The 2024 exhibition has the theme
Traces of war in Kovjoki
We will highlight what it was like to be a child during wartime in Kovjoki and how the railway played an important role in transporting, among other things, soldiers, supplies and prisoners of war.
Images from Elna Westerlund's collection
Valter Bränn (images from Greger Bränn's collection)
Bruno Björkqvist
Bruno Björkqvist was born on 1 July 1895 in Ytterjeppo village in Nykarleby county. On 1 September 1915 he was appointed stationmaster at Kovjoki station. On 25 November 1917 he married Alina Rundell, a farmer's daughter from Kovjoki village, who was also a member of the Kovjoki Youth Association. On 27 November he was enrolled in the Kovjoki protection corps. On 2 February 1918 his young wife died very suddenly of diphtheria. On 12 February 1918 he enlisted in the 1st company of the Wasa 1st Grenadier Regiment as private No. 18 and participated with the said regiment in all battles until the capture of Tampere, where he fell at Hatanpää on 28 March 1918. Awarded the Cross of Liberty 4th class, General Mannerheim Memorial Medal. An unforgivable fate had decreed that he would follow his young wife into death, barely eight weeks after her death.
Uno Nyman
Uno Wilhelm Nyman was born on December 19, 1900 in Oulu. He was raised as an orphan here by his aunt Anna Nyström. He attended primary school in Kovjoki. He was enrolled in the Kovjoki Guard Corps in the autumn of 1917. He participated in the disarmament of the Russians in Gamlakarleby. He enlisted as a volunteer in the Wasa 1st Jager Regiment and fell on April 3, 1918 in Tampere. He was decorated with the 4th class of the Cross of Liberty and the General Mannerheim Memorial Medal. He is buried in the heroes' grave in Nykarleby. Without hesitation, he joined the ranks of the defense of the fatherland. By sacrificing his life on the altar of the fatherland, the orphan boy has created an unforgettable memory that endures.