Stories from Kellokoski about the interesting life of Konni Zilliacus
A biography of Konni Zilliacusu0026#x27;s eventful life, written by Carl-Magnus Fogelholm, was published in 2025. A presentation of the book Konni Zilliacus ja tie Suomen itsenäisyyteen (Konni Zilliacus and the Road to Finnish Independence) will be held on Thursday, 5 February at 6 p.m. in the Kirnu conference room at Kellokoski School.
The event will begin with coffee served by the Friends of the Kellokoski Ironworks Museum Association, with a voluntary donation to the ironworks museum. Carl-Magnus Fogelholm’s presentation will begin at 6.30 p.m. The book will be available for purchase at a discounted price during the event. The retail price of the book is €42, but it will be available for €30 at the event.
Konni Zilliacus – what an interesting character!
In Central Uusimaa, we remember Konni Zilliacus (1855–1924) primarily as the builder of the Kellokoski estate, who, after this grand construction project, left for America, leaving behind his family, the estate and large debts.
Konni Zilliacus’s activities amid the turbulence of Finnish and world politics read like an international thriller. In 1889, he helped organise Finland’s participation in the Paris World’s Fair in order to raise Finland’s profile and gain sympathy for its separate status alongside the Russian Empire. The beginning of the years of oppression in 1899 prompted Zilliacus to take even more vigorous action.
His work at the newspaper Nya Pressen, and especially at the secretive Fria Ord, was impressive and even dangerous. The same was true of his role as the leading figure in the “Active Resistance Party of Finland,” founded in 1904. The most radical members of the party were even prepared to carry out acts of terrorism.
From 1906 to 1909, Zilliacus led a garden city project in Tapanila. The project was linked to the era’s efforts to improve the housing conditions of the working class. After Finland gained independence, Zilliacus focused on literary work and also wrote a cookbook. It was translated into Finnish by Maija Halonen under the title Sedän keittokirja (Uncle’s Cookbook).
The event is organised by the Tuusula Museum and admission is free.
Venue: Kellokoski School, Kirnu Meeting Room, Koulutie 7, Kellokoski
Further information
Jaana Koskenranta
This content has been translated using AI
Decisions of the municipal board on 3 November 2025
Decisions of the municipal board on 19 May 2025
