Make a donation to cherish traditions
Karelia's history and the stories of the evacuees live on in Heinola – support the work of the Käkisalmi Museum
The rich history of Karelia, the lives of the people of Käkisalmi and the memories of the evacuees live on today in Heinola at the Käkisalmi Museum. The museum serves as an important custodian of cultural heritage: it tells the story of Karelia, its people and their journeys – from the time before the wars right up to the experiences of the evacuation years.
The museum's permanent exhibition presents the significant phases of the history of Käkisalmi and Karelia more broadly, right from the beginning of time up to the turbulent years of 1939–44. The exhibition journeys from the birth of the Karelian Isthmus and the Vuoksi River to historical turning points and the everyday lives of ordinary people. A special part of the exhibition is dedicated to those Karelians who were forced to leave their homes and start a new life in the Heinola region.
The exhibition of the Käkisalmi Museum combines traditional artefacts with modern presentation technology. Photographs, panels and digital communication open up the past in a versatile way, but visitors to the exhibition also get to see genuine historical artefacts. Many of these were already on display in the museum operating in Käkisalmi in the 1930s – thus the museum's activities directly continue a tradition that began before the wars.
The museum also features rare items that bring history close to the visitor. For example, a 19th-century view has been assembled from the hall of the Ampijala Manor in Käkisalmi, providing a glimpse into the manor's cultural life. On display in the same setting is the composer Erkki Melartin second-hand piano – an instrument on which he once entertained the manor's summer guests.
There is also a [facility/service] operating in connection with the museum Café Käki, which is a tribute to Karelian hospitality and conversation culture. In the cosy café, you can enjoy Karelian delicacies and spend a moment in good company. Operating in the same space is Käkipuoti, a physical location for the Käkisalmi Foundation's online shop, which offers high-quality products as souvenirs and gifts.
The location of the Käkisalmi Museum in Heinola is no coincidence. After the Second World War, Heinola was one of the important resettlement locations for evacuees from Käkisalmi. In the 1940s, the town's population even doubled as the Karelians settled in the locality. Today, the museum operates in Heinola's cultural quarter alongside the Heinola City Museum and keeps alive the memory of the home region that remained behind the border – but not from people's hearts.
Käkisalmi Museum relies largely on donations and voluntary support. Every donation helps to preserve Karelian cultural heritage, tell the stories of evacuees to new generations, and keep the museum doors open.
Make a donation to the Käkisalmi Museum and support the preservation of Karelian traditions.
Helmi Savings Bank
IBAN: FI71 4212 0010 3299 40
BIC: ITELFIHH
Reference number: 1948 06220
Together we can ensure that the history of Karelia and the stories of the people of Käkisalmi remain alive for future generations as well.
