Free lecture series: The classical cityscape of Helsinki in transition – what will happen to the cultural heritage of Engel and Ehrenström?

The classical cityscape of Helsinki in transition – what will happen to the cultural heritage of Engel and Ehrenström?

Helsingin aikuisopisto and Helsinki-Seura are organising a lecture series with free admission.

Time and place

5–19 November 2025, on Wednesdays at 17.00–18.30

Main hall of Helsingin aikuisopisto, Runeberginkatu 22–24, 00100 Helsinki

Lectures

5 November at 17.00–18.30: The Printing House of the Government Palace – do values and authority meet?
(architect Marianne Lehtimäki, Chair of ICOMOS Finland)
In 2021–2022, the protection of the Government Palace was changed to protection under the Act on the Protection of the Built Heritage, and the Printing House building in the middle of the block, which is significant in terms of cultural and architectural history, was left out of the protection decision. On 28 October 2025, the Supreme Administrative Court decided to refuse leave to appeal against this protection decision concerning the Printing House. The lecture analyses the demolition project led by the Prime Minister’s Office and Senate Properties and the efforts to oppose it. Why did the authority of the parties and the cultural and historical values of the site not meet?

12 November at 17.00–18.30: Lapinlahti Psychiatric Hospital – meanings and values
(architect Mikko Lindqvist, Cultural Environment Team of Helsinki City Museum)
Mikko Lindqvist talks about the architectural history of Lapinlahti Psychiatric Hospital, designed by Carl Ludvig Engel, and about how beliefs and knowledge of mental illness influenced the design of the hospital in the early 19th century. The hospital building is one of Engel’s major works, it is very well preserved and it is an early example of its building type, even internationally. When planning the repairs and uses of Lapinlahti Hospital, knowledge of the original meanings and values of the site is an important starting point.

19 November at 17.00–18.30: The historical identity of Helsinki – a shared resource lost?
(architect, Academician of Arts Mona Schalin)
Helsinki gained the characteristics that have survived to our time in the first half of the 19th century, when the new centre of the new capital was designed and built in a unified way, based on the principles of Empire-era architecture and urban planning. Now the city wants growth and property owners want returns – is the legacy of Engel and Ehrenström crumbling piece by piece? In 2025, President of the Republic Alexander Stubb conferred the title of Academician of Arts on architect Mona Schalin. The common thread in the work of the architect, who received the Finlandia Prize for Architecture (2019) for the renovation of Käärmetalo, has been the repair and restoration of modern architecture.

More information

You do not need to register for the lecture series.

The lectures are in Finnish. Read more about the lectures on the Helsinki-Seura website.

Helsinki-Seura publications are on sale at affordable prices at the lectures.

While you are here, explore the Leo Mechelin exhibition, which is on display in our lower lobby until mid-November.

Helsinki-Seura spreads knowledge about Helsinki and cherishes the urban culture of Helsinki mainly through visits, lectures, discussion events and publications. Founded in 1934, the society is interested in the city’s past as well as present and future development issues.

Helsingin aikuisopisto is one of the largest private adult education centres in Finland and a centre for learning and wellbeing open to everyone. Founded in 1961, Helsingin aikuisopisto is an adult education centre covered by the Act on Liberal Adult Education and offers more than 1,000 courses every year.