Eduskuntatalo

The Eduskuntatalo (in Finnish), or the Riksdagshuset (in Swedish), is the building in which the Parliament of Finland meets. It is located in the Finnish capital of Helsinki. Image File history File links Parliament_building_Finland. ... Image File history File links Parliament_building_Finland. ... The Eduskunta (in Finnish), or the Riksdag (in Swedish), is the Parliament of Finland. ... Province Southern Finland Region Uusimaa Sub-region Helsinki City manager Jussi Pajunen Official languages Finnish, Swedish Area  - total  - land ranked 342nd 185. ...

History

In 1923 a competition was held to choose a site for a new Parliament House. Arkadianmäki, a hill beside what is now Mannerheimintie, was chosen as the best site. 1923 (MCMXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... Mannerheimintie (Mannerheimvägen in Swedish), named after Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim, is the longest and one of the most famous streets in Helsinki, Finland. ...

The architectural competition which was held in 1924 was won by the firm of Borg–Sirén–Åberg with a proposal called Oratoribus (Latin for "for the speakers"). Johan Sigfrid Sirén (1889–1961), who was mainly responsible for preparing the proposal, was given the task of designing Parliament House. The building was constructed 1926–1931 and was officially inaugurated on March 7, 1931. Ever since then, and especially during the Winter War and Continuation War, it has been the scene of many key moments in the nation's political life. 1924 (MCMXXIV) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Latin was the language originally spoken in the region around Rome called Latium. ... 1889 (MDCCCLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (the link is to a full 1961 calendar). ... 1926 (MCMXXVI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1931 (MCMXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link is to a full 1931 calendar). ... March 7 is the 66th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (67th in Leap years). ... 1931 (MCMXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link is to a full 1931 calendar). ... Combatants Finland Soviet Union Commanders Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim Kliment Voroshilov, later Semyon Timoshenko Strength 180,000 450,000 Casualties 22,830 dead 43,557 wounded c. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Architecture and Features

The Parliament House was designed in the classic style of the 1920s. The exterior is reddish Kalvola granite. The façade is lined by fourteen columns with Corinthian capitals. The 1920s were a decade sometimes referred to as the Jazz Age or the Roaring Twenties, usually applied to America. ... Kalvola is a municipality of Finland. ... Quarrying granite for the Mormon Temple, Utah Territory. ... West façade of the Notre-Dame de Strasbourg Cathedral A facade (or façade) is the exterior of a building – especially the front, but also sometimes the sides and rear. ...

The building has five floors, each of which is unique. The floors are connected by a white marble staircase and famous open lifts. Most important for visitors are the beautiful main lobby, the stately Session Hall and the awe-inspiring Hall of State.

Notable later additions to the building are the library annex completed in 1978 and a separate office block, the needfulness of which was an object of some controversy, completed in 2004. 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (the link is to a full 1978 calendar). ... It has been designated the: International Year of Rice (by the United Nations) International Year to Commemorate the Struggle against Slavery and its Abolition (by UNESCO) 2004 World Health Day topic was Road Safety (by World Health Organization) Year of the Monkey (by the Chinese calendar) See the world in...

First Floor

The first floor contains the main lobby, the Speaker’s reception rooms, the newspaper room, the Information Service, the Documents Office, the messenger centre, the copying room, and the restaurant and separate function rooms. At both ends of the lobby are marble staircases leading up to the fifth floor.

Second Floor

The second or main floor is centred around the Session Hall. Its galleries have seats for the public, the media and diplomats. Also located on this floor are the Hall of State, the Speaker’s Corridor, the Government’s Corridor, the cafeteria and adjacent function rooms.

Third Floor

The third floor includes facilities for the Information Unit and the media and provides direct access to the press gallery overlooking the Session Hall. The Minutes Office and a number of committee rooms are also located here.

Fourth Floor

The fourth floor is reserved for committees. Its largest rooms are the Grand Committee Room and the Finance Committee Room.

Fifth Floor

The fifth floor contains meeting rooms and offices for the parliamentary groups. Additional offices for the parliamentary groups are located on the sixth floor, along with facilities for the media.

Sightseeing

Guided tours are arranged Saturdays 11am and 12pm and Sundays 12pm and 1pm; in July and August also 2pm on weekdays. Tuesdays and Fridays you can watch the Parliament in session from the public balcony.

External Links

• Official Parliament Website
• Information about the Eduskuntatalo on wcities