6 December

Students’ Independence Day Torchlight Procession

Come and celebrate Finland’s Independence Day in the traditional torchlight procession and public celebration of the students of the Capital Region!

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Continue the tradition with us!

HYY organised the first Students’ Independence Day Torchlight Procession in 1951. The procession was originally one of the events organised to commemorate C. G. E. Mannerheim, and it followed the route of Mannerheim’s funeral procession in reverse order.

The torchlight procession quickly established itself as a traditional part of students’ Independence Day celebrations instead of serving just to commemorate Mannerheim. Other student unions in the Capital Region have also been involved in the arrangements for the procession since the 1950s.

Over the years, wreaths have been laid at the graves of presidents, soldiers and those fallen in the Finnish Civil War in connection with the procession. Today, students lay a wreath at Sankariristi (‘heroes’ cross’) before the actual procession.

Registration for organisations

All student organisations participating in the event use the same form to sign up. We will take all organisations that have signed up into consideration in the preparations for the procession in Hietaniemi.

Sign up your organisation by 4 December!

Sign up

Schedule

  • 3.30 pm: Instructions on flags in front of the Hietaniemi chapel
  • 3.50 pm: Flags make their way to Sankariristi
  • 4.00 pm: Laying the wreath at Sankariristi, students’ speeches and choral performances
  • 4.25 pm: Flags exit Sankariristi led by the main flag
  • 4.30 pm: Organisation of the flags in front of the Hietaniemi chapel
  • 5.00 pm: Procession starts off towards the Senate Square
    • The route of the procession is as follows: Hietaniemenkatu – Arkadiankatu – Mannerheimintie – Pohjoisesplanadi – Presidential Palace – Mariankatu – Aleksanterinkatu – Senate Square.
  • 5.55 pm: Programme at the Senate Square begins, including the mayor’s speech, students’ speeches, choral performances and singing the Maamme anthem together
  • 6.15 pm: Event ends

Checklist for participants

    • Please keep the following in mind at the event!

      • Dress according to the weather!
      • Follow the instructions given to you.
      • Please note that the Students’ Independence Day Torchlight Procession is not a political or polemical event.
        • Please avoid political slogans, signs and other symbols if you are participating in the event.

Maamme anthem at the Senate Square

    • Those participating in the public celebration at the Senate Square will sing the ‘Maamme’ anthem as follows:

      1. First verse in Finnish
      2. First verse in Swedish
      3. Last verse in one’s native tongue, which means that the verse is sung in Finnish and Swedish at the same time

      You can read more about the Maamme anthem here.

      Oi maamme, Suomi, synnyinmaa,
      soi, sana kultainen!
      :,: Ei laaksoa, ei kukkulaa,
      ei vettä rantaa rakkaampaa,
      kuin kotimaa tää pohjoinen,
      maa kallis isien! :,:

      Vårt land, vårt land, vårt fosterland,
      Ljud högt, o dyra ord!
      :,: Ej lyfts en höjd mot himmlens rand,
      Ej sänks en dal, ej sköljs en strand,
      Mer älskad än vår bygd in nord,
      Än våra fäders jord. :,:

      Sun kukoistukses kuorestaan
      kerrankin puhkeaa,
      :,: viel lempemme saa nousemaan
      sun toivos, riemus loistossaan,
      ja kerran, laulus synnyinmaa
      korkeemman kaiun saa. :,:

      Din blomning, sluten än i knopp,
      Skall mogna ur sitt tvång;
      :,: Se, ur vår kärlek skall gå opp
      Ditt ljus, din glans, din fröjd, ditt hopp.
      Och högre klinga skall en gång
      Vår fosterländska sång. :,:

Safety at the event

    • Safety during the event

      If you observe any shortcomings related to safety or encounter inappropriate behaviour at the event, you can contact your own student union. Firefighting equipment will be on hand at the event.

      First aid contact:

      • Adel Rizvi, (+358) 044 987 7725

      Head of security:

      • Victor Carlsson, (+358) 040 351 5665

      Event organiser:

      • Pia Blomstén, (+358) 050 534 2963

    • Accessibility

      The event is organised outdoors in various locations in downtown Helsinki. Winter weather may make walking in the procession difficult due to snow, ice, slush or other weather conditions.

