Rauhanturvaajien muistomerkki / Memorial to the Peacekeepers

In Sankariristi aukio at Hietaniemi’s graveyard a memorial was uncovered on the YK International Peacekeeper’s Day (29th of May) and to acknowledge the 45 Finns who died during the first 50 years of peacekeeping missions. The first peacekeeping mission in which Finnish peacekeepers participated took place in Suez, Egypt, in 1956. The Finnish contribution proved to be of high significance.

There are three elements to the work of sculptor Matti Peltokangas: a rock, a stone vase or vessel and an engraved stone which reflect notions of peacekeeping. The rock represents Finnishness, safety and stability. The vase, or vessel, reflects introspection and inner thought that is so valuable to peacekeeping.

The engraved stone is the same stone as that of the parliament building with which the artist makes reference to the parliament and state. The peacekeepers died on duty for state and nation.

The work doesn’t belong to the collections of the Helsinki Art Museum.