Paasikivi's speech at the end of WWII in Europe

[krimsonglass51]

Is there a transcript of Juho Paasikivi's radio address of May 7, 1945 when he announces the end of WWII in Europe? As someone who does not speak Finnish, I figured a transcript would make it easier to understand/translate.

[Seppo Koivisto]

Here is a slightly improved google translation of the speech.

SPEECH ON RADIO ON 7 MAY 1945 CONCERNING THE END OF THE WAR IN EUROPE

Citizens!

The terrible war that has raged in Europe for almost six years is over. The clash of arms on our continent has taken a break. The mighty power of the Soviet Union, together with the armies of Great Britain and the United States of America and other Allied Powers, has crushed Nazi German forces.

There will be a time of peace ahead, when the affected nations will once again begin to build on the immense damage and destruction that has been struck by the insane war. The gazes of the peoples are turning and the hopes are directed, above all, to those statesmen who have been destined to lead the three great victorious nations. Their wisdom, foresight, and love are needed to create a better place to replace the sad and absurd violence that has collapsed for the happiness and comfort of humanity.

The nations of the world are waiting and hoping for new life and peace between nations. This is also the wish and expectation of us Finns. We Finns hope that the end of the war and the outcome of peace will alleviate our economic difficulties. Our neighbor, the Soviet Union, led by the great military leader and statesman Stalin, has made a decisive contribution to the defeat of Nazi Germany, may now, after its extraordinary war efforts, dedicate itself to peace efforts and peaceful cooperation with other peoples. The Nordic countries, Denmark and Norway, overrun by the war, have achieved their freedom. Our old friend Sweden, to whom we owe so much gratitude, is given a freer scope to use his intellectual and financial strengths. The opening of roads behind the oceans makes it possible to forge old ties with the diverse connection of peoples. All of this opens up greater life opportunities for us too.

These cases have another historical significance.

Nazism and fascism were based on the doctrine of violence, the worship of unlimited power, the denial of humanity, and hatred of democratic development. This was the ideological foundation of the Nazi German Empire. Being a threat to other peoples for years, National-Socialist Germany, like a nightmare, caused fear and unrest in other peoples and eventually caused World War II with its attacks. Through the victory of the Allies, the conditions have been created for the peaceful and democratic life of the peoples. People of Finland, together with other peoples, gratefully acknowledge this great historical act of the united nations.

Text in Finnish.
https://jkpaasikivi.fi/book/paasikiven- ... et-1945/3/

Recording of the speech.
https://yle.fi/aihe/artikkeli/2015/05/0 ... paattyessa

[krimsonglass51]

Thanks!