Copyright Kirjakaari Oy and authors Photographs: Porin Kameraseura ry. Text: Elina Wallin Translation: Aki Myyr채 Molehill Communications Publisher: Kirjakaari Oy Layout: BM&M Oy Printed by: Bookwell Oy, 2014 ISBN: 978-952-5969-67-2
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to the reader When you visit Pori for the first time, come in the summer. When you visit Pori the second time, come in the fall. The next time you visit Pori, you might want to stay. Pori has the reputation of perhaps the most emotive and controversial city in Finland. In past decades, you could get punched in the face lining up at a hot-dog stand. In more recent years, Pori has surprised people in unique ways. If you’ve already seen the sights of Pori, we, the inhabitants, will surprise you. We’re not as uncommunicative as they say. Pori is widely known abroad. The Pori Jazz Festival has long traditions. If you ask people in New Orleans if they know Jayrki Kangas, they’ll say yes. When Angry Birds stirs the crowds in Asia, behind it all is Rovio’s Peter Vesterbacka, born in Pori. Dance artist, Professor Jorma Uotinen is from Pori. The fine arts don’t leave anyone untouched, either – just ask about Akseli Gallen-Kallela. This book is an overview of the city. Most of the photos are courtesy of Porin Kameraseura (the Pori Camera Association). A list of the photographers is in the back of the book. Welcome to our city! Elina Wallin Author
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the birth of pori The Kokemäki River, flowing into the Baltic Sea, gave birth to the city of
Catherine Jagiellon is known to have been accompanied by her palace
Pori. Land uplift had left the town of Ulvila too far from the sea. Moreover,
entourage.
Gustav I of Sweden shut down Ulvila in 1550 and ordered the population
After an era of gluttony, Pori was among the Finnish cities that were
to settle in the recently established city of Helsinki. After several pleas,
forbidden almost all foreign trade. Sweden was suffering from prolonged
the inhabitants were allowed to move back to their birth place, though
wars and years of famine. Peasants were not allowed to sell their prod-
under new leaders and new terms. In March 1558, John III of Sweden
ucts at the market without paying high tolls. Hunger became a reality.
established Pori in the delta of the Kokemäki River, right on the sea coast.
By the time of the sever famine of 1697, which was brought about by a
The former population of Ulvila had to move to Pori, where they gradually
cold weather period, Pori had burned down six times. The ninth and last,
settled – after all, it was a favourable location.
most disastrous fire in 1852 was historically significant in that it led to the
At its birth, Pori was Finland’s northernmost city, which served long as
present-day grid layout. The fire destroyed almost every homestead and
an overseas trading port. European luxurious goods were shipped through
prompted the construction of the area known as Kivi-Pori, or Stone Pori,
Pori to the Satakunta region and Northern Finland. They were abundant
between Eteläranta (South Shore) and Raatihuoneenpuisto (Old City Hall
years in the newly rich city. John II of Sweden and his wife, Princess
Park). Today, Pori is growing above all through municipal mergers.
Catherine Jagiellon of Poland, held celebrations in their royal mansion.
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the kokemäki river The largest river of Satakunta springs from Liekovesi in Sastamala and flows into the Bothnian Sea at the Pihlavanlahti area of Pori. Before the sea, the Kokemäki River passes the Pori centre at Eteläranta and branches out into many small river beds, forming a series of long, narrow islets. The branches either flow back into the main stream or pour out directly into the sea, forming the largest delta in the Nordic countries. The most famous of the islets is Kirjurinluoto (Clerk’s Islet). Pori has later been built up widely on both sides of the Kokemäki River. The connecting bridges made Eteläranta and the city centre inaccessible for sail ships and even small sail boats, but you can still come into the city centre by motorboat. The Kokemäki River offers a great environment, for example, for birdwatchers and kayakers. The river and the city look totally different from the water. And you can’t really spend your time on the water without seeing a grey heron or other impressive bird.
