Aleksis Kivi Memorial, Bronze statue in Railway Square, Helsinki, Finland.
Aleksis Kivi Memorial is a bronze statue in Railway Square showing the writer seated in a chair, with detailed reliefs decorating the chair's surface. These reliefs depict scenes drawn from his literary works and are visible to anyone passing nearby.
The memorial was unveiled in 1939 following a design competition that Finnish sculptor Wäinö Aaltonen won. This major commission reflected the importance of commemorating one of Finland's most significant literary figures.
The inscriptions carved on the chair's back present two stanzas from Kivi's poem Ikävyys, linking his written words directly to the sculpture. Visitors passing by can read these verses and gain an immediate connection to his literary output.
The memorial stands in front of the Finnish National Theatre and offers clear views from various angles. The location is easy to navigate and accessible by wheelchair-friendly pathways.
The chair's reliefs illustrate scenes from three specific literary works that Kivi wrote, translated into visual form for viewers to discover. This detailed connection between words and images makes the memorial a particularly thoughtful artistic achievement.
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