Independence Day on 6 December 2021

  • President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö and Mrs Jenni Haukio laid a wreath at the Hero’s Cross in Hietaniemi Cemetery on the morning of Independence Day, 6 December 2021. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö and Mrs Jenni Haukio laid a wreath at the Hero’s Cross in Hietaniemi Cemetery on the morning of Independence Day, 6 December 2021. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö and Mrs Jenni Haukio laid a wreath at the Hero’s Cross in Hietaniemi Cemetery on the morning of Independence Day, 6 December 2021. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö and Mrs Jenni Haukio laid a wreath at the Hero’s Cross in Hietaniemi Cemetery on the morning of Independence Day, 6 December 2021. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • The presidential couple lit candles for Finland’s independence at the altar of Helsinki Cathedral on 6 December 2021. Photo: Jon Norppa/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    The presidential couple lit candles for Finland’s independence at the altar of Helsinki Cathedral on 6 December 2021. Photo: Jon Norppa/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö and Mrs Jenni Haukio on Independence Day, 6 December 2021. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö and Mrs Jenni Haukio on Independence Day, 6 December 2021. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • The Students’ Independence Day Torchlight Procession was an impressive sight as they marched past the Presidential Palace. Photo: Jon Norppa/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    The Students’ Independence Day Torchlight Procession was an impressive sight as they marched past the Presidential Palace. Photo: Jon Norppa/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • The Students’ Independence Day Torchlight Procession was an impressive sight as they marched past the Presidential Palace. Photo: Jon Norppa/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    The Students’ Independence Day Torchlight Procession was an impressive sight as they marched past the Presidential Palace. Photo: Jon Norppa/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • Reporters Ella Kanninen and Jussi-Pekka Rantanen interviewed the presidential couple in a live broadcast. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    Reporters Ella Kanninen and Jussi-Pekka Rantanen interviewed the presidential couple in a live broadcast. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö and Mrs Jenni Haukio in the Independence Day TV broadcast, 6 December 2021. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö and Mrs Jenni Haukio in the Independence Day TV broadcast, 6 December 2021. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • Nina Tapio and Kai Hyttinen performed in the Hall of State, accompanied by the Kaartin Combo band. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    Nina Tapio and Kai Hyttinen performed in the Hall of State, accompanied by the Kaartin Combo band. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • Nina Tapio and Kai Hyttinen performed in the Hall of State, accompanied by the Kaartin Combo band. Photo: Jon Norppa/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    Nina Tapio and Kai Hyttinen performed in the Hall of State, accompanied by the Kaartin Combo band. Photo: Jon Norppa/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • Elastinen performed in the Hall of State, accompanied by the Kaartin Combo band. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    Elastinen performed in the Hall of State, accompanied by the Kaartin Combo band. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • War veteran Unto Hakuli and member of the Lotta Svärd Helka Visuri sent touching greetings to everyone watching Yle’s Independence Day broadcast: “Life is worth living in any case.” Screenshot of the Yle broadcast.

    War veteran Unto Hakuli and member of the Lotta Svärd Helka Visuri sent touching greetings to everyone watching Yle’s Independence Day broadcast: “Life is worth living in any case.” Screenshot of the Yle broadcast.

  • Kaija Koo performed in the Hall of State, accompanied by the Kaartin Combo band. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    Kaija Koo performed in the Hall of State, accompanied by the Kaartin Combo band. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • Kaija Koo performed in the Hall of State, accompanied by the Kaartin Combo band. Photo: Jon Norppa/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    Kaija Koo performed in the Hall of State, accompanied by the Kaartin Combo band. Photo: Jon Norppa/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • “You said that you don’t consider yourselves to be heroes, but we consider you to be heroes even so.” President Niinistö and Mrs Haukio thanked, by remote connection, the nurses and those who have distinguished themselves during the COVID pandemic. Screenshot of the Yle broadcast.

    “You said that you don’t consider yourselves to be heroes, but we consider you to be heroes even so.” President Niinistö and Mrs Haukio thanked, by remote connection, the nurses and those who have distinguished themselves during the COVID pandemic. Screenshot of the Yle broadcast.

  • Teacher of the Year Minna Vuori, Bus Driver of the Year Frank Ahrenberg and Cleaning Industry Supervisor of the Year Minna Junni told the presidential couple about their work during the COVID pandemic. Screenshot of the Yle broadcast.

    Teacher of the Year Minna Vuori, Bus Driver of the Year Frank Ahrenberg and Cleaning Industry Supervisor of the Year Minna Junni told the presidential couple about their work during the COVID pandemic. Screenshot of the Yle broadcast.

  • Kaija Koo performed in the Hall of State, accompanied by the Kaartin Combo band. Photo: Jon Norppa/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    Kaija Koo performed in the Hall of State, accompanied by the Kaartin Combo band. Photo: Jon Norppa/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • Nina Tapio and Kai Hyttinen performed in the Hall of State, accompanied by the Kaartin Combo band. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    Nina Tapio and Kai Hyttinen performed in the Hall of State, accompanied by the Kaartin Combo band. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö and Mrs Jenni Haukio in the Independence Day TV broadcast, 6 December 2021. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö and Mrs Jenni Haukio in the Independence Day TV broadcast, 6 December 2021. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • Chat presenters Kreeta-Maria Kivioja and Daniel Olin interviewed the presidential couple during the Yle broadcast. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    Chat presenters Kreeta-Maria Kivioja and Daniel Olin interviewed the presidential couple during the Yle broadcast. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö and Mrs Jenni Haukio in the Independence Day TV broadcast, 6 December 2021. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö and Mrs Jenni Haukio in the Independence Day TV broadcast, 6 December 2021. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • Elastinen performed in the Hall of State, accompanied by the Kaartin Combo band. Photo: Jon Norppa/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    Elastinen performed in the Hall of State, accompanied by the Kaartin Combo band. Photo: Jon Norppa/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • Elastinen performed in the Hall of State, accompanied by the Kaartin Combo band. Photo: Jon Norppa/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    Elastinen performed in the Hall of State, accompanied by the Kaartin Combo band. Photo: Jon Norppa/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • Reporters Ella Kanninen and Jussi-Pekka Rantanen interviewed the presidential couple in a live broadcast. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    Reporters Ella Kanninen and Jussi-Pekka Rantanen interviewed the presidential couple in a live broadcast. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • Elastinen performed in the Hall of State, accompanied by the Kaartin Combo band. Photo: Jon Norppa/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    Elastinen performed in the Hall of State, accompanied by the Kaartin Combo band. Photo: Jon Norppa/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • Nina Tapio and Kai Hyttinen performed in the Hall of State, accompanied by the Kaartin Combo band. Photo: Jon Norppa/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    Nina Tapio and Kai Hyttinen performed in the Hall of State, accompanied by the Kaartin Combo band. Photo: Jon Norppa/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • Kaija Koo performed in the Hall of State, accompanied by the Kaartin Combo band. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    Kaija Koo performed in the Hall of State, accompanied by the Kaartin Combo band. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö and Mrs Jenni Haukio in the Independence Day TV broadcast, 6 December 2021. Photo: Jon Norppa/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö and Mrs Jenni Haukio in the Independence Day TV broadcast, 6 December 2021. Photo: Jon Norppa/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

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