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Today, the Kokem채ki River by Pori is primarily in recreational use. Decades ago, industries were established by the river. The companies still operating are the combine harvester factory in Konepajanranta and the Seikku Saha sawmill in Aittaluoto. The massive buildings of Porin Puuvilla (Pori Cotton) on the northern shore now host students and various enterprises. For many years, the smells of the SOT slaughterhouse and the beer factory were a significant part of the Pori city landscape. Nowadays a dense apartment building area rises high in the old slaughterhouse area, Karjaranta (Cattle Shore).
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kivi-pori, or stone pori
the old city hall
When Pori burned down for the ninth and last time in 1852, something
1841. Engel was already famous for the buildings surrounding the Helsinki
had to be done. The provincial architect G.T. von Chiewitz designed a new
Senate Square. The central administration and judiciary operated in the
grid layout, dividing the city with esplanades and boulevards into four
old city hall, which also featured a prison, a detainment cell and the fire
sectors according to the points of the compass. The eastern, western,
watchmen’s guardhouse. The words “Curia Arctorpolis” (Latin: Court of
northern and southern parks still come together in the centre of Pori. Only
the Bear City) in the façade was soon referred to in the vernacular as
stone buildings were permitted between the planning zone and the river.
“Kuri ja ankara poliisi” (Discipline and the fierce police). The building
Kivi-Pori, or Stone Pori, rose here in two decades.
served as Pori’s city hall until the municipality purchased the Junnelius
Carl Ludvig Engel designed the old, neoclassical, Empire-style city hall in
Palace from the neighbouring block. Nowadays the city’s culture division and the restaurant Raatihuoneen kellari operate in the building. Hallituskatu 9
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the new city hall The present-day city hall of Pori was originally built as a private home.
and tiled stoves.
Pharmacist Robert Junnelius was highly esteemed in the city, and he
During the Continuation War with Russia, a nursing school operated in
fancied Ellen, the daughter of the factory owner Rosenlew. To prove his
the building. Through various stages, it was proved that the material of
honourable intentions and Ellen’s good spouse choice, he spared no
the floors was incombustible, and the city had the assurance it needed to
expenses. Architect August Krook travelled to Venice and Florence for
acquire the monumental building to be the new city hall in 1962.
inspiration. The exterior walls feature Venetian motifs such as gondola
The vast number of decorative paintings makes the Venetian palace
mooring rings. Each floor is 600 square metres. The building is called
one of the most valuable Neo-Renaissance buildings in our country.
Junnelius’ Palace for a reason – the interior is fabulous with its paintings
Hallituskatu 12
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the pori theatre The theatre building of Pori is considered one of the most beautiful in Finland. Its main stage is known especially for its allegorical frescos. The Neo-Renaissance-style building was designed by the Swedish architect Johan Erik Stenberg and completed in 1884. An extension was built in 1974 to host a studio stage. Pori is a lively theatre city, perhaps because the history of Finnishspeaking theatre originated here. In addition to the Pori theatre, the city hosts an independent professional theatre group, Rakastajat-teatteri (Lovers Theatre), several amateur groups, and Finland’s largest theatre group for children and young people, Porin Teatterinuoret ry. Hallituskatu 14
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hotel otava Many of the Kivi-Pori buildings represent the Neo-Renaissance style, including Hotel Otava (Hotel Big Dipper). Many of Pori’s inhabitants remember the building designed by C.J von Heideken in particular for its restaurant. The hotel-restaurant was in operation 1857-1985. Hotel Otava is historically significant in two ways. The Finnish Theatre, precursor of the Finnish National Theatre, presented its first play in the Otava auditorium in 1872. The founder, Kaarlo Bergbom, acknowledged the language disputes of the day in Helsinki and brought his theatre to a more peaceful location. The theatre operated in Otava for seven weeks. The second significant event in the history of Otava took place in 1966, when a group of young music enthusiasts decided to put up their own music festival and held the constitutive meeting of Pori Jazz. Hotel Otava was long one of the festival’s concert venues. Nowadays the building is in office use. Valtakatu 15
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the central pori church The Central Pori Church was built over 150 years ago, in 1863. The Neo-Gothic-style building has a National Romantic interior. Its awesome decorative paintings were designed by Architect August Krook around thirty years after the church was built. The church tower was designed by G.T von Chiewitz, rising to 72 metres. The cast-iron peak of the landmark was made at the old city foundry, Porin Konepaja. Von Chiewitz was the provincial architect at the time. The French Romantic style church organ created a new festival, Pori Organ, at the Central Pori Church. Holy Apostle John the Theologian’s Orthodox Church was built in 2002.
