Independence Day Civic Celebration

Independence Day Civic Celebration will be held again on Saturday, December 6, 2025 at Hamina Sobriety Hall (Isoympyräkatu 30 a). 

The event is free of charge and open to all residents of the municipality. The diverse program includes the awarding of the Hamina Culture Award, decided by the Hamina Vitality and Wellbeing Committee. Residents of the municipality have been able to participate in the selection of the award recipient by submitting nominations.

The course of the celebration

Festive coffees will be served starting at 2:30 p.m. in the Raittiustalo restaurant. The acoustic trio Vidál (pictured) with cello, guitar and vocals will provide background music.

The program in the theater hall begins at 3:00 p.m. In addition to the ceremonial speeches, the program includes musical performances drawing from the local area and the annual tradition of awarding the Hamina Cultural Award 2025. The award will be awarded in accordance with the decision of the Hamina Vitality and Wellbeing Committee, and nominations for the award were collected from Hamina residents earlier in the fall. The award can be awarded annually to a cultural work or actor that is considered particularly significant. In addition to the cash prize, honorary certificates can also be awarded.

The festival program will conclude with the short film Hamina 300 years (duration approx. 10 min), made in 1954. The film's nostalgic atmosphere will tickle your sense of pride and love for your home region, and some may find the old film narration amusing. Viewers can also spot familiar places around Hamina and think about how much has changed in the 70 years since the film was made.

Welcome to celebrate Finnish Independence Day together!

An event for all ages. Free admission.

Information photo, Vidál

Vidál is an acoustic trio from Hamina, whose story began in 2020. The trio's sound was created to be unique from the very beginning. The harmony of cello, guitar and vocals is evident in the ensemble's unique, atmospheric arrangements of a diverse repertoire of songs. The trio is made up of young, skilled musicians, Juuli Leppämäki, Maria Urpalainen and Totti Pakkanen.