High-Flying Finns

The High-Flying Finns photographic special exhibition portrays Finnish ski jumping history from the 1920s to the 1990s. The exhibition presents the history of ski jumping and provides an opportunity to experience the excitement of competition from climbing up the hill to standing on the podium. Over the course of decades, ski jumping has evolved from a pastime for young daredevils to a professional sport. Ski jumping has always been associated with strong emotions, joy, comradeship, admiration and excitement. 

How was the ski jumper defined? The ski jumper was a creation of the modern world – even comparable to rock and film stars in Finland in the 1950s and ‘60s. Ski jumping was about spectacle and theatre – not hard work and sweat like cross-country skiing. The sport required elegance and skill. Ski jumping required absolute concentration to be able to stand the pressure of spectators and competition. The exhibition also portrays some of the prizes of the Olympic gold medallist Veikko Kankkonen and the legendary Eino Kirjonen.