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the mausoleum of jusélius The Mausoleum of Jusélius can be described as a shrine of death. Honorary counsellor Fritz Arthur Jusélius was vastly grieved by the death of his daughter Sigrid in June 1898. She died at the age of eleven to tuberculosis, which she contracted as an after-effect of the measles. Jusélius built a grand resting place for the apple of his eye at the Käppärä cemetery. The Neo-Gothic mausoleum was built in 1903, designed by Josef Stenbäck, a specialist of church architecture. No expenses were spared: the chapel walls were covered with Akseli Gallen-Kallela’s impressive frescos and the entrance hall walls with paintings by Pekka Halonen. The works of art describe various manifestations of death. However, the original frescos were lost, first due to a faulty material choice, then a fire. The present frescos were painted by Akseli’s son, Jorma Gallen-Kallela. But Halonen’s works were lost for good. Sigrid’s grave lies in the middle of the crypt. Her sarcophagus is lined with marble daisy petals, her favourite flowers. Sigrid’s father, Fritz, is also buried in the mausoleum.
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the market square An old rhyme in the strong Pori dialect says, “Ko tulet Porrii, su pannaa pärekorrii ja veretää pitki Pori torrii.” (“When you come to Pori, they’ll put you in a shingle basket and pull you around the Pori Market.”) You really can buy shingle baskets at the market, but you’re not likely to get pulled around in one. The market square is at the end of the pedestrian street toward the river. Eteläranta is a mere stone’s throw away. The main bus stop for the local bus service and a taxi stand are also by the market square. The market square is animated by Toriparlamentti, Pertti Mäkinen’s sculpture of two men watching a man standing on his head. There is also an Angry Birds play park by the market square. The main market square of Pori used to be in front of the old city hall until Alexander II of Russia decreed in 1859 that rural products could only be sold at the present market square. It is bordered on the west by a storehouse and kiosk building known as “Satapaska” (Hundredshit), probably named so due to the public W.C. it used to house. The Pori market square is bustling around Christmas-time and Midsummer Night, and during Porin Päivä (Pori Day), when sellers populate even the pedestrian street.
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a product for me, a euro for you market hall, isokarhu, bepop In the direct vicinity of the market square, you can find the recently renovated Pori market hall, originally built in 1927. The renovated hall has a refreshing atmosphere with its modern lunch restaurants and traditional vegetable, meat, and bakery shops. Along the pedestrian street, there are several little shops, the IsoKarhu (Big Bear) shopping centre, the Sokos Satakunta department store and the postmodern shopping mall BePop, built in 1989. With its myriad details and colours, BePop has become a pilgrimage site for students of architecture. The building was designed by Kai Raimoranta, Jyrki Tasa and Matti Nurmela.
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kirjurinluoto For several generations, the inhabitants of Pori have spent much of their free time on Kirjurinluoto (Clerk’s Islet) in the Kokemäki River delta, an environment of diverse greenery and birds only a short walk away from the market square. On the islet you can find a little zoo with farm animals and birds. For children there is, for example, Pelle Hermanni’s playing park, the “nest” of Viksu the Rook, and a traffic park. In the winter you can ski and skate in the area. If you visit Pori in the summer, stop by the river delta in the late evening for a night singers’ concert. The Kirjurinluoto Arena and the Lokki (Seagull) stage are popular event venues. The Kirjurinluoto summer theatre also operates near the Arena. The most famous events on the islet are Pori Jazz and Porispere.
