Tallinn-Helsinki route marks 50th anniversary

摘要

During early July the ports of Helsinki and Tallinn celebrated the resumption of the ferry service between the two Baltic capitals, which had been interrupted by World War Ⅱ and Estonia's forced integration into the Soviet Union. In 1965 Finnish President, Urho Kekkonen, promoted the idea, and the Soviets allowed the Soviet Estonian ship Vanemuine to start a slow, single daily return service. When she arrived in Helsinki's South Harbour on her first trip, the first group of 100 Finnish VIPs embarked for Tallinn. During the first month 4,000 people made the crossing. For most it was a long day trip, while others stayed the night in Tallinn, albeit in an approved hotel. When ice appeared, Vanemuine went into winter hibernation, only to reawaken the following ice-free spring.