The project plan
What it is the Tartu Peace Treaty?
In 2020 makes 100 years of the Tartu Peace Treaty between the Russian Socialist Federal Soviet (RSFSR), Finland and Estonia. The Tartu Peace Treaty was signed first between Soviet Russia and Estonia on February 2, 1920 and later between Soviet Russia and Finland on October 14, 1920 in Tartu (Estonia).
The Tartu Peace Treaty with the Russian Socialist Federal Soviet in 1920 was beneficial both for Finland and for Estonia. In the case of Estonia, it was the first democratic country to sign an official agreement with the Bolshevik regime and the acknowledgement of the independence and sovereignty of Estonia, being the Treaty of Tartu the birth certificate of the Republic of Estonia. In case of Finland, it ended the Soviet-Finnish war of 1918-1920 and it determined the new Finnish-Soviet border and territorial concessions made in favor of Finland.
What were the reasons to make the Peace Bike Project?
There were three easy ans simple main reasons to make this event:
- Celebration of the 100 years of the Tartu Peace Treaty between the Russian Socialist Federal Soviet, Finland and Estonia;
- The Lahti-based Via Kalevala 2016-2035 project aims to support the Finnish-Russian Cultural Forum 2020 (2-3 of October);
- In 2021 Lahti is the European Green capital of 2021.
For those reasons above mentioned the Cooperative for Cultural and Experience Travels in Lahti Region or ELMA Matkat (shorter version of the name) is planning the Peace Bike 2020 Event throughout Via-Kalevala 2016-2035 project. Our goal is to promote and enjoy nature and culture, improve and promote health and well-being for all, reducing the carbon footprint of tourism and promoting cultural exchanges between Finland, Estonia and Russia.
Main organizers of the event
Antti Holopainen: Managing Director of ELMA Matkat
Mikko Puustinen: responsible for the preparation and maintenance of the website
Carla Viveiros: responsible for the route and logistics.
Support group for the preparation of the event:
Teemu Matinpuro: special adviser
Dan Koivulaakso: special adviser
Sisko Ruponen: spokesperson
Kari Salme: political History Expert.
The support group can expand itself as new people, groups, associations are interested to come to support the project. Support is especially expected from associations engaged in fitness, such as Suomen Latu and TUL local associations.
Partners
Finnish Peacebikers
Finnish-Russian Society
Sponsors
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How many people can participate?
The minimum group size is 20 participants and the maximum group size of participants is 50 cyclists.
I am interested in participating. Where do I sign in?
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The program
The total duration of the event is exactly three weeks (21 days).
Note: Changes in the program can be made.
Detailed program
First Cycling Week (June 15 – June 21, 7 days)
Monday 15.6.2020 at 12h00, in Lahti Market Square: The beginning of the event. Cycling towards South of Finland through Orimattila to Mäntsälä, where it will be the first overnight camp in a suitable location to be announced later.
16.6. Cycling from Mäntsälä to Helsinki in smaller routes and with less traffic, arriving in the early evening to the harbor so that the participants have time to go in the cruise ship departing to Tallinn (Estonia) at 6 pm and staying overnight in the ship to Estonia.
17.6. In Estonia starting a bike ride to Paide for the next overnight stay.
18.6. Paide towards Tartu arriving in Tartu in the evening.
19.6. Attending a public event, the World Congress of Finno-Ugric Peoples in Tartu, conveying the congratulations to the participants of the congress and the Tartu people.
20.6. Attending the seminar “Tartu Peace 100 years” in the Tartu Student Union building.
21.6. Resting day for cyclists to explore the tourist attractions of Tartu and prepare for the next phase of the cycling event, the excursion towards Narva and the Leningrad region of Russia.
Second Cycling Week and Bicycle Tour to Russia (Russia June 24 – July 1, 8 days, Tartu – Leningrad Region – Imatra, June 22 – July 1, 10 days)
Monday 22.06.2020 Cycling from Tartu towards Narva staying on the way on Mustvee.
23.6. Continuing towards Narva, arriving at the evening.
24.6. Crossing the border to Russia in the morning with an electronic one-stop visa, which entitles participants to visit the Leningrad region for a total of 8 days. Crossing from Narva to Ivanogorod is done by bicycle along the cross-border cycle path. Travessing the morning to the western Ingermanland – through the settlement of former Vatians and stoping on the way to the home of the famous artist Roerich Mapping Museum and continue on to Kaykino (76.5 km) for the next overnight stay.
25.6. Continuing from Kaykino to Hatsina (50 km) and spending the night in Hatsina.
26.6. Visiting Hatsina’s sights and in the afternoon going to Ljula Lug in the Inker Midsummer Party where participants will stay. Saturday
Sat. 27.6. Attending the Inner Midsummer celebration and in the evening crossing the motorway bridge over Kronstadt to Siestarjoki, where participants are stay.
Sunday 28.6. Seminar at the Lenin Museum of Siestarjoki from 10 am to 2 pm on the negotiations on the River Raja and the birth and beginning of the Karelian Workers’ Community (the present predecessor of the Republic of Karelia). In the afternoon, the bike tour continues to Terijoki, about 30 km away.
Monday 29.6. The journey continues to Koivisto, which is 77 km by bike from Terijoki.
Tuesday 30.6. Biking to Vyborg, which is less than 50 km away.
Wednesday 1.7. Heading towards Svetogorsk, which is about 51 km away and crossing the Russian-Finnish border at the mouth of the evening by bicycle. We will continue our journey to Imatra or Lappeenranta side to Saimaa Spa.
The second part of the Finnish Peace Cycling July 2 – July 5 (4 days)
Thursday 2.7. Resting day and seminar focusing on the future theme on the border of peace. The theme is the development of nature and cultural tourism on the eastern border as the Parikkala – Syväoro border crossing becomes international in 2024 and offers new opportunities.
Friday 3.7. Continuation of the journey to Luumäki, where the participants will spend the night. From here Saturday 4.7. The journey continues to Kouvola
Sunday 5.7. Ending of the cycling event at Lahti Square at 3pm.
History seminars during the Peace Bike event
21.6. Tartu, Estonia. The theme is the process of establishing the Tartu Peace Treaty and its significance for the Baltic Sea countries before and during World War II.
The second theme seminar will be organized as a joint project of the Lenin Museum in Siestarjoki and the Lenin Museum in Vyborg with the theme of the establishment of the southeastern border of Finland and the birth of the Republic of Karelia.
Sunday 28.6. Seminar at the Lenin Museum of Siestarjoki from 10 am to 2 pm on the negotiations on the River Raja and the birth and beginning of the Karelian Workers’ Community (the present predecessor of the Republic of Karelia).
Thursday 1/2.7. Seminar in Saimaa Spa (Lappeenranta) focusing on the future theme on the border of peace. The theme is the development of nature and cultural tourism on the eastern border as the Parikkala – Syväoro border crossing becomes international in 2024 and offers new opportunities.
Separate groups of experts will be formed to prepare the seminars. preparations for the first of Tartu head of a seminar presented by Kari Strait, the second half of the Finnish expert seminar Aimo Minkkistä, and the head of the preparations for the third seminar Veli-Matti Kesälahti South Karelia Association or Ari Berg Parikkala municipality.
How much it costs?
The total price is 600€ (daily price of the Peace Cycling Event 30 € per day)
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Accommodation. participants choose which kind accommodation they want (hotel, camping area, an hostel, etc).
