World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 on display in St Petersburg

Helsinki is presenting itself as the World Design Capital at Helsinki Days in St Petersburg from 5 to 15 October 2011. This ten-day festival culminates in a weekend family event in the courtyard of Suomi-talo (Finland House).   

Co-operation between Helsinki and St Petersburg has traditionally involved the organisation of Helsinki and St Petersburg Days including culture and seminars given by experts. The two cities have taken it in turns to host the event. Suomi-talo in the centre of St Petersburg is a centre for Finnish culture, science and business, as well as being a hub of interaction between Finland and Russia. It also houses the Finnish Institute in St Petersburg, the Finnish School in St Petersburg and the Helsinki Centre.

This year, Helsinki Days has brought Finnish fairy tales to the children’s libraries of St Petersburg, the Griboedov Club will host Finnish artists and Helsinki as the World Design Capital 2012 will be showcased in exhibitions, among other things. The Woodism group will design and make furniture and other useful objects outside Insinööritalo (engineer house) from wood from trees felled in the courtyard and parks. Furniture designed by children from Finland and St Petersburg and the stories behind it can be experienced at the Design From & For Kids exhibition, and those who want to be involved in creating the look of the World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 can take part in a special workshop.

The weekend event at the Suomi-talo will include music, workshops and a marketplace atmosphere. Visitors standing under umbrellas hanging from a tree will be able to listen to unsent love letters being recited. A two-clown circus performance packed with surprises will delight the whole family, and while listening to the music of the Kaartin Seitsikko (Guard Septet), you can make your own unique recycled jewellery at the Uusix workshops. You can also send your own video greetings from the event while sitting on a heated park bench provided by our partner, Fortum.