Jaakko Äikäs’ sculptures in the new Äijänpuisto park in Ruokolahti

In the autumn of 2026, a new park area, Äijänpuisto, was completed in Ruokolahti, South Karelia. At the heart of the park are ten copper sculptures by sculptor Jaakko Äikäs from Ruokolahti, which the municipality of Ruokolahti has acquired as part of the public environment.

Jaakko Äikäs (1932–2002) was an electrician and maker of copper sculptures. He made art as a hobby alongside his work and became a significant guardian of the local cultural heritage. Many of Äikäs’ sculptures depict everyday people, work and different moments in life. The works are often life-size.

Äikäs’ artistic career began in the 1960s with a course of copper repoussé and chasing. During his lifetime, he created about twenty large copper sculptures as well as a large number of smaller works and utensils.  Although Äikäs did not consider himself an artist and did not have his own solo exhibitions, his works have been exhibited in Finland, Sweden and Germany.

The new park area will be located along Rasilantie in connection with the event square and the harbour area, as part of the developing heart of the municipal centre. The park will be built into a meeting place open to all, combining art, events, recreation and the surroundings of Lake Saimaa.  

The park offers a spacious setting for experiencing art at your own pace and on accessible routes. The area is well suited for families, hikers and tourists interested in culture.

Photos: Jaana Hyrkkänen, Municipality of Ruokolahti

Pictures of the sculptures before being transferred to the park

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