On the road towards becoming a Unesco World Heritage Site | Helsinki Congress Paasitorni

Paasitorni’s major extension work is almost complete. The hotel, new conference rooms and restaurant are set to open in spring 2012. During this huge project, Paasitorni has been delighted to receive significant external recognition that the renovation work and the construction of the new facilities are being carried out with respect for the building’s over 100 years of heritage. Alongside eight other buildings important in the history of the labour movement, Paasitorni was presented as a candidate Unesco World Heritage Site in 2010.

Head of the Danish Workers’ Museum Peter Ludvigsen was commissioned by Unesco to survey 58 of the most important sites in 23 countries. Ludvigsen visited Paasitorni and found that it perfectly met Unesco’s criteria for a World Heritage Site in terms of authenticity and historical integrity. The World Heritage Site list contains not a single building or monument telling the history of the labour movement, which is seen as a serious deficiency.

“The building is an important symbol of the history of the labour movement and its degree of originality is high. The building has been well maintained and the museum authorities in Finland have praised the skilfully completed restoration,” Peter Ludvigsen says. “Paasitorni is an excellent example of an actor who has understood its historic importance and takes it into account in their work.”