Jean Sibelius and the Monument in Helsinki … and Problems to take a Photograph

 

My last trip also took me to Finland, to Helsinki. And apparently every tourist in Helsinki has to go to the Sibelius Monument. That's not a problem, because first of all I like Sibelius' music and visiting a monument is nice. If it weren't for … this one problem. But first things first!

Johan Julius Christian Sibelius, also known as Janne or Jean, is definitely the most famous Finnish composer. He represents the transition from late romanticism to modernism and lived from 1865 to 1957. Well-known compositions include the Valse triste, op. 44 from 1904, the Violin Concerto in D minor, op. 47 (Allegro moderato, Adagio di molto, Allegro ma non tanto), and the Karelia Suite, op. 11, is also often played. That's how far I know Sibelius, or rather I read it up on Wikipedia [1].

Now to the Sibelius Monument [2]. The monument dates from 1967. It consists of more than 600 hollow steel pipes that have been welded together in a wave pattern. The sculpture is reminiscent of a stylized organ. However, it must be noted that Sibelius hardly ever composed for the organ. That is why Sibilius' face was placed next to the sculpture. The idea for this sculpture won a competition held by the Sibelius Society. The artist has been Eila Hiltunen [3] and she titled her work: Passio Musicae.

Apparently not only does every tourist have to go to the Sibelius Monument, but tourists also have to climb up the monument in droves to photograph the tubes or take selfies. And when there is no bus group there, which only lasts for a few seconds, then these ladies in green dresses, there were two of them taking photos of each other, even though they could hardly climb up onto the pedestal. That was particularly annoying because there was no one else there and I actually didn't want to photograph these ladies at all. And the photo that I took then ... well, I had to solve a three-body problem for that. Fortunately, the monument didn't move, but the woman in the green dress stumbling down [4] and the group of tourists rushing towards the monument did. I managed it, ithere were only two seconds and here's the photo.

The world is crazy. And I'm glad that I, also crazy, live in it.

Addendum:
Now an addendum is necessary, because I have found old books about Finland. In Hubert Kröning's book "Land of a Thousand Lakes“ [5] I found a photo of the Jean Sibelius Monument. The book dates from 1970 and was published in the GDR. But I also see a large crowd of people in front of and on the monument. Interestingly, only women can be seen and yes, one is wearing a green summer dress, too.

Thank you Hubert Kröning for taking us back more than 50 years.

Links and Annotations:
[1] https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Sibelius and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Sibelius
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sibelius_Monument
[3] Eila Vilhelmina Hiltunen (1922–2003) was a Finnish sculptor. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eila_Hiltunen
[4] I prayed that she didn't fall! Of course, I would have helped her.
[5] Hubert Kröning: Land der tausend Seen [Land of a Thousand Lakes]. With 8 color and 48 black and white plates and 1 map. VEB F. A. Brockhaus, Leipzig 1970. Opposite p. 17. (Still sold, but postage is more expensive than the book.)
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