Come a few days earlier & experience more in World Design Capital Helsinki 2012

Helsinki is a unique and diverse city, where traditional eastern exotica meet contemporary Scandinavian style. The city’s attractive and unique character comes from its proximity to the sea, which offers an endless number of exciting opportunities. Most sights and attractions are within walking distance of the city centre, and getting around town is easy.

Design is the main attraction in Helsinki this year, and the New York Times has already named Helsinki the second most interesting destination in 2012. Here are some additional recommendations for your trip if you are planning to arrive already few days earlier.

Free Helsinki Card for you

We offer International Regions Benchmarking Consortium conference visitor a Helsinki Card, valid for two days! Card holders are entitled to free, unlimited travel on Helsinki City Transport (HKL) and to free admission to over 60 museums and sights. The card entitles to a free Audio City Tour. Other advantages include restaurants, saunas, and much more. Helsinki Card

What to see

1 Bubbling Under, the Underwater Cultural Heritage at Suomenlinna
In this exhibition the islands underwater cultural heritage can be seen for the first time in fantastic photographs and three-dimensional models. Suomenlinna Maritime Fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ferry ride itself is a fun experience, allowing you to see Helsinki from the sea.
Suomenlinna Sea Fortress

2 Chapel of Silence in Kamppi
The new Kamppi chapel of silence, situated on the busy Narinkka square, offers a space of retreat and encounter daily from early morning until late in the evening. Representing a fine example of innovative timber architecture, the design of the chapel has already been recognised: it was awarded with the Chicago Athenaeum International Architecture Award 2010.

3 The new Helsinki Music Centre
Opened in autumn 2011, Helsinki Music Centre is home to the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Radio Symphony Orchestra and Sibelius Academy. The acoustics by Yasuhisa Toyota have been described as perfect. Visitors can also enjoy exhibitions, a shop and a cafe.
Fri 23.11.2012 Gian Carlo Menotti: The Consul Sonore
Sat 24.11.2012 Gian Carlo Menotti: The Consul Sonore
Sat 24.11.2012 Fresh! Kanteleluokan 25-vuotisjuhlakonsertti Camerata
Sun 25.11.2012 CONCERTO GROSSO - Concert Hall
Sun 25.11.2012 Giuliani ja hänen piirinsä 1810-luvun Wienissä Camerata
Tue 27.11.2012 Student matinee in Camerata hall Camerata
Wed 28.11.2012 HPO Brahms III Concert Hall
Thu 29.11.2012 Matinee in Organo Organo
Thu 29.11.2012 HPO Brahms III Concert Hall
Thu 29.11.2012 Musiikkitalon klubi Restaurant
Fri 30.11.2012 Student matinee in Camerata hall Camerata
Fri 30.11.2012 Eppu Normaali, Concert Hall
Fri 30.11.2012 Sibis Alumni Big band plays Thad Jones featuring Dick Oatts Black Box
Sat 1.12.2012 Antti Puuhaara, musical fairt tale Sonore
Sat 1.12.2012 Samuli Pletonen, debut concert Camerata
Sun 2.12.2012 Antti Puuhaara, musical fairy tale Sonore
Sun 2.12.2012 Paavali Jumppanen, piano Camerata
More information: www.musiikkitalo.fi

4 Decades of Finnish Architecture 1900-1970
Different features, technical solutions, materials and interior design are followed from decade to decade. Museum of Finnish Architecture.

5 Made in Helsinki
Helsinki City Museum’s most extensive exhibition of the World Design Capital year, Made in Helsinki 1700–2012, showcases the roots of Helsinki design all the way to the time when the concept of design was not familiar in Finland. It reveals surprising viewpoints into the world of design items and hints that the history of Finnish design could be told in a different manner. Hakasalmi Villa, Mannerheimintie 13b. Made in Helsinki

6 Delicious food and evening entertainment for all tastes
Helsinki has around 1200 restaurants serving everything from exquisite gourmet meals to family favourites, including also a wide range of ethnic restaurants. Check out also the Abattoir which is Helsinki’s new center for food and design.
Browse restaurants: www.visithelsinki.fi/en/stay-and-enjoy/eat

7 Design District
Helsinki offers an ideal place to get to know Finnish design and to buy top-class Finnish design products. Located in the centre of Helsinki, the Design District Helsinki is an area full of design and antique shops, fashion stores, museums, art galleries, restaurants and showrooms. The Design District comprises nearly 200 members. In the heart of District is the Design Museum, the Museum of Finnish Architecture and Design Forum Finland, a gallery and a shop that presents the latest trends in Finnish Design. Design District

8 Tori Quarter
The Tori Quarter is the new design town inside of Helsinki. This new design quarter encompasses the city blocks with the most character in the very heart of Helsinki. The shops in the Tori Quarter offer design, fashion, crafts and specialty items, and some of the best restaurants and museums in the city are in this area. The Quarters are around the City Hall.

9 Churches
Over 150 years old, Helsinki Cathedral is arguably Finland’s most iconic and photographed building. Temppeliaukio Church, carved out of the granite bedrock and covered by a copper dome, is one of the most popular architectural attractions in Helsinki. Uspenski Cathedral, completed in 1868 in the Katajanokka district of Helsinki, is the largest Orthodox church in Western Europe.

10 Ateneum Art Museum
Ateneum presents the largest collection of art in Finland, including famous Finnish paintings by Albert Edelfelt, Akseli Gallen-Kallela and Helene Schjerfbeck. Ateneum

11 Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma
Kiasma breaks the barriers of traditional art museums with exhibitions that provoke and invite debate. The building itself is a work of art. Kiasma

12 National Museum of Finland
Housed in a magnificent Jugend building, the museum presents the largest permanent exhibition of archaeology in the country and introduces visitors to Finnish life before industrialization. National Museum of Finland

13 Natural History Museum
The History of Life exhibition presents the development of living organisms from the Big Bang to dinosaurs and from giant mammals to the Ice Age. The interactive exhibits invite visitors to discover the astonishing diversity of nature. Natural History Museum

14 Helsinki Zoo – Korkeasaari
Founded in 1889, Korkeasaari is one of the oldest zoos in the world. The zoo presents over 200 animal species from the Arctic tundra to the tropical rainforests. Korkeasaari also participates in the work to protect the habitats in the original homes of the various species. Helsinki Zoo

For more information: www.visithelsinki.fi
Follow the City of Helsinki Tourism blot at: blog.visithelsinki.fi

Other events & exhibitions

until 6.1. Winter Circus Africa, Dance Theatre Hurjaruuth, Cable Factory
The Christmas Lights on Aleksanterinkatu (opening 25.11.)
until 31.12. Designed Technology – Windows on Technology and Design & Water to the city!, Museum of Technology
22.11.-31.12. Children’s City, Sederholm House
until 6.1.2013 Things mended and patched, Museum of Cultures
until 13.1. A Romantic View – The Rademakers Collection, Sinebrychoff Art Museum
until 13.1. Design in Helsinki Films, Helsinki City Museum
until 13.1. Home, Design Museum
until 4.2. Art in Transformation, Art from the Collections of Association of Finnish Fine Arts Foundations, Amos Anderson Art Museum
16.11.-17.2. 52 Souls – Symbolist Landscape, Ateneum Art Museum
until 18.2. Discoveries – Art on Campus, Helsinki University Museum Arppeanum
until 17.3. Collection Exhibition, Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma.