Finland and Estonia join forces in celebration of their centenary years

Finland and Estonia are presenting their top cruise destinations together again at this year’s Seatrade Cruise Global fair. Both countries also celebrate the hundredth anniversary of independence in coming years.

Photo: Visit Helsinki / Eeva Tulenheimo

Finland became an independent state on 6 December 1917. Finnish people have for a hundred years engaged in the building of their country and making decisions together. The centenary emphasises Finland’s strengths, such as equality and democracy by offering Finns and friends of Finland diverse and international centenary programme in Finland and abroad.

Finland offers a variety of amazing cruise destinations, from cultural hubs of Helsinki and Turku, to getaways in nature in Kotka and Mariehamn. Every destination has its own charm, and the warm, light-filled summers and the fascinating contrasts of the cities tempt you to explore. All of the destinations offer special program and tours during the year:

Helsinki

Finnish Presidents Tell – The mobile app will introduce you to Finnish history while you are admiring stone-made monuments. Modern technology and film narration make the statues of Finnish Presidents in the centre of Helsinki come alive and tell their own stories. The three-language video and audio guide will also present these heads of state, who have contributed significantly to Finland’s independence, as ordinary human beings.

Tom of Finland Experience – Touko Laaksonen alias Tom of Finland has become an international gay culture icon during the years. But it wasn´t always like that. Welcome to a theme walking tour to learn about Tom as an artist ‒ how for example a stamp decorated with his art became the most sold stamp ever in Finland? And get to know Touko the man: how life was very different for a gay man during the Second World War and decades after?

Helsinki Day – The Finnish capital celebrates its birthday for two days, 11 and 12 June with over a hundred free-of-charge Helsinki Day events throughout the city.

Sauna in Helsinki – The world's largest sauna event Finnish Sauna Festival 8-11 June offers 40 different kinds of saunas, barbecues and street food focused on providing high-quality cuisine. Löyly Design Sauna is an impressive new public sauna and restaurant complex in Hernesaari, right next to the cruise quays is an unforgettable way to experience the Finnish sauna culture all year round. Allas Sea Pool is located right in the heart of the city next to the Market Square is inspired by the historical spa culture in Helsinki. Allas Sea Pool combines year-round swimming and sauna experiences with cultural events and entertainment.

Turku

Tall Ships’ Races – the majestic beauties of the sea sail into Turku in July. The vibrant atmosphere of the international event will captivate visitors over the four-day period. The quayside will be full of music and other programme activities. Commissioned as part of Finland 100, Tall Ships’ Races is one of the highlights of the centenary celebrations.

Excursion to the shipyard – Explore the Meyer Turku shipyard where the biggest cruise ships of the world have been built!

Kotka

Tall Ships´ Races – the biggest event related to the 100 year anniversary is the Tall Ships Races that takes place July 13.-16 and gathers together up to 100 tall ships with crew to the Kotka Old Port area, expecting 300 000 tourists to the Kotka island during these four days.

New Products – To honor the anniversary also the tourism related products have been developed up to a new level focusing on the 100 year history and culture related stories including the lush nature.

Åland

Önningeby Art Museum in a picturesque village near Mariehamn has a collection of paintings by Scandinavian impressionists’ who worked in the Önningeby artists’ colony, equivalent to Denmark’s Skagen, at the turn of the 20th century. The jubilee exhibition focuses on the colony’s 12 women artists.

Västerro – Experience fish like never before! Tastings of Nordic award winning fish delicacies. Meet a modern fisherman’s family in beautiful seaside settings and learn more about fish, artesan food, gardening and unique archipelago nature.

www.cruisefinland.com
www.suomifinland100.fi

 

For Seatrade Cruise Global attendees:

Invitation

We warmly welcome media to Finland100 Happy Hour at Seatrade Cruise Global in Fort Lauderdale

on Wednesday March 15, 2017 at 4 pm.

Further information:

Project Manager Jenny Taipale, Visit Helsinki
+358 40 336 0973
jenny.taipale@hel.fi
visithelsinki.fi
myhelsinki.fi