Finland's history is rich and diverse, like a patchwork quilt with stories from different eras sewn into it. The National Museum in Helsinki is the place where these stories are gathered together and brought alive for the public to explore. The subject of this blog post is a special experience in a themed exhibition that weaves the audience into the story of Finns in photographs through the ages.
The first thing that catches your eye when you enter the exhibition is the light. In the twilight of the rest of the museum, the exhibition spaces are illuminated by countless photographs on the walls and in glass cases. Each image is a window into the past, a moment immortalised in Finnish history.
One of the images that stands out is that of an old woman. She is sitting in the half-shade, with the window behind her. She has a serious expression, softened only by a hint of a smile. Through the window behind her, a glimpse of 19th century Finland can be seen. The image is intimate, as if we were taking an unbidden peek into each other's lives.
The marks of African soil and hard work are visible on the woman's hands and face, but these marks are not hidden in shame. On the contrary, they are evidence of a life full of courage, grit, the ability to face adversity and keep moving forward. The picture tells a story that is common to many Finns - a story of survival and perseverance.
Although each image in the exhibition is a moment from the past, together they create a picture of Finnish history. It is a history full of courage, perseverance, diligence and an endless will to build a better future.
The exhibition invites us to reflect on how far Finland has come, where it is going and, above all, what Finnishness means to each of us. Picture by picture, it opens a window on time that makes us realise that we are part of this rich and diverse history.
A visit to the National Museum in Helsinki is like a journey through time, during which we learn to better understand our country's past, and through it, ourselves. Every picture, object and story tells something bigger - it tells the story of Finland.