There will be a historic change to the handshakes at the castle celebrations this year. The presidential couple greets all the guests from almost the same place throughout the evening.
On Thursday, the office of the President of the Republic told media representatives about the arrangements for Linna’s celebrations.
This year, there will be a historic change in the handshake at the Linna celebrations, when the President of the Republic, Alexander Stubb, and his wife, Suzanne Innes-Stubb, will greet all the guests from almost the same place.
Guests still arrive at the Presidential Palace from both the Mariankatu and Pohjois Esplanade entrances, but the presidential couple will stay in almost the same places throughout the handshake part. In the past, the presidential couple has moved to receive guests arriving from the North Esplanade entrance to the other end of the State Hall, but this time the place will only change by a few tens of centimeters.
From this place, the presidential couple shake hands with the guests of the first handshake part. Rosa Bröijer
Iltalehti’s video shows where the presidential couple is standing in the State Hall during the first and second handshake parts at the Linna’s party.
The change in question aims to reduce traffic jams inside the Presidential Palace. In previous years, guests of the Palace’s parties have complained about the cramped handshake line at the Presidential Palace.
According to TPK, the last similar arrangement was seen at the Castle’s celebrations in the early 20th century.
This is where the presidential couple stands during the second part of the handshake. Rosa Bröijer