Following Mannerheim's footsteps in Warsaw and Helsinki: A journey through his life in the book and on trips

Mannerheim - the Polish years

After the success of their book "Mannerheim – Puolan vuodet" in Finland, the time came for the authors, Jukka and Anna Soisalon-Soininen to publish the Polish version of the book. They were constantly being asked when "Mannerheim – Polskie lata" would be available. However, it was no easy task, with the big publishers asking why they should publish this book when Mannerheim is so little-known in Poland. The authors’ response to them was simple: "To make him better known here."

Suddenly, Leszek Celej, the director of the Muzeum Ziemi Mińskiej, came up with an idea. Since Mannerheim was closely tied to Mińsk Mazowiecki, he agreed to publish the book in Polish. Financing was also a significant challenge, but they gratefully received support from several Finnish foundations, the Embassy of Finland, as well as the Finnish Trade Guild and its member companies.

Through hard work and good fortune, Jukka and Anna managed to get the book printed just in time for its first presentation on Mannerheim's birthday, June 4, during the Finnish Army Day reception at the Finnish Embassy. An eager audience awaited the release of the Polish edition and initial sales were quite dynamic. Now the book requires more promotional efforts to reach a wider range of readers.

Mannerheim-inspired trips: Warsaw and Helsinki

Mannerheim's years in Poland are relatively unknown. Traveling in his footsteps makes it possible to discover his fascinating time in Poland and the relationships he made here. There is a lot to explore. Since 2015, over half a dozen trips have been organized for Finnish groups by Jukka Soisalon-Soininen, and more are being prepared for September 2024.

Groups are guided around Warsaw, visiting Łazienki Park, where Mannerheim's unit was stationed, along with his favorite hunting club, and the former garrison church, in front of which a Mannerheim memorial stone has been placed. The trips continue on to Mińsk Mazowiecki, formerly known as Nowomińsk, where Mannerheim served from 1909 to 1911. From there, the journey proceeds to Kozłówka Palace, which belonged to Mannerheim's best friend, Adam Zamoyski. While visiting this exceptionally beautiful and well-maintained place, visitors often remark that they can almost feel the presence of Mannerheim and Zamoyski, as if the friends were chatting on the terrace or enjoying cigars and cognac in the library after lunch.

Hopefully, the book will also inspire travelers to explore places related to Mannerheim in Finland. They can visit his birthplace in Askainen or his residence in Kaivopuisto, Helsinki, furnished with the same furniture he used in his Warsaw apartment. Numerous other interesting places associated with Mannerheim are still waiting to be explored, such as a hospital built at his initiative. He wrote about it to Countess Lubomirska, saying that in ancient times, people used to erect churches, but now they build hospitals to be forgiven for their sins.

Other places worth visiting include Mikkeli, the headquarters of the Winter War, or Hanko's "4 Winds Café," which Mannerheim ran during his years of retreat from public activities. And, of course, a must-see is his monument in the heart of Helsinki, as well as his grave in Hietaniemi Cemetery, where he rests alongside his soldiers and other distinguished Finnish individuals.

Jukka and Anna Soisalon-Soininen

jukka.soisalonsoininen@gmail.com

+358 50 501 54 50

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