Lily, Granite sculpture in Runeberg Park, Finland.
Lily is a granite sculpture in Runeberg Park in Turku that depicts a female figure with a lily motif at her feet. The work was carved from red granite and stands as a notable example of figurative sculpture in a public setting.
The artwork was created by Finnish sculptor Wainö Aaltonen between 1924 and 1926. In 1928, the City of Turku acquired it as the first outdoor sculpture it had purchased for public ownership.
The figure references the lily that appears in Turku's coat of arms, connecting it to the city's heritage. Visitors can see this link to local identity directly in the sculpture's form.
The sculpture sits in Runeberg Park near the Aura Bridge and remains accessible throughout the year. Visitors can explore it using the Citynomadi app, which offers additional information about local artworks.
Since 1929, dental students have participated in a May Day Eve tradition of cleaning the sculpture with a giant toothbrush. This playful ritual connects the artwork to the city's academic culture in a humorous way.
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