The Opening Ceremony of the European Athletics Championships takes place in Senate Square on Tuesday, June 26, from 20 to 22 hrs.

The evening starts with a concert where the HumppAvanti! band plays with Matti Salminen, Marco Hietala, Mariska, Jukka Poika, Asa and Raappana as soloistis.

The National Anthem is sung after the concert, followed by a flag pageant presenting the countries participating in the Championships. Mayor Jussi Pajunen of Helsinki is one of the speakers. After the Championships have been declared open, the European Athletics. Anthem and a flag-raising are performed.

The evening closes with a show entitled ‘’Sports if Play’’, whose events take place in a sports stadium and whose leads are played by Maria Ylipää and Janne Marja-aho.

Finland hosts the European Athletics Championships for the third time.

Read more on the official website of the European Athletics Championships 2012: www.helsinki2012.fi