Finland’s former head of state Mauno Koivisto is celebrating his 85th birthday among his family today - Tuesday, November 25th 2008.
In honour of the occasion, President Tarja Halonen and her spouse Dr. Pentti Arajärvi will host a dinner at the Presidential Palace on Wednesday. A total of some 70 guests have been invited.
President Koivisto served two six-year terms as President from the autumn of 1981 to March 1994. A Social Democrat, he was also Finland's Prime Minister on two occasions, between 1968 and 1970, and from 1979-1981. Koivisto further served for 16 years as Governor of the Bank of Finland.
President Koivisto wishes that in lieu of gifts and flowers, well-wishers will make donations to support the work of Kansan Sivistysrahasto/The Popular Education Fund, Suomen Kulttuurirahasto/The Finnish Cultural Foundation, or Svenska Kulturfonden/The Swedish Cultural Fund.
