Finland’s national Veterans Day main ceremony held in Mikkeli

Finland’s national Veterans Day main ceremony is taking place in Mikkeli on Monday, with a live broadcast beginning at 13:00 local time, reports public broadcaster Yle.

President Alexander Stubb and his spouse Suzanne Innes-Stubb are attending the event, which will feature a speech by 100-year-old war veteran Viljo Pastila. Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen (National Coalition Party) will deliver the official address, while Commander of the Finnish Defence Forces General Janne Jaakkola will provide the military greeting.

The ceremony will include musical performances by the Finnish Dragoon Band, with soloists Saara Aalto and Hannu Lepola. The event is being broadcast live from the Mikaeli concert hall on Yle TV1 and the Yle Areena streaming service.