President Halonen opens 90th anniversary year of independence
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The official launch of the 90th anniversary year of Finnish independence took place on Thursday at Helsinki's Finlandia Hall.
The anniversary year was opened by President Tarja Halonen.
The slogan of the year is ME! "US!" - a reference to the broad range of people who define Finnishness - from the majority population, to the old minorities, moving on to those who have recently acquired citizenship, as well as Finns living abroad.
According to a press release on the anniversary year, "It is with the spirit of 'US!' that much good has been achieved, developing, over hundreds of years, the Finnish way of life that is now being celebrated."
Themes of the anniversary year include history and the future, nature and summer, language and culture, music, design, as well as physical exercise and sports. Preparations for the year have taken place under the leadership of the Minister of Culture Tanja Saarela (Centre).
In addition to Thursday's opening at Finlandia Hall, main events of the year include an event for new Finnish citizens and Finnish expatriates, to be held in Pori in July, as well as a "happy quarter of an hour for independent Finland" on December 5th, the day before Independence Day.
The general feeling seems to be that this time Finland wishes to celebrate the passing of the years with as little formal pomp and circumstance as possible: Halonen took the hint on Thursday and instead of giving a formal address, she was interviewed.
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 5.1.2007 - TODAY |
 President Halonen opens 90th anniversary year of independence
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