Rovaniemi Rotary Club and Rovaniemi Santa Claus Rotary Club organized the official opening of the Northern Lights Wicket on 16 October 2023 in Rovaniemi.
Before the start of the official opening, the Rotarians met the district governor of Rotary District 1385 Petri Keränen at Arktikum for lunch. The district governor awarded Rovaniemi’s Rotary Clubs an “significant service award of outstanding and significant community efforts” for the first time in his term as a representative of the president of Rotary International.
The actual opening party was held on the Northern Lights Wicket on the bank of Ounasjoki next to the Rotary Forest Park. Rotary club presidents Manu Pajuluoma and Jaana Koskela opened the event. The crowd honored the passing of Martti Ahtisaari, the 10th President of the Republic of Finland, with a moment of silence. In the opening speeches, presidents Manu and Jaana highlighted how the Northern Lights Wicket project has nicely embodied the Rotarians’ motto “Service Above Self”. The presidents also thanked the Rotarians who participated in the project, the townspeople, as well as several partners such as Lapland Safari, Kerabit, LähiTapiola and the boys of Napapiirin Kaukalopalloilijat.
The new wicket was greeted by district governor Petri Keränen, who considered the rebuilding of the wicket a great example of “sisu” and perseverance. The previous wicket was destroyed, but it was rebuilt. Rovaniemi City Council Chairwoman Susanna Junttila highlighted the city’s role as an enabler of operations in her welcoming speech. In many ways, the city of Rovaniemi has enabled the construction and maintenance of a common place for recreation for all city residents. In his own speech, Lapland’s rescue director Markus Aarto emphasized the importance of community in a tense world and considered the rebuilding of the wicket an example of good triumphing over evil.
Juri Laurila and Eero Pajula, project managers of the reconstruction of the Northern Lights Wicket, were honored with Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) awards. Governor Petri Keränen reminded that for each PHF recognition, the Rotary Club has made a 1,000 $ donation to charity. Juri Laurila gave a speech from the project management, where he told how the project started to be built after the annoyance caused by the previous destruction of wicket – and due to the abundant encouragement of the townspeople – towards the construction of a new wicket.
About 50 townspeople, Rotarians and friends of Rotarians attended the opening. At the same time, Rovaniemi Rotary Club’s Victoria Mlakar implemented the tastiest project of the year and baked pancakes on the log fire place for all those who wanted, and Kenneth Karlsson cooked coffee for those who wanted.
The new Northern Lights Wicket was built together with the townspeople and Rotarians. We want to welcome everyone to use the Northern Lights Wicket!
President Manu Pajuluoma, sister Victoria Mlakar, brother Eero Pajula, governor Petri Keränen and president Jaana Koskela.
Governor Petri Keränen speaking at the Rovaniemi Rotary Club’s lunch.
Rovaniemi Rotary Club President Manu Pajuluoma and Rovaniemi Santa Claus Rotary Club Juri Laurila received the “significant service award of outstanding and significant community efforts” given by Governor Petri Keränen.
Rovaniemi rotary club presidents Manu Pajuluoma and Jaana Koskela started the opening ceremony of Revontulilaavu.
Susanna Junttila, chairman of the Rovaniemi City Council, giving a speech.
Lapland rescue director Markus Aarto giving a speech.
Governor Petri Keränen handed out the PHF recognitions to the management of the Revotulilaavu project, Eero Pajula and Juri Laurila.
Project management’s speech was given by Juri Laurila.
Victoria Mlakar was responsible for the tastiest project of the Rotary year, i.e. making pancakes.
Rovaniemi Rotary Club’s brother Kenneth Karlsson and sister Victoria Mlakar preparing the food for the opening.
While waiting for the beginning of the opening of the Northern Lights wicket.
The basis of Rotary activities are local Rotary clubs, which bring together influencers to do good in their own community. As a Rotarian, you can implement meaningful charity projects near and far. There are two rotary clubs in Rovaniemi; you can find more information about us and our contact information on our website and Facebook:
https://rotary.fi/rovaniemenrotaryklubi/en/
https://rotary.fi/rovaniemisantaclaus/en/
https://www.facebook.com/rovaniemirotary
https://www.facebook.com/rotarysantaclaus