HS in Tampere | A crowd of hundreds followed when President Niinistö chirped – Demonstrators appeared at the Keski skating rink

Tampere

“Now Sauli is coming!”, shouts an elementary school-aged boy.

The president of the republic, dressed in a gray sports jacket and a bright yellow beanie Sauli Niinistö steps out of one of the many dressing booths at Tampere's Kaleva Sorsapuisto field, followed by his security guard.

Even though I'm standing right next to the door of the dressing room, Niinistö quickly disappears from view when a group of hundreds of people bury the president in a kind of parade of honor, which escorts him to the side of the biggest rink on the field.

The situation must be a nightmare for the security guards. The atmosphere on the side of the field is brisk and, despite the almost fifteen degrees below zero, relaxed and good-natured.

A remarkably large number of people join Niinistö on the ice, where he is stopped by a group of children from Pellervo's kindergarten. They perform a song for the president.

Before the children let the president off the ice properly, one of the Peller residents asks the president if he plays hockey.

“The last time this morning I played, in full hockey gear,” the president assures.

Niinistö had enough skating friends. Picture: Mikko Aaltonen

President Niinistö's popularity in Tampere is clearly still solid. According to HS's quick gallop on the side of the field, many would gladly choose Niinistö for a third season, if only it were possible.

However, it is not, and that is why the public skating event at the Sorsapuisto rink is President Niinistö's farewell program number in Tampere.

In Tampere Päivi Valkamma doesn't have skates on his feet, but he's there for the president.

“The successor has big boots to fill. Saul's sports campaign is a great example of how he knows how to talk to citizens. Everyone should walk more, exercise more,” he says.

What and Lauri Söderberg have already come to skate well before the arrival of the president.

According to them, the president's exercise campaign is a great proof that the president can influence citizens by example. The president can therefore do more than take a stand on foreign and security policy.

“In this sense, Niinistö has been the president of the entire nation.”

Sini Mäkelä (left), Mika Söderberg, Lauri Söderberg, Pasi Varhevaara and Sari Söderberg had come to skate with Niinistö. Picture: Mikko Aaltonen

Niinistö a large crowd of people on their buttocks circulates around Sorsapuisto's big rink. Almost everyone has a phone in their hand, some are trying to stay on the president's buttocks with their shoes on, some are dangling a bag of cash.

Although Niinistö chirps to go as nimbly as a cougar, his bright yellow cap reveals the president's position on the field like a light rocket.

Suddenly, a rhythmic scream starts to be heard from the side of the field.

“Free free Palestine! Free free Palestine!”

A group of five people has come to the ice to demand a free Palestine. They hold the Palestinian flag in their hands and direct their words in the direction of Niinistö's yellow beanie.

The short scene does not affect the atmosphere of Sorsapuisto. Niinistö's skating route politely avoids the protesters.

Equally after half an hour, Niinistö leaves Sorsapuisto along the same honor corridor formed by the citizens as he arrived there. A group of people from Pirkanmaa are now surrounding the president all the way from the door of the dressing room to the official car.

“Everyone move!”, Niinistö exclaims before disappearing into the car.

Tiina and Elias Simelius are looking thoughtfully at the side of the field after the motorcade carrying Niinistö.

Elias Simelius says that he is an active skater, even though he does not play hockey in any team. He says that he paid attention to the skillful movement of the president in the rink.

“The turns were sharp and the backward skating was fast. For a man of his age, it's really skillful going”.

Tiina Simelius states that the president has had to actively maintain his skating skills.

“In what time has he managed to do that?”