Sunday, August 19, 2018

Jyväskylä International Meeting - Finland

A few days ago, around 100 postcrossers from different countries got together to spend three days in Jyväskylä. The program included a cruise with a steam ship, a visit to the postcard publishing house Karto, and a meetup in an old railway station that is now a restaurant.

 Illustrated by Jonna Markulla
I've already received cards from many meetings but I think I've never received cards with so many signatures. We all know that space on cards is limited but some of these cards were signed by 72 postcrossers. Heidi said they signed more than 2000 cards :o 

Anna-Maria also sent me a card and I really like this picture.
Olavinlinna Castle was founded in 1475 by Swedish nobleman Erik Axelsson Tott. Situated on a small island in Lake Saimaa it was one of the most modern fortresses of its time, consisting of a citadel, a bailey and five round cannon towers.
During the Great Nordic War (1700 – 1721) Russia conquered parts of southern Finland and in the Russo-Swedish War 1741 – 1743 Sweden tried to win back lost territories. Olavinlinna was captured by the Russians in 1742, and when peace was settled it became one in a line of Russian border fortresses and an army base, modernized under the surveillance of the famous Russian Generalissimo Alexander Suvorov.
After the Finnish War of 1808 – 1809 Finland became an autonomous part of Russia. The castle lost its strategic function and became a tourist attraction. - in: http://www.visitcastles.eu/olavinlinna-castle/

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