Book Review: Finland Left Ingrians to Their Own Devices in Independence Bid

This book review from Helsingin Sanomat delves into Hannu Takala's "Kirjasalon nousu ja tuho. Inkerinsuomalaisten itsenäisyyspyrkimykset 1919–1920." The review highlights the historical context of the early 20th century, marked by the fall of Tsarist Russia, Finland's independence, and the ensuing civil wars in both Finland and Russia. It specifically focuses on the intertwined 'kinship wars' in Eastern Karelia, where Finnish volunteers aimed to liberate and annex territories. The core of the review, and Takala's work, appears to be the failed independence aspirations of the Ingrian Finns in 1919-1920, and critically, the lack of support from the Finnish leadership for this national uprising. The article includes a historical photograph of the border between Finland and Russia in Raudun Rasul in the 1920s, emphasizing the physical demarcation of these complex geopolitical events. This narrative is particularly poignant from a Finnish perspective, touching upon historical Finnish national ambitions and the often-difficult relationship with neighboring Russia, as well as the internal Finnish political struggles of the era. The book's examination of Ingrian Finnish efforts for independence and Finland's subsequent non-involvement is a sensitive topic that resonates with historical Finnish national identity and its foreign policy considerations.