Radio | Clear news | Wednesday 6 December 2023
Independence Day. Parade. Castle party. Russian threat. Forecast.
Independence Day celebrations
Today, Wednesday, is Independence Day. Finland turns 106 years old. Independence Day celebrations started at 9 o’clock in the morning. That’s when the Finnish flag was raised on Tähtitorninmäki in Helsinki.
President Sauli Niinistö laid a wreath on the hero’s grave at Hietaniemi cemetery.
President Niinistö also participated in the Independence Day service in Helsinki Cathedral. The police removed two people from the church who organized a protest during the service.
Independence Day Parade
The Independence Day parade was organized in the afternoon in Oulu. 1300 people participated in the parade.
The parade was attended by army troops from the Army, Navy, Air Force, National Defense Academy and the Border Guard, as well as veterans.
Many cities have also had various Independence Day celebrations.
Independence Day demonstrations
Demonstrations have also been organized in Helsinki on Independence Day.
Demonstrations have been organized, for example, by a racist group and a far-right group of people. The demonstration was also organized by a group that opposes the extreme right.
The police have been following the demonstrators closely.
Castle party
The most popular event on Independence Day is the President’s Independence Day reception, or the Castle Party. President Sauli Niinistö and Mrs. Jenni Haukio have invited 1,700 guests to Linna’s party.
President Niinistö and Mrs. Haukio will host Linna’s party for the last time this year. Next year, a new president will be elected in Finland.
The castle party is a very popular party. About 3 million Finns usually watch the castle celebrations on TV or.
Fear of Russia
The Russian military threat worries many Finns. The E2 research institute has asked Finns if Russia worries them. Almost half of Finns say that the Russian threat worries them.
Finns over 50 are most worried about the Russian threat. Russia worries young people less than old people. About 30 percent of Finns under the age of 25 are worried about the Russian military threat.
For many young people, independence has grown in importance because the world situation has become uncertain.
Weather
The weather will be mostly cloudy on Thursday. The sun can sometimes shine in the central and southeastern parts of the country. There will be snow showers in the west. The temperature is between -5 and -15 degrees.