President Niinistö challenges Finns to exercise and interact – to walk and talk

Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
Press release 27/2023
21 August 2023

President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö celebrates his 75th birthday this week. In his birthday week, President Niinistö challenges Finnish people to exercise and have discussions by launching a walking event.

"Already a short walk makes you feel better and can open your mind. Therefore, I would like to challenge Finnish people to exercise and encourage them to interact.  I intend to walk around Töölönlahti Bay and talk about the need to understand each other. In other words, walk and talk! How will you participate?” says President Niinistö.

In Helsinki, the walking event will be organised on Töölönlahti Bay on Sunday, 27 August, in cooperation with the City of Helsinki. The event will start at 15:00 in front of Little Finlandia pavilion, and you can walk around Töölönlahti Bay once or several times at your own pace.

You can participate in the challenge all autumn by walking or taking other forms of exercise. You can also challenge others to take part using the tag #liikkumishaaste in social media.

President Niinistö requests that all birthday remembrances should be directed to charities such as the Tukikummit Foundation, which supports children's and young people’s recreational activities.