Logotherapy in Finland Brought Remarkable People Together
There is something magical about a journey through the night. As darkness flickers beyond the windows and the light of street lamps glides across the glass, time slows down and ordinary conversations take on a new depth.
Our journey began in Helsinki, where the formal part of the event took place — a long-awaited occasion for the entire Ukrainian logotherapy community. It was more than a ceremonial moment: it was an important step forward, a symbol of recognition and the beginning of a new stage in the development of logotherapy in Ukraine.
The diploma ceremony for the first Ukrainian logotherapists was made possible through the efforts of members of the Ukrainian Association of Logotherapy, our colleagues and friends at Viktor Frankl Institute Finland, and the support of the Ukrainian diaspora in Helsinki.
Nataliia Khmelova, President of the Association of Logotherapy and Existential Analysis in Ukraine, opened the event with an inspiring address. She shared her reflections on the importance of developing logotherapy in our country and its unique capacity to help people find meaning even in the most difficult times.
The event brought together a large and inspiring community — around 30 participants, including the founders of the Ukrainian Association of Logotherapy: Nataliia Khmelova, Viktoriia Bykova, Hanna Chuprova, and Mykola Nesprava. They were joined by logotherapy graduates, teachers, students from the basic and advanced courses, and military personnel.
The event even sparked the interest of those who had previously only read about Viktor Frankl in the literature but now had the opportunity to experience logotherapy for themselves.
They took part in the activities, including Timo Purjo’s workshop on exploring values. One such participant was Ivan, who generously offered to help by interpreting between the Ukrainian logotherapists and their international teachers.
He later shared his reflections on the “meaning of the moment”, as his role as an interpreter had proved immensely valuable to everyone present. It was then that he truly felt what it means to be in the right place at the right time, when your presence and actions fill a moment with deep meaning.
Among us was also Dmytro, a serviceman and student who had come from the combat zone. His arrival was not only a joyful occasion but also a symbol of an unbroken spirit. Dmytro shared how logotherapy helps him find meaning even in the darkest moments of war, maintain his inner resilience, and sustain his fellow soldiers’ morale.
His words deeply moved those present: one could sense in them genuine life wisdom, strength, and faith. Dmytro’s stories reminded us once again how important such knowledge is for people facing extreme circumstances and inspired many to continue studying logotherapy so that they could help themselves and others.
We also had the honour of meeting Professor Timo Purjo, founder and lead trainer of Viktor Frankl Institute Finland, who has devoted many years to studying the meaning of life and has become a mentor and teacher to Ukraine’s first logotherapists. The ceremony was also attended by Croatian logotherapist Vedrana Girgic, whom everyone, without exaggeration, calls the soul of logotherapy. Indeed, you would be hard-pressed to find a graduate or student who thought otherwise! The highlight of the event was the presentation of diplomas to ten graduates, who had the honour of receiving them personally from Timo Purjo. It was a moment filled with heartfelt emotion: tears of happiness, laughter, and joy intertwined, creating a sense of togetherness.
The graduates shared how logotherapy had profoundly changed their lives, while the students, inspired by these stories, felt an even deeper appreciation of the path they had chosen. The ceremony was filled with a range of emotions, which were also shared by Iina, a representative of the Finnish association of logotherapy whom we had the honour of meeting.
In her inspiring speech, she highlighted the remarkable development of logotherapy in Ukraine and expressed her confidence that, in the near future, our country could surpass Finland in the number of logotherapists with diplomas.
The day was filled with deep conversations, inspiration, and a sense of being part of something truly significant. We ended it in a cosy restaurant, where we continued talking over dinner, shared our impressions, and once again felt the strength of our community’s unity.
For some of us, the next stage of the journey lay ahead — northern Finland and Oulu, a city on the edge of Lapland. Our teacher Timo Purjo travelled with us and, as a true Finn, had countless fascinating stories to tell about his country. We listened with pleasure, discovering Finland in greater depth. The formal part of the event was behind us, and now we were simply together: talking, listening, and sharing stories. Our midnight conversations over hot tea in the dining car filled us with a warmth that no screen could convey. The train became more than a means of transport — it became a symbol of an inner journey. The further north we travelled, the more deeply we reflected on values, meaning, and one another’s inner depth.
A frosty, windy morning greeted us at Oulu railway station. Sunrise was not expected until 11 a.m., and we could feel it on our skin: we really were in the north! Ahead of us were a visit to Santa’s Village, a meeting with the Ukrainian diaspora, a walk around Odesa’s twin city, and visits to the Arctic botanical garden and the local university. But above all, there were the people. For many of us, this journey was our first opportunity to meet in person. We were not simply exchanging ideas: we were sharing a sense of togetherness that warmed us just as much as the hot tea in the dining car.
After a wonderful walk and the fascinating stories told by our guides Olena, Vira, and Mykyta, we went to meet the Ukrainian diaspora in Oulu, who were eagerly awaiting us. Their hospitality knew no bounds: they offered us traditional treats and a distinctive Finnish drink prepared during the Christmas season — a true taste of the north.
Hanna and Yevheniia prepared workshops for the Ukrainians in Oulu on the uniqueness of each person and on responsibility, making this another highlight of our meeting. The Ukrainian community was so impressed by the event that the conversation continued long after it had ended. We exchanged thoughts and impressions and discovered new horizons. No one was in a hurry to leave, as the meeting had become much more than an exchange of experience — it was a moment of togetherness, support, and inspiration.
The journey was drawing to a close, but its true significance was only beginning to unfold. We spent our last day in the embrace of the wilderness, without rushing. The northern forest, the paths, the silence that spoke louder than words. Here, amid this untouched tranquillity, each of us seemed to reflect anew on everything we had experienced over those days.
In a fishing cabin without electricity, we warmed ourselves by the stove, cooked dinner by candlelight, laughed, and sat in silence, allowing the moment simply to be. Then came a true Finnish sauna — hot steam, freezing air, and a sense of renewal. It became a symbolic conclusion to the journey: we had entered it as one version of ourselves and emerged as another — a little deeper, a little closer to one another and to ourselves.
This journey became more than a route on a map: it was a path towards a deeper understanding of ourselves and others. Logotherapy brought us together — colleagues, students, teachers, and those who had joined the community out of an interest in its ideas and a wish to spend time together. It became a bridge between people, helping each of us find our place and meaning.
Everyone who was part of this event brought home more than memories. There were encounters that changed us, conversations that opened new horizons, and moments that left their mark. We became a community not only because we study logotherapy but also because we share common values — support, faith, and the desire to help.
This journey is coming to an end, but the connection it created remains. Ahead of us lie new encounters that will bring meaning to even more lives. Logotherapy in Finland brought remarkable people together — and continues to bring people together in Ukraine.