Naming Helena Tynell and Nanny Still streets to the vitality board

15.8.2025 Press releases Living in Riihimäki Participate and influence Zoning The streets Glass city Participation

A collage of two black and white images. One shows a glassblower at work and a woman watching his work next to him. The other shows a woman showing off a beautiful glass vase in her hands. — In the picture on the left is Helena Tynell next to glassblower Valto Terhomaa. In the picture on the right is Nanny Still. Photo: Erkki Vaalle / Finnish Glass Museum Archives.

The City of Riihimäki's Vitality Committee will discuss the proposal to change Mattilantie to Helena Tynellin katu and the first part of Etelän Viertotie to Nanny Stillin katu at its meeting on Thursday, August 21, 2025. The proposed name changes are part of the City of Riihimäki's goal to strengthen the visibility of the glass city theme. The Vitality Committee will refrain from deciding on the decision of the office holder.

An announcement and press release were published on the matter in April 2025. The intention was to decide on the name changes after consulting with city residents in May and to organize an announcement event at the Finnish Glass Biennale in June.

Feedback from city residents for and against

City residents had the opportunity to express their opinions on the name changes during April 2025. The city sent a letter on April 4 to those properties whose address books would be affected by the street name change. All city residents were asked by notice to send their opinions to the city registry office by April 28 at the latest. Opinions submitted to the registry office will be processed as official feedback. The matter sparked a lot of discussion on the city's social media channels.

The decision to change the street names was postponed over the summer holidays, as the issue aroused strong opinions for and against among the city's residents. The decision would not have had time to become legally binding before the planned announcement during the Finnish Glass Biennale week.

The planning department decided to seek a review of the decision from the vitality committee due to mixed feedback from city residents. In Riihimäki, the planning manager decides on changing the name by official decision.

The combination of Mattilantie and Etelän Viertotie is a significant entrance route to the city. The lynx emblem of the former Riihimäen lasi Oy is also located along the route. The paw of the lynx emblem indicates the access to the Finnish Glass Museum.

Helena Tynell and Nanny Still were among the most significant designers at Riihimäen Lasi Oy. Their interaction with the glass factory has helped create a glass city in Riihimäki.

The history of glass is already visible in the names of the streets, although not on the main roads.

The history of glass is currently reflected in the names of the streets in Riihimäki, especially in the area of the old glass factory of Riihimäen lasi Oy and in the Kumela district. The Kumela district is named after the Kumela glass factory located in the area. The area of the old glass factory of Riihimäen lasi Oy includes Ilveskatu, Kolehmaisenkatu, Maikinpolku and Aimo Okkolinin puisto. In Kumela, on the other hand, you can find Hyttitie, Hyttimestarinkatu, Upokkaantie, Pillikatu and Puhaltajankatu.

The glass theme is currently not visible on the city's main thoroughfares.

The city's naming committee discussed name changes in the spring and is recommending them.