Rock paintings in and

We have lots of prehistoric evidences i and some of the finest are rock paintings. They have been created about 7000 – 3500 years ago. The river Kymijoki is running through Iitti and Kouvola, and some of the rock paintings are near it. Rock paintings tell us something about the beliefs of stone age people. People were depending on hunting, fishing and gathering. We can think how they wanted to pray the gods of nature while painting these pictures.

The photos here in these links are by Ismo Luukkonen. He has made these colors more visible by picture processing. If you want to see how a picture is in reality, just put your computer cursor on the picture; then you can see the difference. In this Luukkonen’s picture gallery (there are nearly all rock paintings in Finland !) you must choose the ones you want to see from the left under the name Iitti - and you can have even more pictures under the name Kouvola. After pressing these names below you can see the individual picture:

Iitti: Karhusaari Konniveden Haukkavuori Mertakallio Kotojärven Haukkavuori Rautakannanvuori

Finnish history timeline - some important years

7,000 BC The first humans arrive in Finland 2,500 BC People in Finland begin farming 1,500 BC People in Finland learn to use bronze 500 BC People in Finland learn to use iron c. 1120 Christian missionaries arrive in Finland 1157 The Swedes launch a crusade against the Finns most of whom are still pagan 1191 The Danes also launch crusades in Finland 1249 The Swedes finally establish control of Finland

1323 Finland becomes a province of Sweden 1550 is founded 1581 Finland becomes a Grand Duchy 1696-97 A severe famine grips Finland 1710 Plague strikes Helsinki 1713-1721 The Russians occupy Finland 1808 - 1809 The Finnish War between Sweden and Russia

1809 Finland becomes a Grand Duchy of Russia 1812 The capital of Finland is moved from Turku to Helsinki 1902 Finnish is made an official language 1906 All men and women are allowed to vote - Finnish women become the first in the world to have unrestricted rights both to vote and to stand for parliament.

1917 Finland becomes independent 1918 Civil War between Red and White Finns. The Communists are crushed. 1919 Finland gains a new constitution 1935 The Viipuri Library in Finland makes the reputation of a young Finnish architect, Alvar Aalto 1939 Frans Emil Sillanpää wins the Nobel Prize in Literature 1939 Russia invades Finland 1940 Finland surrenders and is forced to cede territory 1941 Finland joins the German invasion of Russia 1944 Finland surrenders 1945 Artturi Virtanen wins The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1947 A final peace treaty with Russia is made 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki

Finland before the war Finland after the war Olympic stadium 1982 Keke Rosberg wins the Formula One World Drivers' Championship 1995 Finland joins the EU 1995 Finland wins the Men's World Ice Hockey Championship 1998 Mika Häkkinen wins the Formula One World Drivers' Championship 1999 Mika Häkkinen wins the Formula One World Drivers' Championship 2000 Tarja Halonen becomes the first female president in Finland 2002 Finland joins the Euro

2007 Kimi Räikkönen wins the Formula One World Drivers' Championship 2008 Former Finnish president Martti Ahtisaari wins The Nobel Peace Prize Martti Ahtisaari 2011 Finland wins the Men's World Ice Hockey Championship

Adapted from and the original layout and idea from

http://www.localhistories.org/finlandtime.html

A military camp in Perheniemi, Iitti, and the conspiracy

In the middle of Perheniemi Village, in Iitti, you can find a little hill called Leirinmäki (Camp Hill). There you can also find a modest memorial stone that tells you that there was a camp for Swedish military on this hill in 1788 - 1790. So, the name of this hill is coming from those days. The king of Sweden Gustav III made war against Russia 1788 – 1790. The warfare at that time included lots of breaks. They used to stay at camps for wintertime. At camps like Perheniemi the solders could rest, wash up and take care of their horses. There were other camps, too, in several villages in Iitti and Kouvola. Military camps had a great impact on life of the villages. The villagers had to sell solders some food, grain and grass. Many times solders took horses and carriages from the villagers. During this war there was an incident called the Anjala conspiracy of 1788. The officers (113 men) at the front of Finland refused to go on with the warfare. They thought the king had started the war illegally. They wrote a “rebellious” letter to the government. At the same time they happened - for the first time in Finland’s history - to write down sentences about the idea of independence from Sweden. The manor house where these officers were writing the letter is Anjala Manor. It is situated in the Anjala Village, in Kouvola. After 1789 the king could win support from public. The Anjala men were condemned. But Gustav III could rule the state only for a short while after that – he was assassinated in 1792. The Anjala conspiracy

