Today, Alexei Navalny would have turned 50

Alexei Navalny was killed in prison by the Russian authorities because he defended the right of each of us to freedom, sought to bring democracy to Russia, and tried to open people’s eyes to what was happening.

We wanted the memorial in Helsinki not only to pay tribute to Alexei Navalny, but also to show the international community that there are many Russian-speaking people who want to live in peace, freedom, and democracy.

Our goal was to install the memorial by June 4, 2026. Today, Alexei Navalny would have turned 50.

Huge thanks to the entire Initiative FoReDi team, thanks to whom this project was made possible.

The concept of the memorial was proposed by Taisia Vladimirova as part of an open competition organized by our association.

We thank Helsinki Deputy Mayor for Urban Environment Anni Sinnemäki and Member of the Finnish Parliament Kimmo Kiljunen for their consultations during public discussions on legal issues and the rules for installing a memorial in the city.

Many thanks for the financial support to Michael Nacke, Boris Zimin, Ilya Yashin, as well as to an anonymous donor from the Netherlands and to everyone who helped this project. Even 5 euros brought us closer to making this idea a reality.

Thank you to all the media outlets for covering and supporting our initiative.

We would also like to separately thank the Finnish companies that helped bring this project to life. It is very important and valuable to us that Finnish partners took part in creating this memorial.

Many thanks to Jussi Eväsoja, CEO of Ilmajoen Teräsputkikaluste Oy, for producing the memorial bench and for his attentive approach to the implementation of the project.

Thank you to Aripa Kaiverrus Oy for producing the memorial plaque.

And to Georos Oy for preparing the foundation and installing the memorial.

Alexei Navalny was killed in prison, but his ideas continue to live on and resonate in people’s hearts.

Eternal memory.