Today the WHR visited one of the natural wonders in Fennoscandia: Kvarken - a UNESCO World Heritage Site

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Kvarken is the narrow region in the Gulf of Bothnia separating the Bothnian Bay in the north from the Baltic Sea in the south. Here one can witness the fastest landrising in the world of about 1 cm per year. Here we are at the top of the lookout tower, Saltkaret, with 4 cheerful representatives from 4 of the schools of this beautifully scenic and peaceful municipality, Mustasaari (Korsholm, in Swedish, which is the main language of the region).

The Björkö skola. Busloads of school children from 3 other schools in Mustasaari will arrive here, our starting point for the day.

A brief introduction...

And passing of the torch...

Before take off! Finnish ultrarunning legend, Ashprihanal Pekka Aalto, leads the way with one of the sporty students from the Björkö skola.

At our destination ca. 30 min later

Under the Finnish flag is our good friend, former MP Håkan Nordman from Vaasa, who has been supporting us since the start in 1987, when the run first took off from Vaasa towards the capital, Helsinki. Having run the entire lengh with the students, here he is surrounded by the teachers and staff from the 4 schools.

The plaque can be found at Svedjehamn in Björköby.

Closeby is the lookout tower Saltkaret (which means a salt dispenser), where we held our final ceremony. Here WHR coordinator Iiris Nuuja speaks, giving an encouraging message of support from Finland's Foreign Minister, MP Erkki Tuomioja.

Our host, Municipal Manager Rurik Ahlberg, kindly welcomes the run, and delights us with an insightful and beautiful speech, capturing the keen interest of all gathered. Here we feel how a small municipality can embrace the entire world, with genuine love and concern.

MP Håkan Nordman always moves us deeply with his powerful speeches. In him we feel a true peace-lover, and peace-server. He is a strong torch-bearer of the ideals and goals of the World Harmony Run. In his speech he reminds all gathered that they, and the surrounding communities, have a very special connection with the World Harmony Run, as it was in these northerly quarters that the run took its very first steps on Finnish soil in 1987. He also reminds us that we have beautiful statue of the founder of the run, Sri Chinmoy, here closeby in the Hietalahti park, Vaasa, which he proudly points out is the 6th in number to be inaugurated in the whole world. He emphasises that this fact is something for this beautiful part of Ostrobothnia to be truly proud of and treasure. Moreover, he encourages all to continue this legacy of mutual goodwill, caring and peace.

The banner calls attention to the Year of Youth and the International Year of Forests.

The final activity of today's presentation is a practical reminder of what we shared together and also symbolicly joins us with other efforts in communities around the world in the spirit of this Year proclaimed by the UN General Assembly.

We end the ceremony by the planting of a peace tree, a splendid mountain ash. Children from the 4 schools gathered start the job, and Mr. Ahlberg and Mr. Nordman finished the planting. A perfect oneness effort!

Tuhannet kiitokset Mustasaarelle! Tusen tack Korsholm! Thank you ever so much Mustasaari for this unforgettable day, which will live in our memory throughout our lives.

The World Harmony Run proudly supports the International Year of Youth (IYY) and the International Year of Forests (IYF) proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly.

See the recent Youtube video on African experience which illustrates IYY slogan "Our Year Our Voice"  International Year of Youth - Zambia World Harmony. They surprisingly mention Presidents and UN Secretary-General in a unique way! Schools performed the Harmony Run Theme song with different tempos and instruments. Some older students emphatically incorporate the words "We are the oneness and fullness of tomorrow's sun" into a very inspiring, dynamic and Africa centric poetic rendition.

See also the UNESCO World Heritage (WH) Centre support for IY of Forests.  ... Convention for conservation of forest biodiversity. (more)

Finnish - words  (use with English score):

                      Juokse, juokse, juokse!  Maailmanharmonian juoksu.

                        Olemme ykseys ja täydellisyys Huomisen Auringon.

– Jan Klaile

Distance: 4 km

Team Members:
Pekka Aalto (Helsinki-Finland), Jan Klaile (Espoo-Finland), Anne Leinonen (Hyvinkää-Finland), Iiris Nuuja (Vaasa-Finland), Jari Perkiömäki (Vaasa-Finland), Vesa Perkiömäki (Vaasa-Finland), Lauri Tervo (Helsinki Finland) joined and assisted by school children, teachers and staff from the 4 schools of the Mustasaari municipality, (Korsholm, in Swedish)

Harmonemail:
You can send a message to the runners or read the messages.

Gallery: See more images!