2019 marks eighty years since the first of three wars fought by Finland to defend its territory. Located in a precarious geopolitical position, Finland fought against the Soviet Union in the 1939 Winter War (1939-1940) and the Continuation War (1941-1944). Finland defended itself again against Nazi Germany in the Lapland War (1944-1945).
During these devastating war years, Finland’s government worked with individuals and organizations in neighboring Nordic countries to evacuate 70,000 Finnish children. This photo exhibit explores the experiences of these war children and their difficulties during transportation, moving to Sweden, and returning to Finland.
This exhibit was curated by Marja Kaisla of the Finnish-American Society of the Delaware Valley.