Although WDC2012 hasn’t begun quite yet I think this should make an interesting introduction to it. If you’re looking for something special for someone special this Christmas you’ll find a wealth of interesting options at any of the Ornamo Christmas Bazaars that will be open in five Finnish towns over the next month.
Ornamo is a collective of Finnish design professionals, working in fashion, textiles, furniture, interiors, craft and textile art, and industrial design. The best designers in Finland, which is much the same as saying some of the best designers in the world – such is the high standard of Finnish design – make up the membership. Ornamo was founded in 1911, which makes it the second longest established organisation in the design sector in the world. The works for sale in the Christmas bazaars will include a variety of unique design, handicraft and art pieces, fashioned from glass, ceramic, metals, wood, and textiles.
These bazaars are worth visiting even if you’re not shopping, simply to see the quality and vision of Finnish design today. Consider them free exhibitions, a sort of preview of what is to come in January when Helsinki becomes World Design Capital 2012!
The Ornamo Christmas Bazaars will be held in the following locations:
Helsinki
3-4 and 10-11 December
The White Hall
Aleksanterinkatu 16-18
Joensuu
10–11 December
Taitokortteli, Koskikatu 1
Open Sat 10-17 and Sun 12-17
Lahti
10–11 December
Muotohuoltamo, Vesijärvenkatu 7
Open 11–19
Rovaniemi
10–18 December
mainoa DESIGN SHOP, Rovakatu 40
Open Mon-Fri 11–18 and Sat-Sun 11-16
Seinäjoki
2–3 December
Amfora, Päivölänkatu 32
Open Fri 2nd from 12 to 18 and Sat 3rd from 10 to 14
