On Saturday morning in Helsinki city centre, the spring sunlight is bouncing off the stainless steel Winter War Memorial and sending sharp reflections across Kasarmitori Square.
The memorial titled "He Who Brings Light" stands in remembrance of the 25,000 Finns who lost their lives in a 105-day war with the Soviet Union between November 1939 and March 1940.
At the time, Finland received widespread international support and managed to retain its independence; but it did have to cede more than a tenth of its territory leaving in excess of 400,000 people displaced.
Unveiling the memorial five years ago, former Finnish President, Martti Ahtisaari, said that war was one many serious crises Finland has faced in its efforts to maintain: freedom, democracy and the rule of law.
A YLE News opinion poll late last month suggested that 62% of people are favour of joining the NATO military alliance.
The statue, with its multiple holes but still standing resolutely, is particularly pertinent these days as Finland steps up preparations for a fresh crisis, albeit one laden with historic echoes.
Prime Minister Sanna Marin will tomorrow bring a report to the Finnish Parliament which reflects what she described as the "fundamentally changed security landscape" in the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The report, which will be debated extensively over the next few weeks, looks at the defence implications for Finland with a focus on border and cybersecurity along with the threat posed by hybrid attacks.
The Winter War memorial in Helsinki, Finland
If any extra impetus was needed to commence this work, then the cyber attacks on the websites of both the Defence Ministry and the Foreign Ministry on Friday would have demonstrated once again the urgency of the upcoming ..
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