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music, speeches, theatre, everything Pori is a real event city, hosting some of Finland’s most well-known city events along with a few smaller ones. Pori has been Finland’s Mecca of Jazz since the first Pori Jazz festival in 1966, and it has more recently made a reputation as a public debate city after the immensely popular discussion forum Suomi Areena was started as a side event of Pori Jazz in 2006. Jazz and societal discussions attract tens of thousands of visitors to the city for one week in July. Pori Jazz has become one of Finland’s most famous festivals. The Pori Jazz office is in a quite fitting environment, deep inside an old cotton factory. Over the years, stages have changed, and the Jazz Street has attracted people with its market products and free concerts. The one thing that has remained unchanged is the use of the Kirjurinluoto area. The Kirjurinluoto Arena has gathered massive audiences – in 2009, 37,000 people attended the main concert. Headliners of Pori Jazz over the years include Herbie Hancock, Tom Jones and Gloria Gaynor. On the same weekend in July, societal discussions bring together citizens and the political elite. The events are free of charge, and the audience can also participate in some discussions. This has created a new kind of culture of discussion in Pori. Locals know how to really listen and are able to strike up a discussion on virtually anything. Among the most memorable moments of Suomi Areena are the visits of Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Comission (2006) and Ban-Ki Moon, Secretary General of the United Nations (2011), as well as the Finnish Red Cross’s major evacuation camp in 2013 at Liisantori, where politicians
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and the city’s own administration were accommodated. Suomi Areena is organized annually by the TV channel MTV3 and the city of Pori. Sonisphere brought its festival tour to Pori in 2009 and 2010. When the organization decided to leave the city after the 2010 festival, Pori’s own boys took action. The Porispere rock festival saw daylight on the old, renowned Lokki stage of Kirjurinluoto Islet. The music festival has a totally unique identity, driven by the Pori people’s typical attitude, “No Help Needed.” Originally launched as a parody of the great Sonisphere and marked by its own, distinctive character, Porispere has found its place among Finland’s much-anticipated events.
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On the festival grounds, you can find, for example, Mummola (Grand-
the proper language. In addition to the Pori Theatre, the city’s stages are
ma’s), where you can buy waffles and coffee. Porispere takes place in
in active use by many theatre groups. The only independent professional
August on Kirjurinluoto.
theatre group of Satakunta, Rakastajat (Lovers), has added its cheerful
Finnish-speaking theatre was born in Pori when Kaarlo Bergbom
spirit to the Pori theatre scene. Since 2000, the Lovers have organized the
brought the precursor to the National Theatre to more peaceful grounds
Lainsuojattomat (Outlaws) theatre festival, attracting various independ-
from Helsinki, where Swedish and Finnish were battling over the status of
ent groups to Pori. During the festival, theatre hits the streets, restaurants
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and the whole city. The name “Outlaws� refers to the status of the groups as ineligible for the statutory funding of official city theatres. The independent theatre festival is annually in early September. Pori Folk is a more traditional music event, started in 2000. It spreads out to several venues around the city centre. Over the years, several foreign dance and music groups have visited the city. Every year, the festival has promoted the Satakunta folk music tradition by introducing a significant musician or duo. Pori Folk takes place in August. Pori’s smaller events have got wind under their wings in the wake of the bigger events. New events keep sprouting, like the Viikkari Village Celebration in the spring. It has been organized for a few years by the active people of the fifth city district, Viikkari, together with local culture and art associations. During one day in May, you have the opportunity to see traditional and experimental culture: performances, music, fine arts, workshops, flea markets and pop-up restaurants.
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eteläranta The southern shore of the Kokemäki River and the street after Karjaranta,
Eteläranta is also known during Pori Jazz as a jazz street, shopping,
just before the Central Pori Church, are the most famous sights of Pori.
and market place. In the fall, the place hosts the Pori Baltic Herring
In Eteläranta, you can see a panorama of Kirjurinluoto, the river delta and
Market, the first of a series of Baltic herring markets around the country.
the Cotton factory building at the end of the Pori Bridge.
