Press release April 12, 3pm

More than 230 municipalities accepted Mayor Jussi Pajunen’s invitation to
celebrate Helsinki’s 200-year-old history as the nation’s capital.

The Helsinki 200 Years as Capital Seminar and reception for invitees took place at Finlandia Hall on April 12. There were also representatives of the diplomatic corps and of cooperation partners such as residents’ associations, NGO’s, universities and colleges, the state and the Church. Some of the City’s departments and utilities were also represented. The attendance rose to almost 1 500 people.

Mayor Pajunen’s welcoming address was followed by orations by the President of the Republic Mr. Sauli Niinistö, Mayor Sten Nordin of Stockholm, Mayor Aleksi Randell of Turku, Governor Georgy S. Poltavchenko of St. Petersburg and Professor Emeritus Matti Klinge. The closing address is given by Mr. Eero Heinäluoma, Speaker of Parliament.

The Seminar panel debate theme is ‘’How should Helsinki be developed during the next 200 year’’.

The day will climax in a festive concert at Music Centre. Helsinki Philharmonic
Orchestra will play under the conduct of Dima Slobodeniouk.

To honour the jubilee year, Helsinki City Council granted in their 11.4. meeting a special appropriation of ten million euro for the prevention of youth exclusion.

The jubilee year makes Helsinki’s history as the nation’s capital known, also looking into the future. Helsinki became the capital city by command of the Tsar of Russia on 8.4.1812. The promotion into the status of capital is the most important turning point in Helsinki’s history. It instigated the city’s growth into the nation’s centre of population, culture, economy and administration. Helsinki was founded in 1550.

Recording of the event on Helsinki channel

The Seminar at Finlandia Hall and the concert at Music centre are broadcast live on Helsinki channel at www.helsinkikanava.fi. The TV broadcast can also be watched as a recording. Both events are also available on the Stadi.TV channel of the cable TV.

Further information on the jubilee year:

Producer Hilkka Hytönen
tel. +358 (0)40 334 7911
hilkka.hytonen.fi
City of Helsinki

Helsinki’s history as capital at www.helsinki200.fi
The jubilee year programme is also on display on these pages.

Picture material recorded during the events at Finlandia Hall and Music Centre and the Jubilee Year Logo at:
http://aineistopankki.hel.fi/?cart=1703-mahcfcfhbj&I=EN

Related historical pictures at:
http://aineistopankki.hel.fi/?cart=1281-aebaiemmaj&l=EN