A. J. Sjögren (1794 - 1855)

A. J. Sjögren A post card made from The Memorial of A.J. a painting about Sjögren in Iitti Livonians

Connections between Livonia in Latvia, and Iitti, Finland One of the internationally greatest scientists ever born in Iitti, Finland, can be considered Anders Johan Sjögren (1794 - 1855). He was an explorer and an Academician of Linguistics and Ethnographies at St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences (the Russian Academy of Sciences, Petersburg). He made travels to Livonia (in Latvia) for collecting research material there. A Livonian priest and ethnologist Edgar Vaalgamaa (1912 - 2003) lived the rest of his life in Iitti and wrote a book about Livonian history and culture and translated the Latvian epic poem to Finnish. Iitti has been known for beautiful, old furniture thanks to carpenter Jacob Nygren (1768 - 1836) probably born in Livonia.

2011 - The international year of the Livonian language and culture

150 years ago in 1861, a comprehensive book called “Livische Grammatik nebst Sprachproben” was published in St. Petersburg. The book was written by Anders Johan Sjögren (1794 - 1855) and Ferdinand Johan Wiedemann (1805 - 1887). It contains the first Livonian grammar and dictionary and also the first samples of Livonian folklore, poetry and religious texts. The book still provides valuable information and an insight into the Livonian life and history of the language and its speakers. The year 2011 is the 150th anniversary since publishing the book “Livische Grammatik nebst Sprachproben” and hence this year has been announced the international year of the Livonian language and culture.

Anders Johan Sjögren (1794 - 1855)

The main author of the book “Livische Grammatik nebst Sprachproben” was A.J. Sjögren. He was a Finnish historian, linguistic, ethnographer, folklorist, Academician of St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences, director of Academy´s Ethnographic museum, Councilor of State and also a shaper of Finnish national identity. In 1846 and 1852, A.J. Sjögren visited Livonia and Courland (in Latvia) and collected linguistic, ethnographic and folkloristic material. About the first travel (during 5. - 22.6.1986) A.J. Sjögren wrote a publication called “Reise nach Livland und Kurland” which was published in Weimar in 1849. In this report, he published among others the names and surnames of the Livonians, mentioned their places of residence and described his observations. However, A.J. Sjögren died in 1855. After his death, research results from these two travels were completed and published by F.J. Wiedemann who continued the post of A.J. Sjögren in St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences.

Earlier A.J. Sjögren had made also two longer explorations. After receiving a stipendium from Tsar Alexander I of Russia he travelled through Lapland and Karelia to North Russia making acquaintance with Finno-Ugric cultures during 1824 - 1829. He gathered plenty of linguistic and ethnographic material. During 1835 - 1838, he visited South Russia and Caucasia and as a result of this travel he wrote the first Ossetian grammar and dictionary. Due to these achievements, he was granted in 1844 with a valuable Volney Prize (originally a gold medal worth 1 200 francs) that was awarded by the French Academy of Sciences. In 1844, A.J. Sjögren received an Academician post of Linguistics and Ethnographies of the Finno-Ugric and Caucasian peoples at St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences. This was the first post dedicated to Finno-Ugrian studies to be established anywhere in the world.

During his travels, A.J. Sjögren collected Finnish oral folklores (about 5000 verses) to his good friend, Elias Lönnrot (1802 - 1884) for composing the Kalevala, the Finnish national epic. This fruitful co-work was revealed by Michael Branch who was granted with the Kalevala Prize awarded by Kalevala Society in 2008. A.J. Sjögren working in the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences was able to arrange major support to Matthias Alexander Castrén (1813 - 1853) who was also a Finnish explorer studying Finno-Ugrian nations and languages in North Russia. M.A. Castrén became more famous for his studies than A.J. Sjögren did.

