Archive materials on Literature and Cultural History

Our collections include manuscripts and sketches, diaries, letters, responses to surveys, newspaper clippings, documents describing personal lives and community activities, pictures and sound recordings. We are constantly acquiring new material.

The literature and cultural history collections consist of private archives donated by writers, cultural figures, researchers, self-taught writers, and literary societies. In addition to accumulating our collection through donations, we also add surveys, interviews and documentation of literary events. Moreover, the documents associated with the founding of SKS are a part of the literature and cultural history collection.

The materials gathered since the founding of SKS in 1831 shed light on Finnish literary and cultural life in many ways. The earliest texts are from the fourteenth century, but the bulk of the material dates from the nineteenth century to the present day.

The materials in the literature and cultural history collections serve as a significant source for research on literature, art and many other fields of study.

Learn more about the main catalog of the Literature and Cultural History Collection. There, you will find basic information about the archival fonds.

The text materials of the Literature and Cultural History Collection include various manuscript materials, including manuscripts and drafts of works, speeches and presentations, letters, diaries, and newspaper clippings. Most of the materials are paper based.

Biografical materials include documents related to and depicting peoples’ lives, such as resumes, study and work certificates, tributes, publishing contracts, and financial documents.

Materials on professional activity have been accumulated from individuals’ professional work, expert and confidential activities, and hobbies. Documents on the activities of associations include minutes of meetings, plans and descriptions of activities, correspondence, and membership lists.

Correspondence includes letters, emails, and other significant messages received or owned by individuals, relatives, and associations. See the list for the letter collections.

The newspaper clippings and other print production included in the Literature and Cultural History Collection depict the activities of individuals, families, and associations or were written by the persons themselves. A separate list is available for the listed newspaper clipping collections.

The collection includes photographs related to events involving Finnish writers and cultural influencers, literary societies, and associations, as well as the activities of the Finnish Literature Society. The photographs in each material dataset, such as those in the personal archive, form a separate image collection.

The photograph collection was created to chronicle the creators’ lives and activities.

The oldest photographs are from the middle of the 19th century, while the newest were taken recently. The photograph collection reflects technical and other developments in photography and include negatives, slides, film prints, and image files.

The literature and cultural history sound recording collection includes over 600 interviews with writers and other cultural actors as well as recordings of seminars and events.

The collection includes approximately 7000 hours of sound recordings. Interviews with writers have been actively conducted since the 1970s as part of various research and collection projects. In recent years, the SKS has interviewed modern writers, including those writing in languages other than Finland’s official languages, as well as copy editors.

Information on materials for writers and other actors is available on Finna, in online catalogs, and in the card indexes and catalogs in our reading room. You can find basic information about the materials in the Finna service and online catalogs. Detailed information on the materials is available in the catalogs in the reading room. Please note that not all information is available online; you should also ask the Archives’ customer services for materials.

Photo: Tea Åvall, SKS.