The event will start at the Kansalaistori square, and from there a sunflower procession formed by Helsinki residents will take off towards Helsinki Cathedral at 18.30.
The procession will proceed from Kansalaistori via Mannerheimintie, Aleksanterinkatu and Fabianinkatu to Kirkkokatu, and then continue to the top of the Helsinki Cathedral steps. From the Three Smiths Statue, the procession will progress to the cathedral in silence.
The event culminates on the Helsinki Cathedral steps and Senate Square, where speeches and musical performances will be given.
The event will be hosted by journalist Baba Lybeck.
The sunflower is the national flower of Ukraine. The organisers hope that as many participants as possible will carry a sunflower at the event. Flowers will also be distributed by the organisers at the Kansalaistori square from 18.15 and at Senate Square from 19.00.
The event is organised by the Lutheran Church in Helsinki, the Ukrainian Association in Finland and the Mothersforpeace association. The University of Helsinki and the City of Helsinki are participating as event partners.
A more detailed programme as well as the speakers and performers will be published closer to the event.
Support from the University community
The Russian war of aggression, which began 18 months ago, has affected students, researchers and the academic community in a number of ways. The University of Helsinki and its community have supported Ukrainian students and researchers in continuing their research or academic studies in Finland.
For example, more than €227,000 was collected in a fundraising campaign launched in the spring of 2022. The sum has made it possible to award 56 grants to Ukrainian students and three grants to researchers.
Citizens of Ukraine have also had the opportunity to complete open university courses at the University of Helsinki free of charge.
Read more about the University’s recommendations and measures during the war.