Where large sailing ships came to port in Eteläranta in the olden times,
Eteläranta also features an old wooden salt warehouse that serves as
nowadays there is a guest marina and rental moorings. It is also possible
a summer restaurant, the Polyfonia sculpture by Eila Hiltunen, restaurant
to take a river cruise in the direction of either Reposaari or Ulvila.
boats and one of Finland’s most esteemed art establishments, the Pori
Between Eteläranta and the city centre, you can see the valuable
Art Museum.
buildings of Kivi-Pori (Stone Pori).
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street art The street scene of Pori has been embellished for decades by the constantly changing walls of the Culture House at Annankatu 6, nicknamed Annis, the home base of the Teatterinuoret (Theatre Youth). The population has viewed the graffiti paintings with either admiration or horror. In summer 2012, Pori’s collection of art received a piquant addition. The wall of the Liikekulma residential and office building at the corner of the market square was decorated by Polish graffiti artist M-City, or Mariusz Waras. The twenty-metre-high painting was received by the Pori inhabitants with unreserved approval. Of the many grey multi-story buildings in Pori, the post office also got its own graffiti wall the following summer. Street artist Otto Maja was inspired to describe the birth of ideas. In the end result, a man is sitting under a tree with an apple in his hand. His head, onto which the apple has fallen, is a coffee-maker. Ideas are born in the head, symbolizing artistic processing.
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student life As a student city, Pori is rather young. The city got its first own university
education. The Finnish Aviation Academy also offers upper secondary
centre in early 2003, although the Tampere University of Technology had
vocational education in the city.
already been training students in Pori for over twenty years. The modern
When these schools were established in Pori, the university centre in
university centre has four parent organizations, Aalto University,
particular, the city’s student life started booming, and student overalls
the Tampere University of Technology, the University of Tampere,
were seen in the street scene, first as small groups, then as swarming
and the University of Turku, which offer teaching and perform research
crowds. Now Pori has its own student associations, and many of their
on the premises.
activities have already become traditions. These include the opening of
In addition to the university centre, Pori is the home town of the
the academic year, the Kurnajaiset, the traditional crawling marathon on
Satakunta University of Applied Sciences and the national Diaconia
the pedestrian street, the May Day herring breakfast in the old city hall
University of Applied Sciences. Active student life also thrives in the upper
park, and the new student “baptism” in the Kokemäki River. The youth in
secondary vocational school of Pori, Länsirannikon Koulutus Oy WinNova.
overalls have changed the city with their cheerful and refreshing spirit.
WinNova has deep and diversified roots in the history of Pori’s vocational
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open-air public swimming pool
the central public swimming pool
Pori’s open-air swimming pool, known by locals as Maikkala, was
For the city of Pori’s 450-year anniversary in 2008, the city council
built in 1957, and has offered warm summer memories for many
decided to build a new public swimming pool. It is a successful
generations. Yrjö Lindegren designed the pool true to the style of the time,
compromise between a spa and a swimming pool, with seven pools,
functionalism. His more famous work is the Helsinki Olympic Stadium.
a water slide, two ordinary saunas, a steam sauna and a gym. It is also
The outdoor swimming pool is one of the national city park
Finland’s first swimming pool partially powered by solar panels on the
environments, protected by the National Board of Antiquities. The season
roof. It was designed by Architect Tapio Antikainen, and is located near
starts in the spring and ends in the fall, although winter swimmers are
the city centre in the Kuninkaanhaka area.
also free to dip into the 3-5°C water. There is plenty of room on the grass
“Pori has everything a human being may need,” says WC Bronze
around the pool to sunbathe and to admire different diving techniques
Medalist, swimmer Matti Mattson. Pori’s new swimming pool is where
from the platform.
he scoops his way across the water, training for his next competition.
