PUIJO letters on the top of Puijo Hill – the cycle of nature made visible through sculpture

In recent years, old spruce trees destroyed by the bookworm have had to be removed from Puijo’s forests. Some of these old trees were given a new visible life by the carving of the 1.7 m high PUIJO letters. The letters are a reminder of the unique nature of Puijo and also of the potential of the circular economy.

A tribute to Kuopio and local expertise

The letters are a tribute to Puijo’s nature, landscape and wood as a raw material. They tell the story of how the forest continues to live on, symbolically and concretely, even after the trees have been felled. At the same time, the carbon fixed in the wooden structures is bound in the letters for decades.

The letters combine local materials, local craftsmanship and sustainable thinking. The lettering was carved by Tero Aarni on a log course at the Savo Vocational College.

A new filming location for an iconic destination

Throughout its history, Puijo has been a popular place to visit and photograph and one of Kuopio’s iconic landmarks. The letters PUIJO are a new landmark and stopover point for visitors to Puijo.

“It is nostalgic that in celebration of Kuopio’s 250th anniversary, Puijo is getting new unique PUIJO wooden letters in its most central location. The realization is a fantastic, sustainable tourist destination and a new focal point for the lakeside area next to the Puijo Tower”- says Puijo Peak entrepreneur Pekka Niemelä.

The installation of the letters is still ongoing

The letters have already been brought in place, but their installation will continue for the rest of the week. The PUIJO sign will be supported by a concrete foundation, and stones will be brought to the base. The estimated completion date for the installation is Friday 11 July. You can take photos with the letters, but climbing on them is prohibited. The surface treatment of the letters may also stain clothing.