New Permanent Exhibition on the Aaltos and Finnish Identity at Finlandia Hall

A brand-new Finlandia Exhibition opened to the public on 4 June 2025 at Finlandia Hall in Helsinki, offering a moving and immersive look into Finnish identity and the life’s work of Alvar, Aino and Elissa Aalto. This long-awaited permanent exhibition explores their legacy – from creativity and career to everyday humanity – and marks a major addition to Helsinki’s cultural scene. For the first time, visitors can now experience the story of the Aaltos and Finland every day, inside one of Aalto’s most iconic buildings. The exhibition is produced by Finlandia Hall.

Part of the new Finlandia Experience concept, the exhibition invites visitors to stay, linger and enjoy. Alongside restaurants, a wine café, a design shop and overnight apartments, the exhibition completes a holistic cultural destination in the heart of Helsinki.

The exhibition unfolds across five immersive spaces:

Visitors begin their journey in “Prelude”, where a new choral arrangement of the Finlandia Hymn by the Sibelius Upper Secondary School Chamber Choir sets the emotional tone. The room offers an auditory and atmospheric entry point to themes of creativity, nature and national identity.

“Power Of Light” explores the Aaltos’ deep understanding of natural light as a source of wellbeing. For them, light was central to the human experience – connecting indoors and outdoors, enhancing recovery, and bringing meaning to space. The room highlights this philosophy through examples such as the Paimio Sanatorium.

“Land of Forests” draws visitors into the soul of Finnish nature. Forests have shaped Finnish culture, identity and design, with wood as both a practical material and a creative force. Here, the forest is seen not just as a landscape, but a state of mind.

“Together” celebrates the power of partnership, collaboration and community – key forces behind the Aaltos’ international success. The room brings to life the idea that creativity flourishes through human connection.

The final space, “MyAalto”, invites visitors to step into their own creative mindset. This hands-on area encourages interaction, inspiration and self-expression – a chance to connect personally with the Aaltos’ world.

The exhibition is the result of collaboration between some of Finland’s top creative professionals. Exhibition architect Taina Väisänen and writer-historian Kirsti Manninen led the design and storytelling, with input from several Aalto experts, including Jukka Savolainen, Director of the Alvar Aalto Foundation’s Museum. The exhibition is produced by Finlandia Hall Ltd.

Opening hours: Daily, during Finlandia Hall opening hours
Location: Finlandia Hall, Mannerheimintie 13 e, 00100 Helsinki
Accessibility: Fully accessible

Tickets:

• Standard: €18 (or €20 at the door)
• Concession and group: €16
• Guided tours (in Finnish or English): €28/person
• Group tours (min. 8 people): €26/person

Tickets for the exhibition and guided tours are available via Tiketti.fi

Learn more about the site: Finlandia Hall

Photos: Kusti Manninen