Celebration of the 125th anniversary of Alvar Aalto’s birth continues with the ceremonial opening of the shelter for Nemo propheta in patria, a boat designed by Alvar Aalto, on 17.5. in Jyväskylä Harbour.

The opening programme begins at 2pm on 17.5. at Satamankärki, Jyväskylä, with a speech by the Mayor of Jyväskylä Timo Koivisto. The event also includes a message from the Alvar Aalto Foundation and speeches by City Architect Leila Strömberg and Visit Jyväskylä Region’s Tourism Director Susanne Rasmus. The occasion ends with live music. Entry to the event is free.

A unique boat gets a prominent place in Jyväskylä Harbour
Aalto’s unique boat now occupies a high-profile site beside the water in Jyväskylä Harbour, which has been rapidly upgraded in recent years. The motorboat, designed by Alvar Aalto for himself in the 1950s, will be accompanied by a small-scale exhibition by the Alvar Aalto Museum. A new, free-entry, outdoor Aalto site, the boat is expected to be a small bonus popular with tourists visiting Jyväskylä’s numerous Aalto sites.

Aalto designed the boat for himself, to be used at his Säynätsalo summer home, the Muuratsalo Experimental House (1952–54). The architect threw himself enthusiastically into the task, the result being a wooden boat about 10 metres long and 2.5 meters wide. It was built in Säynätsalo in 1954–55 by local boatwright Lauri Kosola and carpenter Väinö Jokinen, and named Nemo propheta in patria (No one is a prophet in his own land).

Alvar and Elissa Aalto used the boat to spend summers at their experimental house on the island of Päijänne in the 1950s to 1970s. It is now part of the Alvar Aalto Foundation’s design collection, and has had its exterior surfaces and fixtures restored, and the original parts conserved.

“The conditions constructed for storing the boat are intended to ensure the preservation of this cultural-historically important vessel for posterity. The new location will make the boat more widely visible to the public,” says Tommi Lindh, CEO of the Alvar Aalto Foundation.

The boat shelter was devised by Sweco, with SAFA architect Tapani Tommila its main designer and VRJ Keski-Suomi in charge of the construction work. WSP designed the terrace around the boat shelter, and the rest of Satamankärki.

The Port of Jyväskylä is becoming a joy for residents and tourists
In recent years, the the Jyväskylä Harbour has been developed in line with the city’s goals into an enjoyable place to be for city residents and visitors. The area offers facilities for relaxing, exercising and celebrating diverse events.

Sauna-Restaurant Sataman Viilu was completed in summer 2022 and the shelter for Aalto’s boat in spring 2023. Finishing touches will continue to be added to Satamankärki, which is near Kuokkala bridge, in the coming years, with the new port due for completion in summer 2025.

Opening of Aalto2 Museum Centre a highpoint of Alvar Aalto 125 anniversary year
Celebration of the Alvar Aalto anniversary year will continue in Jyväskylä’s Ruusupuisto Park with the opening of the new Aalto2 Museum Centre on 27.5. The Centre combines Alvar Aalto’s architecture and design with the cultural heritage of Central Finland. Aalto2’s wide range of exhibitions, events and services fulfils Alvar Aalto’s desire for a joint forum for the various arts.

The Museum Centre consists of two buildings designed by Alvar Aalto, the Alvar Aalto Museum (1971–73, 2023) and the Museum of Central Finland (1956–61, 1991, 2019), as well as a new section connecting the two (2023). The Museum Centre’s joint exhibition programme opens with Human Traces – World Heritage, which presents the diversity of our built and cultural heritage. The Centre is showing the Alvar Aalto Museum’s new permanent AALTO – Work and Life and the Museum of Central Finland’s main exhibition Exploring Central Finland. After the thrill of the opening, besides exhibitions, there will be events for different target groups. The Museum Centre’s premises will also house a renovated museum shop and restaurant.

Further information:
Nemo propheta in patria boat
Aalto2 Museum Centre

On the boat and Aalto2 Museum Centre:
Alvar Aalto Foundation
Senior Chief Curator Katariina Pakoma
+358 400 849 315
katariina.pakoma@alvaraalto.fi

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

On the boat shelter and the construction of the harbour area:
City of Jyväskylä
Project Manager Ora Nuutinen
+358 40 195 5534
ora.nuutinen @jyvaskyla.fi

Kuva: Alvar Aalto ohjaa venettään Muuratsalon rannassa 1950-luvulla. Valokuva Pellervo Oksala, Alvar Aalto -säätiö.