Minister Soini’s address at a dinner for Historians Without Borders

Foreign Minister Timo Soini’s address at a dinner for Historians Without Borders with Ukrainian and Russian scholars on Jan 29th, 2017.

Distinguished Historians,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my great pleasure to welcome you in Finland. You couldn't have chosen a better time for your visit. This year history is all over our country. We are celebrating the centenerary of our independence. The focus will be on the future, but we haven't forgotten the past either.

The study of history responds to a very human need: a need to understand ourselves, our community and society with the help of a longer time perspective. It is necessary for our self-understanding,  but it is also prone to abuse for political purposes.

It can be tempting to interpret history from the point of view of current political interests. The human mind is drawn towards historical narratives that explain and justify our actions in the present.

We shouldn't, however, fall into this fallacy. It may serve us short-term, but not in the long run. Our long-term success depends upon recognizing the facts: geographical, scientific, economical – and historical facts. 

That is why I am very pleased that Historians without Borders in Finland has taken the initiative to invite you, distinguished historians, to Finland to engage in a dialogue on Ukrainian and Russian history. And that the meeting is now taking place, with support from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland.

As a politician, my key task is to serve the national interest.  You may think that this collides with the goal of historians to provide an objective account of historical events.

But in my view, the independence of science and research, including writing of history, is in the interest of all nations. It is part of the freedom of thought, an irreplaceable right of every scholar. As such, it is a cornerstone of an open society. Historical facts can only be established through a free exchange among historians, with due respect to sources, logical argumentation, and critical debate. Statesmen and politicians often make history, but they do not write history, although many would like to do so. Writing history is the task of academic historians.

Invitations to compromise this independence of researchers should be firmly rejected. As politicians, we should make sure that historians have access to archives across borders.

In Finland, significant historical turning points have been interpreted and reinterpreted by historians. The fall of the Soviet Union and the end of Cold War. The war and the post-war period. The civil war of 1918, a painful and divisive period in our history.

The scholars of Finnish history, both Finns and foreigners, have played a crucial role in questioning convenient narratives and unraveling many historical myths. Collectively, they have taken us closer to the truth.

Your countries are currently undergoing a period of high tensions. The narratives of the conflict in Ukraine differ substantially in Russia and Ukraine.  The time to write the history of this conflict has not yet come. It is thereof utmost importance that you have gathered here to share your expertise and  enhance understanding. 

Historians don't always agree on everything. Politicians, even less. But a discussion is a value in itself. A debate based on academic, scientific criteria means more than exchanging views. It is how we get to separate facts from opinions.

I wish you fruitful discussions, as well as courage and success in your important and challenging work.