Halonen gets her last Christmas gifts as Finland’s President

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On Monday, President Tarja Halonen received the last traditional gifts and greetings of her term in office at her official residence of Mäntyniemi.
      This year fishermen had been lucky, and the President got a pike for her Christmas table.
      Last year, the pike was a ceramic one, as the sea had not been kind enough to give any fish.
      Two years ago, the pike traditionally brought from the Turku archipelago community of Korppoo was not on the programme at all.
     
In addition to the pike, Halonen received a Christmas tree delivered to Mäntyniemi by a delegation of students of agriculture and forestry.
      She also got a floral greeting from the Finnish Florists' Association.
      A Christmas ham handed over to the President came from Vehmaa in Southwestern Finland.
      This year’s recently-crowned Lucia, Nora Peltola - elected on St. Lucy's Day - and a choir brought their choral greeting to the President.
     
Halonen will remain in office for some weeks into the New Year, but the 12th person to serve as Finland's head of state will be sworn in at the beginning of February or the beginning of March, depending on whether one or two rounds are required in the upcoming elections.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Halonen gets a ham and a tree, but no fish this year (22.12.2009)

Links:
  The President of the Republic of Finland

Helsingin Sanomat