Nälkävuodet 1860-luvulla

A vivid portrait of Finland in the mid‑1860s, this work opens with a stark reminder of the “summer when ice was hauled” and a spring that never truly arrived. Through a series of concise essays, the author maps the country’s economic landscape before and after the catastrophic year of 1867, detailing everything from municipal aid and grain trade to the fledgling railway linking Riihimäki and Saint Petersburg. The narrative weaves together official statistics, personal recollections, and contemporary commentary, giving listeners a clear sense of how famine, failed harvests, and desperate weather reshaped daily life.

Beyond the numbers, the book explores the human spirit that endured those “hard times.” It reflects on the collective resilience of peasants, the plight of beggars, and the moral questions raised by a nation forced into survival. Listeners will come away with a deeper appreciation for how a single year of crisis left an indelible mark on Finland’s social and economic fabric.