Figure 1.-- This class portrait was taken in 1921. It is a 4th grade class in the municipality of Lappeenranta, in the region of South Karelia. This was only a few years after Finland achieved its independence from Russia as a result of the Russian Revolution. I am not sure about schools in Finland before the Revolution.

This class portrait was taken in 1921. It is a 4th grade class in the municipality of Lappeenranta, in the region of South Karelia. This was only a few years after Finland achieved its independence from Russia as a result of the Russian Revolution. I am not sure about schools in Finland before the Revolution. The Russians required instruction using the Russian language in many areas of the Empire. I am not sure about Finland. After independence of course all instruction was in Finnish. Most of the children seem to be boys. It is a little difficult to to make out the clothing. The boys are wearing long pants, at least the ones we can see. The children seem to be barefoot. I am not sure if they came to school barefoot or took their shoes and socks off when they got there. It seems to be a very well equipped school. South Karelia where this school was located was seized by the Soviets in the Winter war (1939-40). The Finns evacuated almost the entire population before the Soviets gained control.

Created: 8:01 PM 9/15/2009
Last updated: 8:01 PM 9/15/2009