Latest news

We have received numerous messages from people concerned about the fate of anti-war activists Olga and Nikita Belov, who are facing deportation from Finland to Russia through a closed border. On behalf of our human rights organization Initiative FoReDi, we have taken the following actions: — We brought the situation into the public sphere and secured media coverage in both Russian and Finnish outlets. — We connected our clients with lawyers, including Gleb Gerber, Karinna Mos

On May 9 at 14:00, a discussion will take place in Helsinki on the consequences of the state’s monopoly over the monetary system. The Austrian School is a school of economic thought that explains inflation and crises differently. In simple terms, its proponents argue that inflation is caused by an increase in the money supply, excessive government intervention often leads to crises, and “cheap money” creates economic bubbles. The focus is not on abstract indicators but on rea

On April 28 at 8:00 AM, a support rally will take place in Helsinki for anti-war activist and Initiative FoReDi member Roman Golikov, who is facing deportation to Russia through the closed border. Despite the Finnish-Russian border being closed since 2023, the police are considering handing Roman directly over to Russian border authorities. He was also effectively denied the opportunity to discuss his situation with a lawyer. Roman is an outspoken opponent of the war: he has

On April 29 at 18:00, an online lecture titled “The Role of Trade Unions in Working Life in Finland”  will take place. The aim of the lecture is to increase awareness of working life in Finland among people who have moved from other countries. During the session, we will discuss the role of trade unions in supporting employees, working conditions and employment contracts, working hours, as well as dismissal conditions. At the end, there will be an opportunity to ask questions

A new exhibition space, Suomen kansalaismuseo , has opened at Helsinki Central Railway Station. According to the organizers, the new space makes culture as accessible as public transport and brings Finnish art and design to everyone — right where people naturally are. Currently, the space features works by Ulyana Novak , an artist born in the Russian city of Ulyanovsk and living in Finland since 2010. In 2025, she ranked 1st in the “Top 100 Emerging Women Artists” by Arts to

On April 16 at 18:00, a presentation of the book “Behind the Facade”  by our friends—local historians—will take place in Helsinki. Local history is not about boring dates from textbooks, but about living stories of houses, streets, and people. It’s when you look at an old entrance hall and suddenly realize it is more than a hundred years old and has its own memory. In Saint Petersburg, local history has become part of the city’s culture. Almost every building holds its own st

💬 Friends, this Friday, April 3 at 19:00, we invite you to a new format of our meetings — debates! The first important topic we want to discuss: Should the state punish speech that does not call for violence but may be perceived as offensive or dangerous? Format:  a moderator asks a question, after which two participants present their positions in turns, debate, and ask each other questions. Then everyone is welcome to join the open discussion. The most important thing is to

Friends, while we are preparing new and exciting events for you, we invite you to take part in the events organized by our friends and partners.The beginning of spring in Helsinki has turned out to be rich in events related to Russian-speaking culture! 6 March at 17:00  — A concert and presentation of new songs by the wonderful Maria Konoshenko. Address: Fabianinkatu 24, Common Room (3rd floor). Free entry, more information: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVgMGxgjYVQ/ 7 March

Both Russian-speaking residents of Finland and Finnish- and English-speaking participants took part in the event, writing letters to Crimean Tatars as well as to Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war. In the space where the meeting was held, an exhibition of works on the theme of the Karelian epic Kalevala  by political prisoner Anastasia Dyudyaeva is currently on display. Today marks the 191st anniversary of the first publication of the Kalevala . Participants also wrote

Two years have passed since Putin killed Alexei Navalny — for his struggle for democracy, freedom, love, and hope for the citizens of Russia. Today in Helsinki, the film Navalny  was screened, a presentation about the creation of a memorial to Alexei Anatolyevich Navalny near the Russian Embassy in Helsinki was held, and flowers were laid at the site of the future memorial. Thank you to everyone who remembers Alexei and does not forget the words: “All that is necessary for th

