Day 2/10 of excavating of general Sergei Kabanovs underground command post in Hanko S. Finland.

 

The 2nd day of the excavation was much about work with shovels in order to tidy up the large excavation area and prepare it for the actual excavation of the command post. In addition to this I paid a visit to the local school to prep the (30 or so) 11 year olds who will participate in the excavation next week.

Beautiful sea view close to our excavation site in Hanko.

War is an ugly thing but many times fought in beautiful landscapes. This is also true for Hanko were scenic marititime sea views often conflict with the tragic and dramatic events that occurred here during the Second World War and hundreds of years before.

Naval guns from the 18th century pulled out of the waters around Hanko. Photo Tony Hagerlund.

I consider it very important to educate schoolchildren of the larger Helsinki region about war and how it still affects people, the landscape and how memories of war are carried and transferred by generations after war has ended. The Second World War has long dark shadows. 

Students from Hankoniemen lukio and Hangö Gymnasium during excavations of a Second World War German transition camp in Hanko.

Our work with  "The Traces of War near You" project is funded by the Finnish Cultural Foundation,  Thure Galléns stiftelse and LUCKAN Raseborg..