FREE UKRAINE – FREE WORLD: FINLAND CAN DO MORE

The Ukrainian Association in Finland invites everyone who believes in the value of human life to join together and support Ukraine in its struggle for freedom, democracy, and peace 18.4. at 12:00 to the Senate Square for a FREE UKRAINE – FREE WORLD demonstration.

Special guest of the protest – Pekka Haavisto, Minister for Foreign Affairs.

We will bring a large Ukrainian flag from the steps of the Helsinki Cathedral to the audience. It would be supported and carried across the Senate Square. Drone photos will be taken and distributed around the world as a sign of solidarity with Ukraine.

Russia’s illegal war of aggression in Ukraine has been going on for almost two months, driving millions of people from their homes. The Russian military is suspected of numerous war crimes and crimes

The organizers of the protest call on all those who support Ukraine to send a strong message to the world and to the attacker: We will help Ukraine to maintain its independence. We work together for peace, democracy, and freedom.

The protest will begin at Senate Square on Monday, April 18th at 12.25 pm, immediately after the moment of ecumenical prayer in the same place. During the protest we will hear music by Elias Gould, the poem Contra Spem Spero by the Ukrainian poet Lesya Ukrainka in Finnish and Ukrainian and Finlandia Anthem performed by artist Maija Vilkkumaa. The event will be hosted by author Elina Hirvonen.

The organizers are asking participants to invite a wide range of friends to join the demonstration. Participants are welcome to join the ecumenical prayer moment on the steps of the Cathedral at 12 noon

Program

Foreword, Elina Hirvonen

Contra Spem Spero, a poem by Ukrainian poet Lesaya Ukrainka read by Elsa Saisio in Finnish and by Nadiia Fedorova in Ukrainian

Music, Elias Gould: Eternal July

Speech, Olga Dibrova, Ambassador of Ukraine to Finland and Iceland

Speech, Pekka Haavisto, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland

Speech, Nadiia Fedorova, The Ukrainian Association in Finland

Music, Maija Vilkkumaa: Finlandia anthem

Visual greeting, volunteers carry a giant Ukrainian flag down the steps of the cathedral and give it to the public. The crowd supporting the flag is photographed from the air.

A word of thanks from the organizers

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