A.J. Sjögren was born in Iitti, the village of Sitikkala in 1794. His genealogical roots have been clarified in detailes. His father was a poor shoemaker. Anders was a clever boy and he learned to read and write very young. The vicar and other priests of Iitti church advised him to go to school and gave support to him. After elementary school in Loviisa (Lovisa), gymnasium in Porvoo (Borgå) and the Royal Academy in Turku (Åbo), A.J. Sjögren moved to St. Petersburg in 1819 for learning Russia and working as a private tutor and a private librarian. In 1832, he married Gustava Sofia Laurell (1805 - 1880) who was a daughter of a medical doctor in Kuopio. Anders and Gustava had six children. A. J. Sjögren kept diary from 1806 to 1855, nearly until his death in 1855 in St. Petersburg. The diary called “Allmänna Ephemerider” was written in Swedish and involves about 8000 pages! At the 1840´s, he wrote his autobiography manuscript in Swedish that was translated in Finnish called “Tutkijan tieni” by Aulis J. Joki in 1955.

A.J. Sjögren Society in Iitti – the 20th anniversary in 2011

Due to working in St. Petersburg A.J. Sjögren was very little known in Finland until Professor Michael Branch in the University of London interested in Sjögren´s research results and revealed their importance to the Finnish and also international media in the 1970´s. In addition, M. Branch prepared a doctor thesis on his studies of A.J. Sjögren. As a sequence, A.J. Sjögren Society was founded in Iitti in 1991. The aims of the Society are to collect any research material dealing with A.J. Sjögren, deliver information on those things and organize lectures, seminars and excursions. A.J. Sjögren is still a source of new studies. At the moment, Päivi Ronimus-Poukka is writing a doctor thesis on A.J. Sjögren in the University of Tampere. In 2011, the Society has the 20th anniversary and a jubilee seminar in autumn.

Publications Branch, Michael. 1973. "A. J. Sjögren. Studies of the North". Suomalais-ugrilaisen seuran toimituksia 152. Vammala.

Sjögren, A.J. 1849. Reise nach Livland und Kurland. Weimar. Sjögren, A.J. 1849. Bericht ŭber eine im Auftrage der russischen geographischen Gesellschaft während der Sommermonate des Jahres 1846 nach den Gouvernements Livland und Kurland unternommene reise zur genauen Untersuchungen der Reste der Liwen und Krewingen. Denkschriften der Russischen geographischen Gesellschaft zu St. Petersbur. Bd. 1. St. 16. Weimar

Vaalgamaa, Edgar: Valkoisen hiekan kansa: Liiviläisten historiaa ja kulttuuria. Jälkisanat: Valda Šuvcāne. Jyväskylä: Atena, 2001. ISBN 951-796-235-5. Links: Livonians http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Livonian_people Language and culture of Livonians www.livones.lv

Railroad to St. Petersburg – Hunger track – Bone track The transport circumstances in Finland were quite undeveloped in 1850’s. The tsar Alexander II requested Finns to find solutions as transport connections between inland areas and harbours and also to the capital St. Petersburg. Very poor financial time and many sages in planning postponed solutions in practice. The Finnish parliament decided in 1867 to build the railway from Riihimäki to St. Petersburg. The track wide was stated the same as in Russia, it est. wider that in other western countries. Russian government promised to take part in financing.

Finnish engineers took care of planning the railroad. The constructing started in 1867 from both ends of the railroad. The Russian built in St. Petersburg the Finnish Station which still is the ends station for trains from Finland. Also the railroad terminal in Viipuri is built by Russians. All the other constructors were Finns.

Railway station in Finland Sataion in St. Train to St. Petersburg Viipuri Petesburg

Memorial monument

In those years there was in Finland time of depression. By constructing the railroad they tried to relieve famine. It just turned worse. Hunger and epidemics killed thousands of people. People who were been long times starving were injured also because after getting food they ate too much and perished In honour of those who died under railway construction was a monument erected close the Kivinen railway stop. In the area there is a stony fence about 10 kilometres length like a symbol of graveyard. During this construction were hundreds of children orphaned. For example in municipality were 400. For then were four orphanages established. Fast train "Allegro"

The railroad was completed 11.09.1870. The total length was 372 kilometres. There were 31 stations and for local needs still more stops. The railroad has influenced to the development of many regions. Especially Riihimäki, , Kouvola and Viipuri were grown by the influence if this railway. Also the village Kausala in Iitti municipality raised as railway station and developed later as the centre of municipality.

After many stages of development the railroad which is used nowadays is Helsinki – Lahti – St. Petersburg. The railway has been electrified and it takes just three and half hours to travel from Helsinki to St. Petersburg.

