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The Art Nouveau statue, representing a female nude (a mermaid), was sculpted by Vallgren in 1906 in Paris. It was erected at its present location in 1908. According to Vallgren's letters, the model for the statue was a then 19-year-old Parisian woman, Marcelle Delquin.
The mermaid stands on seaweed as she rises from the water, with four fish spouting water at her feet, surrounded by four sea lions. Vallgren intended to symbolize the rebirth of Helsinki.
The fountain is very popular; it serves every year on Vappu (Walpurgis night) as a centrepiece for celebrations.
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