      The area of the Hietaniemi cemetery may not be fully accessible depending on the weather conditions.

      The procession travels a distance of around three kilometres through city streets. The route includes sloping streets, cobblestones and kerbs of varying height. The pace of the procession may be brisk at times.

      The Senate Square area features cobblestones and may not be accessible depending on the weather conditions. The programme at the Senate Square does not require anyone to move.

      The event features loud noises and bright lights. A lot of people will be participating in the event.

      Photographers representing the organisers will be present at the event. Media and private individiuals may also photograph the event.

      In matters related to the accessibility of the event area, please contact HYY’s Producer Pia Blomstén (pia.blomsten@hyy.fi).

    • Principles of safer space

      At HYY’s events, you can participate in discussions and activities without fear of inappropriate treatment or harassment. Safe space is created in the interaction between people, and each one of us is responsible for this.

      Check out HYY’s principles of safer space.

      • Treat other people in a civil, respectful manner and appreciate their work contributions.
      • When giving feedback, focus on giving constructive feedback.
      • Try to identify the assumptions you make and to take the diversity of people into account.
      • There is no room for violence, harassment, racism or discriminatory behaviour or language in HYY.
      • Respect the bodily and mental integrity of other people as well as the boundaries they have set for themselves.
      • In discussions, ensure that everyone gets heard and is able to participate.
      • Deal with delicate subjects respectfully.
      • Recognise your own privileges.
      • If you violate the principles of safer space or if someone points out that you have done so, apologise.
      • Take action against any discrimination you witness or offer your support to the people who encounter discrimination.

      If you encounter harassment at the event, you can report the incident to HYY’s harassment contact persons using HYY’s harassment contact form.

    • Videos and photography

      Video- and photographers will be present at the event. You can identify the event’s official photographers by their dark blue vests.

      The photos and videos will be used in the communication and marketing of HYY and the other organising parties. If you do not want to be seen in the photos, please inform the photographer directly and avoid posing for the camera if possible.

Organisation of the torchlight procession

The procession follows a specific order

You can join the procession behind the flag and heralds of the organisation of your choice. The procession is assembled outside the cemetery gates. Students will join the procession at pre-marked assembly spots along the street.

The Finnish main flag with its guard leads the procession followed by flag bearers. The flags of the different student unions are followed by the organisations belonging to each student union.

Any students whose community is not taking part in the procession are welcome to join it after the last organisation flags.

    • Presiding officers, board, secretariat, committees, emeriti
    • Choir members without flags (song nations)
    • Student nations in academic order
      • NN
      • ESO
      • SavO
      • KO
      • HO
      • KSO
      • KyO
      • ÅN
      • VSO
      • SatO
      • WiO
      • ÖFN
      • EPO
      • VN
      • PPO
    • Music corporations (choirs and orchestras in age order with flags)
    • Faculty and subject organisations in faculty order
      • Faculty of Theology
      • Faculty of Law
      • Faculty of Medicine
      • Faculty of Arts
      • Faculty of Science
      • Faculty of Pharmacy
      • Faculty of Biological Sciences
      • Faculty of Educational Sciences
      • Faculty of Social Sciences
      • Svenska social- och kommunalhögskolan
      • Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry
      • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
    • Other organisations
    • Presiding officers, board, secretariat, emeriti
    • Choir members without flags (song nations)
    • Other organisations in age order
    • Presiding officers, board, secretariat, emeriti
    • Choir members without flags (song nations)
    • Student nation
      • TF
    • Music corporations (choirs and orchestras with flags)
    • Guilds and special status associations in age order
      • Chemistry Guild (KK)
      • Guild of Surveying Engineers (MK)
      • Guild of Architecture (AK)
      • KY – Aalto-yliopiston kauppatieteiden ylioppilaat
      • Guild of Civil and Environmental Engineers (IK)
      • Guild of Mechanical Engineers (KIK)
      • Guild of Electrical Engineering (SIK)
      • Forest Products Guild (PJK)
      • Guild of Physics (FK)
      • Guild of Materials and Metallurgy Students (VK)
      • Aalto-yliopiston Taiteiden ja suunnittelun ylioppilaat TOKYO
      • Guild of Industrial Engineering and Management – Prodeko
      • Nuoret Designerit ry (NuDe)
      • Computer Science Guild (TiK)
      • Probba
      • Guild of Automation and Systems Technology (AS)
      • Information Networks Guild – Athene ry
      • Aalto Marketing Society (AMS)
      • Aalto Management
      • Kooma
      • Aalto Economics
      • Inkubio
      • Organisation of the students of Visual Communication Design (GRRR)
      • Aalto Business Technology (Aalto BT)
      • Aallonhuiput
      • Prosessiteekkarit (PT)
      • Digital Art and Design Association (DADA)
    • Other organisations in age order
    • Presiding officers, board, secretariat, emeriti
    • Choir members without flags (song nations)
    • Other organisations in age order

  • Board, officials

  • Presiding officers, board, officials

  • Presiding officers, board, officials

  • Presiding officers, board, officials

  • Presiding officers, board, officials

  • Presiding officers, board, officials

Ceremonial visit at Sankariristi

The flags will visit Sankariristi before the procession

Flag bearers and heralds will show their respect at Sankariristi before the torchlight procession. As Sankariaukio, the area of the cemetery where Sankariristi is located, has limited space, everyone participating in the procession will unfortunately not be able to participate in the event held at Sankariristi.

The event at Sankariristi will feature speeches and songs. A collective wreath from all students will also be laid at the cross to commemorate Finnish veterans.

    • Flag procession

      The flag procession is formed at the cemetery gates.

      • Finnish flag with its guard, flag bearers
      • Student unions with their flags and heralds
        • HYY, SHS, AYY, ArtSu, Kadettitoverikunta, Laureamko, ASK, O’Diako, Helga, METKA
      • Student nations in academic order with their flags and heralds
        • NN, ESO, SavO, KO, HO, KSO, KyO, ÅN, VSO, SatO, WiO, ÖFN, EPO, VN, PPO, TF
      • Music corporations in age order
        • Akademen, YL, YS, Lyran, PK, PO
      • Subject and faculty organisations in faculty order and guilds in age order
      • Other appropriate flags

    • Course of the event

      In front of Sankariristi, the flags are guided either right or left according to a traffic controller’s instructions.

      Heralds form a line directly behind their flags.

      The flags greet the laying of the wreath at an angle of around 45 degrees.  The greeting begins as the people laying the wreath take their first step and ends with them lifting their heads after the greeting and leaving.  Other flags follow Finland’s main flag next to Sankariristi.

      After the laying of the wreath, the (large) flags are lowered onto their bearer’s leg and only raised to their stand / to attention as the procession prepares to leave.  The flag of the oldest student union, HYY, serves as an example to others.

      The flag bearers do not lower the Finnish flags, and the main flag is not lowered either.

      The student’s cap is not taken off during the event at the cemetery.

      Finland’s main flag is the first to leave, followed by the flag bearers, speakers, choir and organisation flags in the same order that they arrived in.

Instructions for flag bearers and heralds

Flag bearers and heralds have a duty of honour

Flag bearers and heralds have a responsible task: they lead their group in the procession and ensure that the procession moves with dignity. Flag bearers carry the flag of the organisation they represent for the duration of the entire procession. The heralds’ task is to protect the flag and help the flag bearer if needed.

  • Dress code for flag bearers and heralds on Independence Day is to wear something suitable for Finnish winter, that is, warm. Wear a student’s cap or teekkari cap and weather-appropriate outerwear. Dark clothing is recommended for flag bearers and heralds. When the weather calls for it, you can use ear flaps under the cap, preferably dark ones rather than ones with bright colours. Scarves should also have subdued colours rather than bright ones, and flag bearers should preferably use white or light scarves. Flag bearers and heralds must leave their bags, backpacks and other portable items in storage, as they must have their hands free to carry out their duties.

