Mint of Finland has designed a medal commemorating the Winter War that supports the building of the national Winter War memorial. The memorial will be unveiled in 2015 on the 75th anniversary of the end of the Winter War, and it will be located in Kasarmitori, Helsinki.

Talvisotayhdistys ry (The Winter War Association) is the initiator of the project, and President Martti Ahtisaari is the patron. The Finnish State, City of Helsinki and Talvisotayhdistys ry are providing the funding for the project. The commemorative medal is an adaptation of the Winter War medal from the 1940s, given to all the soldiers who fought in the Winter War.

The copper-nickel medal is in a card presenting the medal’s story and technical information. Price for the medal is €30.

The Winter War united the nation

The Winter War is part of the Finnish psyche. The war began when the Soviet Union, which had allied with Germany, invaded Finland on 30 November 1939. Finland was expected to surrender quickly because the Red Army was considerably larger and had superior equipment. However, the naysayers were proven wrong.

The spirit of the Winter War saved the country. Finland won a defensive victory, remained independent and gained worldwide recognition. Because of the 105-day Winter War, Finland was able to develop the welfare state it has today.