Baltic Sea Day Celebrated in Nearly All Countries Bordering the Baltic Sea
Baltic Sea Day unites and celebrates the unique sea with hundreds of events. The aim of the day is to draw attention to the Baltic Sea, why protecting it is important, and the culture and identity of the Baltic Sea.
The Baltic Sea Day is celebrated annually on the last Thursday of August, this year on 31 August. The joint celebrations will be attended by a large number of participants from countries bordering the Baltic Sea. On the Baltic Sea Day, we are reminded of the importance of international cooperation in improving the state of the Baltic Sea.
“The state of The Baltic Sea can be influenced through national decision-making, and the new Government Programme contains ambitious measures to protect the Baltic Sea. We still also need international cooperation and diplomacy to save our common sea. It’s delightful to see that the Baltic Sea Day brings together people and countries bordering the Baltic Sea”, says Kai Mykkänen, Minister of Climate and the Environment of Finland.
Joint morning gathering in Helsinki
The Baltic Sea Day starts with a morning gathering held in English at the City of Helsinki Event Square. The event can be attended on site or followed live on Helsinki-channel from 9.00 to 10.45. The event will be opened by Mayor of Helsinki Juhana Vartiainen, followed by greetings from other cities bordering the Baltic Sea and the Åland Islands and an update on the state of the sea by the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission (HELCOM).
“The Baltic Sea is an essential part of Helsinki, Helsinki’s urban culture and identity. Together with city of Turku Helsinki started a Baltic Sea Challenge programme to protect our common sea in year 2007. We are still committed to reduce the nutrient load into the sea together with cities of Turku and Tallinn. We will have to make use of all means to improve the condition the Baltic Sea and its shores”, says Juhana Vartiainen, Mayor of Helsinki.
The Baltic Sea Day will also kick off the two-week Save Our Sea campaign together with coastal cities of the Baltic Sea and the global NGO Let’s Do It World. The campaign features various events, including coastal cleanup drives and seminars.
The Baltic Sea can be celebrated in many ways
During the day, hundreds of events are organised around the Baltic Sea. In addition to events, on the Baltic Sea Day, everyone is encouraged to take part in activities that involve the Baltic Sea. Take a dip in the sea, cook a Baltic Sea-friendly lunch or dinner with vegetables and sustainably caught wild fish, or celebrate the Baltic Sea Day in your own way.
In order to keep the Baltic Sea in mind also during the rest of the year, we are collecting pledges to the Baltic Sea on social media. You can publish your own pledge of an everyday act for the good of the Baltic Sea with the hashtag #BalticSeaDay. Tips on the Baltic Sea pledge can be found on the website of the John Nurminen Foundation, for example.
Celebrating the Baltic Sea for five years
The goal of the Baltic Sea Day, established five years ago by the John Nurminen Foundation, is to bring attention to important issues related to the sea in various forums and inspire concrete actions for the benefit of the Baltic Sea.
“We launched the Baltic Sea Day to inspire people to enjoy our unique sea across the entire Baltic Sea basin, from headwaters to the open sea. At the same time, we want to draw attention to the fact that the health of the Baltic Sea needs the help of each and every one of us. That is why we encourage decision-makers and citizens across national borders to take concrete actions for the good of the Baltic Sea. Baltic Sea Day has grown into a great event that brings together countries, cities, organisations and citizens,” says Annamari Arrakoski-Engardt, Secretary General of the John Nurminen Foundation.
