The Democratic Way 8: House of the Estates

Summary

The House of the Estates in Finland, designed by Carl Gustaf Nyström and completed in 1891, served as a meeting place for the lower Estates. With the introduction of a unicameral parliament in 1907, it transitioned to committee meetings and later housed the Federation of Finnish Learned Societies. Since 1978, it has been managed by the Prime Minister's Office and now functions as reception rooms and a meeting place for the Council of State. It has been pivotal in the ratification of the Finnish flag code, the Constitution Act of 1919, and the 1945-1946 war crimes tribunal, and continues to host government negotiations and annual budget discussions.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ The House of the Estates is located across from the Bank of Finland and was designed by Carl Gustaf Nicander.
• 🗝️ Completed in 1891, it served as a meeting place for the lower Estates due to the overcrowding in the House of Nobility.
• 👑 The pediment features a bronze relief by Ermeli Viitaniemi depicting Emperor Alexander I ratifying Finnish laws from the Swedish rule era.
• 🗝️ A replica of Walter Runeberg's statue symbolizing the law is found inside, with the original located in Senate Square.
• 🏛️ After 1907, with the introduction of a unicameral parliament, the House of the Estates was no longer the primary meeting place for MPs but continued for committee meetings.
• 📚 It later housed the Federation of Learned Societies before being managed by the Prime Minister's Office in 1978.
• 🤝 Currently, it serves as reception rooms and a meeting place for the Council of State.
• 🏳️ It has been the site for significant events, including the ratification of the Finnish flag code and the preparation of the Constitution Act of 1919.
• 🕊️ The House of the Estates was also the venue for the war crimes tribunal in the winter of 1945-1946.
• 📈 Today, it is used for government negotiations and annual budget discussions in its many meeting rooms.
• 🏙️ The building has a rich history and continues to play a vital role in Finnish governance and legislative processes.

Q & A

Where is the House of the Estates located?

The House of the Estates is situated across the street from the Bank of Finland.

Who designed the House of the Estates?

The House of the Estates was designed by Carl Gustaf Nicander.

In what year was the House of the Estates completed?

The House of the Estates was completed in 1891.

What was the original purpose of the House of the Estates?

The House of the Estates was originally intended as a meeting place for the lower Estates, as the House of Nobility had become too cramped.

What is depicted on the pediment of the building?

The pediment features a bronze relief by Ermeli Viitaniemi, depicting Emperor Alexander the First ratifying Finnish laws and rights from the time of Swedish rule.

What is the significance of the statue by Walter Runeberg?

Walter Runeberg's statue portrays the law and a replica is located inside the House of the Estates, with the original on the pedestal of the Alexander II statue in Senate Square.

How did the use of the House of the Estates change after the introduction of the unicameral parliament in 1907?

After the introduction of the unicameral parliament, the House of the Estates could no longer meet the needs of the 200 MPs, but it continued to be used for committee meetings.

Which organization managed the House of the Estates before it came under the management of the Prime Minister's office in 1978?

Before being managed by the Prime Minister's office, the House of the Estates housed the Federation of Finnish Learned Societies for a number of years.

What is the current use of the House of the Estates?

Currently, the House of the Estates is used as reception rooms and as a place for the Council of State to meet.

What historical events took place in the House of the Estates?

The House of the Estates has been the locale for the ratification of the Finnish flag code, the preparation of the Constitution Act of 1919, and the war crimes tribunal held in the winter of 1945-1946.

What types of meetings are held in the House of the Estates today?

Today, government negotiations and the annual budget negotiations are held in its numerous meeting rooms.