Helsinki Celebrates U.S. Bicentennial with Embassy Reception; Radio Editor Reassigned Over Criticism

The U.S. Embassy in Helsinki's Kaivopuisto grounds buzzed with activity on Friday, July 2, 1976, as approximately 850 diplomats, politicians, and prominent figures from economic and cultural circles gathered for a celebration.

The event marked the 200th anniversary of the United States. Ambassador Mark Austad and his wife greeted guests for an hour. Just before 1 p.m., the ambassador prepared a film camera to capture the arrival of a key guest, President Urho Kekkonen, who arrived exactly at 1 p.m. His arrival was filmed for an Austad-produced "Suomi-film" segment.

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It would have been impossible to organize the invitation on a Sunday in July in Helsinki, as no one would have been present.

Many Finnish guests wondered why the celebration was held on July 2, two days before the actual Independence Day on July 4. Embassy secretary Lefgren explained that organizing the event on a Sunday in July would have been impossible due to widespread closures. Ambassador Austad added that major U.S. celebrations also often occur on Saturdays, reserving Sundays for religious services.

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In the United States as well, the biggest celebrations are already held on Saturday, as Sunday is reserved for church services.

President Kekkonen had the honor of cutting a birthday cake shaped like the American flag. A minor mishap involving the contrast between the large cake and a small serving spatula amused the ambassador, his wife, and other guests.

In unrelated news from the time, a summer radio journalist, Jaana Lappo, was moved to archival duties and her supervisor, Hannu Taanila, received a warning. This followed a commentary program on Radio 2 that criticized the government's price policies using verses from a Bertolt Brecht poem. The program alleged the government had directly lied to the public, leading to a flood of calls to the station's program desk. Radio 2 director Keijo Savolainen stated that while criticism of the government is permissible, presenting it as a "daily quote" was inappropriate. The program's content also led to the reassignment of the journalist and a warning for her supervisor for not adequately overseeing her work.

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The government and state actions can and should be criticized on the radio, but the criticism is not in the right place when presented in the form of a daily quote.