”Yes – the vision of the artist Gunnar Finne – very fine, interpetation and symbolism. The other statue of me in the park by the Design museum is also quite fine, it was created in my likeness by Ville Vallgren. Very fine. I, Zacharias Topelius, am a man of two statues. And why is that? I was an author, journalist, historian and rector of the University of Helsinki. I was born in 1818 and my talents were recognized already at an early age. I lived to the age of 80. One can achieve a lot in 80 years, if one is diligent – as I was. I graduated from school at the age of 16, and was a poet by 17, I became editor in chief of Helsingfors tidningar newspaper. I wrote poetry, songs and stories that were later compiled in books…”