Maikkala is located beside the Isomäki Arena and sports tracks.
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casseroles, betting on horses, and hand over hand
Porin Pesäkarhut (Pori Base Bears) is a versatile Pesäpallo (Finnish
When you ask out-of-town people about sports in Pori, the first thing
Baseball) club. Its top team plays in the women’s national Superpesis
they usually say is ice hockey. Porin Ässät (Pori Aces) is an old, traditional
league and has won the Finnish Championship in 2002. The club has
sports club that has created legends and big emotions. It was established
several junior, men’s and women’s teams on various levels. The Pesäpallo
in 1967, when Porin Karhut (Pori Bears) and Rosenlewin Urheilijat -38
stadium is next to the sports centre, the artificial turf field and sports
(Rosenlew Sportsmen -38) were merged into one club. The “Aces”
stadium.
have won the Finnish Championship three times, in 1971, 1978, and
The Pori Trotting Track is right by the city centre. It started attracting
2013. Although their gold medals are not many, hockey is known as a
more spectators when a giant screen was built in the middle of the oval
passionate sport in Pori. The standing section of the Isomäki arena is
track. It has given a boost to trotting races and more extensive use as
famous. The Ässät junior coaching is also very active.
well. Ice Hockey games are also aired on the screen.
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roll a six to start The Pori-based family business Tactic Games Oy is also known for its former name Nelostuote. The company’s most famous game is Kimble, released in 1967, which has sold around the world in the millions. Their selection of successful, widely known games include: Alias, Choco, Rappakalja, and many other familiar games loved by Finns. All Tactic Games are made in Finland, in the noteworthy production facilities in Karjaranta on the Kokemäki River, where the games are also designed and developed. Tactic exports games to both the European and American markets. Tactic has recently entered the world of Angry Birds through their co-operation with Rovio, whose CMO Peter Vesterbacka grew up in Pori.
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reposaari The last stop of the Kokemäki River before the Baltic Sea is Reposaari
Throughout history, the islanders have formed a well-knit community
(Fox Island), locally called Räpsöö. As you approach one of the city’s most
and still maintain various activities. Every third year, Reposaari Day is
idyllic wooden house milieus, you pass a wind park on a causeway.
celebrated on the island. In 2008, Reposaari made the headlines as the
Before the causeway was built to the island, all of the city’s port
site of the Holiday Housing Fair.
services were located there. There could be well over a hundred sail
Along the shore boulevard, you can find Kelpo Park, named after
ships in the roads. The ships also shaped the ground as their ballast was
wrestler Kelpo Gröndahl, and Eikka’s square, named after the popular
emptied on land, giving the area a unique flora.
singer Eino Grön, who is also from Reposaari.
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When Finland’s old capital, Turku, was destroyed in a fire in 1827, a new capital had to be established. Reposaari was one of the presented alternatives, but Helsinki came out victorious. The legendary restaurant, Reposaaren Ravintola, is still in operation. There are also several other restaurants and a fish processing plant and sales point in connection with the restaurant Merimesta. Marina Merilokki serves boaters visiting the island, a walking distance away from Reposaari’s stores and beautiful wooden church, where President Sauli NiinistÜ was married with Jenni Haukio, who was also born in Pori. The graceful wooden house milieu of Reposaari is a perfect environment to carry you away from the hectic daily grind.
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on the sands of yyteri beach Swimming, sunbathing, beach volley, windsurfing, horse-back riding, golf, motocross‌ With all its services, Yyteri is a complete city district. But the most famous place is the six-kilometre long sandy beach with its shallow swimming waters and unique dunes. Sand-binding plants grow on the lee side of the bank. These include lyme grass, which is Pori’s official plant. Dunes are vulnerable formations, and the beach is a Natura protected area. The sands of Yyteri have set the stage for the Rolling Stones summer concert in 1965, the Leningrad Cowboys midsummer concert in 1994, and the beach football event, Yyteri Beachfutis, in the 2000s. Right on the beach, you can find the Yyteri Hotel & Spa. A certain stretch of Yyteri Beach is reserved for nudists.
