Day of Evacuee Stories in Valamo Monastery 10.1.2026
In the heart of January's winter, Valamo Monastery invites you to pause and immerse yourself in evacuee stories – accounts of losing home, a journey into the unknown, and hope for a new beginning. The day offers touching performances, a lecture, and communal moments in the unique environment of the monastery.
Day's Program
12:00 PM Opportunity to attend a church service in the main church of the monastery
1:00 PM Opening of the Day, Archimandrite Mikael, Head of the Monastery
After the opening, Home Far Away – songs and stories from the evacuee journey, music and story performance
2:00 PM Valamo Tea Table at Restaurant Trapesa
3:00 PM Evacuated Monks in Heinävesi -lecture, Dr. Elsi Takala
4:00 PM - 4:30 PM The Icy Evacuation of the Valamo Monks, documentary film
Program price 25€/person
Reservations and further information:
Valamo Monastery sales service
tel. 017 570 1810
salesservice@valamo.fi
Note! Limited availability!
Home Far Away – songs and stories from the evacuee journey -music and story performance
The evacuation journey of the Karelian evacuees was full of longing, fear, and hope. Homes were left behind as families departed into the unknown, often with only a few belongings. Trains and horse-drawn carts transported them across Finland, in cold and uncertainty – but a strong community spirit and belief in a new beginning also traveled with them.
The evacuation journeys of the Karelian evacuees mainly took place during the Winter War and the Continuation War, i.e., between 1939–1944. The first large evacuation began with the outbreak of the Winter War in November 1939, and the second, even larger one, occurred at the end of the Continuation War in autumn 1944. As a result of the wars, over 420,000 Karelians were forced to permanently leave their homes.
The performance 'Home Far Away' collects true stories of Karelian evacuees from the evacuation period.
The performance allows the audience to immerse themselves in the experiences of the evacuees through songs and stories, and it has been co-produced by Joensuu City Theatre and Museo Eliel.
In roles
Suvi-Maaria Virta
Regina Launivuo
Jaakko Tohkanen
Eve Pietarinen, musician/performer
Voice roles
Timoi Munne
Pirkko Kurikka
Alexandra Launivuo
Faina Kukkonen
Script and direction Maria Karhapää
The script is based on Faina Kukkonen's autobiographical poetry collection 'Tarinani' and archival interviews and letters from Museo Eliel.
Production Joensuu City Theatre and Museo Eliel
Photos Eveliina Salomaa and Maria Karhapää
Archive photo Museo Eliel
The Icy Evacuation of the Valamo Monks -documentary film
On a moonlit Christmas Eve evening in 1939, a group of long-robed, long-bearded men arrived in Kannonkoski. “There were many Santas for the children,” people wondered.
The brotherhood of Valamo Monastery, over a hundred elderly Russian-speaking monks, had been evacuated from their monastery island to safety from the Winter War and brought to a small Central Finnish municipality, where they were accommodated in local schools. It was a culture shock for the evacuees, and a source of wonder and joy for the local residents.
“We were with them almost every day,” Inkeri Tellikka recalls. “We made snowmen and went sledding. Their beards flew as we sledded.”
For the documentary film, children from Kannonkoski during the Winter War were interviewed about their memories, and the film follows the brotherhood's adaptation to new circumstances.
With Senja Nyström, one can also embark on a nostalgic journey to old Valamo. “It was like a trip abroad today, but much better; the soul received so much, and sins were forgiven.”
Directed by
Esa Sironen