Field Fortifications in Finland for to Defence St. Petersburg

Russian government finished Finnish Guards, the own army troops in 1905. That’s why the Finns refused to enlist in Russian army and Finland had to pay 10 million marks. At the same time it also occurred in Finland needs for independence. Russian did not trust the will of Finns to defence country at the time when The First World War was just round the corner. Russians have to build up the defence by themselves.

The narrowest point of the sea way in the Gulf of Finland was closed by coast artillery both in Finland both in .

Against the German attack across The Gulf of Bothnia and from west by land Russian build up two field fortification lines in 1916 – 1917. The lines were not continuous but defence posts were build in many strategic routes where the enemy was expected to come. A special attention in fortification was pointed to the defence of the cities of Helsinki and Viipuri.

The field fortification means trench and constructions in them many times also some covers in trenches. When ever it was possible they used stony and rocky terrain. Wood was also important in constructing props and in the lodgings of defences, in dugouts.

The total length of these trenches and dugouts constructed by Russians was about 2000 kilometres. There were some 100 000 peoples, hired men and in some amount women, too working. There were also 3000 Chinese constructors, obviously war prisoners from Mantshuria. For transportations Russians took compulsory horses from farms. Also locomotives were used by drilling rocks.

This contract was expensive even for Russian. France gave Russian financial help.

Iitti municipality situates at Eno – fortification line. In Iitti, Lyöttilä village, in the western side of river there are still lots to see in two kilometres distance trenches almost a hundred years age. A local farmer has in his property cleared the area and developed a point of interest from trenches, firing hotbed and dugouts. The area has been mapped officially and there are guided paths and information stands. The length of fortification twisting in this area is about 200 metres.

The landlord is well familiar with the history and he is able to tell with interesting way backgrounds of fortifications, influence to the everyday living of village inhabitants and stories of living live told by inhabitants trough decades. This make the history living for young generations. We all are lucky that there has been no battles in there field fortifications.

This is a respectful cultural deed made by a private person.

War time memories

The bombings of Kausala during the and the

The Soviets’ planes bombed mainly cities, roads, railways, bridges and service locations. That’s why civilians were also killed by bombs. In our home village Kausala - there were about 2000 people living in the village at that time (nowadays about 4300) - two bombings occurred. The first was two days before the end of the Winter War (on March 11th, 1940) and the second one on July 4th, 1941.

In the summer 1941 children were playing on the yard of Mikkola farm near the railroad. Suddenly Matti, a boy 7 years of age, shouted: “Soviet bombers coming!” And quite after that bombs fell down: one quite on the corner of the neighboring house, one on the road near Mikkola’s house, some a bit further away into the woods. The air was full of sand and mud. When people could get up from their hiding places, they heard crying from the house. Someone shouted that Matti’s mother was injured. Matti and his father run to help. Soon they could find another injured, too. Matti’s little sister Maija, 2 years of age, was badly injured and she died in e few minutes. Soon they could find a horse and a wagon so they could set about the trip to the hospital; first with the horse because the road nearby was so badly damaged and then in a car. Matti’s mother had to stay at the hospital for several months before she could come home. The bombing was aimed to destroy the railroad near Kausala, but the bombs never reached the railroad. The bomb splinters spread out all over the Mikkola yard and destroyed windows and roofs. Even today one can see the marks of the boms on a flagpole and inside the house on a wardrobe. __

Background: The destiny of independent Finland was severely endangered during the World War II, when the attacked Finland on November 30, 1939. This was preceded by the Ribbentrop-treaty; Germany and the Soviet Union agreed that they would ”divide” Europe among themselves, to so called spheres of influence.

Finland, among the Baltic states, belonged to the Soviet’s sphere of influence. According to that, Stalin saw as his right to occupy Finland, inter alia. The Winter War lasted for 3 ½ months (105 days), at times when it was 30 - 40 degrees Celsius below zero. After the battles Finland lost parts of its land, but it could narrowly stop the overwhelming forces of the Soviet Union. The war ended on 13.3.1940, when the interim peace was agreed. The peace lasted for 15 ½ months.

The Continuation War (25.6.1941 - 4.9.1944) started when the Soviets bombed Helsinki and many other cities of Finland. At first Finland overtook the areas that it had lost in the Winter War and some parts of the Viena-Karelia that Finland had lost for the Soviets in the Russian Revolution in 1917 (and that were settled by Finns).

