Mikkeli will host the national main ceremony of National Veterans’ Day on Monday, 27 April, which is also the anniversary of the end of the Lapland War. The day is preceded by a full Veterans’ Week, featuring a diverse programme for people of all ages.
The theme of the celebration, Facing the Future together, invites people to remember the past, understand history and build the future collectively.
– The Veterans’ Week programme reflects Mikkeli’s desire to offer experiences, knowledge and shared moments for the community. Most of the programme is free of charge and ranges from theatre and physical activity to museums, market square events and experiences for the whole family, says Heidi Hänninen, Head of Communications and Marketing for the City of Mikkeli.
A week-opening focused on history, gratitude and togetherness
Veterans’ Week begins at the Muisti Centre of War and Peace. The opening programme includes readings in Finnish from Winter War letters, speeches and musical performances by class 4M of the Headquarters School. On the same day, 20 April, the exhibition Factories at War opens, highlighting the role of industry during times of crisis.
The opening day concludes in the evening with a city-wide commemorative march from Hallituskatu to the Veterans’ Grove at the northern old cemetery. March participants and spectators are invited to light a candle in memory of the wartime generation. Everyone is welcome to join the march, and participants may bring their own candle.
Culture, exercise and family-friendly events
Throughout Veterans’ Week, residents and visitors can take part in a wide variety of cultural and physical activities. The programme includes theatre and film (in Finnish), such as the Tuntematon sotilas (Unknown Soldier) monologue and the film Vaiettu rykmentti JR29 (The Silenced Regiment JR29).
On Saturday, 25 April, admission to the Muisti, the Headquarters Museum, the Mikkeli Art Museum and the Infantry Museum will be free of charge. In addition, Marshal Mannerheim’s salon carriage will be exceptionally open to the public.
Free guided walking tours organised by Mikkeli Guides will also take place, exploring the city’s history from wartime through reconstruction. Families can enjoy a concert by Pikku Papu Orchestra and Muisti’s Family Day, featuring treasure hunts and creative workshops.
The physical activity programme during the week is provided by guided exercise sessions from the Commander-in-Chief’s fitness programme. These sessions are free and open to everyone.
Before Monday’s main celebration, a major public event will be held at the Market Square on Sunday, 26 April. The event will feature Defence Forces equipment displays, music and military canteen traditions – not forgetting the much-loved “sotku” doughnuts (munkki in Finnish) and coffee.
A dignified finale at Mikaeli
Veterans’ Week culminates in the national main celebration of National Veterans’ Day on 27 April at Mikaeli. The event is by invitation only and will be broadcast live by Yle on Channel One from 1.00 pm. The celebration can also be viewed later via a recording on the Yle Areena service.
The Veterans’ Day programme also includes the traditional flag-raising ceremony, wreath-laying and an ecumenical church service, all of which are open to the public.
– National Veterans’ Day reminds us that peace and freedom cannot be taken for granted. The day honours our war veterans and wartime generations – their work, sacrifices and legacy. As the veterans’ generation is diminishing, the ways in which we commemorate are changing, but certain traditions will always remain. As Finland’s headquarters city, Mikkeli is proud to preserve this memory, says Mayor Janne Kinnunen.
The full Veterans’ Week programme, schedules and performer information are available at www.kansallinenveteraanipaiva.fi.