War in Ukraine: Russian tourists are greeted with Ukrainian national anthem at Finnish dam

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Tourists on a bridge near the dam on the Imatrankoski River

Photo: Alessandro Rampazzo / AFP

At one of Finland's most visited natural attractions, tourists from Russia are greeted by the national anthem of Ukraine.

At the same time every day, the opening of the almost hundred-year-old dam on the Imatrankoski River near the town of Imatra is usually accompanied by the sounds of Finnish composer Jean Sibelius.

Hundreds of onlookers usually gather on the bridge in the town of Imatra to watch the water rush by beneath them.

Since the end of July, the city has started the show by playing the Ukrainian national anthem.

It's not the only protest against Russia's war of aggression in the area.

Also in the nearby town of Lappeenranta, the Ukrainian national anthem is played every night above the town hall, overlooking the shopping malls popular with Russian tourists.

"The aim is to express strong support for Ukraine and to condemn the war of aggression," Lappeenranta Mayor Kimmo Jarva told AFP.

Finland considers banning visas for Russians

In recent weeks, the debate about a possible ban on tourist visas in Finland has gained momentum.

The political representatives in Helsinki seem to mostly follow the arguments of the supporters.

A poll of politicians at the end of July suggested that the country's four largest parties would support such a move.

A poll released last week by Finnish public TV channel Yle found that 58 percent of people in Finland support restrictions on Russian tourist visas.

Finland is currently the gateway to Europe for many Russians.

As a result of the Ukraine war, EU airspace is closed to Russian aircraft.

However, if you have the necessary documents, you can still travel across the approximately 1,300-kilometer border from Russia to Finland.

A discussion about an entry ban for Russian tourists has recently flared up in the European Union.

The Czech government has proposed an EU-wide ban on entry visas for Russian citizens.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz, on the other hand, has already spoken out against a ban on tourist visas for people from Russia.

"This is Putin's war, and that's why I have a hard time with this idea," Scholz told journalists in Berlin.

Scholz referred to the "very far-reaching sanctions" against Russia.

svs/AFP