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kallo Kallo is located along Highway 2 to Mäntyluoto. Coming out of the city, Yyteri is on the left, then Kirrisanta on the right, then Herrainpäivät and Karhuluoto on the left. Next you’ll come by Mäntyluoto with its marina, the idyllic wood house area of Uniluoto, and a narrow bridge leading to Kallo – then the road ends at the sea. The fishing waters of Kallo were popular among the burghers of the olden times. An interesting point in Kallo history was a Second World War seaplane base. The most famous sight of Kallo is its quaint, white lighthouse and the red lighthouse keeper’s house in its side. It is one of Finland’s two lighthouses that you can access by car. The rocks of Kallo are an experience for travellers during sunny summer days as well as autumn storms. Amidst the rocks you can find the local vitamin bombs, sea buckthorn berries, in the late fall. The idyllic area also features the docks and pavilion of Finland’s oldest sports club, the sailing yacht club Segelföreningen i Björneborg. The restaurant facilities are a popular venue for various summer celebrations. On the harbour bay and the seaward side of Kallo, you can also watch sail-boat races. The Pori coastguard station and the Bothnia Sea pilot station are also on Kallo.
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ropes off The Port of Pori consists of two port areas, Mäntyluoto and Tahkoluoto, which serve all ships travelling the Baltic Sea. Finland’s deepest sea-lanes, 12m and 15.3m, make Pori accessible for all sizes of vessels. General cargo, containers, dry bulk goods, and lumber are handled at the Mäntyluoto port, and dry bulk goods and liquid chemicals pass through Tahkoluoto. The Port of Pori is one of Finland’s best winter ports, located at the junction of five highways.
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a century of combine harvesters The old Rosenlew industrial area is situated north of the Kokemäki River. Sampo-Rosenlew Oy manufactures agricultural machinery in the area. The area has been known as Konepajanranta (Machine Workshop Shore) since BjÜrneborgs Mekaniska Werkstad, BMW, Porin Konepaja, started its business in 1858. Sampo-Rosenlew is known for its combine harvesters and forest machinery. The company started manufacturing self-propelled combine harvesters in Pori in 1957. Nowadays, they are sold to around 50 countries, and over 80% of the machines are exported to countries that grow wheat and rice.
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pori cotton Today the buildings of the factory area of Porin Puuvilla (Pori Cotton), designed by August Krook, and its headquarters and manager’s house, designed by Rainer Finnilä, host the university centre, a dance school, and a coffee roastery. Almost all the spaces in the buildings are in use, hosting companies and other organizations. The Northern Pori Health Centre is also in the “Cotton” area. Porin Puuvilla Oy produced cotton fabric in the years 1898-1974, after which the company was merged with Finlayson. In 1981, Finland’s all-time biggest industrial fire broke out at the cotton factory’s weaving mill. After the fire, the production was gradually run down, finally ending in 1994. The cotton factory has been a significant employer along with the machine industry on the north shore. As the factory’s steam whistle sounded, a mass of hundreds of cyclists headed home, until the next day’s shift brought them back to the grind. Once again the cotton factory draws crowds of workers. The over ten-year history of the university centre at the cotton factory is significant. More recently, the Puuvillan Kauppakeskus (Cotton’s Shopping Centre) has become a regional attraction.
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villa mairea Villa Mairea is widely known as one of the finest buildings designed by architect Alvar Aalto. Its interior was decorated by Aino Aalto. Villa Mairea was completed in 1939 as the residence of Maire and Harry Gullichsen in Noormarkku, Pori. The modernistic building is a prime example of its style. Maire Gullichsen was the daughter of Walter Ahlström, son of Antti Ahlström. Since the late 1800s, Antti Ahlström owned both the Noormarkku and Kauttua ironworks, which still carry his name. Villa Mairea is located in the Ahlström area. Art was close to the heart of grandfather Antti, and Maire also became a patron of the arts and was instrumental in establishing the Pori Art Museum. Artek’s furniture and textiles as well as art in general play a major role in the interior of Villa Mairea. Artek was co-established by Maire Gullichsen and Aino and Alvar Aalto. Nowadays, anyone who wants to get acquainted with Villa Mairea and its surrounding buildings and lands must pre-arrange a visit. Part of the estate is still in private use. It is owned by A. Ahlström Kiinteistöt Oy.
