The Union Axis dissects the centre of Helsinki, stretching from Kopernikuksentie on Observatory Hill, via Unioninkatu across Pitkäsilta Bridge to Siltasaarenkatu and to Kallio Church beyond.

During the anniversary year, we will celebrate Unioninkatu’s diversity and its significance for the city and the country as a whole.

In spring 2012, Helsinki University’s Faculty of Arts will be running a Studia Humianora lecture series, with lectures taking place on 19 January, 1 March and 19 April. These free public events explore the political, artistic and linguistic significance of Unioninkatu as well as its more ordinary and everyday aspects.

The Unioninkatu anniversary year will also be reflected across our curriculum and during the academic year 2011-2012 the faculty’s departments will be organising lectures, seminars and methodology courses on related topics.

In autumn 2012, the Finnish Museum of Architecture, in collaboration with the City of Helsinki Cultural Office, are launching a commemorative publication on Unioninkatu, authored by academics at Helsinki University and aimed at the general public.

Also forming part of the celebrations is a virtual Union Axis, produced by Helsinki’s Swedish language Arcada University of Applied Sciences. The virtual street is designed to offer information, stories and historical images of this unique street in the heart of the city, which can be accessed using mobile devices.

For further information, please visit: www.helsinki.fi/hum/yvv/unioninkatu

University of Helsinki

Videos of the Studia Humaniora lecture series