State funeral to former Finnish Prime Minister Harri Holkeri
On Thursday 11 August, the Government decided that former Prime Minister Harri Holkeri will receive a state funeral.
Harri Holkeri’s funeral service will be held at 10.00 on Saturday 27 August in Helsinki Cathedral. The service will be performed by Bishop Emeritus Eero Huovinen, who will be assisted by Reverend Matti Holkeri. After the funeral service, a memorial ceremony for invited guests will take place at the House of the Estates.
Harri Holkeri, born in Oripää on 6 January 1937, passed away on 7 August 2011 in Helsinki at the age of 74. He held the degree of Master of Social Sciences. Holkeri was a Member of Parliament between 1970 and 1978 and a Member of the Board of the Bank of Finland from 1978 to 1997. He was the Prime Minister of Finland from 1987 to 1991. In the 1960s and 1970s, Holkeri served in various functions of the National Coalition Party. He was party secretary and editor-in-chief of the Nykypäivä magazine from 1965 to 1971 and party leader from 1971 to 1979.
During his career, Holkeri held a high number of key positions of trust. He was a member of the Presidential Electoral College in 1978 and stood as a candidate in presidential elections in 1982 and 1988. He held a seat in the Helsinki City Council as member from 1960 to 1981 and as chair from 1981 to 1987.
Harri Holkeri also had a significant role in international peacemaking. He co-chaired the Northern Ireland peace talks between 1995 and 1998. In the early years of the 21st century, he served as U.N. General Assembly president and as head of the UN's civilian administration in Kosovo.
In 1998, the President of the Republic awarded him the Finnish honorary title of valtioneuvos. For his efforts in brokering peace, Queen Elizabeth II made him an Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1999.
More detailed information on the funeral arrangements will be provided next week.
The funeral service will be broadcast live by the Finnish Broadcasting Company, YLE, on television.
A memorial book will be opened on Monday 15 August at the House of the Estates in Helsinki (Snellmaninkatu 9-11) for citizens to express their condolences. The memorial book can be signed between 15 and 19 August from 8.00 to 16.00.
Instead of flowers, donations are requested to be made to UNICEF, account number: 152930-87. Please, indicate "To the memory of Harri Holkeri" in the information field.
Inquiries: Velipekka Nummikoski, State Secretary (chair of the working group for the funeral arrangements), Prime Minister’s Office, tel. +358 9 1602 2006 and Päivi Paasikoski, Head of Communications, Government Communications Unit, tel. +358 9 1602 2082 or +358 40 547 6279