Our brand new Central Library Oodi in the city centre of Helsinki is as a whole a fantastic piece of architecture by Ala-Architects, more photos here. Its spiral staircase or double helix stair is awesome! There are of course elevators and escalators, but it is really worth while to walk these stairs at least once up or down. And read the fun white texts on the black walls. The texts list hundreds of different groups of people for whom the library is meant:
... those in a hurry dreamers distressed enslaved hopeful pretenders brave ones displaced misled ministers tall persons allergic grandmas nerds readers lonely foreigners elderly families uncles nihilists others disappointed fairies voiceless babies underdogs talkatives superheroes princes illusionists hunter-collectors migrants aunts rebels sensitive ones ...
In addition to all fun things of course there are books - it is a library:
"Oodi has a collection of 100,000 books, magazines, newspapers, sheet music, films and games.
Oodi’s collection includes books in 17 different languages and material aimed at children,
young people and adults alike. Oodi is one of the Helsinki region’s Helmet libraries,
which provide customers with access to nearly 3.5 million individual works.”
Oodi has right away gained the status of the most popular meeting place in the city.
Something is happening nearly every day and all this is free to the public.
On Thursday I attended the announcing of Dancing Bear poetry candidates
and listened them reciting their poems.
Here they are, the young talented poets! From left Tuukka Pietarinen, Miira Luhtavaara,
Jere Vartiainen, Stina Saari, Silene Lehto & Nelli Ruotsalainen.
What a nice post, Riitta!
VastaaPoistaGood luck to all the young poets...
Thank you Luisella! I find Oodi's staircase so hilarious & fun.
PoistaThe library has a very interesting design and the staircase is so unique.
VastaaPoistaWe have a long tradition of great architects - I'm proud of them.
Poista...indeed a dramatic meeting place.
VastaaPoistaIt is Tom and so, so popular! When the library opened appr. 5000 books were borrowed _a day!_
PoistaThat is AMAZING!
VastaaPoistaIt is Sandy!
PoistaDearest ritta K; Wow, what a GORGEOUS library with AWESOME double helix stair♬ At first, I had no knowledge about "helix" V(^^;)V I AM sure you enjoyed hearing their recite of their poems. Happy for your new wonderful library.
VastaaPoistaLots of Love and Hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*
Hi Miyako,
VastaaPoista'Helix' was a new word for me too, but the architectural company uses it. I would say spiral... Happy weekend.
Muy linda la biblioteca y lo que contiene. Besitos.
VastaaPoistaRiitta - how wonderful that a library is one of the most popular meeting places in town! This is what community should be about. Maybe if we had more of this around the world, there would be more understanding and more peace. Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday with some much-needed inspiration!
VastaaPoistaWow, that is quite unusual! I love how it encourages you to use the stairs. It's wonderful to hear that the library has programs going on all the time. Many libraries are quietly closing down or, at least, downsizing.
VastaaPoistaHello, love the staircase. The poem recital is a wonderful event. Lovely photos. Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy new week!
VastaaPoistaThat is just amazing! If I was to visit this city, it's the first place I would want to go! WOW!
VastaaPoistaI'm tired just LOOKING at those steps - it looks like it would be an arduous climb!
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