The City Council 150 years jubilee year starts nearing its end. During the year, Helsinki has celebrated the City Council, democracy and the city’s residents with many events: the City Council jubilee meeting, a lecture marathon on history, open house at City Hall and the heart of decision-making, and a future evening for young people.
During its jubilee meeting on 15 January, the City Council also made a jubilee decision to grant Helsinki residents between the ages of 7 and 19 free admission to outdoor swimming pools, certain cultural centre events and the Hakasalmi Villa during 2025.
– The future of local democracy is built on increasingly open dialogue and more diverse ways for residents to participate. It is important that we establish permanent ways for residents to participate, so that the voice of Helsinki residents can truly be heard and support democracy between elections. It has been a wonderful and valuable experience to be a part of the events of this historical year, says the chair of the City Council Eveliina Heinäluoma.
A video series was also published during the jubilee year. The series presents historical and significant decisions made by the City Council and includes a video on how the City Council’s decision-making works. The videos can be viewed on the Helsinki Channel.
City leadership commemorated Leo Mechelin
The city leadership commemorated statesman Leo Mechelin, first chair of the City Council, at his grave at the Hietaniemi Cemetery on Mechelin’s birthday the 24 November.
The memorial wreath was placed by chair of Helsinki City Council Eveliina Heinäluoma along with deputy chairs Juha Hakola and Anni Sinnemäki. Mayor of Helsinki Daniel Sazonov and Deputy Mayors Johanna Laisaari, Reetta Vanhanen, Paavo Arhinmäki and Maarit Vierunen were also present.
Mechelin was the first chair of the City Council
Leo Mechelin (1839–1914) was the first and long-term chair of the City Council during the 1870s and the 1890s. During his time as chair, Helsinki developed and grew at a fast pace.
The Helsinki City Council started its work in January 1875 when the Finnish decree on municipal administration in cities took effect. Leo Mechelin, who had received the largest number of votes in the council election, was elected as the first Chair of the City Council. He was member of the Helsinki City Council during the years 1875–1878 and 1891–1899 and chair of the City Council during 1875–1876, 1878 and 1892–1899. Mechelin was also active in several of the Council’s committees.
Leo Mechelin had an important role in establishing and consolidating the Helsinki City Council and in the city’s major projects in the late 1800s. Leo Mechelin was part of developing and creating a modern, rapidly growing and expanding economic and cultural capital for Finland.
