The world congratulates the 100-year-old Finland by lighting up in blue and white

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 Finland

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

INFO: Suomi Finland 100

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