Vyborg

Mon Repos Park. Granite cliffs and ancient pine trees create a unique landscape. Natalya Lisitsa, a research associate at the park, explains that the name comes from the French «Mon Repos» which means «my rest». Indeed, the atmosphere has a calming effect on the forum participants.

The history of Mon Repos dates back to the 18th century. In 1788, the estate was acquired by Ludwig Heinrich von Nicolay — President of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences. Following a design by the Italian architect Joseph Martinelli, an ideal English landscape park was created. Natural water bodies are complemented by architectural accents: a manor house made of log timber, a column honoring Emperors Paul I and Alexander I, who were important to the owner, sculptures, and antique pavilions. The park's design illustrates the philosophy of harmony between humans and the environment.

Vyborg Tram-Cafe is an old tram car, permanently «parked» in the city center. The cafe attracts with its cozy vintage interior and the aroma of strong coffee. The tram image is a symbol of the city's public transport history.

However, the history of the monument is tragic. The tram car is located in a significant place. It was here, at the intersection of Krepostnaya and Pionerskaya streets, that on September 15, 1920, the worst tram accident in Vyborg’s history occurred.

On the descent from Yekaterininskaya (Krepostnaya) Street, the brakes failed on a train of two tram cars. Uncontrolled, full of passengers, and gaining speed, they rolled downhill. At the intersection where the tracks turned 90 degrees, the cars derailed… The first one overturned and crashed into a cast-iron lamppost.

The second recognizable symbol of Vyborg is the pretzel. The Vyborg variation of the pastry appeared in the city in the 14th century. It is distinguished by the addition of cardamom and is still baked according to the recipe of Franciscan monks. The pretzel became so beloved by the townspeople that Vyborg earned a second name — «The Pretzel City».

Perhaps the most prominent and recognizable symbol of Vyborg is the 16th-century Clock Tower. It serves as a landmark on the city map and has witnessed many historical events: from knightly tournaments to military sieges. The tower is located on the territory of Vyborg Castle. This is one of the largest medieval fortifications in Northern Europe, built in 1293 by the Swedish knight Torkel Knutsson

Forum participants met with Ivan Pershin, the clockkeeper. As an 11th-grade student, driven by curiosity, he climbed the tower and, deeply valuing his hometown's history, independently repaired the tower mechanism. After these events, Ivan was hired as a custodian at the Vyborg United Museum — Reserve. He still maintains the clocks and winds them.

Director of the Central City Library Natalya Rogozina spoke about the history of the unique building, its restoration process, modern cultural projects held at the library, and the institution's role as a center for intellectual and creative exchange.

The famous Finnish architect Alvar Aalto designed the library building in 1933, and it was built two years later. Almost immediately after its opening, the library was talked about beyond Vyborg. An article in the British architectural journal «The Architectural Review» called Aalto's project a masterpiece.

Every element of the library's interior is designed with human perception in mind: the wavy ceiling improves acoustics, ergonomic furniture creates an atmosphere conducive to concentration and inspiration. Perhaps the most unusual detail is the ceiling of the reading room. Instead of conventional windows, there are conical skylights that let in daylight; however, the depth of the light wells is calculated so that only diffused light enters the hall, creating no shadows or glare. Today, his creation is considered one of the finest examples of modernism.

The grand opening of the «Dialogue of Cultures» also took place in the Hermitage, though in St. Petersburg. Its branch, the Hermitage-Vyborg Museum, is located in Vyborg. The gallery is housed in a building that was once an art school, designed by Finnish architect Uno Ulberg. In its early years, famous Finnish artists such as Hugo Simberg, Väinö Kunnas, Jösta Didelm studied and exhibited their early works there.

Later, the school moved to the building across the street (where it remains to this day). And the Vyborg museum was supplemented with works by Finnish artists: drawings, studies, and paintings by Hugo Simberg, Eero Järnefelt, Albert Edelfelt, Akseli Gallen-Kallela, Pekka Halonen. The museum's highlight is the sculpture «Venus and Cupid» by the famous native son Johannes Takanen. The gallery also features works by famous Russian and European masters: Ivan Aivazovsky, Ilya Repin, Konstantin Bogaevsky, Mikhail Erassi, Viktor Svetikhin. Among the most valuable works of European art are lithographs by William Hogarth.