{"id":3556,"date":"2023-08-29T11:06:17","date_gmt":"2023-08-29T08:06:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fabrik.fi\/vr-grouppaarautatieasemaeliel-150\/"},"modified":"2026-07-02T14:27:27","modified_gmt":"2026-07-02T11:27:27","slug":"vr-grouppaarautatieasemaeliel-150","status":"publish","type":"project","link":"https:\/\/fabrik.fi\/en\/vr-grouppaarautatieasemaeliel-150\/","title":{"rendered":"VR GroupCentral StationEliel 150"},"content":{"rendered":"
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To celebrate the 150th anniversary of Eliel Saarinen\u2019s birth, Fabrik organized a unique event for VR Group at Helsinki Central Station. For the first time in the station\u2019s history, the bells in the clock tower rang out to a composition created specifically for this occasion by composer Tuomas Skopa. The event drew a crowd of over a thousand people and received widespread national media coverage, reinforcing the station\u2019s significance as a Finnish landmark. <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

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Starting Point<\/h2>\n<\/div>
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Sunday, August 20, 2023, marked the 150th anniversary of the birth of architect Eliel Saarinen, who designed the Central Railway Station. We wanted to honor this special occasion in a unique way together with the city\u2019s residents. But how?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Solution<\/h2>\n<\/div>
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The Central Railway Station is a landmark familiar to all Finns, and its tower houses Finland\u2019s most-watched clocks. Throughout its entire existence, however, the clock tower has been missing one feature: its bells have never rung. Now, if ever, it was high time to celebrate Saarinen\u2019s birthday by giving the clocks a voice. <\/p>\n<\/div>

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The task of creating the soundscape for the Central Railway Station was entrusted to Tuomas Skopa of Artlab Studio, who has been hailed as a melodic genius. As a source of inspiration, he was given the same works by Sibelius and Merikanto that, according to accounts, Saarinen listened to while designing the station. <\/p>\n<\/div>

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The sound of the bells was broadcast live by MTV Uutiset, Yle, IS, IL, and HS, among others <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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“This unforgettable event exceeded all our expectations. By doing something thrilling, we managed to create both a historic phenomenon worthy of the station and massive national visibility. Both of these are things that money can\u2019t buy. \n“<\/p>

\n Jani J\u00e4\u00e4skel\u00e4inen, <\/span>VR Group <\/h5>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Results<\/h2>\n<\/div>
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The straightforward design and production attracted an audience of millions. The chimes of the main train station\u2019s clocks were featured in national news broadcasts and countless articles\u2014not to mention social media posts and people\u2019s coffee-table conversations. These are signs that tell us we\u2019ve succeeded in our goal of making the news by doing something extraordinary. <\/p>\n<\/div>

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The event was covered a week in advance by, among others, Iltalehti, Iltasanomat, Helsingin Sanomat, YLE, and MTV. At the moment of truth, the event was followed not only by a crowd of a thousand people but also by numerous cameras: the ringing of the bells was broadcast live by MTV Uutiset, Yle, IS, IL, and HS, among others. In interviews, the celebratory moment was framed as part of the Central Railway Station\u2019s long-term strategy, and information was shared about the future development of this architectural gem that beats at the heart of the city. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Media mentions ofin online media, websites, and digital editions of newspapers<\/h5><\/div>\n 82 kpl<\/span>\n
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People on site atwitnessing the event\u2014more than<\/h5><\/div>\n 1 000<\/span>\n
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‘s Media Budget<\/h5><\/div>\n 0 \u20ac<\/span>\n
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