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The eighth Alvar Aalto Week takes place in Alajärvi on 30.8–8.9.2024. The theme of this diverse week of events is “Humanity, harmony and organic life”, its stage the numerous local Aalto sites. The programme includes concerts, exhibitions, workshops and lectures, all surrounded by Aalto’s architecture. Each event offers an experience for those already familiar with Aalto’s work, as well as for those discovering it for the first time.

Alvar Aalto Week includes guided tours of familiar and lesser-known aspects of Alajärvi Aalto Centre and the memorials in Alajärvi Cemetery. Jari and Sirkkaliisa Jetsonen’s exhibition features Aalto’s library landscapes, while Kirsten Kleie’s experimental photography takes an intimate look at the life and work of Aino Aalto. The various themes of Alvar Aalto’s life and working process will be elaborated in expert lectures by speakers including: architect Tapani Mustonen, art historian Teija Isohauta, and Sofia Singler, PhD.

There are joyful sights and activities for children, such as a workshop where budding architects can try their hand at building design. The Week’s programme is accompanied by a musical play and Minna Latvala’s dance piece Aaltoliikkeessä, as well as a wide, varied selection of concerts. To start off Alvar Aalto Week, baritone Waltteri Torikka will interpret some of Oskar Merikanto’s most beautiful songs in Alajärvi Church, along with previously unpublished rarities. Browse the enticing Alvar Aalto Week programme (in Finnish) and pick your calendar favourites here.

Alajärvi offers a unique opportunity to explore the different stages of Alvar Aalto’s life and production spanning 70 years. Alajärvi, in South Ostrobothnia, is where Alvar Aalto spent his childhood summers and was the home region of his youth. Alajärvi’s beautiful scenery is the backdrop to a broad spectrum of Aalto’s production – from his earliest works to the last projects carried out by his architect’s office. There are a total of 11 Aalto sites in and around Alajärvi’s Administrative and Cultural Centre.

Aino Aalto and daughter Hanni in 1920s in front of the Alajärvi Church. Photo © Alvar Aalto Foundation.

Aino Aalto and daughter Hanni in 1920s in front of the Alajärvi Church. Photo © Alvar Aalto Foundation.

Villa Väinölä (1926), Alajärvi. Photo Maija Holma © Alvar Aalto Foundation.

Villa Väinölä (1926), Alajärvi. Photo Maija Holma © Alvar Aalto Foundation.

Alajärvi Town Hall(1966-69). Photo Maija Holma © Alvar Aalto Foundation.

Alajärvi Town Hall(1966-69). Photo Maija Holma © Alvar Aalto Foundation.

Alajärvi Parish Centre (1966-70). Photo Maija Holma © Alvar Aalto Foundation.

Alajärvi Parish Centre (1966-70). Photo Maija Holma © Alvar Aalto Foundation.

 

The design of these sites also bears the signature of both of Aalto’s architect spouses. His first wife, Aino Aalto, designed the family’s summer residence, Villa Flora (1926), set amid the scenery of Alajärvi. Elissa Aalto designed Alajärvi Library and oversaw the completion of the building in 1991, after Alvar Aalto’s death. In honour of the Week, the Alvar Aalto Foundation has produced a volume on Alajärvi for its Alvar Aalto Architect series, which reveals Aalto’s connections to the municipality, while also serving as an excellent travel guide to the city’s Aalto sites.

Alvar Aalto Week is organised by the City of Alajärvi and numerous event organisers and partners.

Alajärvi is Chair of the international Network of Alvar Aalto Cities in 2024. Alvar Aalto Week is held annually in the Network’s chair city. The City of Alajärvi will also host the Alvar Aalto Cities Mayors’ Meeting on 4–5.9.2024.

Further information:
Community Coordinator Tuomas Lahdenperä
Alajärvi City
+358 44 297 0271
tuomas.lahdenpera@alajarvi.fi

Communications Manager Mirkka Vidgrén
Alvar Aalto Foundation
+358 40 168 5142
mirkka.vidgren@alvaraalto.fi

 


Alajärvi library (1982–91) and Town Hall (1967). Photo Maija Holma © Alvar Aalto Foundation.