juha lemström (1 Ergebnisse)

Soft Cover. Zustand: Near Fine. Text in English and Finnish. 223 pp. Some edge wear and rubbing to the covers. The House of Estates, the imposing edifice built for the Finnish Diet and thus the first parliament building in Finland, has once again assumed a variety of uses. The Finnish Government, ministries and government agencies use it for meetings and international congresses. Almost daily, the Finns see glimpses of it on the television news, as the backcloth to Government announcements or proposals by parliamentary committees. Learned societies hold lectures in it according to a long-standing tradition. Guided tours for Finns and foreigners alike should also be made a regular feature of the House. This book is intended primarily for those who use the House of Estates or who are otherwise interested in its history and architecture. Finland's presidency of the European Union in 1999 makes the publication of this book particularly timely, for many of the events during the presidency will be held at the House of Estates. Helsinki is also one of the cultural capitals of Europe in the year 2000, and the House of Estates will be one of the venues. What part has the House played in the history of Finland, and what is its role today? These questions are answered in the article by Jorma Selovuori, a historian. What are the ideals incorporated in the House of Estates architecture, so dignified and unique? The House is one of the best-known works by Gustaf Nyström, an architect still young at the time it was built. Some regard it as slightly dry. On the other hand it is also an example of the most progressive building techniques of its day. Above all it is one of the best-preserved examples in Northern Europe of the passion for ornamentation, polychromy and illusion of late 19th century architecture. The rich visual programme and decorations are important elements of the world embodied in the House of Estates. Here, for the first time, is a broad account of this programme founded on recent research by Professor Eeva Maija Viljo. How has the House of Estates been preserved, and how, as magnificent as ever, has it been prepared for the new assignments that lie in store? The repairs, alterations and renovation completed in the building in the early 1990s were more or less unprecedented in Finland in their scope and thoroughness and have aroused the interest of the international community. The House of Estates also invites questions among both the restoration experts and other people who visit it: how has it all been done?