During the war, the Russian state has forcibly transferred and detained tens of thousands of innocent Ukrainian children and is systematically obstructing efforts to trace and return them. In addition, an estimated 1.6 million children remain in the occupied territories, where Russia seeks to militarize them and raise them to be future soldiers.
On the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion, we can come together to show that we have not forgotten the anguish of Ukrainian children and their families. We invite all residents of Helsinki to the Light for Ukraine event at Senate Square on Tuesday, 24th of February at 5pm to light a candle in their support.
The University of Helsinki Main Building, the Government Palace, the Merikasarmi building housing the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Helsinki Cathedral and the Helsinki City Hall will be lit in the colours of the Ukrainian flag. The University of Helsinki is involved as a collaboration partner and an institution with a presence at Senate Square.
The program includes, among other things, performances by Ukrainian choirs and a strong message from Finland’s national leadership to Ukraine. In addition to the Finnish state leadership, members of the diplomatic corps from around the world will attend.
Programme of the Light for Ukraine event
- 5pm Host opens the event
- Performance by a Ukrainian choir
- Guests of honour, event organisers, and members of the diplomatic corps place their candles
- Bishop Teemu Laajasalo of Helsinki invites the audience to a moment of silence
- The bells of Helsinki Cathedral ring, one-minute moment of silence
- Performance by a Ukrainian choir
- Speeches: Minister of Science and Culture Mari-Leena Talvitie, Ambassador of Ukraine Myhailo Vydoinyk and Mayor of Helsinki Daniel Sazonov.
- A small ensemble from the Tapiola Choir performs the Finlandia Hymn.
- City residents place their candles
(Changes possible)
A sea of candles on the steps of Helsinki Cathedral will send light to Ukraine
Two thousand candles will be distributed at the square by the organisers from 4.30pm onwards. Participants may also bring their own candles and place them on the steps of Helsinki Cathedral starting from 3pm. At the end of the event, the Ukrainian Association in Finland will collect the candles and deliver them to the Ukrainian front lines where their stearin will be used as a source of light and energy.
You can also participate in the event remotely by lighting a candle on social media by posting a photo or a candle emoji. The event hashtags are #WeMustNOTForget and #WeStandWithUkraine.
After the Light for Ukraine event, everyone is welcome to join the multilingual ecumenical prayer service at Helsinki Cathedral starting at 6pm.
More information about the event
Nadiia Fedorova, Ukrainian Association in Finland,
Susanna Makaroff, Mothersforpeace ry,
Lasse Mäki, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Helsinki,
The Light for Ukraine event is organised by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Helsinki, Mothers for Peace, and the Ukrainian Association in Finland, in cooperation with the City of Helsinki, the University of Helsinki, the Prime Minister’s Office, and the Embassy of Ukraine.