Finland got significant help from Germany (materialistic, military and food help). Other countries didn’t even offer to help. After the victories of the Allies (Soviet Union, Great Britain and USA), Germany had to withdraw its troops. This gave the Soviets the opportunity to focus its forces in the fronts of Finland. In the strenuous battle in 1944 Finland had to give up most of the areas that it overtook earlier. The destiny of Finland was once again on edge. On the peace treaty Finland had to pay massive reparations and to give up even more areas. But the most important thing, Finland’s independence, was maintained.

There were over 90 000 Finnish men killed and around 150 000 men were wounded in the wars. Over 400 000 Finns were evacuated and relocated around Finland from the areas that were given to the Soviets. __ Today In the summer 2011 it was 70 years from this second bombing in Kausala. The local cultural heritage association decided to organize a project for recording the memories of what happened on the day of the bombing. They collected material about the bombings and the time between them (11.3.1940 – 4.7.1941) and about the incidents and atmosphere in Iitti and Kausala village at that time. They also put a memorial on the edge of two bomb holes on the ground.

The memorial event was held at the Mikkola yard on July 3rd, 2011, and there was a 3-piece theatre play about the last bombing. The play was filmed to a video recording. Interviews and photos were collected for a written publication.

The Mikkola farm

Vyborg Vyborg (Finnish: Viipuri; Swedish: Viborg) is situated on the Karelian Isthmus near the head of the Bay of Vyborg. In the 19th century the town was the center of administration and trade for the eastern part of Finland. Between the First and Second World War the town was the second biggest city in Finland and centre of Viipuri province. In 1939 Viipuri had about 80,000 inhabitants, including sizable minorities of Swedes, Germans, Russians, Gypsies, Tatars and Jews. During the Winter War between the Soviet Union and Finland (1939-1940), more than 70,000 people were evacuated from Viipuri to western Finland. The Winter War was concluded by the Peace of Moscow, which stipulated the transfer of Viipuri and the whole Karelian Isthmus– emptied of their residents– to Soviet control. As the town was still held by the Finns, the remaining Finnish population, about 10,000 people, had to be evacuated. Practically the whole population of Finnish Viipuri was resettled elsewhere in Finland. Viipuri still remains in the memories of elderly Finns as a beautiful, lively and fashionable town, and nowadays it is a popular tourist destination for many Finns. Many songs have been written about Viipuri. It’s only a couple of hours’ drive from Kouvola to Viipuri.

Vyborg town hall Vyborg railway station Vyborg castle in 1925 square in 1927 in 1927

The Monument of the Winter War in Suomussalmi

The Winter War was fought between Finland and the Soviet Union. Soviet forces began the war on November 30, 1939, and it was concluded on March 12, 1940, with the Peace of Moscow. The Winter War Monument was erected in honour of the veterans of the Winter War. The monument is located along the side of the Raate road. The bloodiest battles of the war were fougth in the area.

The Monument of the Winter War

The river Kymi and paper industry The river Kymi flows through where there are long traditions of paper making. Paper mills have provided jobs, housing, education, culture and hobbies for several generations. Nowadays paper mills are cutting down their production but they are still an important part of the local economy. Pulp mill in 1931 Kymi pulp mill in 1934 Kymi paper mill in 1934

Ferry across the river Kymi Before there were bridges across the river Kymi in Kuusankoski, ferries were the only connection to ”the Kouvola village” (nowadays Kuusankoski is part of the new Kouvola, which has about 90,000 inhabitants) and other big centres. Ferries carried everything from buses and trucks to individual people. In the picture you can see logs in the river, since timber was floated to paper mills via waterways. Nowadays logs are transported by rail and road.

Ferry across the river The river Kymi rapids Kymi in 1910

Paper industry created jobs but it also provided education, culture and recreation. In the pictures you can see Kymi Paper Mill Vocational School and the Mill Workers’ Hall.

Workers' Hall in 1929 Vocational School in 1932

Kouvola has grown alongshore the river, paper industry and the railway, but it is also rural area. In the pictures you can see how horses were used in agricultural work and everyday life in olden times. Nowadays horses are used mainly for riding and for trotting races. There are many farms with horses in Kouvola, mainly trotting horses, and many riding stables, as well. Kouvola has also a trotting track where international trotting events have bee n held.

Field work Horse and cart On a horse ride

Modern times, modern vehicles. Buses and trucks replaced horses. This is how buses and trucks looked like in Kouvola in the 1940s.

