German history of Helsinki in the 20th century

Join us for a lecture event for the exhibition 'A Glimpse of Helsinki' to hear expert insights into the German history of Helsinki in the 20th century. The lectures are in Finnish.

The story of photographer Volker von Bonin is interwoven with that of the German community in Helsinki during the upheavals of the turbulent 20th century. Germans have historically been one of Finland’s largest foreign communities, but often, for political reasons, have been in a privileged position compared to other foreigners, which the expert lectures at the 'A Glimpse of Helsinki' exhibition will highlight. The event has been organised in cooperation with the Aue Foundation and Helsinki Summer University.

<h4>Programme: </h4><h4>13:00 researcher Antero Leitzinger: Special position of German citizens in Finland 1844–1990</h4>

The migration of Germans to Finland has had a significant impact on the attitude of the immigration administration to issues such as deportations, naturalisation and dual citizenship. It took a long time for Germans to become “ordinary” foreign nationals, but Finland has always been flexible in adapting to immigration needs.

<h4>13:40 Docent Marjaliisa Hentilä: A German Helsinki 1918</h4>

After the Baltic Division liberated Helsinki from the Reds in mid-April of 1918, the presence of German soldiers was a prominent feature of life in the capital for the rest of the year. A German-language magazine, “Suomi-Finnland,” was published in Helsinki, and German silent films were shown in cinemas.

<h4>14:20 Docent Annette Forsén: German associations in Finland 1910–1950</h4>

At the beginning of the 20th century, there were dozens of associations in Finland where Germans met, spoke German, and maintained their traditions and identity. The changes in Germany – especially the National Socialists’ policy of homogenisation – were reflected in them and caused strong conflicts.

<h4>15:00 break</h4><h4>15:10 Professor Niklas Jensen-Eriksen: Commerce and crises: Germans in the economic life of Helsinki in the 20th century</h4>

Germany has always been a significant trading partner for Finland, and many German entrepreneurs have worked in Helsinki. However, wars and political upheavals interrupted trade several times during the 20th century.

<h4>15:50 Professor Emeritus Seppo Hentilä: The cultural struggle between two Germanies in Helsinki during the Cold War</h4>

There were two German cultural institutes in Helsinki, the West German Goethe-Institut and the East German DDR-Kulturzentrum. These institutes competed over things like which of them would offer better and cheaper German-language courses to Helsinki residents.

Photo: Since 1858, the German congregation has brought together the German-born population of Helsinki. Volker von Bonin 1976 / Helsinki City Museum.