Image: Lise Aserud / EPA

One of the world's most successful pop stars arrived to a warm welcome from young fans in Helsinki Thursday. The overwhelmingly female group gathered in front of the Kamppi hotel in downtown Helsinki hoping for a sneak preview of the young celebrity ahead of Friday’s concert.

Earlier in the afternoon, concert organizers gave admirers a chance to see Bieber at a free event at the Kaisaniemi Park in the city centre.

Bieber’s albums have sold more than 15 million copies worldwide.

Friday a normal school day

City education authorities meanwhile are reminding star-struck young fans that Friday is a normal school day. Officials in Vantaa and Espoo have also said that the young idol’s appearance Friday night has not created any special arrangements.

The reminder follows statements in an online magazine claiming that many schools in Finland had given students the day off to attend the Canadian pop artist's concert.

“In my view there is no reason to give a day off because of Justin Bieber. Moreover, no school principal can make a unilateral decision to give this kind of time off, it needs to be approved by the school board,” explained school principal Markku Keijonen.

Bieber is scheduled to perform at 7.30 pm Friday.