A1 Journal article (refereed)
The Many Faces of Turku : An Essayistic Study of Urban Travel (2020)

Itkonen, M. (2020). The Many Faces of Turku : An Essayistic Study of Urban Travel. European Journal of Language and Literature Studies, 6(2), 89-99. https://doi.org/10.26417/891crv57z

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Itkonen, Matti

Journal or series: European Journal of Language and Literature Studies

ISSN: 2411-9598

eISSN: 2411-4103

Publication year: 2020

Volume: 6

Issue number: 2

Pages range: 89-99

Publisher: European Center for Science Education and Research

Publication country: Belgium

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.26417/891crv57z

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/73592

Additional information: English translation by Glyn Hughes.

Abstract

What does it mean to take a photographic, imaginary, or fictional journey to some destination? How does indirect observation of the object differ from direct observation? What are they like, the immediate and the mediated Turku? Which of them is more real or more authentic? Turku is Finland’s most poetic city. It is also the most European of our cities. As the flâneur saunters along the banks of the River Aura, he traverses several centuries. The murmur of yesteryear is to be heard in the old buildings and in the foliage of the time-honoured trees. Here is the cradle, the first home of Finnish civilization. The philosopher-poet is able to see into the essence of a city: he has the patience to linger and listen to the humming resonance of the ages. The tourist cannot do that. What is needed is a traveller who makes sufficiently profound and discerning observations. It is in his existential looking glass that the many faces of Turku are reflected.

Keywords: towns and cities; urban tourism; urban culture; urban landscape; travel guides (literary works); photographs; lyric poetry; local history (fields of study); cultural history; cultural philosophy; essays

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2020

JUFO rating: 1