirkanmaa region at Tampere City Hall. In a press briefing after the meeting, the President said that the city has accomplished many good things by working together to find solutions. “The key is the way in which great things, some of them rather unimaginable to outsiders, have been achieved together”.
According to the president, one of the main themes of the visit was physical activity. “We should get Finns, especially young people, to exercise much more,” the President said to the media. The City of Tampere has actively participated in the exercise challenge launched by President Niinistö last autumn.
As part of the programme, President Niinistö took part in a public skating event in Sorsapuisto Park organised by the City of Tampere. Despite the cold and icy weather, hundreds of Tampere residents came to meet the President or just to skate. Children from Pellervo kindergarten sang a skating song for the President during the event, and photos with the President were very popular.
During the day, the President also visited the new Tammela Stadium. Before the official programme, the President warmed up by playing ice hockey at the Nokia Arena with hockey legends from the local teams Tappara and Ilves.
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The Mayor of the City of Tampere, Kalervo Kummola, welcomed President Niinistö to Tampere. Photo: Riikka Hietajärvi/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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Discussions on current local issues with representatives of the City of Tampere and the Pirkanmaa region. Photo: Riikka Hietajärvi/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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A tour of the new Tammela Stadium. Photo: Riikka Hietajärvi/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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Many people enjoyed the public skating event in Sorsapuisto. Photo: Riikka Hietajärvi/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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Children from Pellervo kindergarten sang a skating song for the President. Photo: Riikka Hietajärvi/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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The crisp winter weather kept the skaters moving. Photo: Riikka Hietajärvi/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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Selfies with the President were very popular. Photo: Riikka Hietajärvi/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland