In a show of support to Ukraine's fight against Russia's invasion, Finland's government plans to fly the Finnish and Ukrainian flags on Friday 24 February, the conflict's one-year anniversary.
In a press release issued on Wednesday, the Finnish government condemned Russia's "illegal invasion of Ukraine."
"The Finnish state flag will be flown on the main flagpoles by the Government Palace and Merikasarmi [barracks]. The Ukrainian flag will be flown at Senate Square in front of the Government Palace and on the line of flags at the square in front of Merikasarmi. The Finnish and Ukrainian flags will be flown on other Government buildings," the government explained.
The government added that "anyone" can raise a flag supporting Ukraine, whether it is a Finnish or Ukrainian one.
The release also noted that in Finland, flags are to be raised at 8 am and lowered at sunset.
Candlelight memorial
Meanwhile, the City of Helsinki is planning a candlelight memorial event commemorating the one-year anniversary of Russia's deadly invasion of Ukraine on Friday afternoon and evening at Senate Square.
In an announcement about the event, which begins at 4pm, the City said that the bells of Helsinki Cathedral will ring, followed by a minute of silence.
"Candles will then be placed on the steps of the Helsinki Cathedral by Finnish President Sauli Niinistö, the Ukrainian Ambassador to Finland Olga Dibrova, Education Minister Li Andersson (Left), Nordic Cooperation and Equality Minister Thomas Blomqvist (SPP), Employment Minister Tuula Haatainen (SDP), Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto (Green), Transport and Communications Minister Timo Harakka (SDP), Family Affairs and Social Services Minister Krista Kiuru (SDP), Agriculture and Forestry Minister Antti Kurvinen (Cen), and representatives of the event’s organising parties Helsinki Mayor Juhana Vartiainen, Helsinki Parish Union director Juha Rintamäki, and Rector of the University of Helsinki Sari Lindblom," the City's statement read.
After the initial ceremony, members of the public will then be able to place candles on the Cathedral steps. People can bring their own candles, but the organisers will have around 2,000 candles available at no cost.
After the event, members of Finland's Ukrainian Association will collect the unburned candles and deliver them to the front line in Ukraine, where the candle wax will be used as an energy and light source, according to the city.
