A legendary giant from Finnish folklore will soon appear in Jyväskylä's new city square. Artists Olli-Pekka Tennilä and Joonas Salusjärvi created the design featuring Antero Vipunen, a mythical sage who sleeps beneath the earth. The massive stone artwork will cover the entire square area when construction begins next spring.
Vipunen comes from Finland's national epic, the Kalevala. The character represents Jyväskylä's important role in Finnish culture and education. The art installation will include short texts carved and illuminated throughout the square.
The project called 'Vipunen's Song' was first designed in 2020. Now it finally moves forward with the square's construction starting as planned. The artists had to consider many practical requirements in their design. City infrastructure, logistics, traffic, movement and maintenance all influenced the final artwork.
Why choose a mythological figure for a modern city square? The artists wanted to connect contemporary urban life with cultural roots. This approach creates a distinctive identity for the new public space while honoring local heritage. The timing works well since construction was already scheduled for the coming months.
Finland often blends tradition with modern design in public projects. This installation continues that pattern by bringing ancient stories into daily city life. The substantial delay between design and implementation shows how complex urban development can be.