Kuopio Nature Friends Association 130th Anniversary Tour: “Heirs of the Three Owls”

130 years ago, on December 16, the founding meeting of the Nature Friends Association was held at Kuopio Seurahuone. The association added “Kuopio” to its name in 1921 and has been known as the Kuopio Nature Friends Association (KLYY) ever since. KLYY is one of Finland’s oldest natural science associations and one of the founding societies of Kuopio Museum.

On the anniversary tour “Heirs of the Three Owls,” visitors explore Kuopio Museum’s The Age of Man and Changing Nature exhibitions, guided by KLYY’s history. The tour reveals, among other things, who numbered among KLYY’s founding members and other active members, which other organisations occupied the museum in its early years, and why the snowy owl, Ural owl and great grey owl are inseparably connected with KLYY’s activities.

The tour is included in the museum admission price: €15 / €10; free for under-18s. Museum Card and Kaikukortti are accepted. The tour lasts approximately 45 minutes.

KLYY’s story has also been recorded in a celebratory illustrated book. The anniversary book “Heirs of the Three Owls” is available for purchase from the Kuopio Museum shop.

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Image information: The Nature Friends Association founded Kuopio Museum’s natural science collections. The image shows the museum building commissioned by the city shortly after its completion in 1907. At the front right corner of the plot stood a small wooden Greek Orthodox church. Victor Barsokevitsch, Kuopio Cultural History Museum. Colourised image.