Exhibitions abroad: Documents from the National Library of Russia exhibited in Finland

Unique books and documents on the history of Russian-Swedish and Russian-Finnish relations are presented at the exhibition from the collections of the National Library which opened July 29, 2011 in Finland.

The exhibition opened in Mariehamn is dedicated to the 150th anniversary of this city and organized by the Russian consulate at the Aland Islands. According to Consul Igor Demyanenko, "the exhibition covers several historical themes and periods, including the Russian-Aland contacts of 16-17th    centuries, the first political event held here with the participation of Russia - Aland Congress of 1718 – 1719, Aland expedition by Bagration of 1809, tragedy of the Russian fortress Bomarsund during the Crimean war, and others. "

The exhibition includes eight stands, which highlight books, newspapers, old maps and other exhibits which tell about the links of this territory to Russia. "The local library, which houses the exhibition also received a list of books on Åland Islands held by the National Library which had been collected from the 1810s, - said the consul. - Some of them are absent even from the Aland sources."  The National Library of Russia and Aland library have concluded a Co-operation agreement, under which local historians will be able to study the materials on the history of the archipelago at the archives of the National Library of Russia in St. Petersburg."

Mariehamn, founded in 1861 by decree of Russian Emperor Alexander II, was named in honor of his wife, Empress Maria Alexandrovna.