Although this was a major success for the first time, the history of India Day in the Finnish capital was just beginning, and in 2018 and 2019 it was moved to the famous Kaisaniemi Park as an open-air venue for events and celebrations, which anticipates an amazing 25,000 participants.
The next hosting of this event would be held in December 2021, taking into account the COVID-19 pandemic. The next event was organized in the historic Finlandia Hall, where the connection between Indian and Finnish artists is remembered and celebrated through a concert. In the future, the 2022 India Day Helsinki edition will probably be even bigger and better, hosted again in Kaisaniemi park. The event will take place at this location on August 21, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For the past five years, the event has been financed and supported by the Finland-India Society and the Indian Embassy in Finland.
Ambassador Raveesh Kumar highlighted India Day as a “strong bridge” for human relations between India and Finland. “Since 2016, India Day has been a celebration of Indian culture and recognition of Finland’s open and inclusive nature,” he said.
Performers such as singers, dancers and collective music groups have regularly appeared at the India Day celebrations in Helsinki. Remember, you don’t have to be a professional to perform. The event embodies cultural spirituality as it expresses Kiureli Sammallahti, an experienced accordion and vocal artist and a regular performer at India Day celebrations: “That’s why I get on stage with my friends to sing Sufi songs from the Indian subcontinent. India Day always has a friendly atmosphere and a great sense of community.” This collective sense of unity and acceptance at these events has made many Indian expatriates feel at home.
India Day is designed to celebrate Indian culture, collectivity and general presentation of the relationship between India and Finland. While the celebration appreciates the essence and color of India, it is also a means of gratitude to thank Finland for comforting Indians outside their home. These celebrations have only brought Finland and India even closer, as he stated Markku LemmetyChairman of the Finland-India Society, a friendship organization founded in 1959: “I am very happy to be involved in the preparations for India Day and to be a part of this colorful event that shows so much Indian culture.”
Before this big India Day celebration on the 21st, there’s the India Day flash mob on August 14, which is practically a warm-up for the biggest India-centric event of the year. After this, India’s Independence Day is celebrated on August 15 to mark the 75th anniversary of India’s independence. For the most part, the events have been completely open to the public and also relatively inclusive, as the vice president of the Finnish-Indian Society stated. Shefali Arora: “The Soul/Core of India Day is a group of people who share the same vision and passion for India. We all come together voluntarily and work for months to make this biggest event of the year happen. Overall, this spread of inclusiveness, multiculturalism and unity has led to the fact that India Day in Finland has become the biggest central Indian event in Finland’s capital.
Satvik Shubham – Helsinki Times
| – There are no tickets for the event, admission is completely free. – India’s Independence Day marks the end of British rule in 1947 – Festivals like Holi and Diwali are held in India. – Raveesh Kumar is India’s ambassador to Finland and Estonia |
Source: The Nordic Page