This bronze statue of Zachris Topelius (1818-1898) has the author sitting on a bench and surrounded…read moreby a group of cheerful children who appear eager to learn from the storyteller. Topelius was one of the earliest Finnish novelists. The theme of his stories was the long-standing power struggle of nobility and peasants which promoted the freedom of society. As well, he was a journalist, writing a lot about women and children. [Review 10090 overall, 1676 of 2018.]

A naked girl with a spear, this is art! Actually, the bronze sculpture is quite well formed and the…read morewoman throwing the spear means business. Tellervo is the daughter of Tapio, who is the god of the forest and the protector of cattle in Finnish mythology. She's been here since 1929 and she still looks great! [Review 10096 overall, 1682 of 2018.]

Elias Lönnrot (1802-1884) was the professor of Finnish language and literature at the University of…read moreHelsinki in 1853-1862 and played a key role in developing Finnish, improving its status in the 19th century. The memorial is by Emil Wikström and was unveiled in 1902. It depicts Lönnrot on one of his folklore-collecting journeys. On Lönnrot's left is Väinämönen, the symbol of `Kalevala's' epic and magic verses, rising from the head of Vipunen, represented in bas-relief. On the right is Impi, symbolising the lyric poems and songs of 'Kalevala' and 'Kanteletar'. The front of the pedestal contains Lönnrot's name and the text: "Sain sanat salasta ilmi, Kalevala" (The words I laid open, Kalevala). [Review 10073 overall, 1658 of 2018.]

Juho Kusti Paasikivi (1870-1956) was elected president of Finland in 1946 after serving as the…read morecountry's second Prime Minister and as Chairman of the Senate of Finland. He was the seventh President and served until his passing in 1956. According to articles, he is remembered as a main architect of Finland's foreign policy after the Second World War. I found the monument just outside the Kampin metroasema in the large plaza. The monument comprises two black granite stones and a pedestal in which Paasikivi's famous utterance "Acknowledging the truth is the beginning of wisdom" ("Tosiasioiden tunnustaminen on viisauden alku") has been inscribed. The sculpture's height is 5.5 metres and it weighs 40,000 kilos. "East and West" derives its aesthetic force from the massive stones which have been polished and shaped to give an appearance of lightness. [Review 10056 overall, 1641 of 2018.]

This statue along the esplanade is to Johan Ludvig Runeberg, the Finnish national poet (1804-1877)…read more Runeberg is depicted wearing a priest's coat. His right arm is resting on his chest with the thumb underneath the coat as if he is about to begin a speech. He was the author of the lyrics to Vårt land (Our Land) that became the Finnish National Anthem. He was also involved in the modernization of the Finnish Lutheran hymnal. It is worth noting that the granite pedestal has a statue of the Maiden of Finland, wrapped in a bearskin and in her left hand is holding a tabled with the words of the Finnish national anthem in Swedish. In her right hand, a laurel wreath. [Review 10071 overall, 1656 of 2018.]