Our evening call is meant to honor the history of our beautiful lace villa, built in 1859, and to bring a charming new tradition to Oulu’s summer. We hope many will have the chance to hear it this season!

In the 1890s, a magnificent and ornate tower was added to the roof of Villa Hannala. Was it simply a status symbol reflecting the owner’s wealth, or perhaps an essential part of Oulu’s maritime life? There may be no definitive answer—but the tower is so beautiful that one naturally wishes it could be put to good use. And now, with our evening call, it finally is.

Villa Hannala’s owner, Johan Wilhelm Snellman G:son, was one of Oulu’s wealthiest businessmen. He was active in the tar trade, operated sawmills, and engaged in shipbuilding and shipping.

The ocean-going vessels owned by Snellman and other affluent Oulu shipowners sailed across all the world’s seas. From Oulu, they exported tar, timber, salmon, butter, leather goods, and feathers.

Ships returned to the home port with salt, iron, hides, textiles, luxury items and delicacies, though plenty of trinkets too. Sometimes they came back from the Amur River, sometimes from Rio de Janeiro, London, or Hong Kong. These voyages were no quick excursions—they often lasted several years without return.

According to an old tale, Oulu shipowners would watch the sea through telescopes from their towers. When they finally spotted their own ship returning to Toppila harbor after a long journey, they’d breathe a sigh of relief—and raise a tot of spirits in front of rival shipowners. This is why the towers were also known as “totitorni” (tot towers).

This summer, we begin a new seasonal tradition: every Wednesday and Saturday at 6 PM, a serenade will ring out from Villa Hannala’s tower. Come listen and raise your own “tot” in the spirit of Hietasaari’s historic villa culture.

The evening call is performed by a local young musician, Paavo Kumara, as his summer job.