FACTS
Fiskars
The Dutchman Peter Thorwöste founded Fiskars works after he received privileges from queen Kristina in 1649 to manufacture moulded and forged products. Pojo parish soon became a centre for iron production in Finland; in 1640 Antskog works was founded, the works in Billnäs 1641 and then Fiskars in 1649. Not far from there both the Svartå works founded in 1616 and the works founded in 1646 in Fagervik already existed. Despite the fact that the iron ore necessary for the production in Fiskars was transported from Utö in the Stockholm archipelago, it was profitable to establish ironworks in Finland.
Besides untapped water power there were also significant forest areas in the Pojo parish. The forest was important for the making of coal, and this way the crown could also keep more of the forests in Bergslagen. Most of the iron was transported from Fiskars back to the capital Stockholm where it was sold on Järntorget (the iron square) in the old town. But the iron was also used to make nails, thread, knives, pickaxes, iron mounted wheels and moulded goods such as pots and frying pans. During the 1800s the direction of industry in the region was further directed towards forestry and farming. Big re-organisations, owner exchanges and streamlining took place up until the 1970s.
In the 1970s the actual industrial activities were also re-organised and relocated to new buildings in Billnäs. At the same rate as the production moved, also many of the residents moved from the village and many houses stood empty. But all this time the works was still important to the company, as it did after all date back to 1649. Under the device “A living works” an attempt to attract new residents and start new activity was initiated. In April 1996 “Andelslaget” (a co-operative) for craftsmen, designers and artists was founded in Fiskars. By 2008, Andelslaget had around 100 members representing almost every aspect of carpentry, pottery, industrial design and visual artistry.
Fiskars has already established their position as one of the most prominent exhibition places for high class Finnish crafts and art industry: the exhibitions are among the most prestigious annual events in Finland. Every exhibition gets great publicity and draws a large number of visitors – a number that has grown every year. Since the 1990s around a hundred artists, craftsmen, architects etc. from creative occupations have moved their homes and activities to Fiskars. The village has received several awards, among others The Royal Destination Award for Sustainable Tourism 2007.