National Veterans Day is celebrated on April 26.4. Riihimäki in Keskuskirke

The National Veteran's Day celebration will be held in Riihimäki on Friday, April 26, 2024 at 13 p.m. in Keskuskirka (Hämeenkatu 5). Before the party, coffee will be served from 12 o'clock in the church hall of Kirkkopuisto (Kirkkopolku 2). At the request of the parties organizing the party, it was decided to move the party to Friday this year, so that the city's ninth-graders, who were invited as party guests, could participate.

The celebration is open to everyone and free of charge. The program of the warm-hearted and valuable occasion includes greetings and various musical performances. The aim of the event is to pass on the legacy of veterans to the next generations. Therefore, especially children and young people have been invited to the party as both performers and party guests. National Veterans Day is celebrated in honor of Finland's war veterans and in memory of the end of the war and the beginning of peace.

This year, lieutenant colonel Risto Kohonen from the National Defense University will be the keynote speaker, and city manager Jouni Eho will greet the city. Lieutenant Colonel Marko Uotinen from the Armored Brigade is responsible for greeting the garrison, and Kalle Franken from Riihimäki high school will greet the young people.

Music is provided by the students of Riihimäki Music College and Eteläinen koulu's music classes. At the end of the celebration, the Veteran's Day wreath is sent to the hero's grave under the leadership of pastor Teemu Saarinen and high school students.

The arrangements for the event are made in cooperation with the city of Riihimäki, Riihimäki parish, Hattula-Riihimäki garrison and local veteran and national defense organizations.

In 1986, at the initiative of veterans' organizations, the Government designated April 27 as the national veterans' day and general flag day. The first Veteran's Day main celebration was celebrated in 1987 in Lahti. This year, the main celebration of the National Veterans' Day will be held in Vaasa with the theme Protecting the legacy of veterans - together we will succeed. The theme of 2024 communicates the importance of preserving the legacy of veterans and securing its continued recognition.