ALVAR AND GÖSTA – Two greats who were inspired by the Finnish forest What significance does art, architecture and design have for Finland and its people? What is the relationship between art, architecture and design and the forest industry, the traditional lifeline of the Finnish economy? How close to nature is it possible for Finnish architecture and design to get? The Alvar and Gösta tour offers a unique insight into the Finnish way of living in close relationship with nature. The tour offers unforgettable experiences for fans of culture and those who would like to learn more about the Finnish way of life in the midst of the most beautiful Finnish Lakeland landscapes, where lakes, rivers and forests are ever present. DAY 1 10:00 Arrive in Mänttä, The Tale of the Finnish Forest tour The town of Mänttä stands on a beautiful strip of land between two lakes. 10:00 The history of the forest industry in Finland and the art of paper making We will arrive at the the Serlachius Museum Gustaf, a magnificent building and a former head office built in the 1930s after an architectural competition that Alvar Aalto in fact lost. Nowadays this building offers an abundance of experiences. We will time warp back to the year 1951, breathing in the hierarchical atmosphere of the head office. A stern recruiter will give us her personal welcome and test whether we are suitable for a position in the forest company! We will also have an opportunity to make paper ourselves and get acquainted with the “Paper Devil”, G. A. Serlachius, who was a pioneer of the Finnish paper industry, notorious for his erratic business sense. His life and business affairs are shown in the eloquent exhibition that contains eight dramatised scenes. 12:00 Lunch at Art Museum Gösta Next, we will visit the former manor house of Gösta Serlachius and the new pavilion next door, where lunch will be served from the menu created by leading Finnish chefs. All food is made from the best seasonal Finnish ingredients. 13:00 National art treasures and wood architecture at Art Museum Gösta Art Museum Gösta is known for having one of the best collections from the Golden Age of Finnish art. Many of the artists from this period, 1880–1910, were strongly inspired by Finnish nature. We will also explore the new building, the large pavilion, an award-winning specimen of contemporary wood construction. 14:30 Coffee break at a peasant log cabin or Gösta’s ski cabin, which today serves as a wine bar. We will enjoy a cup of coffee or other beverages in an Autereen tupa, a traditional Finnish log-built house that used to be the residence of the estate manager, before we head to Jyväskylä, the Capital of Alvar Aalto Architecture. 17:00 Arrive in Jyväskylä, the capital of Alvar Aalto architecture Jyväskylä is a bold and vibrant city in the middle of the most beautiful part of the Finnish Lakeland. The city is known as the Capital of Alvar Aalto Architecture as it boasts more buildings designed by the master than any other city in the world. Accommodation at Hotel Verso | Dinner DAY 2 Breakfast 10:00 Aalto Andante walking tour Who was architect Alvar Aalto? What is the legacy of his design and architecture for the Finnish mental landscape? What did the landscape of Central Finland with is lakes and forests mean to Alvar Aalto? The tour takes us through the milestones of Alvar Aalto’s life and career, from a schoolboy to the iconic master of his art. We will hear interesting and fascinating stories about his life and his personal character, his professional highs and lows, and his sources of inspiration – and we will also learn about some of his unrealised projects. Duration 3 hrs. Workers’ Club, Defence Corps Building, the Administrative and Cultural Centre and University Campus. The tour ends at Alvar Aalto Museum where the permanent exhibition tells the story of Finland’s best-known architect and designer Alvar Aalto through his life and extensive, rich career. Gösta, photo: Olli Huttunen