  • Heralds wear a herald ribbon as a means of identification. The herald ribbon is traditionally worn with the colour considered heraldically heavier at the bottom (often the darker colour). The ribbon may be worn either from the left shoulder to the right hip or from the right shoulder to the left hip.

    For instance, women typically wear the Finnish flag herald ribbon from the left shoulder to the right hip, with the blue colour below the white. Men, on the other hand, typically wear the ribbon in reverse: from the right shoulder to the left hip, with the blue below the white. The herald ribbons of student unions, student nations and faculty and subject organisations are often worn according to the same principle. Sometimes, however, the customs diverge from this, which means that each herald should be aware of the correct way to wear their ribbon.

    Herald ribbons may not be covered by scarves or backpacks, for instance.

  • Carrying the flag is made easier by using a strap and wearing warm gloves with a good grip. Bearing a flag without a strap is hard work. The aim is to hold the flag as upright as possible, while taking the size of the flag and the weather conditions into account. In a strong wind or during sleet, for instance, carrying the flag may be a heavier burden. Flag bearers should also watch out for tree branches, for instance, to avoid the flag getting stuck anywhere.

    Greeting the President

    If the President is not on the balcony, the flags do not greet the President. When the President of the Republic appears on the balcony of the Presidential Palace to watch the procession, all flags greet the President. The flags greet the President at an angle of around 45 degrees while marching past the palace. The flag may be tilted slightly towards the President, but on no account should it be turned sideways or lowered to an almost horizontal position. The greeting begins shortly before the President’s balcony and ends when the flag has passed the President.

    Senate Square

    At the Senate Square, the flags move onto the stairs of the Helsinki Cathedral via the right-hand side. There is a traffic controller who provides more detailed instructions. The participants take their place on the stairs according to these instructions. The flags are lowered once the flag bearers reach their own place. During the ‘Maamme’ anthem, all flags make a greeting at a 45-degree angle throughout the anthem. Flag bearers and heralds do not take off their caps or sing.

  • Each herald pair takes up position at either side of the flag to protect it. In the procession, the heralds march a couple of steps behind the flag bearer. In narrow spots, the heralds form a line with the flag bearer, with the right-hand herald walking in front of the flag and protecting it from danger while the left-hand herald follows the flag.

    If the herald pair consists of two people who wear their herald ribbon differently, the herald wearing their ribbon on their left shoulder walks on the right side of the flag bearer and the herald wearing their ribbon on the right shoulder walks on the left. This way, the herald ribbons form an ‘A’ shape.

    If both heralds wear their herald ribbon the same way, they take up positions on the right and left side of the flag bearer according to their own preference.

FAQ – Frequently asked questions

    • Do you have a question you have not found an answer for?

      No worries! We have compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions and answers to them below.

  • Wear your student’s cap or teekkari cap and weather-appropriate outerwear. We recommend that flag bearers and heralds wear dark clothing, but the dresscode for everyone else is ‘come as you are’!

  • The dress code for flag bearers and heralds on Independence Day is to wear something suitable for Finnish winter, that is, warm. Wear a student’s cap or teekkari cap and weather-appropriate outerwear.

    Dark clothing is recommended for flag bearers and heralds. When the weather calls for it, you can use ear flaps under the cap, preferably dark ones rather than ones with bright colours. Scarves should also have subdued colours rather than bright ones, and flag bearers should preferably use white or light scarves.

    Flag bearers and heralds must leave their bags, backpacks and other portable items in storage, as they must have their hands free to carry out their duties.

  • Unfortunately, we do not have enough torches for all participants. A lot of students take part in the procession every year. Some torches have been lost or broken over the years.

    Please return your torch to the side of the Senate Square after the procession!

  • If the President of the Republic is on the balcony to greet the procession, you can greet the President by, for instance, waving or wishing them Happy Independence Day. The procession does not stop to separately greet the President.

    • Do you still have questions?

      If you did not find an answer to your question, please contact your own student union.

      In urgent matters, you can contact the people in charge of organising the event in HYY. Their contact details are listed below.