When
it still formed a part of Finland the town of Terijoki, now
Zelenogorsk, was located in the very south-eastern corner of the
country, on the Karelian Isthmus facing the Gulf of Finland. Just
across the Rajajoki river to the east was the former Soviet Union,
now Russia. In 1939, at the start of World War II, Terijoki was
about 122 km² in size and its population was approximately 6 700.
Before World War II Terijoki was renowned for its magnificent long
sandy beaches and its beautifully carved wooden villas. Owing to its
favorable climate Terijoki contained numerous spas and during the
summer seasons tens of thousands of tourists flocked to the area.
Terijoki had a Lutheran, an Orthodox and a Roman Catholic church. It
also had 11 primary schools, a secondary school, an open college and
a commercial college. Small-scale industry was prominent, as were
market gardens, fishing and agriculture. Owing to its strategic
location Terijoki also accommodated a garrison and the Headquarters
of the Frontier Guards of the Karelian Isthmus.
As
early as the 16th
century Terijoki was mentioned in official documents, but a new era
dawned on the area after the Riihimäki - St. Petersburg railway was
opened in 1870. The town's location on the coast near St. Petersburg
attracted a wealthy and international crowd of summer visitors and
towards the end of the 19th century a brief but glorious "villa era"
began. The Russian revolution and Finnish Independence in 1917 put
an end to this era. The border towards Soviet Union was closed.
After Finnish Independence Terijoki again became a popular resort,
known as the "Riviera of the North". This time it was Finnish
visitors who frequented the beaches.
Before the Soviet attack on Finland in 1939 the inhabitants of
Terijoki were evacuated to other parts of Finland. When Finnish
troops reoccupied Terijoki in 1941 about 150 inhabitants were able
to return. Another evacuation ensued before the massive Soviet
attack in 1944. Following World War II the inhabitants of Terijoki
were mainly resettled in southern Finland. At this point the town
received its Russian name, Zelenogorsk, and it was populated by
Soviet citizens from other parts of the Union.
The
Terijoki Trust (Teri-Säätiö) was founded after World War II
after the county of Viipuri had been handed over to the Soviet Union
according to the 1947 Paris Peace Treaty, and the Finnish town of
Terijoki had de facto ceased to exist. The Trust preserves
the heritage of Terijoki and also supports the economic and cultural
interests of former inhabitants and their families.
The
Terijoki Club (Terijoki-Seura) acts as a forum for former
inhabitants of Terijoki and their families. The Club collects
historical and cultural records of Terijoki and aims to preserve its
heritage. The Club also records various types of historical material
relating to Terijoki.