Muisti Centre of War and Peace located in the headquarters city of Mikkeli is a science center that tells about the effects of war on people and society. Muisti tells about war to promote peace. Muisti is established for those interested in the history of war, and especially for those who are not interested.
Aleksis Kivi’s story of the Seven Brothers of Jukola is a tale of human growth. Simeoni, the middle brother, realizes: “We have aroused the anger of heaven and earth. Ruin threatens us, brothers, and the star of happiness will not shine for us until we are on better terms with our fellow-men.”
Peace begins with each one of us, with people. That’s why Simeoni continues: “Why shouldn’t we then go and beg for forgiveness, promising to live differently hereafter?”
In the light of the summer night, the rugged cliffs, swamps, and thickets surrounding Kilpilahti have provided us with routes to carry our message as a mark of respect for the work of the Muisti, believing that good will continue to triumph over evil.
In Mikkeli, on the morning of June 15, 2025
Jukola Relay orienteers
“The choice of the Muisti Centre of War and Peace reflects our times well”
The message of the Jukola relay has deep roots in history, and its recipients represent a diverse cross-section of our society.
“We believe that the choice of the Muisti Centre of War and Peace as this year’s recipient reflects our times well. The number of conflicts in the world has been on the rise again, and every day, hundreds, if not thousands, of people are dying in wars. In times like these, it is important to understand why wars break out, what happens in wars and how we can recover from them”, says Olli-Pekka Leskinen, CEO of Muisti.
“After the last wars, Finland managed to remain an independent and democratic society. The post-war generations built Finnish society and eventually turned it into a Nordic welfare society, home of the the happiest people in the world. Finns have taken a sensible approach to the threat of war. Over the decades, investments have been made in the overall security of society, and the will to defend the country has remained strong”, says Leskinen.
The role of the Muisti Centre is to tell about the war to promote peace. The Centre tells about the war so that each of us understands the significance of peace and what we all must do to achieve it.
Peace can be secured through the commitment of the whole society to overall security and strong national defence, but above all through a democratic system, education, diplomacy and respect for others.
“Visiting the Muisti Centre of War and Peace broadens our understanding of military history and life during the war, but also of people’s ability to survive and maintain faith in the future”, says Leskinen, describing the work of the Centre.
Next year, the message will be received by a team in Kotka. Time will tell which organisation will have the honour of receiving the message. And, in particular how the author of the message, Seppo Väli-Klemelä, will link it to Aleksis Kivi’s novel Seven Brothers.
“”The choice of the Muisti Centre of War and Peace reflects our times well” : translation Irma Gynther-Karppinen
Photo: Lotta Niskanen