Helsinki has been a culturally diverse city throughout its history. Statistics show that at the end of 2024, roughly 142,000 people with a foreign background were living in the capital. The corresponding number of Helsinki residents who received Finnish citizenship in 2024 was 2,629.
The City of Helsinki celebrates its new Finnish citizens each year by inviting all recently naturalised adult Helsinki residents to City Hall. The annual event is hosted by the Mayor of Helsinki, currently Daniel Sazonov, who will also present the opening words.
“I want to warmly congratulate all Helsinki residents who were granted Finnish citizenship last year. Over the last few years, the citizenship reception has turned into an esteemed tradition that provides the city with the opportunity to meet and celebrate our residents who have recently become citizens,” Sazonov said.
The reception will begin with a joint rendition of the Finnish national anthem “Maamme”. After this, Mayor Sazonov will offer some welcoming remarks, and a person selected to represent
the new citizens will present a speech. This year, language instructor Luciana Paltila will address the gathering.
Kora player Cheick Cissokho, the folk music duo of Marjo Smolander and Minttu Hellstén and the Nei Zigma band will provide the evening’s musical entertainment.
Registration for the citizenship reception closed on 23 November. A total of 2,168 invitations were sent, and 440 new citizens responded that they would attend. The invitation could not be sent to those recipients who have opted out of direct marketing.
