Celebration in Kauhajoki

When the Winter War broke out on November 30th 1939, Helsinki became a target for air raids. In this emergency situation it was important to ensure that Parliament could continue its legislative work. On Friday, December 1st at 2.30 pm, Parliament began meeting in the town of Kauhajoki in South Ostrobothnia. Finland is the only belligerent country in Europe where Parliament continued to meet without interruption during the Second World War.

Parliament held 34 plenary sessions in Kauhajoki. The first session took place on December 5th 1939 and the last on February 12th 1940.

On the 2nd-3rd of December 2006 Kauhajoki hosted a celebration to commemorate this period. The intention is for the refurbished Parliament in Exile Museum to open at this time.

The Parliament in Exile Museum is located in a school building. Besides Parliament House, it is the only remaining building where the Finnish Parliament has convened.