Declaration for World Peace

As our Independence Day approaches, thoughts turn to the Finnish Winter War with sacrifices. At 6.50 a.m. on 30 November 1939, the Soviet Union launched an attack on Finland along the entire eastern border. From that moment began the painful evacuation of the Finnish Karelians, a journey of deep mental suffering, great economic loss and enormous physical strain.  
 
A crucial period for our national existence, our Winter War and the subsequent stages of the Continuation War, with all its tragic memories, came to the fore when Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine on 24 March. In preparation for this invasion, which it denied and lightly described as a 'military operation', Russia had long been moving its troops closer to the Ukrainian border and holding large-scale military exercises, declaring the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics to be detached from Ukrainian control and transferring its troops to them. Ukraine's defensive struggle in the name of national existence and sovereignty began - along with the relentless bombardment of Ukraine's civilian population and the destruction of its infrastructure, which now, with the onset of winter 2023-2024, is still continuing and causing great suffering to the civilian population.

 Amor Vincit Omnia (Love Conquers All) is a timeless truth formulated and expressed by the ancient Roman national poet Virgil in The Shepherd's Songs (Bucolica). It is the culmination of the declaration of peace with which we wish to bring the message of peace to the Independence Day of our home country, Republic of Finland. We made a proclamation for world peace in the atmospheric city church of Jyväskylä.

We wish that our message could serve as a reminder  of the importance and devotion for peace that our country has always expressed in international forums. This is also linked to the unequivocally clear unconditional condemnation by Finland of any attack on civilians.

Jukka Ammondt, FT Professor, Jyväskylä- Remembers

"We have fine memories of visiting the Embassy of Finland in Washington D.C. almost thirty years ago, when Press Councellor Yrjö Länsipuro actively organised several appearances and press meetings for Doctor Ammondt, who received positive fame on his US tour for singing Elvis Presley's world hits in Latin. News of Elvis' songs sung in Latin went viral in the US: The most cited coverage linked with Finland in the U.S. media in 1995."