The Night of Science

The Night of Science is celebrated in Helsinki on Thursday, January 9, 2025, featuring nearly fifty science-related events throughout the evening and night.

The Finnish Society of Sciences and Letters will participate with its own programme, hosted at the Society’s premises on Pohjoinen Makasiinikatu 7 A in Kaartinkaupunki, Helsinki.

As part of the programme, the editors of the Society’s scientific publications will engage in discussions with authors on topics such as:

▪️ How the Soviet Union used the Kalevala to influence the relationship between Soviet Karelia and Finland during 1940–1956.

▪️ How ordinary people became involved in alcohol smuggling networks during the Prohibition era.

The authors will present their research, offering unexpected perspectives on both historical and contemporary societal issues.

In addition to the discussions, attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the Society and explore its premises during the evening.

The programme is in Swedish and English and the event is open to the public and requires no registration.

We warmly welcome you to attend!

Programme:

6:30 PM–7:00 PM: Contested Heritage: Kalevala, Pan-Finnism, and Soviet Karelia

Professor Jan Sundberg and Dr. Takehiro Okabe, both from the University of Helsinki, discuss Okabe’s work Taming Greater Finland. This study explores how the Soviet Union used pan-Finnism and the Kalevala to exert influence over Soviet Karelia and shape its relationship with Finland. Okabe’s research uncovers complex cultural exchanges and resistance among Finns, Karelians, and Veps, offering fresh insights into Finnish-Soviet relations during 1940–1956.

7:00 PM–7:10 PM: Discussion

7:10 PM–7:15 PM: Break

7:15 PM–7:45 PM: Lars Westerlund: Dolda nätverk – Småfolket och spritsmuggling under förbudstiden
Professor Lars Westerlund (Åbo Akademi) presenterar sin bok “Vem var spritsmugglarna? Då småfolket blev företagare”, som ger en djupare inblick i förbudstidens spritsmuggling och de vanliga människor som drev verksamheten. Tillsammans med professor Stig-Olof Londen (Aalto-universitetet) utforskas nya perspektiv på denna unika och ofta missförstådda period i Finlands historia.

7:45 PM–8:00 PM: Discussion