On February 28 at 6:00 PM, we invite you to take part in a letter-writing evening for Ukrainian prisoners who are being illegally held in Russian prisons. During the event, participants will be able to explore information cards about political prisoners prepared by the “ Prisoners of Conscience”  project and read their stories in a language convenient for them: Finnish, English, or Russian. Pens, paper, and postcards will be provided so that you can write words of support to

On February 24 at 5:00 PM, the event The Light for Ukraine  will take place in Helsinki. This day marks exactly four years since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale aggressive war against Ukraine. Join us at Senate Square to express your support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. Please bring a candle — let its light be a symbol of solidarity with the Ukrainian people and a tribute to the victims of the war. The candles will be placed on the steps of the Helsinki Cathedr

On February 16 at 6:00 PM, a memorial evening for Alexei Navalny will take place in Helsinki. Two years have passed since the Putin regime killed its main opponent in prison — Russian opposition politician and founder of the Anti-Corruption Foundation. On this day, we will hold a presentation and speak about the process of creating a memorial to Alexei Navalny near the Russian Embassy in Helsinki. The opening of the memorial bench is planned for June this year. As part of the

From February 2 to March 20, an exhibition by Russian artist and political prisoner Anastasia Dyudyaeva will take place in Helsinki. The aim of the exhibition is to inform Finnish audiences about human rights violations in Russia and the persecution of activism and artistic expression. The exhibition features Anastasia Dyudyaeva’s works inspired by the Kalevala, as February marks the Kalevala Day. Throughout the exhibition, visitors will be able to write their impressions of

On February 11 at 6:00 PM , you are invited to attend the lecture “Russian War and Anti-War Poetry of the 20th and 21st Centuries.” Literary scholar and Doctor of Philology Oleg Lekmanov  will speak about Russian war and anti-war poetry of the 20th and 21st centuries. During the lecture, poems about war written during World War I, World War II, and in the present day will be compared in order to identify common patterns across these texts, as well as to highlight the specific

As part of the DocPoint Documentary Film Festival  in Helsinki, a wide range of important and compelling films will be screened. Antidote  is a film about people who oppose Vladimir Putin’s violent regime despite threats, repression, and the murder of political opponents. At the center of the film is the escape of a whistleblower involved in the development of poisons intended to eliminate the opposition, as well as the stories of journalist Christo Grozev  and politician Vla

On January 23 at 6:00 PM , we invite you to a screening of the documentary film Close Ones . The film tells the story of the final months of the life of Dmitry Zimin , an outstanding Russian radio engineer and philanthropist, who chose assisted dying shortly before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It is both an intimate personal story and a sweeping chronicle of 20th-century Russia, unfolding as a profound family saga. At the heart of the film is a thirty-year friends

On January 9 at 6:00 PM , we will gather to watch and discuss the documentary film “The Color of the Nation”  about Sergei Prokudin-Gorsky, a pioneer of color photography who, 120 years ago, undertook the crucial task of capturing the cultural and geographical diversity of the Russian Empire on the eve of the turbulent 20th century. In the film, we will see the wonder of pre-revolutionary Russia in color, along with comparative footage showing what once was and what it has be

On January 16 at 18:00 , we invite you to a lecture and discussion titled “Key Principles of Classical Liberalism.” Classical liberalism is a political and philosophical tradition centered on individual freedom, equality before the law, limited government power, and personal responsibility for one’s own life and choices. These ideas laid the foundation for modern democratic institutions, human rights, and the rule of law. During the lecture, we will discuss why the term “libe

Friends, we would like to start the New Year with a board games meetup! We invite you to join us on January 6 at 12:00  for a full day of gaming. 🎲 “Scientific Apocalypse” A board game created by science popularizer Alexander Panchin  and his team. Together we will learn the rules of this new board game and dive into a world of moral and spiritual degradation, frightening GMOs and vaccines, “healing” homeopathy, fears of a world government, and robot uprisings. 🔹 There will