Marko Tikka

Dancing was prohibited in Finland in December 1939 soon after the outbreak of the Winter War. With a short exception, this ban lasted until the end of 1944 when the war between the Soviet Union and Finland came to an end - although dancing was not permitted in restaurants until 1948. The ban was not just a harmless nuisance; it was controlled by police and thousands of people were punished for breaking the law, either for organizing or taking part in secret dances - the majority of whom were girls or young women.