Jean Sibelius - Helsinki, Finland
Posted by: 
neoc1
N 60° 10.910 E 024° 54.795
35V E 384258 N 6673490
The Sibelius Monument honors the composer with an abstract sculpture and a bust Jean Sibelius. It is located in Sibelius Park, north and west of the city center in Helsinki.
Waymark Code: WMGHGD
Location: Finland
Date Posted: 03/08/2013
Views: 54
The Sibelius Monument is a major landmark of Helsinki and a must-see attraction for visitors to the city. It was constructed to honor the national composer of Finland, Jean Sibelius (1865-1957), whose musical composition Finlandia inspired the nationalism that led to the formation of the modern Finland state.
In addition to Finlandia, Sibelius composed seven symphonies, the Karelia Suite, Valse triste, the Violin Concerto in D minor, The Swan of Tuonela, over 100 songs, music for 13 plays, the opera Jungfrun i Tornet (The Maiden in the Tower), and pieces of chamber, piano and choral music.
The Sibelius monument was funded by public subscription organized by the Sibelius Society. Eila Hiltunen's design was selected from among 50 entries. The artist produced an abstract design featuring a grouping of pipes resembling organ pipes produced by assistant metalworker Emil Kukkonen. Architect Juhani Kivikoski, set the piece on a rocky outcrop in a park setting on September 7, 1967.
The original abstract design for the monument did not meet with public approval. There was a clamoring for a more traditional tribute. As a result, a sculpture of the head of Jean Sibelius was added to a rock outcropping to the right of the original monument.
Name of Musician: Jean Sibelius
|
Visit Instructions:
Your log must include a picture of you with the statue.