Museum opens exhibition on islands Finland lost in Winter War

The Museum of New Art has opened “Lost Islands,” an exhibition of photographs, videos and archival material about islands Finland lost to the Soviet Union in the Winter War, ERR reports. The exhibition focuses on the islands, their nature and current residents, as well as traces left by the Finns who once lived there.

Photographer Juha Metso visited Suursaari seven times between 1999 and 2019 and travelled to the other outer islands once. The exhibition includes his photographs of Suursaari, videos featuring memories from people who lived on the islands, and archival material from Finland and Estonia.

Before the wars, the islands had a flourishing Finnish archipelago culture, with residents making their living from the sea and trading with Estonians. Suursaari was a popular tourist destination, attracting artists and writers in summer.

Civilians were evacuated from the islands shortly before the Winter War. The evacuation became permanent after Finland lost the islands to the Soviet Union. The exhibition tells their story, with a particular focus on longing.