The Treaty of Hamina Anniversary 2009 

The years 1808 and 1809 mark important events in the history of the state of Finland: the Finnish War between Sweden and Russia began on 21 February 1808, the Diet of Finland assembled in the town of Porvoo on 28 March 1809, the Treaty of Hamina was signed on 17 September 1809, 

Finland obtained its own central administration on 2 October 1809 and the autonomous Finland, the Grand Duchy of Finland, was established.

The Finnish nation’s build-up and long way towards independence began in a small fortress town of Hamina on the border. The Finnish War, which had begun on February 21, 1808, ended on September 17, 1809, when Sweden and Russia made peace in Hamina. Back in 1809, Hamina was a Russian town that had been made part of Russia by the Treaty of Turku in 1743.

As a result of the Treaty of Hamina, Finland’s 600-year-long state connection with Sweden ended. In the autonomous Grand Duchy of Finland within the Russian Empire, prosperity grew and national culture developed along with national spirit, however, and this led to independence in 1917 and today’s modern democracy.

 The anniversary will culminate in the celebration weekend on September 17–20, 2009. During the weekend, a historical military camp will appear in the town, a town drama will tell about events two hundred years ago, and the rhythms of a peace concert will fill the Hamina Bastion canopy.

More information
The Treaty of Hamina Anniversary 2009 (Link to another website.) (Opens New Window)