Page 3 - Muistojen_reitti_inEnglish

Memory trail The Board of Recreational Services of Rovaniemi organised an open environmental
art competition in spring 2010. The competition sought a piece or series of pieces that
would unite the cultural attractions of Rovaniemi to form a cultural trail. The winning
entry was entitled Muistojen reitti (memory trail) and submitted by Liisa Karintaus
and Tiia Lepistö.

The memory trail leads those going on foot or by bicycle to the historical sites of the
city in addition to the cultural attractions of Rovaniemi. The trail that goes through the
administrative and cultural centre, Korundi House of Culture, Arktikum, riverside, Ou-
naskoski bridge and church has 18 oval-shaped metal plates attached to lamp posts
and walls of buildings. The plates show photographs of Rovaniemi taken between the
1910s and 1960s. The old photographs were taken at the same site where they are now
placed along the trail.

The early 20th century was a significant time for Rovaniemi. With the railway con-
structed, Rovaniemi grew and developed from a group of countryside villages to an
active market town. It became a centre for commerce and transport, and later on also
for administration. Buildings represented the Empire style, Revivalism, Jugendstil,
1930s Classicism and a few stone houses even represented Functionalism. Then came
the Second World War at the end of which Rovaniemi quickly went up in flames and
turned into a smoky sea of ruins. 93% of all buildings were destroyed. The visible lay-
ers of history were wiped away from the cityscape.

The past is still, however, present and impacts the city that Rovaniemi is today. With
the memory trail, the artists want to reinforce the experience that people walking the
streets of Rovaniemi have of the city, by drawing attention to the history that is no
longer visible partly because of the destruction of the war.

City of Rovaniemi
Board of Recreational Services

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