In the Paris Peace Treaties of 1947, Finland loses twelve per cent of its territory to the Soviet Union. Eleven per cent of the population lose their homes.

Following the declaration of peace in autumn 1944, more than 400,000 Finns were forced to leave their homes.

The country’s second largest city, Viborg, was conceded to the Soviet Union, leading to some 30,000 former Viborg residents arriving in Helsinki. The majority of those arriving from the Karelian capital ended up finding new homes elsewhere in Finland.

A number of businesses, other organisations and schools were also evacuated to Helsinki. Some of these continue to operate to this day.