Diplomacy of the Heart

The Smallest and Friendliest Demonstration during Helsinki Summit 2018

By Tuula Pere

July 9^th, 2018

Illustration by Andrea Alemanno

Diplomacy of the Heart - the Smallest and Friendliest Demonstration during Helsinki Summit 2018

Press Release, 10 July 2018

Next week, on 16th July 2018, two of the world’s most influential presidents, Mr. Vladimir Putin, and Mr. Donald Trump are going to meet in Helsinki, hosted by the president of Finland, Mr. Sauli Niinistö.

As the others are preparing for the summit in Helsinki on a high level, Ph.D. in Law and Children’s Author Tuula Pere intends to reach the high politicians by using diplomacy of the heart.

Tuula Pere has sent both visiting presidents a personal letter and attached two of her recent books with a connection to the summit. Lullaby of the Valley tells about the gentle weapon of two grandmothers during times of war. Between the Walls is a story about a special kind of diplomacy that brings two towns back together, to build a new pier to share. Both books are illustrated by Andrea Alemanno from Italy.

“All of us have been children once and many have children close to their heart. I trust that deep inside, we share a common goal. We want to make this world a better and safer place for everybody,” says the author Tuula Pere. “Children need wise grown-ups to take care of important decisions for them. And for that, the diplomacy of the heart is an essential asset.”

As the possibilities of reaching the presidents by her mail are so limited, Tuula Pere decided to make her “Smallest and Friendliest Demonstration in Helsinki” public.

“There is a saying that ‘all’s fair in love and war’. Although I don’t quite agree, I think this applies at least to sharing the good messages of children’s books,” the author Tuula Pere ponders.