3D Photo in Helsinki

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Statue of Aleksis Kivi
The statue is of Aleksis Kivi, an author who wrote the first book to be published in Finnish, and the first play to be debuted in Finnish. This is historically significant, because although the Finnish language is old, in written form it is not. Sweden ruled Finland for 700 years, and in the process, gave them an alphabet. But, the domination by the Swedes and then the Russians for another century or so kept a lid on literary developments, with the idea in mind of not stirring nationalistic feelings.

So, when cultural elements started showing up in Finnish, a feeling of national pride began to form. All who spoke Finnish could relate through the stories told in the literature, music, and plays. The publishing of previously oral histories in the form of the Kalevala (by Elias Lönnrot) was probably the most significant single publication.

This statue is next to the train station and sits in front of the most beautiful Jugendstil, shown here, which is the National Theater. My hotel was about two doors down on the right, just off the side of the picture (Radisson SAS).
©2001, Jeffrey L. Cooper

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