Party food and drinks, a magician, music and a special edition comic book will be part of the festivities today when 500 children celebrate a special Independence Day party at the House of the Estates in Helsinki
The event is being hosted for the second time by Prime Minister Juha Sipilä (Centre), after starting the new tradition last year as part of Finland’s 100th birthday celebrations.
Every municipality in the country is invited to send two 10-year olds to the festivities where they will be greeted individually by the prime minister – just like adults are greeted by the President at the official Independence Day party at the Presidential Palace on 6th December.
The theme of this year’s event is reading and literature – coinciding with the opening of the new Oodi Central Library – and the guests will be eating Koiramäki hot dogs, Anneli and Onneli’s vegetable skewers, Harry Potter’s molecule candy buffet and Diary of a Wimp Kid pastries.
“The children’s Independence Day celebration was one of the most memorable Finland100 events from last year. That’s why I wanted to organise it again this year. I hope this becomes a tradition” said Sipilä.
Also appearing at the event will be characters from popular children’s books, a magician and other acts including a ‘surprise performer’ whose identity will not be revealed until the children arrive. The whole celebration will be captured in a limited edition comic book which each of the children will be given at the end of the day.
