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Finland prepares for 99th Independence Day celebration

Xinhua, December 6, 2016 Adjust font size:

As Finland celebrates its 99th Independence Day on Tuesday, downtown Helsinki is expected be the scene of an unprecedented number of demonstrators.

The police have been prepared to keep rightwing demonstrators and their opponents away from close encounters, the national broadcaster Yle reported.

The populist right-wing demonstrations are expected to focus on anti-immigration, nationalist and anti-European Union themes. One of them is the Nordic Resistance Movement, which has been associated with violent behavior on several occasions in recent years.

On the opposing side, a demonstration called "Helsinki Free of Nazis" will convene near the Main Railroad Station, where an outsider got killed in September allegedly hit by a Resistance Movement activist.

Participants of several right-wing demonstrations are expected to convene later for a torch march towards the military cemeteries.

For decades, the independence day was solemn and saw only the traditional torch march by students from the military cemeteries to downtown.

The official highlight of the day is the annual reception at the Presidential Palace, hosted by Finnish President Sauli Niinisto and his spouse, Jenni Haukio.

The traditional emphasis on the legacy of World War Two for the day will continue. Veterans of the wars during 1939-1945, now in old age, are guests of honor. This year, Finland has also invited Estonians and Swedes who used to fight in Finland as volunteers.

The national military parade on Independence Days rotates between cities and will be arranged this year in Kajaani. The north-central town is home to the largest infantry base of the defence forces. Endit