You are warmly welcome to join the Nordic ruin seminar on the southeast coast of Finland!

Values and Significance of Ruins

Nordic Ruin Seminar in Kotka 2 - 4 June 2026

During the seminar, we will hear presentations and discuss the values and significance of ruins, and we will visit some of the most interesting ruin sites and learn about the region’s history both on land and at sea. The presentations will take place in the mornings at the Maritime Centre Vellamo in Kotka, https://www.merikeskusvellamo.fi/. In the afternoons, we will visit nearby ruin sites.

PRESENTATIONS 

We invite participants to give presentations focusing on the study, restoration and maintenance of ruins of various types and ages. Presentations may delve into the background of solutions and the practical and ethical choices involved. Examples of how ruins are used and presented are also welcome. The seminar will be multilingual. Presentations may be given in a Scandinavian language or English. However, we kindly ask that presentation slides be in English.

If you would like to give a presentation, please contact Pia Kurki
(pia.kurki@museovirasto.fi) and Hilja Palviainen (hilja.palviainen@metsa.fi). Please also get in touch if you have any questions.

PRELIMINARY PROGRAMME

Monday 1 June 

Arrival in Kotka
Welcome event in the evening at Maritime Centre Vellamo, Icebreaker Tarmo

Tuesday 2 June 

Morning: Opening remarks and lectures
Lunch at Maritime Centre Vellamo
Afternoon: Excursion to Kyminlinna fortress in Kotka
Evening: Free time and dinner independently

Wednesday 3 June

Morning: Lectures
Lunch in Loviisa town centre
Afternoon: Excursion to Loviisa fortress and Svartholma sea fortress
Evening: Free time and dinner independently

Thursday 4 June

Morning: Lectures
Lunch at Maritime Centre Vellamo
Afternoon: Excursion to Fort Slava and Fort Elisabeth
Evening: Gala event and gala dinner

Friday 5 June

Departure

REGISTRATION

Registration is done via the link below no later than 30th of April. The seminar fee is 375 €. The seminar fee includes lectures, excursions, guided tour of the Museum, lunches, and the gala dinner on Thursday. The fee does not include accommodation or travel to Finland and Kotka.

ACCOMMODATION

A block of rooms at a contract price has been reserved for seminar participants:

Single room 133 €                                                                              Double room 153 €

Hotel: Original Sokos Hotel Seurahuone, Kotka

Booking is made via the Sokos Hotels website: https://www.sokoshotels.fi/fi/kotka

Booking code: BMETSA0626. The booking must be guaranteed with a credit card or paid in advance. You can also make a reservation directly with the hotel by phone at +358 10 7821 000 or by email at kotka.seurahuone@sokoshotels.fi.

Please book your accommodation at the partner hotel no later than 19 April 2026; after this date we cannot guarantee available rooms.

TRAVEL

Kotka can be reached from Helsinki by both train and bus. Travel arrangements must be made individually.                                       

Bus timetables and tickets: www.onnibus.com/home or www.matkahuolto.fi/en

Train timetables and tickets: www.vr.fi/en

We hope to see you in Kotka and spend inspiring days exploring ruins together in June 2026.