Archipelago Birds of the Baltic Sea

Archipelago photographer Raimo Sundelin has followed the birdlife of the Baltic Sea for more than fifty years, capturing the lives of seabirds and archipelago species through his camera lens. During this time, the birdlife of the archipelago has changed remarkably: new breeding species have become established, many species have increased in number, while others have declined.

The exhibition at Helsinki Cathedral Crypt invites visitors into the world of Baltic archipelago birds through photographs of around ten species. Among them are the common eider and the white-tailed eagle, both iconic birds of the archipelago, as well as the great cormorant and the barnacle goose, species that often evoke strong emotions. The mute swan, in turn, symbolizes the beauty and quiet dignity of the northern coastal landscape.

The photographs featured in the exhibition are part of the new book Itämeren saaristolintuja – Skärgårdsfåglar vid Östersjön by Sundelin and biologist Janne Lampolahti. Through photographs and texts, the book tells the story of thirty of the Baltic Sea’s most characteristic archipelago bird species, their habitats, and their changing future.