Simple reminders...

 

As I wander around Helsinki, I am fortunate to know more of its history than the "average" tourist. I am not bragging, but I feel sorry for those who cannot pick up on the reminders of the past. In front of the Bank of Finland (Snellmaninaukio, 00101 Helsinki) is a statue of Johan Vilhelm Snellman, one of the promoters of Finnish nationalism in the 19th century. A famous person anyone interested in Finland should recognize. And if you look closer at the pediment, you can see gouges in the stone. Maybe an average tourist would think these are marks of vandalism or age. But they are simple reminders, left on purpose. In this case, reminders of the Russian bombings of Helsinki during WWII. War damage reminders from a dark time. Reminders that we Americans do not encounter in our streets.