The UNITED FOR UKRAINE – UNITED FOR PEACE event will start at Kansalaistori, from where the sunflower procession will set off towards Helsinki Cathedral at 18.30. Join us!
The procession will proceed from Kansalaistori to Mannerheimintie, Aleksanterinkatu and Fabianinkatu to Kirkkokatu, from where it will arrive at the top platform of the Cathedral. From the statue of the Three Blacksmiths, the march will proceed silently, letting the flowers and Ukrainian flags speak for themselves.
The event will culminate in a spectacular display on the steps of the Cathedral and at Senate Square, where speeches and musical performances will be given. The host of the event is journalist Baba Lybeck.
The sunflower is the national flower of Ukraine. The organisers hope that as many people as possible will carry sunflowers with them. The flowers will also be distributed by the organisers at Kansalaistori from 18.15 and at the Senate Square from 19.15.
"The war is not over, let's stick together"
UNITED FOR UKRAINE – UNITED FOR PEACE is organised by the Lutheran Church in Helsinki, the Ukrainian Association in Finland and Mothersforpeace in cooperation with the City of Helsinki and the University of Helsinki.
"Restoring peace in Ukraine is our common cause. That is why we want to show our support for Ukraine and Ukrainians. Together we can show that now is the time to forge swords into plowshares again," says Juha Rintamäki, Director of the Helsinki Parish Union.
Vassili Goutsoul, Chairman of the Ukrainian Association in Finland, says Ukrainians are very grateful to Finland and the Finns for their continued support.
"On Independence Day, we unite around the world to send waves of support to Ukraine and express our gratitude to all the people who have been supporting us in our fight for freedom. This is also a good opportunity to remind everyone: the war is not over, let's stick together," says Goutsoul.
"On Ukraine's Independence Day on 24 August, Russia's war has been going on for a year and a half. Ukraine needs visibility and Ukrainians need all the help and support they can get to maintain their independence and freedom. It is great to be a part of this event. It will be our third peace march for Ukraine and Ukrainians," says Susanna Makaroff from Mothersforpeace.
The City of Helsinki, a partner of the event, has shown its sympathy and support to Ukraine through humanitarian aid and support to organisations helping Ukrainians in Helsinki since the beginning of the war. The city has also provided services and support to those escaping the war. Guidance and further information on these matters is available through hel.fi/ukraine, InfoFinland.fi (Link leads to external service)and International House Helsinki(Link leads to external service).
Another partner of the event, the University of Helsinki, has supported Ukrainian students and researchers to continue their research or academic studies in Finland. Scholarships have been provided for Ukrainians so that they have been able to study at the Open University of Helsinki free of charge.
The Embassy of Ukraine in Finland is an event partner.
A more detailed programme of the UNITED FOR UKRAINE – UNITED FOR PEACE event, including speakers and performers, will be published closer to the event.
Event on social media: #WeStandWithUkraine #Helsinki