Buses and drivers in A truck and a driver in the 1940s the 1940s

Culture today Kuusankoski House at The stage outside the night Kuusankoski House The Kuusankoski House is one of the two culture houses in Kouvola. The river Kymi flows close by the Kuusankoski House and the beautiful riverside landscape with the yard stage forms impressive surroundings for summer events. The building houses conference and meeting facilities, a cinema, a theatre, an art gallery and a café. It has won a milieu award for its architecture and landscaping. If you want to have a closer look at its architecture, facilities and surroundings, click the link below. http://www.kouvola.fi/material/attachments/5okJCxMNk/5fbegSh0j/Kuusankoskitalo_esite_ we b.p d f

The Kuusankoski House is also a venue for the annual International Children’s Theatre Festival (each year in May). The year 2007 marked the 20 anniversary of the International Children’s Theatre Festival organised by the Association of Amateur and Professional Theatres in Finland together with the City of Kouvola and Kuusankoski Theatre. This annual festival hosts performances by 3-5 foreign theatre groups and approx. 15 Finnish amateur and professional theatre groups. The festival also includes, among other events, workshops for children and adults, as well as a seminar on topical issues related to children’s culture.

Mrs. Hella Wuolijoki (1886 – 1954) – An Estonian playwright in Iitti

Hella Wuolijoki

at the Marlebäck Estate

Niittylahti

Hella Wuolijoki (Ella Murrik up to 1908) was an accepted Finnish playwright born in Estonia. In addition, she served as a director of the Finnish Broadcasting Company, , (1945 - 1949). She took part in politics being as a member of the Finnish Parliament (1946 - 1947). Also, she was an active farmer and an international business woman. She made a fortune with sawmills and trade with Russia. In addition, she had an ability to speak several languages. Ella Marie Murrik was born in 1886 in Helme, Valga, Southern Estonia. Her father, Ernst Murrik, was a teacher and he had also a bookshop. Ella´s mother, Kadri Kogamägi, was a farmer’s daughter. At home they spoke German, but later on also Estonian was used. Ella went to the secondary school in . In 1904, she moved to Finland for studying folklore, history and Russian language at the University of Helsinki. In 1908, she was graduated to Master of Arts (M.A.). In the same year, she was married to Sulo Wuolijoki (1881 - 1957) and took the name Hella Maria Wuolijoki. Sulo also studied at the University of Helsinki and was graduated to M.A. in 1907. Sulo intensively took part in political discussions and tried to influence on many social problems at that time. Hella and Sulo were divorced in 1923.

Hella got the ideas and the roles of the persons for her plays from the Vuolijoki Estate where her husband was born and lived as a child. Hella often visited the Vuolijoki Estate after the divorce from Sulo and was very fascinated by her husband´s home and family. However, she mainly wrote the plays in the Marlebäck Estate in the 1930´s. As a playwright, Hella Wuolijoki is famous for her Niskavuori-play series. They are basic plays in the Finnish literature. The series is a family saga. It describes the life in the Finnish country house called Niskavuori from the period of 1880 to 1940. Strong women are typical to the Niskavuori- plays. In spite of the difficulties between the old and new generations, women take care and respect of the fate of the farm. Due to Hella´s political opinions, she often wrote her books and plays under the pseudonym Juhani Tervapää. Many of the Niskavuori-plays have been presented on radio, TV, theatre or films in Finland. After Aleksis Kivi and William Shakespeare she has been Finland’s most often performed dramatic writer. In 1952, Hella Wuolijoki was granted a Pro Finlandia medal for her literary work.

