History of the Library

Library services have been available in Kuhmo since 1880. Planning for the current library building began in the early 1980s, and an open architectural competition for the new library was held in 1984. The winning design, Atalante, was created by the Helsinki-based architectural firm Nurmela-Raimoranta-Tasa. The library building opened on 19 December 1988.

Outside the library is Valon huone (Room of Light), an artwork created by Irma Laukkanen in 1992. Until spring 2026, the front courtyard was also home to Paabelin torni (Tower of Babel) by Kari Cavén, installed in 2019. The artwork was constructed from benches from the auditorium of the former Kontio School, where Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival concerts were held before the Kuhmo Arts Centre was completed. The artwork was damaged in storms in spring 2026 and was subsequently removed. There are currently no plans to reinstall it.

Image: Valon huone (Room of Light)

Image: Paabelin torni (Tower of Babel)

In addition to temporary exhibitions, the library displays several permanent works of art. The library corridors feature Niilo Lyttinen’s 11-metre-long artwork Lentua – A Mythical Story, created on rough wooden planks.

Nature photographs by Antti Leinonen are displayed on the walls of the library’s meeting rooms. In 2016, the Finnish Cultural Foundation donated Kirjan merkit, a woven artwork by Ariadna Donner, to the library. The library also houses a bronze sculpture by Matti Hynynen.