Finland emerged from the First World War as a sovereign state. It had previously belonged to the Russian Empire. After the signing of the Hitler-Stalin Pact, Stalin attempted to gain influence over Finnish territory. The country was supposed to agree to cessions of territory. The Finnish government refused. This was followed by the invasion of the Red Army at the end of November 1939. In the Winter War, which lasted until March 1940, Finnish society fought back against the apparently overpowering aggressor. Although Finland was able to maintain its independence, it had to surrender ten per cent of its territory. From these, over 400,000 evacuees had to be integrated into Finnish society.

The panel discussion will examine the effects of the Winter War, as well as the historical reappraisal and the culture of remembrance of the consequences of the Hitler-Stalin Pact in Finnish society and politics.

With
Prof. Dr Antero Holmila (University of Jyväskylä)
Prof. em. Dr Bernd Wegner (University of Hamburg)

Moderation
Christoph Meißner (Museum Berlin-Karlshorst)

The event will be interpreted simultaneously into English and German.

Admission is free.

Registration is requested at kontakt(at)museum-karlshorst.de

On the evening of the event, the museum will be open until the event begins at 7 pm.

Photography and filming (e.g. with a mobile phone camera) is not permitted at museum events.