Quiet room

Hilja huone was founded in honor and memory of writer and cultural influencer Hilja Valtonen (September 30.9.1897, 19.12.1988–December 2022, 1986). The room is located in the lower lobby of the main library, where it moved in June XNUMX. The room has been part of the current main library since the beginning, i.e. since XNUMX. It is furnished with furniture and goods from Valtonen's study room.

Hilja Valtonen's literary output includes sixteen novels, short stories, short stories, plays, youth stories, newspaper articles, school radio programs, radio plays, play adaptations and scripts. The first novel Nuore opettajattare varavalventi (1926) was a success right after it was published. In the 1920s and 30s, Valtonen was Otava's best-selling author, and he quickly got the additional name "Lady of Prints". The sixth novel Vaimoke (1933) was also turned into a well-known film, starring Ansa Ikonen and Tauno Palo. Valtonen collected recognition for his clear language decade after decade. She brought a modern, independent type of woman to Finnish literature.

Hilja Valtonen was in a significant way building, inspiring and creating new things in several fields of culture, involved in municipal decision-making and an active member in many associations. Valtonen's real vocation was teaching. He worked as a public school teacher first in Karijoki and Parikkala, then in Imatra at the Linnala school between 1929 and 1963. He was influential in the Ruokolahti council for 12 years and in the first Imatra council. Valtonen was a founding member of the writer's association Palta, worked in the Kanta-Imatra society, Imatra's Kalevalainen Women and Kotiseutuyhtistis. In 1970, he was elected Imatra's first Inker. She was the first woman to receive the title of home district councilor granted by the President of the Republic in 1974. Valtonen lived in Imatra until her death, and she is buried in Tainionkoski cemetery.

Photos: Imatra City Museum's photo archive and Kosken Kuvaamo's photo collection.