Jean Sibelius – internationally renowned Finnish composer

One of the best-known names in Finnish music is the composer, Johan Julius Christian (Jean) Sibelius, the 50th anniversary of whose death is being commemorated in 2007.

Sibelius' Home, Ainola

The influence of Jean Sibelius’ music on the birth of Finnish nationalism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries was significant. He was, at that time, and still is today Finland’s internationally best-known composer of classical music.

Tourists visiting Finland can find out about Jean Sibelius and his life in many different ways. At Hämeenlinna, about 100 km from Helsinki is his birthplace, in which furniture, documents and photographs from Sibelius’ childhood are on display. At Järvenpää, on the shores of Lake Tuusula, about 25 km from Helsinki, Sibelius lived from 1904 until his death in 1957, in a log summer house called ‘Ainola’, designed by Finnish architect, Lars Sonck. It was here that he composed most of his symphonies and other works.

The spirit of Sibelius’ time can also be experienced at such places as the Kappeli Restaurant or Hotel Kämp in Helsinki where Sibelius and his friends whiled away many an evening.

Sibelius’ music can be heard at various concerts and events held all over the country during the summer. The anniversary year itself is being crowned by the Sibelius Festival in Lahti (6th – 9th September 2007), the aim of whose programme ‘Sibelius – 50 Years On’ is to gather together all lovers of Sibelius’ music and offer them a weekend they will never forget.

For further information on Sibelius-related events, sights and tours, please click on the headings on the left-hand side.

	Composer Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) Johan Julius Christian Sibelius was born on 8th December 1865 in Hämeenlinna, about 100 km north of Helsinki. ’Janne’ was the middle child of three, all of whom were music enthusiasts. Nevertheless, Janne was the only one of them, who made music his life’s work. Read more