National Veterans’ Day is observed each year in Finland on 27 April, the day the Lapland War ended in 1945. The event is traditionally marked with solemn observances across the country.
This year the main commemorative event will take place in the eastern Finland city of Lappeenranta. The capital region will for its part mark the important day with an event co-organised by the metropolitan area cities of Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen.
Observance of the day in Helsinki traditionally includes a memorial service at the statue of Marshal Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim in the city centre and wreath-laying ceremonies at the Heroes’ Cross and Marshal Mannerheim’s grave at the Hietaniemi Cemetery.
This year, an invitation-only reception is also being arranged for Finland’s war veterans and their relatives at the Helsinki Opera House. Helsinki Mayor Juhana Vartiainen is one of the speakers at the event.
The Helsinki garrison will carry out a flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremony together with the City of Helsinki and the attending veterans at 10.00 at the square under the Mannerheim statue. This event is open to the public. Deputy Mayor Nasima Razmyar will represent the City of Helsinki at the ceremony.
The wreath-laying at the Helsinki Cemetery will take place at around 10.20.
The main National Veterans’ Day event in the city of Lappeenranta will be televised by the Finnish Broadcasting Company Yle.