Tuusula, Finland—A Peace Road event visited a former artists’ colony and the museum of a women’s volunteer organization.
At the start of the Peace Road event, held on September 18, 2021, participants gathered in front of a statue of Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. Then nine people went around Lake Tuusula (a distance of 26 kilometers) by bicycle or electric scooter, while approximately 12 other participants visited museums that were originally artists’ homes.
During the golden age of Finnish art, the best-known artists settled in Tuusula. The artists developed and reinforced Finland’s culture and self-esteem during politically difficult times when Finland was a part of the Russian empire.
The cyclists stopped at the Lotta Svärd museum to learn about the former women’s volunteer organization . In the early 1920s the Lotta Svärd association organized at the national level and developed into a women’s voluntary civil defense organization with social significance. The association did versatile relief and aid work for both the Finnish defense forces and the civilian population. The association at one time had as many as 240,000 members, including around 50,000 Junior Lottas between the ages of 8 and 17.
After visiting the Lotta museum, the cyclists stopped at the Lutheran church to meet the head pastor, Ulla Rosenqvist. She was very happy to welcome the cyclists and bless them with a prayer for peace.
Afterward the cyclists continued around the lake to the meeting point with UPF supporters and volunteers who were waiting with refreshments. Some local people were also very curious and asked us about our program.