Akateeminen Bookstore’s flagship store, Kirjatalo, celebrated its 50th anniversary on October 13, 2019. The building, designed by Alvar Aalto, was erected on the corner of Keskuskatu and Pohjois-Esplanadi, and it hosted the grand opening of the new Akateeminen store on October 13, 1969.

The opening ceremony was a true cultural event: flags waved along Esplanadi Boulevard, and tar barrels blazed as Minister of Education Johannes Virolainen inaugurated the store.

Nearly a thousand guests attended the festivities. The guest of honor was Sylvi Kekkonen, the long-time customer of Akateeminen, spouse of the President, and an author. She was received by Eino Suolahti, the director of the bookstore, who also guided the staff through the solemnities. The staff members also enjoyed a glass of champagne during the opening ceremony.

Among the opening offers at Akateeminen were, for example, Mikael Agricola’s works I-III (110 marks), Tove Jansson’s “Muminpappas bravader” (4 marks), “Century of the Impressionists” (30 marks), and “Suomen Kansan arvoituskirja” (11 marks).