Nylands Nation

Nylands Nation (NN) is one of the 15 student nations at the University of Helsinki, Finland's oldest, Swedish-speaking and established in 1643 at The Royal Academy of Turku. In 1828, the Academy moved to Helsinki taking the name "University" and Nylands Nation moved there along with the other Nations. Since 1904 the house of Nylands Nation, a building designed by Karl Hård af Segerstad, has stood at Kasarmikatu 40.

Nylands Nation
Nationshuset, Nylands Nation's House, Kaserngatan 40
Latin name	Natio Nylandica
Abbreviation	NN
Formation	1643
Inspector	Tom Böhling
Members	~800
Address	Kasarmikatu 40 00130 Helsinki Finland
Website	nylandsnation.com
Student Nations at Helsinki University
Nylands Eteläsuomalainen Savolainen Karjalainen Hämäläis Keskisuomalainen Kymenlaakson Åbo Varsinaissuomalainen Satakuntalainen Wiipurilainen Östra Finlands Etelä-Pohjalainen Vasa Pohjois-Pohjalainen

Founding and Evolution

Nylands Nation was established in 1643 as a nation for students originating from Nyland, in Turku. The Royal Academy in Turku, pioneered the concept of dividing students based on their province, a tradition inspired by universities in Paris and Italy from the 12th century. The concept of nations was designed to create a sense of belonging and identity among students.^[1]

Initially, the nation was known for its inspector, Georgius Alanus, who supervised student conduct and acted as a liaison between the university and students. Over time, the nation became more established and began organizing diverse programs for its members, ranging from cultural evenings to large-scale events.

The House of Nations and Art Collection

The institution's physical presence was realized with the construction of its national house in 1901, designed by architect Karl Hård af Segerstad. The house showcased a "Viking hall" for gatherings and celebrations. The nation boasts an impressive art collection comprising paintings, sculptures, textiles, stained glass, and drawings. The collection also extends to the Viking mythologically inspired interior of the national house.

The institution's archive, housed at the National Library in Helsinki, contains materials spanning 170 years, offering insights into Nylands Nation's history. Unfortunately, archives from the Swedish era were lost in the Turku fire of 1827.^[2]

Legacy and Modern Era

In the wake of Finland's independence, the nation adapted once more, returning to its original name, Nylands Nation. Today, membership in a nation is not mandatory for students at the University of Helsinki, reflecting the evolving nature of student organizations and higher education.

Friendship nations

Nylands nation has close connections with a number of student nations and fraternities at several foreign universities.

Uppsala

• Södermanlands-Nerikes nation
• Värmlands nation
• Västgöta nation

Lund

• Wermlands nation

Linköping

• Wermlands nation

Copenhagen

• Studenterforeningen vid Kobenhavns universitet

Oslo

• Det norske studentersamfund

Stockholm

• Humanistiska föreningen vid Stockholms universitet

Berlin

• VBSt Lysistrata

Marburg

• Marburger Burschenschaft Arminia

Tartu

• Korporatsioon Filiae Patriae
• Korporatsioon Ugala

Inspectors

Nylands nation's inspectors

Georg Alanus 1643-1655 Samuel Hartman 1649-1653 Petrus Bergius 1653-1655, 1655-1665 Abraham Thauvonius 1665-1667 Nils Tunander 1668-1679 Daniel Achrelius 1679-1692 Magnus Steen 1692-1695 Christiern Alander 1695-1701 Lars Tammelin 1701-1717 Johan Thorwöste 1723-1737 Herman Dietrich Spöring 1738-1747 Carolus Mesterton 1748-1773 Andreas Planman 1773-1800 Frans Michael Franzén 1800-1811 Johan Fredrik Wallenius 1811-1826 Hans Henrik Fattenborg 1826-1831 Johan Gabriel Linsén 1832-1840 Alexander Blomqvist 1840-1847 Immanuel Ilmoni 1847-1852 Edvard Jonas Vilhelm af Brunér 1868-1870 Carl Gustaf Estlander 1870-1884 Axel Olof Freudenthal 1884-1886 Rabbe Axel Wrede 1886-1895 Maximus Videkind af Schultén 1895 Rabbe Axel Wrede 1898-1900 Jakob Wilhelm Chydenius 1900-1904 Wilhelm Pipping 1904-1907 Axel Gabriel Wallensköld 1907-1916 Knut Hugo Pipping 1916-1924 Elias Ragnar Furuhjelm 1924-1937 Gunnar Castrén 1937-1945 Hugo E. Pipping 1946-1950 Bo Palmgren 1950-1960 Georg Henrik von Wright 1961 Nils Oker-Blom 1961-1968 Jarl Gallen 1968-1971 Carl Fredrik Meinander 1972-1978 Henrik Wallgren 1978-1984 Johan Järnefelt 1985-1992 Carl G. Gahmberg 1992-2010 Henrik Meinander 2010-2018 Tom Böhling 2018-

Curators

• Fredrik Palmén, 2023-
• Iris Wrede, 2020-2023
• Anna Öhman, 2017-2020
• Ina Scheinin, 2014-2017
• Patrik Westerback, 2011-2014
• Axel Nyman, 2008-2011
• Jan D. Oker-Blom 2005-2008
• Jonas Sundman 2002-2005
• Charlotta af Hällström 1999-2002
• Kati Sandelin 1996-1999