In 1920, Hella Wuolijoki bought the Marlebäck Estate for her apartment. It lies in Lyöttilä Village, Iitti, on a beautiful bank of the River Kymi. It’s about 16 km distance from the Kausala railway station to the Marlebäck Estate. At first, Hella repaired the main building to two-story. After that, there were 22 rooms. The main building was surrounded by a large park with a fruit and rose garden, a fountain, a greenhouse and a dance hall. In 1920´s and 1930´s, she actively developed cultivation systems of the fields and forests and improved animal husbandry and breeding. The cow house was large like a church. She loved all kinds of arts and was interested in social and political matters. National and international artists and socially influential persons were invited to visit her culture salon at the Marlebäck Estate. Hella arranged great parties. Particularly famous were summer night piano concerts on the top of the Hiidenvuori Hill (over 60 m high). This tradition is further continued by The Iitti Music Festival today. Hella Wuolijoki owned and ran the Marlebäck Estate up till 1940. In 1923, Hella built the Villa Niittylahti for her parents near the Marlebäck Estate. In 1940, the German playwright Bertold Brecht (1898 - 1956) escaped the Second World War and arrived in Finland and settled as a guest at the Villa Niittylahti. During that time, Wuolijoki and Brecht wrote together the play “Herr Puntila und seine Knecht Matti”. The play premiered in Zürich in 1948 and in Finland in 1965. In summer 2010, Iitti´s Amateur Theatre played an act “Mrs. Wuolijoki and her guest, Mr. Brecht” that describes Mr. Brecht´s visit to Mrs. Wuolijoki in the Marlebäck Estate and the Villa Niittylahti.

Hella´s daughter, Vappu Tuomioja, has written memories from her father and mother and from her own childhood from the period of 1911 - 1945. The book was published in 1997. Vappu´s son, , as a historian, finely describes political and cultural activities of his grandmother Hella Wuolijoki in a book named “Häivähdys punaista” published in 2006. He originally wrote the manuscript in English “A Delicate Shade of Pink”. Even today, Hella Wuolijoki is a very interesting person. A film called “Hella W” premiered in Finland 28.1.2011. It was directed by Juha Wuolijoki who is a son in the third generation after Sulo Wuolijoki´s brother. Because the main building of the Marlebäck Estate was destroyed in a fire 1949, shots were partly filmed in the Palmsen Estate, Estonia.

Sources http://kirjasto.sci.fi/hellawuo.htm Vappu Tuomioja. 1997. Sulo, Hella ja Vappuli – Muistelmia vuosilta 1911 - 1945 (Sulo, Hella and Vappuli – Memories from 1911 to 1945). WSOY. Erkki Tuomioja. 2006. Häivähdys punaista (A Delicate Shade of Pink). Tammi. Kaunisnurmi Museum and Handicraft Quarter in Kouvola The old wooden house area in the Kaunisnurmi quarter has been preserved as a memory of Kouvola's railroad history. The area is situated close to the city centre, next to the Kouvola House (which is the other of the two main culture houses in Kouvola and a new, modern building). Most of the houses were built in the beginning of the 20th century as dwellings for engine drivers. Now the beautifully renovated houses serve as workshops for artisans and artists, and as shops and museums which display the history of the town. In addition to the Kouvola Museum of Art, the area of the Kaunisnurmi museum and handicraft quarter also includes a Pharmacy museum, a Railwaymen's Home Museum and a Tube Radio Museum. In addition to these the area also has handicraft shops, a café, a ceramics workshop, a jewellery club, arts club, a centre for the orthodox culture and the district office of the local scout organisation.

Museum Quarter in Museum Quarter in Kouvola House - the winter autumn second big culture house in our town

Internationla friendship, culture and voluntary work

Liisa Mustonen: Building a tsasouna in France I was studying icon painting in Paris 1983. There, in France, I met Father Job, an old orthodox monk, at a little monastery in Mourmelon. Father Job had a very old, little church made of an old barrack house. He told me that he had prayed for ten years for a new church. I thought that if I were rich I would donate for this chapel.

Then after I came back to Finland I told my husband about Father Job. He said: “Don’t worry, let’s build that church by ourselves!” After that we organized concerts, we told about the project to lots of people and we collected money for it. There were many who wanted to donate and many who volunteered to work. We had to make wooden timber logs ready for this little orthodox chapel (a tsasouna as we call them), so we had to have lots of timber and many workers, too. The year 1986 went by working hard – but then in the autumn the logs were ready. Also was ready the bulb dome. They all were hauled to France by a truck.

The people in Mourmelon built the base for the tsasouna. After that we traveled to France again: there were four of us who, with the French, built up the tsasouna. Then, on Dec. 22. 1986, the bulb dome was lifted up on the roof. There were lots of people celebrating this event in the village.

In the autumn 1987 a Finnish group of 40 traveled to France and visited this tsasouna in Mourmelon. They were timber donators, volunteer workers, artists and money donators. On Nov. 19. 1988 the tsasouna was consecrated: a great feast was organized in the village under old lime trees. Father Andrej is the priest in this church now. Today there are lots of services in the tsasouna: high masses regularly, christenings and other services.