Ainola - The Home of Aino and Jean Sibelius, Uusimaa, Finland

5John W 5:00 PM Dec 16, 2012

A pilgrimage
I came here as a callow youth of 18 in 1969, one who had hitch-hiked to Finland simply to come to the country of Sibelius. I had the effrontery to knock on the back door but I wasn't allowed in - a woman (a family member, I like to think) held up a a sign in 4 languages saying the house was private. That has changed and although I visit Finland every year, last July was the first time I have been back. Oh joy! It was wonderful. I still love Sibelius and to see his furniture, scores, TOOTHBRUSH(!!!!), bed and just the house was wonderful. The grounds, oh the grounds, and the simple grave in them which housed firstly the Master and then his wife. How appropriate a place to have composed such music. How tragic that it was where the 8th symphony was burned into ashes to disappear forever. There's a cafe near the entrance and they were playing Lemminkainen and the Maidens from Saari when we went in to have a cup of coffee and a cinnamon bun. It's going to stay with me forever.

4MreMargaretRiver 5:00 PM Jun 20, 2012

Getting to Ainola from Helsinki by train
If you are classical music lover and especially iike Siblelius you will want to visit Ainola while you are in Helsinki. It is worth it and here are some instructions for getting there. You may need these as we found the Helsinki tourist bureau at the railway station was not well informed and did not seem keen to help They did not tell us you can get there by train- probably the easiest way. 1. Look for trains to Riihimaki- two every hour from the main station. Both go through Jarvenpaa. 2. However take only the SLOW train which stops at Kyrola. 3. You can pay on the train so don't worry about getting tickets from the machines- the conductor comes around on the train. 4. Trip is about 45 minutes and "next stop" usually is shown in the carriage. 5. When you alight at Kyrola walk back along the platform towards Helsinki and go UNDER the track. 6. Follow the concrete path which is parallel to the road (there is a sign to Ainola). 7 The path goes through trees and fields and Ainola is just over 1 km - probably the second house on the left. 8. If you want to go on the lake go towards the road and under it. walk through the college campus and you will find the lake. Worth doing. 9. Reverse the procedure to return to Helsinki the times of the trains stopping at Kyrola will be shown on the platform opposite the one at which you alight. You can get there by bus but the train and the walk are very pleasant. Enjoy your visit!