The President shook hands with hundreds of people in the city center.
President of Finland Alexander Stubb visited Rovaniemi together with his spouse Suzanne Innes-Stubb on Tuesday and Wednesday, 26–27 May 2026.
The presidential couple met residents of Rovaniemi at Lordi’s Square on Tuesday afternoon. The event attracted an estimated 2,500 people. Mayor Ulla-Kirsikka Vainio welcomed the President to Rovaniemi.
The event featured musical performances, and two students from Lyseonpuisto Upper Secondary School asked the President questions. Veera Vainio and Aleksi Virranniemi asked about topics including security policy. Stubb assured the audience that Finland is safe and that Finns can feel secure.
When attendees were given the opportunity to take a group photo with the President, the line stretched all the way to Rovakatu. Nevertheless, the President shook hands with everyone who wished to greet him before moving on to media interviews.
At Vaaranlampi School, the Presidential Couple Answered Dozens of Questions
On Tuesday, the presidential couple visited the newly completed Vaaranlampi School in the Korkalovaara district. The event began with a performance by second-grade pupils, after which the children were allowed to ask the presidential couple questions.
The children asked, among other things, about the President’s favorite school subject (physical education), favorite colors (blue and white), and favorite thing in the world (peace).
The President was also asked what he thinks about school. Stubb replied that school is an important place where people make friends, are encouraged to be curious, and learn things that build the foundation for future life.
One pupil asked Stubb to grade Vaaranlampi School. Stubb gave it a score of 10. The President especially praised the school’s outdoor area and said that his own childhood school only had a gravel field and a football.
Suzanne Innes-Stubb was asked, among other things, whether she works at night (no, but sometimes late in the evening) and what her favorite school subject was (languages).
With the summer holiday approaching, the pupils also asked whether the President ever gets a vacation. Stubb replied that officially he does not, but he tries to take some time off every now and then on days with a lighter schedule.
After the questions, the pupils performed a summer-themed presentation. At the end of the school visit, the children and adults of the Vaaranlampi multipurpose center were able to take a group photo with the presidential couple.
Suzanne Innes-Stubb also visited the new Napsu multipurpose center, where she learned about anti-bullying work carried out in Rovaniemi, the Finnish Model for Leisure Activities, and UNICEF’s work.