2_9_ScanMag_72_Jan_2015_Text_Q10_Scan Magazine 1 09/01/2015 22:49 Page 93
Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Finland
Finnskogar – Forest Finns presents the story of Finnish migrants who moved to uninhabited forest regions in Sweden and Norway in the late 1500s and 1600s to practice slash-and-burn farming. In the autumn of 2015, the National Museum will celebrate that 150 years have passed since the birth of Finland’s greatest composer, Jean Sibelius, with an exhibition retracing his life in music. During a visit to the National Museum it is possible to book a guided tour, offered in English, Russian, German and French.
ing history accessible as well as interesting. One icon in the family of national museums is Hvitträsk architectural office and home of the aforementioned three architects and their families. Hvitträsk remains a popular site for visitors who enjoy the National Romantic building as well as the lush English gardens surrounding it. Travellers to Helsinki can pay a visit to the long-term residence of one of Finland’s most beloved presidents, Urho Kekkonen. The Tamminiemi Villa has been kept just as it was while the unofficial centre of Finnish politics.
The Museum of the Future
tryside before industrialisation. The VINTTI Workshop is an interactive exhibition for the whole family. “Another permanent exhibition that is really popular is Suomi Finland 1900. It covers our modern history and is easy for people to identify with,” explains Mikael Neuvonen, Head of Service Sales and Communications.
“The National Museum is undergoing some changes right now that we are very excited about. We want to expand the idea of what a national museum really is, and incorporate a total of 11 different museums under the same umbrella. This also means offering a more comprehensive museum experience,” says Neuvonen. “The cafés, restaurants, museum shops and conference facilities that we offer will be given a greater role in shaping the visitor’s experience.” Already now the Museum emphasises its educational role, providing material for students and mak-
Nearby Seurasaari Island is a charming outdoor museum perfect for a summer visit, as are the many great manor houses around the country that serve as museums under the National Museum brand. The National Museum also arranges a number of popular public events throughout the year. Information about these, and much more, can be found on the website.
For more information, please visit: www.nba.fi
The Museum also curates three temporary exhibitions. They are multi-cultural and diverse – right now The World of Religions takes the visitor on a crash course of our relationship with religion and its different aspects. Faiths covered include Christianity, Islam and Judaism, all of which originated in the Middle East; the Eastern religions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and Shinto, as well as Chinese religions. Also introduced are Earth religions, new religious movements, atheism and syncretism.
Adventures in Siberia is a fascinating photographic exhibition curated by the Museum of Cultures, featuring unique photographs by explorer and linguist Kai Donner (1888‒1935) from his expeditions to Siberia between 1911 and 1914.
The entrance hall of the museum is adorned by frescoes from the hand of internationally renowned artist Akseli Gallen-Kallela, depicting different aspects of Finnish life and industry.
Issue 72 | January 2015 | 93