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HELSINKI – Today a crowd of tens of thousands will receive New Year 2015 at the Senate Square, when leading Finnish artists, such as Jukka Poika, Jonna Tervomaa and Riku Niemi Orchestra take over the stage starting at 22:45.
Other performers include Circus Helsinki with its young circus acrobats, which will host a teeterboard show where they rise high in the air and perform astonishing tricks.
The New Year’s night is illuminated by Fire Circus Walkea’s fire arts and dance performance. It is a sample of the programme of the Lux Helsinki light festival, which begins on January 4 2015.
Another stage highlight is the Break The Fight! breaking battle performance, which is a part of the breakdance against school bullying project. The project brings break workshops and discussion about school bullying to schools across the country.
Mayor Jussi Pajunen and Bishop Irja Askola will give New Year’s speeches at the event.
The event is hosted by Janne Kataja and Anni Hautala.
The participants at the Senate Square will be served by food truck Liesikiesi and Helsingin Työttömät’s (the unemployed of Helsinki) coffee tent.
The celebration will end in the official fireworks provided by the City of Helsinki at 00:00.
Good to know:
Live broadcast on the Internet
Elsewhere in Finland and abroad, the New Year’s reception can be followed live on the Internet. The City broadcasts the event on the Visit Helsinki YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/Visithelsinki) and the Helsinki Channel (www.helsinkikanava.fi).
Own fireworks prohibited
Due to safety reasons, it is strictly forbidden to bring and fire your own fireworks at the Senate Square and in the city centre.
Public transport on New Year’s Eve
On New Year’s Eve, the public transport will follow Friday schedules and the metro will run for two hours longer than usual. Taking your own car to the city centre is not recommended.
HSL (Helsinki Region Transport) provides information about additional transportation on New Year’s Eve at www.hsl.fi.
Tram routes diverted in downtown Helsinki on 31 December due to New Year celebrations at the Senate Square.