Lordi homecoming party was largest-ever public gathering in Helsinki

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Friday evening's celebrations of monster-band Lordi's Eurovision Song Contest success were the largest public gathering ever seen in Helsinki.
      According to official police estimates, the crowd at the free concert in the Market Square numbered around 90,000, which is twice the capacity of the Olympic Stadium.
      More people turned out to welcome the five-piece band home than did for example after Finland's hockey players won the World Championship in 1995. Originally that gathering was said to have attracted as many as 100,000, but it is believed that only 30,000 or so were in the square for the actual event.
     
Another large public gathering was the free concert some years ago in the Kaivopuisto Park headlined by Latino singer Shakira, which allegedly drew around 80,000.
      Police arrived at their current figure for the Lordi party after examining aerial photographs of the extent of the crowd, which stretched well back into the Esplanade Park and along streets adjacent to the Market Square.
      The event was also watched on television by more than a million Finns.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  More than 90,000 celebrate Lordi and an end to Eurovision failure (29.5.2006)

Helsingin Sanomat