The 48th Anniversary of ASEAN was celebrated in Finland with events organised by the ASEAN Helsinki Committee (AHC), which included the ASEAN Flag Raising Day Ceremony and the ASEAN Family Day. The AHC consists of Ambassadors of Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam (ASEAN Embassies residing in Helsinki).
The ASEAN Flag Raising Day Ceremony
In commemoration of the ASEAN Day, H.E. Dato’ Blanche Olbery, Ambassador of Malaysia attended the ASEAN Flag Raising Day Ceremony at the Chancery of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Helsinki on 12 Aug 2015. H.E. Ambassador of Indonesia who is currently the Chairman of the ASEAN Helsinki Committee delivered his remarks during the Ceremony. Ambassadors of Thailand and Vietnam, as well as Ambassadors and representatives from ASEAN + 3 and the European Union were also present.
The spirit of the ASEAN was also celebrated at the ASEAN Family Day on 30 August 2015 at the Indonesian Embassy Chancery in Helsinki. The ASEAN Family Day was participated by nearly 100 members ASEAN Embassy’s staff and their families.
The ASEAN Family Day
The ASEAN Family Day was a jovial occasion and gave an opportunity to the ASEAN Embassies to get to know each other in an informal, fun setting.
The event was officially opened by the ASEAN Ambassadors shaking the Angklung together, which symbolises the unity and harmony among the ASEAN member countries. Each Embassy contributed to at least one traditional game from their country to be played amongst all the participants such as the Bakiak Dance from Indonesia, the Elephant Feet Race from Malaysia, the Blindfolded Pot Hitting from Thailand and the Pencil to the Bottle Game from Vietnam. Besides participating in traditional games, participants also performed Indonesian Poco-poco, Sajojo and Goyang Dumang line dancing, led by the Indonesian Ladies Association in Helsinki. The games finished in a match of giant dominos and a friendly table tennis match between the Ambassadors of Indonesia and Vietnam. Each winner was presented with souvenirs in an award winning ceremony at the end.
The family day ended in the participants enjoying ASEAN cuisine such as Thai Papaya Salad, Malaysian Nasi Minyak, Vietnam Pho, and Indonesian Ayam Goreng, courtesy from each of the ASEAN Embassies. The event helped to develop a sense of togetherness and solidarity among the ASEAN Embassy’s staff and community in Helsinki.