The way for contacts between Potsdam and Jyväskylä was paved in 1985. The central Finnish metropolis - founded in 1837 - has dubbed itself a "city of humane technology" and enjoys a high quality of life. Today, Jyväskylä has 81,240 inhabitants and spreads over an area of 137 square kilometers.
The Finns consider the academic spirit to be a part of Jyväskylä. The first Finnish-language schools in the country opened in Jyväskylä in the middle of the 19th century. Today, 15,000 students are studying at Jyväskylä University. The technical college has more than 7,300 students. Both institutions are among the most popular universities/technical colleges in Finland.
The architect Alvar Aalto is considered to be one of the most important sons of the city. Traces of his work can be found not only in the museum in Jyväskylä which bears his name, but in the city itself, since it is characterized by a number of striking buildings which were designed by Alvar Aalto.
Jyväskylä is a city of sports and has an excellent sports infrastructure, which lets the enthusiast engage in sport throughout the year. Jyväskylä was the cradle of one of Finland's most successful ski jumpers, Matti Nykänen.
The inhabitants of Jyväskylä earn their living in the service industries sector, in the manufacture of machines for the metal, wood processing, paper, and paper-processing industries, and to an increasing extent, in high-tech companies. The city has 6,000 companies providing a total of 62,000 jobs.
The city is known for its important cultural and sports events. The Jyväskylä Summer is the oldest continually staged cultural event in the country. The Neste Ralley Finland held here is regarded as one of the most important racing events in Finland. Everyday life in Jyväskylä is enriched by theater performances, choir and orchestra concerts, exhibits, and readings, as well as by sports for every season. This diversity of offerings, and the appealing situation of the city along the banks of one of the most beautiful of the thousand Finnish lakes, make Jyväskylä an attractive destination for holidays.
If you want to know more about the city of Jyväskylä, please visit its website at: www.jyvaskyla.fi.
The Potsdam - Jyväskylä sister-cities friendship group has been looking after the arrangements of contacts to the Finnish sister city for many years. Mrs. Eva Gretsch is the contact person, and she can be reached by telephone at: +49 (0)331 - 270 15 45. The Espengrund grammar school and the Potsdam University also maintain close contacts to Jyväskylä.
