Music: Star conductor grew up in a Soviet base in Finland – 'Good that Porkkala was returned'

Semjon Bytškov, the acclaimed conductor of the Czech Philharmonic, is set to lead his orchestra in a performance in Helsinki. Amidst his professional engagements, Bytškov harbors a personal wish: to revisit Porkkala, a coastal town in Finland with significant personal meaning for him.

Bytškov's connection to Porkkala stems from his earliest years. Born in Leningrad in 1952, his family relocated to Porkkala shortly after his birth. His father, a medical officer, was stationed in the area during the period when it was occupied by the Soviet Union. It was in this unique setting that Bytškov spent his formative first years.

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I was born in Leningrad in 1952, but immediately after, my father, who was a medical officer, was assigned to occupied Porkkala. We spent our first years there.

Reflecting on his childhood, Bytškov shared that his family lived in Porkkala for their first few years. He expressed a sentiment of satisfaction regarding the historical return of the territory to Finland, stating, "Good that Porkkala was returned." This remark hints at the complex history of the region and its significance to those who experienced its occupation and subsequent repatriation.

The conductor's desire to return to Porkkala, even briefly after his concerts, underscores the lasting impact of his early experiences. It offers a glimpse into the personal history of a renowned musician and his connection to a place shaped by geopolitical shifts.

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Good that Porkkala was returned.