Helsinki, Finland—Starting at the spiritual center of Finland, UPF supporters held a Peace Road walking event through the center of Helsinki.
Some 30 people met on July 27, 2019, in front of the famous Helsinki Cathedral, a beautiful white Finnish Evangelical Lutheran cathedral located in Senate Square.
They carried banners and waved flags that proclaimed peace between the two Koreas, peace between nations, and peace between people.
Two young people inspired the audience with two songs; an African gospel singer performed her own song; and a Congolese immigrant spoke about the need to go beyond cultural, religious and national differences to create peace.
The moderator pointed out that the idea for the Peace Road started in 1981.
While Finland is not a divided country as Korea is, there is still separation between individuals and groups who suffer from loneliness, personal conflict and isolation.
From Senate Square, the group proceeded down the main streets of Helsinki, with a police van escorting them. Because in July the government and many NGOs are on holiday, the Peace Road participants were happy to think of the police escort as representing the Finnish government and people.
Winding their way on an unusually hot summer day through 1.5 kilometers (nearly 1 mile) of the center of Helsinki, being photographed and filmed by onlookers, the group reached Parliament House (which is closed during July).
From there they crossed the street to reach the cultural center of Helsinki, a new open space called Citizen Square, where a brand-new library, a concert hall, the Kiasma museum of modern art, and the house of media are located.
A table with water, juice, and refreshments had been prepared for the participants, who ended the Peace Road Finland regaining their strength and sitting among friends.