University of Helsinki joins Senate Square gathering to mark Ukraine’s Independence Day and raise humanitarian support

University of Helsinki joins Senate Square gathering to mark Ukraine’s Independence Day and raise humanitarian support

(IN BRIEF) The University of Helsinki will join the United for Ukraine event on August 24 at Senate Square, where Helsinki residents and dignitaries will gather to honor Ukraine’s independence and show solidarity. The program includes performances of Ukrainian music, the ringing of Helsinki Cathedral’s bells, and the symbolic presence of sunflowers. With 12.7 million people in Ukraine in need of humanitarian aid, including 1.9 million children, the event also encourages donations to Finn Church Aid and the Ukrainian Association in Finland to support education, mental health, and community resilience.

(PRESS RELEASE) HELSINKI, 21-Aug-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — University of Helsinki will take part as a partner in the United for Ukraine event on Sunday, August 24 at 3 pm in Senate Square, Helsinki, where residents will gather to express solidarity with Ukraine and its people. The university joins other institutions and organizations in supporting this symbolic event, which highlights the importance of peace, autonomy, and resilience for Ukraine in the face of ongoing war.

This year marks the fourth Independence Day that Ukraine observes during the war, as the country continues its struggle for sovereignty. Organizers stress the significance of international advocacy to ensure that Ukraine’s independence is respected in future peace negotiations, underscoring the moment as pivotal not just for Ukraine but for all of Europe.

The event program will feature performances by singer-songwriter Yona, who will present Ukrainian songs translated into Finnish, and by Ukrainian singers performing the Ukrainian national anthem. The gathering will close with the Finlandia hymn, while the bells of Helsinki Cathedral will ring for one minute to honor Ukraine’s independence. Representatives from the Finnish government and the diplomatic corps are expected to attend. In addition, sunflowers, Ukraine’s national flower, will once again fill Senate Square as a sign of unity and hope.

Beyond symbolic support, organizers emphasize the urgent humanitarian need. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), around 12.7 million people in Ukraine require assistance, including 1.9 million children.

School psychologist Alina Symonenko has observed the deep psychological toll on children, noting that fears and anxieties are now widespread:
“Every other consultation I conduct is connected to fear, sleep difficulties, or nightmares. At the same time, children increasingly value spending time together with family and friends.”

To provide concrete help, attendees will be encouraged to donate to Finn Church Aid (FCA) and the Ukrainian Association in Finland. Contributions to FCA have already supported school repairs, digital learning initiatives, psychological first aid training for teachers, and mental health support for students.

The United for Ukraine event is organized by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Helsinki, the Ukrainian Association in Finland, and Mothersforpeace, in cooperation with the City of Helsinki, the Prime Minister’s Office, and the Embassy of Ukraine in Finland.

Media Contact:

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email: mediaservice(at)helsinki.fi.

SOURCE: University of Helsinki