From April 8, 2024, to May 31, 2024, the Main Library’s countries and cultures section (2nd floor) will host an exhibition titled “Sotiemme veteraanit” (Veterans of our wars). The exhibition will feature literature related to the Winter and Continuation Wars, available for borrowing.
Vaasa City Library also houses the “Myrkkykaappi” or “Poison Cabinet”, containing prohibited books. After World War II, the Allied Control Commission intervened in the content of Finnish library collections. Vaasa’s poison cabinet was kept in the library’s storage until the idea arose to display it as a cultural and library historical collection during the planning of the current building. Vaasa’s cabinet is one of the few collections of banned books that have remained intact to this day.
The Poison Cabinet is located on the 2nd floor of the Main Library, in the Social Sciences and Economics section. The books in the cabinet are not available for borrowing but can be read and studied in the library. Some books have been reprinted, and there are also loan copies in libraries across the country. The list of books in the Poison Cabinet can be found on Vaasa City Library’s website: https://kirjasto.vaasa.fi/en/-/erikoiskokoelmat
On Monday, April 22, 2024, at 14:00 and 16:00, guided tours will be conducted at the Old Cemetery. Departures from the cemetery gate, Vöyrinkatu 2.
Vaasa’s old cemetery was established in 1864 and has also been referred to as Almanniemi, named after the first person who was buried there. The guided tours will share information on Vaasa’s history, its influential societal figures and heroes of war and peace. Participants will also learn about the cemetery’s many monuments and war grave areas.
Tours will be conducted in both Finnish and Swedish and will be an hour long.
Registration by Friday, April 19, 2024, 18:00: https://forms.gle/vBGs4GrooqA5FyGA8
Organiser: Vaasa-Mustasaari oppaat ry Vasa-Korsholm guider rf.
On Tuesday, 23 April at 15:00, a guided tour of the Barracks area.
Departure next to Setterberg’s statue, Kirkkopuistikko 34.
Vaasa’s Barrack square is one of the best-preserved 19th-century wooden barracks areas in Finland. The tour will share information on the area’s history, architecture, and future. The participants walk through Koivupuisto to the beach, where the guide will discuss the Jääkäripatsas (Jäger Statue) and the Finnish Aviation Memorial (the eagle statue).
The tour will be bilingual (Finnish and Swedish) and will last for one hour.
Registration by Monday, April 22, 2024, 18:00: https://forms.gle/mXixs67tj3b4Kp2q6
Organizer: Vaasa-Mustasaari oppaat ry Vasa-Korsholm guider rf.
On Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at 18:00–19:00, there will be a lecture titled “Laitonta, moraalitonta ja lihottavaa: Suhtautuminen paritansseihin ja sota-ajan tanssikielto Suomessa” (Illegal, immoral, and fattening: attitudes towards pair dancing and dance bans in Finland during the war). Location: Main Library, Drama Hall.
Historian and Finnish history professor Marko Tikka will deliver the lecture in Finnish. No registration required.
On Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at 18:00–19:30, there will be a lecture titled “Suomen Vapaudenpatsas ja sen symboliikka” (The Freedom Statue of Finland and Its Symbolism). Location: Opistotalo, Raastuvankatu 31, Auditorium B231.
The lecture will be conducted in Finnish by art teacher Aimo Nyberg and professor emeritus Ilkka Virtanen.
Vaasa is home to several war memorials that are unique in Finland, including the Jääkäripatsas (Jäger Statue) and the Finnish Aviation Memorial (Eagle Statue). However, Vapaudenpatsas (Finland’s Statue of Liberty) is undoubtedly the most impressive among them. During the lecture, the history and symbolism of our Statue of Liberty will be explored.
Registration: https://uusi.opistopalvelut.fi/vasa/fi/course/66306
On Thursday, April 25, 2024, at 15:00, there will be a community singing event titled “Sota-ajan sallittuja yhteislauluja ” (Communal songs allowed during wartime). Location: Rewell Center, Viljon aukio.
The male singer ensemble Vox Luminum will lead the audience in singing war-time songs and perform selected pieces adapted for the choir.
The event will be led by Jari Ojalainen and Katariina Korkman, accompanied by Bo Lund on accordion. The event will be hosted by Ralf Holmlund.
Free entry, no registration required, and all welcome!
On Friday, April 26, 2024, there will be free guided tours of the Vaasa 400 exhibition at the Ostrobothnian Museum at 13:00 in Swedish and 14:00 in Finnish.
The exhibition explores Vaasa’s 400-year history, starting from its founding in 1606 and covering the events and conditions that shaped society, governance, education, livelihoods, and daily life.
Registration: museoinfo@vaasa.fi.
On Saturday April 27, 2024, the Vaasa War Veteran Museum will be open from 10:00 to 12:00 and on April 28, 2024, from 12:00 to 14:00. Located at Kirkkopuistikko 22 A.
The Vaasa War Veteran Museum showcases military history from the Finnish War to the end of the Continuation War. The museum’s collections primarily consist of weapons, medals, uniforms, and military equipment.
If you would like to come have a tour for a group, please contact 050 537 7909.
