At the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1900, the real purpose of the Finland pavilion was to show the world that we were a distinct nation that really should no longer be a part of Russia. The pavilion, designed by architects Gesellius, Lindgren and Saarinen and containing paintings by Gallen-Kallela, enthralled the world with our culture, contributing to Finland’s independence. If Finland had exhibited the achievements of agriculture and industry like many other countries, no one would remember the pavilion any more. Finland has wisely concentrated on culture and particularly design in its other legendary pavilions, for example in New York in 1964 and Brussels in 1958.
