A Cultural Oasis

“Be worried about extreme success,” says Arthur Demarest,world-renowned Maya expert, professor, and archaeologist. What can we learn from the ancient Maya civilization? By studying ancient civilizations and their collapses, Dr.Demarest has identified key symptoms of decline and developed a theory on apogee. In this second episode of a two-part series on the Maya, he takes us on a compelling journey connecting these themes to today’s global situation. His insights are striking—sometimes even prophetic—about crisis management and societal collapse, while also offering possible solutions for today’s challenges.” A must-listen for anyone interested in business, crisismanagement, and learning from the past to navigate the future.

Who were the ancient Maya, what did they achieve, and why did their great civilization eventually collapse? In this episode, world-renowned Maya expert and archaeologist Arthur Demarest shares his deep knowledge of the Maya civilization – and reflects on its relevance to today’s world. He takes us on an adventure through the jungles in search of lost kingdoms, with stories reminiscent of Indiana Jones.The episode connects to the Didrichsen Art Museum through its significant pre-Columbian collection. It is the first in a two-part series on the Maya.

The largest artwork in the Didrichsen Art Museum’s collection is a monumental sculpture by Lorenzo Quinn, commissioned for the museum’s 60th anniversary 2025. In this episode, we go behind the scenes to learn why it was commissioned, how the artist was chosen, and what inspired its design and meaning. Hear directly from Quinn in an intimate interview. The sculpture is now permanently on display in the museum’s sculpture park.

The legendary Lappish painter Reidar Särestöniemi continues to captivate the world with his distinctive art, fascinating personality and extraordinary life journey. In this episode, we take an in-depth look at the man behind the myth – exploring his life, creative process, and the inspiration behind his work. From the northern landscapes of Finland to his unique perspectives on nature, politics, and personal travels, we unravel the many layers of this one-of-a-kind artist. In this episode, we sit down for an exclusive interview with Peter Didrichsen, a close friend of Reidar’s, who shares personal stories and insights that have not been shared with the wider public before.

Have you ever wondered what goes on in the mind of a graffiti artist? How it is to live in anonymity as an artist, and how a graffiti artist regards creativity and the permanence of art that lives on public walls. Join us on an adventure into the imaginary world of EGS who will take you on a journey under the skin of the city. Discover the Republic of EGS and how graffiti art is smuggled into museums. With EGS we also explore topics of the world, maps, borders and travelling. Be prepared for some mental barriers and walls to be dismantled.

Henry Moore, the master of monumental abstract sculpture, is regarded as one of the most important sculptors of the 20th century. In this episode you will hear a special story behind one of Moore’s most unique pieces, The Archer, and how it ended up on permanent display at the Didrichsen Art Museum. The museum holds the largest Henry Moore collection in continental Europe. Several Didrichsen family members were interviewed for this episode to discover how the collection came about and what the relationship between Moore and the Didrichsen’s was.   Language: English

Hear the story of the remarkable career of sculptor Eila Hiltunen and the creation of her magnum opus, the Sibelius Monument. What today is widely considered one of the most popular attractions in Helsinki, by locals as well as tourists, was once opposed to by the public. This episode features behind the scenes anecdotes from Eila Hiltunen’s son Markku Pietinen and stories and insights about the friendship between Eila Hiltunen and the Didrichsen Art Museum founders, as told by Didrichsen family members. Eila Hiltunen’s 100 year jubilee exhibition takes place at the Didrichsen Art Museum from September 2022 to January 2023.  Credits: Photo: Otso Pietinen Music:  Jean Sibelius Finlandia, Op. 26 No. 7 Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra Leif Segerstam, Conductor (p) 1994 Ondine ODE 824-2 (c) Breitkopf & Härtel

Multitalented artist, sculptor and jewellery designer Björn Weckström’s artistic career spans over 7 decades. This episode “To the moon and back” opens up Weckström’s fascinating creative world. He talks about the source of inspiration for his sculptures deriving from ancient mythology connecting it to today’s world in an intriguing way. You’ll also get to find out how his jewellery ended up in a Star Wars movie and why he designed his own furniture. The conversation ranges from topics to the moon and back and everything in between.

To the world Tove Jansson is mostly known as the creator of the famous Moomin characters, but she saw herself first and foremost as a painter. Our newly launched podcast episode "Tove Jansson, more than the creator of Moomin" reveals fascinating, emotional and heartwarming stories from both her diverse professional and personal life. Her niece, Sophia Jansson will take you on a journey from summertime magic in the Finnish archipelago with velvet rock pools and treeless islands to topics touching on Tove's incredible courage to be true to herself at a time when it was not always easy to be a woman in the creative field.

In the first episode – I lived in a museum – Jenny Didrichsen, the granddaughter of museum founders Marie-Louise and Gunnar Didrichsen tells the story of the founding of the museum, the building of its impressive collection, and how a series of unanticipated events led to its creation. In Jenny's own words: The museum is the first home that I remember having lived in and it holds a very special place in my heart. I wanted to share this story in memory of my grandparents and to honour the legacy they left behind.

Ensimmäisessä jaksossa – Kun olin pieni, asuin museossa – Jenny Didrichsen, museon perustajien Marie-Louise ja Gunnar Didrichsenin lapsenlapsi kertoo museon perustamisesta, sen upean taidekokoelman rakentamisesta sekä talon rakentamiseen johtaneista yllättävistä tapahtumista. Jennyn omin sanoin: Museo on ensimmäinen koti jossa muistan asuneeni ja sillä on erityinen paikka sydämessäni. Halusin jakaa tämän tarinan isovanhempieni muistoksi ja kunnioituksen osoituksena heidän jättämäänsä kulttuuriperintöä kohtaan.

I första avsnittet – Jag bode i ett museum – berättar Jenny Didrichsen, brarnbarnet till museigrundarna Marie-Louise och Gunnar Didrichsen historien bakom grundandet av museet, samt hur den imponerande samlingen byggdes upp och hur en serie oväntade händelser ledde till museets tillkomst. Med Jennys egna ord: Museet är det första hem jag minns att jag bott i, och det har en speciell plats i mitt hjärta. Jag ville dela denhär berättelsen till minnet av mina farföräldrar och för att hedra arvet de lämnade efter sig.