Finland turns 106 and Tampere is filled with events – Check out the highlights of the day

Children's Independence Day Dance Party

Children will once again be able to enjoy the excitement of dance when the Children's Independence Day Dance Party takes place at Tampere Hall on 6 December from 2-5 pm. The Children's Independence Day Dance is aimed at children aged 4-12 and their families. The programme will include live music, children's dance and singing performances and various workshops. The event will be opened by Mayor Kalervo Kummola together with the children of the Tampere Children's Parliament. The Dance Party will be hosted by the Tampere Children's Parliament and presented by Veera Degerholm. Guests can dress up if they want, but everyone is welcome to come as they wish. Admission is free.

Independence Day celebrations at the Keskustori Central Square

Finland's Independence Day will be celebrated traditionally at Keskustori Central Square on 6 December from 5 to 5.30 pm. In addition to artists VIIVI and Konsta Hietanen, the Independence Day celebrations will feature performances by two choirs and Tampere Workers’ Association’s orchestra. The event will feature a speech by Pekka Salmi, Deputy Mayor of Tampere and Tampere Arts-Oriented Senior Secondary School students Minttu Viitamäki ja Elli Löövi recite a poem. The event will be hosted by Anna Sirén.

At the end of the event, the buildings in the Keskustori Central Square area will be illuminated with winter light installations, which will last until 7 January 2024.

Wreath laying ceremony, march-past and service at Kalevankangas

The traditional Independence Day ceremony will be held at the Kalevankangas Cemetery on Wednesday 6 December from 11 am. The programme will open with a fly-over by an F18 Hornet at Kalevankangas. The programme will continue with the traditional wreath laying ceremony and a speech by Juha Yli-Rajala, Group Chief Executive Officer of the City of Tampere. This will be followed by a march-past from the Kalevankangas cemetery to the Kaleva Church at around 11.35 am. The march will be followed by a service in Kaleva Church starting at 12 pm.

Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra’s Independence Day Concert

Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra’s Independence Day celebration concert will take place on 6 December at 3 pm in Tampere Hall. Finnish nature will be heard in compositions by Merikanto, Rautavaara, Moberg, Järventausta and Sibelius. The concert will finish with Pacius' Maamme and Sibelius' Finlandia with the Tampere Philharmonic Choir. The conductor will be Ruut Kiiski. The concert will last about an hour.