The FIG Congress is fast approaching

Helsinki (FIN) / Moutier (SUI) FIG Office, March 24, 2008: FIG President Prof. Bruno Grandi, FIG Secretary General André Gueisbuhler and Media Operations Officer Philippe Silacci travelled to Helsinki for a look at organisation of the 77th FIG Congress, set for October 17 - 19, 2008.

Received by the President of the Finnish Gymnastic Federation, Ms Kirsti Partanen, also a member of the Finnish Olympic Committee, the FIG delegation visited each of the locations selected for the Congress. "We are extremely satisfied," declared President Grandi. "The FIG will find itself quite comfortable at the Marina Congress Centre, equipped as it is with optimal working facilities," added Maija Innanen, Secretary General of the Finnish Federation. "This visit was an important one for our national federation. We had an opportunity to discuss issues that will be surfacing at the Congress with President Grandi and Secretary General Gueisbuhler."

Office Manager of the Finnish Federation heading up organisation of the 77th FIG Congress, Ms Kirsi Erofejeff-Engman confidently declared at the close of the visit that preparation for the event is well under way. "All arrangements have been made. At this point, we're merely fine-tuning in collaboration with FIG authorities. We're expecting some 400 - 500 delegates in Helsinki, and we feel ready. This Congress is sure to be an unforgettable event for everyone involved," concluded Ms Erofejeff-Engman.

Ode to a storehouse and a prison!

Congress participants will be enjoying a stay in one of two official hotels, both of which lay claim to a most charming and surprisingly unique story.

The first, the Scandic Grand Marina, was constructed near the docks of Helsinki's commercial port. Massive and prodigious, the building housed imported goods until the end of the 1960's. At the time of its inauguration in 1928, it was the largest building throughout the Nordic countries. Fully renovated in 1992, it retained its original style and typical architecture in all 462 rooms.

Even more picturesque than the first, the Katajanokka was Helsinki's former prison! Constructed in 1888 and closed in 2002, the building was artfully and subtly transformed into a hotel. Those intrigued with Sing Sing, Alcatraz or Shawshank will enjoy plenty of scope for the imagination in 4-star comfort. In earlier times, guests of the Katajanokka wanted nothing more than to take their leave of this unique structure. Today, the hotel is forced to turn away hopeful guests, bathing as it does in impressive success. Come and discover it for yourself!