The most notable song artist of his time

The Aappola Home Museum is the artist home of Abraham Ojanperä and a central part of the museum area in Old Liminka. This memorial home of the Liminka-based opera singer and one of the most notable early Finnish song pedagogues, Abraham Ojanperä, gives the visitors a glimpse into the singer’s life. The museum area also comprises the Vilho Lampi Museum and Liminka Local History Museum.

Abraham Ojanperä (1856–1916) was an opera singer and song pedagogue born in Liminka. The singing talent of the orphaned Ojanperä became well known in Liminka, and the local people came together to pay for his studies in the Jyväskylä seminary. From Jyväskylä, this talented singer first moved to Helsinki and then to the Dresden Royal Conservatory. During his studies in Dresden, he also held very successful performances. In 1882, Abraham Ojanperä was tempted back to his home country to be the first singing teacher of the recently founded Helsinki Music Academy (current Sibelius Academy). Ojanperä worked as the academy’s singing teacher for 30 years. He left his post due to a severe illness and returned to Liminka. Abraham Ojanperä died of a cardiac arrest in Liminka in 1916. After his death, his possessions were sold and a stipend fund was founded with the proceedings, as degreed by his will. However, friends of Ojanperä decided to found a museum for Ojanperä.

The speciality of the Aappola building, now a museum, is its well-preserved artistic interior with European influences from early 20th century, filled with colourful wallpapers, carpets, door curtains and furniture. The building itself comprises two parts. The old, lower side was built in late 19th century, while the newer, tower-like structure was built in 1910 and features outdoor terraces pointing at three different directions. Both sides have a log frame and their building methods follow the era’s typical northern Finnish construction style. The new side, however, is quite unique in appearance in Finland.

Visitors can enjoy the colourful decor of Abraham Ojanperä Home Museum during the summer season. You can also take a virtual tour around Aappola by clicking here.