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Volunteering

Volunteering Opportunities at Säynätsalo Town Hall, Finland

Would you like to volunteer at an iconic building and help to showcase it to the world?

Introduction to Säynatsalo Town Hall

Säynätsalo is a small forested island on the northern shore of Päijänne in central Finland. It is the idyllic site of one of the icons of 20th-century architecture, Säynätsalo Town Hall, designed by Finnish architect Alvar Aalto and completed in 1952. It is one of the masterpieces of modernism and is listed as a national monument of Finland. It is also on the UNESCO Tentative List for World Heritage status, along with 12 other Aalto buildings. When the Town Hall ceased to function as an administrative centre for the area, it was saved from decline and disuse by the City of Jyväskylä and the Tavolo Bianco Company (https://tavolobianco.com/).

Volunteering Opportunities

Tavolo Bianco is offering volunteer opportunities at the site of Säynatsalo Town Hall. This would suit anyone interested in and knowledgeable about modern architecture, Finnish architecture and design, and architects Alvar Aalto, Aino Aalto, and Elissa Aalto.

  • You can come for a minimum of two weeks and up to two months with free accommodation provided nearby.

  • You will pay for your return transport, food and living expenses, and health insurance.

  • You contribute your energy, knowledge, and expertise by giving guided tours and helping to manage the site.

  • You gain knowledge of world-class architecture in a picturesque setting within easy distance of city facilities in Jyväskylä.

  • You gain experience of how such a site is developed and managed for a sustainable future.

  • The site gains from your inputs and ideas, which feed into making it more inclusive and accessible.

  • You will receive a certificate of your volunteering.

Requirements

  • Spoken and written English

  • Other languages are a benefit

  • Finnish is not required

  • Good presentation and guiding skills

  • Accept the values of our company (https://tavolobianco.com/)

How to Apply

  • Step 1; Apply by email to info@tavolobianco.com with why you want to volunteer, what you can offer through your volunteering, and the dates on which you are available to come to Finland.

  • Step 2: On-line interview with Mr Harri Taskinen, Director of Tavolo Bianco

  • Step 3: Confirmation of dates.

Volunteer Tasks

  • The volunteering period is flexible; it can happen at any time throughout the year for various durations. The high season is from May to September.

  • While the Town Hall is open daily from 11 am to 5 pm, you will have flexibility regarding the number of days you volunteer, thus giving you time for your research in the Aalto archives and beyond and visiting the local area.

  • Daily tasks could include guided tours, ticket sales, staffing the shop, cleaning, and opening and closing the Town Hall with your own set of keys.

  • You will have free access to a bicycle.

Living Expenses and Costs

While it is difficult to give exact costs for living expenses and other costs because everyone is different, we provide some guidelines below:

  • Public transport costs: Buses in the Jyväskylä region are operated by Linkki https://linkki.jyvaskyla.fi/, and you can use a contactless card to pay on the bus. In 2023, for zones A and B covering Säynätsalo, Muuratsalo, Muurame, and Jyväskylä, for example, a single ticket is €2.95, and the daily cap is €8.85. A monthly ticket for two zones for students and seniors is €48.

  • Food and eating out: Weekly food costs could be from €50/week upwards. A fast food meal would be around €9, a basic meal at an affordable restaurant around €12, and a coffee around €3.

Find Out More

Legal Aspects

https://www.tyosuojelu.fi/web/en/safety-and-health-in-workplace/volunteering