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birds The delta of the Kokemäki River is the largest in the Nordic countries, still
wild salmon in the river. On the other hand, swimming was hazardous
growing due to land uplift. It is made up of long and narrow islets formed
in the river for decades, until the water was purified enough that the
by several riverbeds. Many birdwatchers can be seen at the delta in the
Kirjurinluoto beach was finally reopened in 1994. Pori is one of the rare
spring and in the fall. It is considered one of our land’s best bird habitats.
cities that can boast of a fine sandy beach a walking distance from the
There you can view seasonal winged creatures such as the Bearded
market square.
Reedling, which builds its nest among the rushes, from a bird-watching
In the olden times, logs were floated down the river, and even today,
tower in the delta or by the sea.
boaters may bump into tree trunks broken off by the melting ice.
In the fall, you can also bump into river lamprey pot traps on the river.
Sometimes, however, what looks like a log may turn out to be a slowly
River lamprey is a late-fall delicacy in Pori. The environment has changed
swimming muskrat or European beaver.
substantially since the 1950s. Earlier, you could find big river mussels and
The Kokemäki River – the river of life.
95
photographers Aronen Karipekka................. p. 8, 9, 25, 26, 30, 31, 42, 50, 56, 91 Haouzi Dunia.. ..................... p. 20, 28, 32, 44, 45, 46, 51, 59, 76, 80, 82, 90 Järvenranta Leena................ p. 54 Kantonen Joni..................... p. 18, 34, 38, 47, 48, 52, 66, 74 Kiippa Petri......................... p. 49, 71 Laine Mikael........................ p. 14, 37, 40, 41, 63, 70, cover picture Nordlund Sami..................... p. 89 Savola Anne........................ p. 81, 94 Tontti Reijo......................... p. 6, 12, 49, 60, 71 Vasama Esa-Matti................ p. 19, 23, 24, 36, 43, 57, 64, 65, 67, 68, 69, 72, 86 Virtanen Hanna.................... p. 2, 4, 5, 11, 16, 17, 21, 29, 55, 62, 82, 84, 87, 89, 95 Östervik Tauno.. ................... p. 33, 59, 75, 77, 78, 83, 85 A. Ahlström Kiinteistöt Oy Tiina Rajala...................... p. 92 Oy Hacklin Ltd..................... p. 86 City of Pori.......................... p. 91 Rakastajat Theatre Seppo Aarne.................... p. 58 (in the picture: Jarno Malinen, Joonas Saartamo, Irina Pulkka, Ilkka Heiskanen) Sampo-Rosenlew Oy.. ........... p. 88, 89 Tactic Games Oy.................. p. 72, 73
works of art Pertti Mäkinen, Toriparlamentti 2008, © Kuvasto 2014.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 37 Eila Hiltunen, Polyfonia 1987, © Kuvasto 2014.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 62 Emil Cedercreutz, Satakunnan karhu 1938, © Kuvasto 2014.. . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 66
lively pori One person loves the city’s scattered nature; another cringes at the wretched wind. One enjoys the city’s broad cultural life; another goes for sports. Just like in life, attractiveness depends on who is looking. In this book, the photography enthusiasts of Porin Kameraseura have viewed the city through their observant lenses, offering the reader their unique perspectives on Pori. Amidst the vivid images, Elina Wallin, a Pori dweller herself, has given us her insight into fragments of the city’s history and present day. This book paints a kaleidoscope of a lively city with many faces. Welcome to Pori!