Finland’s 100 years of independence is celebrated this week with blue-and-white light shows across Finland and in almost 30 countries around the world. The excitement has been gathering pace up to the last minute, and 50 iconic venues and buildings across the globe will be illuminated with blue and white lights in honour of Finland’s centenary of independence.

The centenary of Finland’s independence culminates on Finland’s Independence Day, 6 December 2017. It is the most significant commemorative year for this generation of Finns. The Finns’ enthusiasm to mark the country’s 100th birthday with blue-and-white light shows has also spread across the world. Over the next few days, there will be blue-and-white light shows at 50 sites in a total of almost 30 countries. News about new venues for the light shows has been coming in up to the last minute.

The sites include the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro and the Niagara Falls in Canada, as well as many other spectacular sites that will be covered in blue-and-white lighting in honour of Finland.

“Finland has received numerous accolades and gifts from around the world this year. Now, the world will turn blue and white for a short time. This is a great moment for Finns and friends of Finland,” says Pekka Timonen, General Secretary of the Centenary of Finland’s Independence, Prime Minister’s Office.

Finland 100 and the network of Finnish embassies have collaborated with partners in a number of countries to ensure that Finland’s big moment will be visible around the world. Yle, the Finnish Broadcasting Company, will air the unforgettable moments from the illuminated venues on TV, stream them online on Yle Areena, and post them on social media, starting on 5 December, the eve of Independence Day.

Finland’s centenary has become the richest and most versatile anniversary or theme year of all time in Finland. The centenary programme, with more than 5,000 projects has spread to more than 100 countries on all the continents. The open programme, its magnitude and the way the projects are carried out are unique even on an international scale.

Sites to be illuminated (as 3 December 2017, changes are possible)

Country, city, site to be illuminated

Argentina, Buenos Aires, The Usina del Arte cultural centre

Australia, Adelaide, Adelaide Town Hall

Australia, Brisbane, Story Bridge and Victoria Bridge

Australia, Canberra, Telstra Tower, the Old Parliament House, Malcolm Fraser Bridge, Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre(Parkes)

Australia, Hobart, Railway Roundabout Fountain, Elizabeth Street Mall and the Kennedy Lane Tourism Precinct

Australia, Perth, The Council House building and Trafalgar Bridge

Austria, Vienna, The Wiener Riesenrad Ferris wheel

Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, The Christ the Redeemer statue

Bulgaria, Sofia, The National Palace of Culture

Canada, Niagara Falls

Cyprus, Nicosia, The White Walls building

Czech Republic, Prague, The Dancing House designed by Frank Gehry

Estonia, Tallinn, Stenbock House (The seat of the Government)

Estonia, Tartu, The Vanemuine Theatre, Võidu sild Bridge, Kaarsild Bridge

Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Lion of Judah monument in front of the Ethiopian National Theatre

Greece, Athens, The Arch of Hadrian

Hungary, Budapest, Elizabeth Bridge

Iceland, Reykjavik, Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre

Ireland, Dublin, Mansion House, the residence of the Lord Mayor of Dublin

Italy, Rome, The Colosseum

Kazakhstan, Astana, The bridges across the Ishim River, St. Regis hotel

Latvia, Jelgava, Railway Bridge

Latvia, Riga, The Tower of the Town Hall in the Old Town, the Railway Bridge across the Daugava river

Mexico, Mexico City, The Angel of Independence monument (Ángel de la Independencia)

Mozambique, Maputo, Maputo Fortress

Netherlands, Alkmaar, Stadskantine Alkmaar

Norway, Oslo, Holmenkollen ski jumping hill

Poland, Warsaw, The Palace of Culture and Science

Portugal, Lisbon, Belém Tower (a UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Russia, Lumivaara, Lumivaara Church

Russia, Moscow, The Embassy of Finland

Russia, Petrozavodsk, The National Theatre

Russia, Saint Petersburg, The Museum of Ethnography

Serbia, Belgrade, Ada Bridge, Palace Albania

Sweden, Stockholm, Globen

Switzerland, Montreux, The Mannerheim memorial

Ukraine, Kiev, The Embassy of Finland

United Kingdom, Newcastle,The Gateshead Millennium Bridge

Further information and inquiries:

suomi100media(at)sek.fi, tel. +358 (0)50 327 5160 weekdays 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (UCT+2), 5-6 December 8:00 am – 9:00 pm (UCT +2)

Päivi Pirttilä, Head of Communications, Finland 100, paivi.pirttila(at)vnk.fi, tel. +358 (0)295 160 133 or +358 (0)40 705 3323

Tiina Tähtinen, Communications Officer, Public Diplomacy, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, tiina.tahtinen (at) formin.fi, tel. + 358 295 351765

Marko Krapu, Excecutive Producer, Yle, marko.krapu(at)yle.fi, tel. +358 40 869 1176

Information on the program

Finland 100 in social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube

#congratsfinland #finland100

Further information and material for the media

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Finland 100 Years. The year 2017 will mark Finland’s 100th anniversary as an independent state. It is the most important anniversary year of this generation and will be celebrated throughout 2017 all over Finland. The theme selected for the centenary year is ‘Together’. Responsibility for the preparations and coordination of the centenary year rests with Finland 100 set up by the Prime Minister’s Office, assisted by the Project Secretariat and the regional network in the counties. suomifinland100.fi, #suomi100, #finland100