Monument of the Winter War

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The Raate road is known both in Finland and outside of the country as practically a miracle. Th e Raate road battle has great signifi cance for all of Europe, as the Red Army’s objective to divide Finland was stopped at Suomussalmi. Th e Winter War exhibition at Raatteen Portti in Suomussalmi has been operational since the spring of 1992. Its visitor volumes have been high compared to other similar attractions. Th e probable reason for this is that the exhibition is located on the actual site of historical events. Th e goal of the project was to increase tourism on the Raate road by 30%, to create new jobs and to secure existing jobs. In addition, the intention was to increase general interest in military history and to cherish the legacy of the Winter War. Th e Monument of the Winter War was to be constructed near the Winter War exhibition in honour of all of the veterans of the Winter War and to inspire, using visual means, thoughts in visitors about the destruction and despair the war caused. Th e Monument of the Winter War was designed as a fi eld where natural stones (approx. 23,000 stones) would be placed in remembrance of all the soldiers – Finnish, Russian and Ukrainian – who lost their lives at Suomussalmi during 1939–1940. As historical facts were the foundation of the Raate road tourism product, an eff ort was also to be made in military history research. Th e intention was that the Russian Academy of Sciences would gather the information regarding the Red Army and the Universities of Joensuu and Petrozavodsk would complete the research on the civilian prisoners of war held in Suomussalmi during 1939–1940. Th e project was also to establish a cooperation network with Russian military history researchers and create a foundation for military history tourism in Finland and Russia. Th e research project was the fi rst objective scientifi c study of the Winter War in Russia.

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