Havis Amanda statue by Market Square, Helsinki 10.06.2005

Foto: Monika Kahle

Havis Amanda is one of Vallgren's Parisian Art Nouveau works. It is cast in bronze and the fountain it resides in is made of granite. She is a mermaid who stands on seaweed as she rises from the water, with four fish spouting water at her feet and surrounded by four sea lions. She is depicted leaning backwards as if to say goodbye to her element. Vallgren's intention was to symbolize the rebirth of Helsinki. The height of the statue is 194 centimetres and with the pedestal it stands 5 metres tall. According to Vallgren's letters the model for the statue was a then 19-year-old Parisian lady, Marcelle Delquini.

Every year on Vappu, Manta serves as a centrepiece for the celebrations. Students of the local universities put a cap on the statue on an elaborate ceremony. For many it is a "must see" event.

Vappu 2006 in Esplanadi park in Helsinki, newspaperpicture

More under: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Havis_Amanda

by Kolmen sepän patsas, Helsinki 10.06.2005

Foto: Ilpo Bister

Kaivopuisto, Helsinki 19.06.2005 Pilgrim of everyday life statue

Foto: Ilpo Bister

By Sakari Topelius statue, Helsinki 12.06.2005 Foto: Ilpo Bister

ZACHARIAS (SAKARI) TOPELIUS

1818 - 1898

Topelius oli monipuolinen kirjailija ja lehtimies, yliopiston opettaja ja rehtori, osallistuva kulttuuripersoona, joka vaikutti merkittävästi suomalaisten käsityksiin itsestään ja maastaan. Hänen kirjoittamistaan saduista, lukemistoista ja historiallisista romaaneistaan on tullut kansallista omaisuutta.

Topelius was a versatile writer and a newspaperman,a teacher and later a rector of the Helsinki University, a participating culture person who had a great influence on the ideas of the Finns and our country. His writings, fairytales, plays, poems and historical novels became national property.

http://www.helsinki.fi/kasv/nokol/topelius.html

 by Urho Kekkonen statue, Helsinki 18.06.2005  Foto: Ilpo Bister

Cathedral and Csar Alexander II statue at Senate Square

Senaatintori (Senatsplatz)
Der Senaatintori (Senatsplatz) ist das offizielle Zentrum von Helsinki. Er wurde vom deutschen Architekten Carl Ludwig Engel entworfen, nachdem die finnische Hauptstadt 1812 wegen der größeren Nähe zu St. Petersburg von Turku nach Helsinki verlegt wurde. In Turku hegt man noch heute einen Groll dagegen. Das Design der 1894 angefertigten Statue von Zar Alexander II. auf dem Senatsplatz weist deutlich russische Einflüsse auf.