Sunny Helsinki Day was celebrated in a happy atmosphere

Helsinki Day was celebrated with almost 170 free events in warm and sunny weather on
Monday, 12 June. Helsinki’s birthday, a celebration that takes place across the city,
attracted a large audience to the events and experiences that were on offer both in the city centre and elsewhere in Helsinki.

Dinner under the Helsinki Sky brought together more than 1,000 people to raise a toast to their beloved Helsinki. The table was more than 400 metres long and stretched along
Pohjoisesplanadi. People gathered to have dinner in groups of different sizes, dining on their own favourite food and drinks.

The City of Helsinki cultural centres offered an extensive programme from morning to
evening, with something for people of all ages. The free programme included a variety of
workshops, magic shows, games, great food, fitness events, theatre and circus
performances as well as a wonderful selection of live music as acts such as Arja Koriseva, Yeboyah, F, Marion Rung and Paleface took to stages set up in various parts of Helsinki, and the Esplanade Park bandstand hosted a diverse group of outsider artists.

Mayor Juhana Vartiainen offered cups of coffee with the rhubarb pie that has become the hallmark of Helsinki Day to his guests at the City Hall in the morning, and went on to
congratulate the Helsinki Day baby at the Women’s Hospital. Journalist and non-fiction
writer Seija Sartti was announced as Stadin friidu and pianist-composer Olli Ahvenlahti as Stadin kundi. Distinguished citizens were given Helsinki Day medals and awards at the City Hall.

Did you take part in the Helsinki Day celebrations this year? Please give us feedback and
share your ideas for celebrating Helsinki Day. All respondents will be entered into a draw for the chance to win ticket packages for the Helsinki Festival.

Details of the Helsinki Day programme for next year will be announced in spring 2024.

Photo: Emilia Rautio