News / Exhibition features a history of the Kela maternity package
01.06.2012
Hurrah for a Good Start! is the name of an upcoming exhibition at the Virka Gallery, located in City Hall. It features the story of the so-called "maternity pack" - a big box bursting with clothes and other necessary items that is distributed free to all families with newborn children - from the 1930s to the present day. June 29th-September 2nd, 2012.
The box that young gentleman is sitting on is instantly recognizable to Finns. It is - or used to be - the box that everyone's baby starter pack came in. The box itself doubles as a first bed, complete with mattress and blankies, for families who don't yet have a crib.
This year, the box will look a bit different, thanks to a competition coordinated by Finnish social services institution Kela, and Aalto University. Every year, the contents of the package are also redesigned.
From June 29th to September 2nd, the story of the maternity package is on display at Virka Gallery, inside Helsinki City Hall, just opposite the Kauppatori. There will also be a workshop, where participants can decorate cloth diapers with their own memories, or memories of their kids. Exact dates for the workshop will be announced later on the Virka site.
Admission to the exhibition is free.
More about Maternity Pack competition in Aalto University.
