Finland and Russia join forces to renovate a Crimean war memorial in Lewes

The embassies of Finland and Russia in London, together with numerous individuals and foundations from the United Kingdom, Finland and the Åland Islands, have completed a project to renovate a memorial of Finnish and Russian prisoners of war, who were held in Lewes Naval Prison between 1854 and 1856 after the Battle of Bomarsund. 

“The treatment of the 340 Finnish and Russian prisoners of war held in Lewes teaches us a great lesson of humanity. The prisoners and the people of Lewes became friends as both sides realized that random destiny had brought these distant people together and in spite of superpower hostilities, ordinary people shared the same values and wanted to live their lives and look after each other," says Mr Pekka Huhtaniemi, the Ambassador of Finland to the United Kingdom.

"Ever since the prisoners left Lewes in April 1856, the memory and friendship between the people of Lewes and Finland has prevailed. The restoration project is about honouring that friendship and our common history”, Ambassador Huhtaniemi continues.

The monument in Lewes is dedicated to the 28 men who died in captivity in the local prison, after being captured during the Crimean War. Photo: Andrew Goodwin

The monument was originally erected in 1877 in the churchyard of St. John-sub-Castro. Commissioned by Czar Alexander II of Russia, the neo-gothic monument was crafted by a local stonemason John Strong. Since the last restoration in the 1950’s, the monument had fallen into a state where it needed comprehensive attention.

The embassies of Finland and Russia initiated the project, which was financed by the embassy of Russia and a number of individuals and foundations from Finland and Åland islands, as well as British individuals. The restoration work was carried out MacKellar Schwerd Architects and T.E. Tilley Ltd Stone Masons.

The memorial has now undergone a refurbishment, paid for by contributions from the Russian government, as well as public donations from Finland and the UK. Photo: Andrew Goodwin

The newly restored monument was unveiled in a ceremony in September in the churchyard of the church of St. John-sub-Castro in Lewes. In conjunction with the event, a seminar “The Åland Autonomy – Basis for a Globalized Insurance and Business Sector” was held at the Finnish Ambassador’s Residence in London.

For more information about the Crimean War and the Battle of Bomarsund, please see “The Crimean War in Finland" by Marjatta Bell, which has been published on our website earlier. The Telegraph has also published an article about the memorial, you can find it here: One of Britain's most unusual war memorials renovated – by Russians and Finns.

Further information for the media: Press Counsellor Pekka Isosomppi, Embassy of Finland, tel. +44 (0) 7741249007, email [email protected].