HÄMEENKYRÖ BOROUGH - NEXT TO THE CITY OF NOKIA

Pictures from Hämeenkyrö

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL OF FINNISH LANDSCAPES AT THEIR BEST

The borough of Hämeenkyrö is more than 700 hundred years old with a population of just over 10 000, neighbouring the city of Tampere (in the district of Tampere within the province of Pirkanmaa with population of nearly 500 000) and the city of Nokia. The positive development of Hämeenkyrö is a part of the strong growth and success of Tampere. The Finnish author Frans Emil Sillanpää (1888 - 1964) from Hämeenkyrö received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1939. Sillanpää described extremely well the beautiful nature in Hämeenkyrö and how people lived at the beginning of the 20th century. Blue lakes, green and hilly fields together with thick forests create a varied and rich environment that has become one of the most valuable landscapes in Finland. 

INFORMATION ABOUT HÄMEENKYRÖ – FACTS AND NUMBERS

The total area of Hämeenkyrö is more than 500 km2, which includes land area of 466 km2. There are 10 000 hectares of fields, which means one hectare per inhabitant. The forest area is approximately 32 000 hectares (about 3.2 ha per inhabitant). The population of Hämeenkyrö is growing annually by approximately one hundred people. Eighteen (18) percent of the inhabitants in Hämeenkyrö are under 15 years old, with the same percentage accounting for the over 65 years old. The borough council, the highest municipal authority, is responsible for providing political leadership and a comprehensive range of services. A goal has been set aiming that the population in Hämeenkyrö should grow 1 - 2 % every year. There are approximately 6 500 inhabitants in the centre of Hämeenkyrö, and approximately 100 new houses (mostly bungalows for private dwelling) are built each year. Below you can see the distribution between different sectors, in which people are working:
- service sector over 50%,
- industry 40% together with
- agriculture and forestry about 10%.

Politically a clear majority of the inhabitants in Hämeenkyrö have a centre-right background and Finnish is the mother tongue of the majority.

TO BE AN ENTREPRENEUR IN HÄMEENKYRÖ

The borough of Hämeenkyrö is the biggest employer with over 600 employees. The borough takes care of the welfare of those in Hämeenkyrö: child care, education, health service and public medical service and welfare services for the disabled. There are also more and more companies and associations that provide further health care and social services. In Hämeenkyrö there is large manufacturing of base paper for wallpapers by M-Real and there is also sawn timber by Metsäliitto, for the European and Asian market. Kyrel Oy (Ltd) produces electronics and Mattilan Säiliö Oy (Ltd) is an important producer of tanks and vessels in Finland. Construction company Pekka Kynnös Oy (Ltd) builds flats and houses in Hämeenkyrö. The herb garden of Frantsila is famous for its varied herb products. In addition to these, there are a further 600 plus companies, that either produce or offer a service in the area. The approximate 12 000 people who travel the European Route 3 daily through Hämeenkyrö, are welcome to visit all the companies within.

WHAT IS WORTH SEEING IN HÄMEENKYRÖ

Hämeenkyrö and its scenery are worth seeing in themselves, but we have also other interests, that one should experience. Many of the Finnish artists immortalised the freely streaming rapids Kyröskoski, often identified as Hämeen Hälläpyörä in the Finnish national tale Kalevala. The rapids Kyröskoski is the base of the industrial history of Hämeenkyrö, and its hydro-electric power is still used in energy production.

The Finnish author Frans Emil Sillanpää was awarded the Nobel prize for literature. Myllykolu is the name of his modest place of birth. The first steps of his artistic path and the creation of his first production take place in Töllinmäki. Now both Myllykolu and Töllinmäki are museums.

The newest church in Hämeenkyrö, which is over 225 years old, has an old grain stock house opposite. People “borrowed” seed corn from the stock during the hard, difficult years of famine, in order just to stay alive. Now the building is both impressive local arts crafts and peasant museum.

There is either a commemorative plaque or a monument to the following people:
-the honourable Nobel writer F. E. Sillanpää,
- minister and military commander Arvo Pentti (awarded the Mannerheim cross, a medal of distinction),
- Malakias Costiander, the teacher of the Finnish national author Aleksis Kivi,
- the strong Olympic winner in decathlon Paavo Yrjölä,
- the national artist and performer Irwin Goodman along with
- the versatile political figure and writer Arvo-Poika Tuominen.
Lastly the little, frail and fragile maid Silja, has a statue of her own.

Welcome to Hämeenkyrö!

The coat of arms of the borough of Hämeenkyrö and its explanation

G. von Numers 1954.

In the golden field of the coat of arms of Hämeenkyrö there is a red-blue drinking horn. Foot and mounting are of silver. Mouth to the right. Above the horn there is a blue-coloured area, where the lower edge has a form of flames. In the blue-coloured part you can see a golden star with six points.

The drinking horn refers to the history of Hämeenkyrö. The star and the formulated strip in the upper part of the coat of arms refer to ancient hunting.