Tomi Huttunen

Born Februrary 4, 1971, Kuusankoski

Master of Arts 1997, Licentiate 1999, PhD 2007 (Russian language and literature), University of Helsinki
Docent in Russian literature and culture 2010–, University of Helsinki

Professor of Russian literature and culture 2014–, University of Helsinki
Acting professor of Russian literature 2012–2014, acting lecturer 2011–2012 and postdoctoral researcher 2008–2010, University of Helsinki
Coordinator 2003–2007, Academy of Finland research project: Pietari/Leningrad: kertomus – historia – nykyisyys (‘St Petersburg / Leningrad: the story – the history – the present’)
Editor 2002–2012, the journal Idäntutkimus (‘East Studies’)
Doctoral student, 1997–2002, Alexanteri Institute and University of Helsinki

Publications, research projects and other academic activity

Research themes:
The Russian avant-garde, Russian Imaginism (Anatoly Marienhof), montage in Russian culture (cultural semiotics), Russian post-modernism (Lev Rubinstein), Russian rock music and poetry

Research projects:
Autogenetic Russian Avantgarde (Kone Foundation, 2013–2015) and Mötet mellan den ryska och den finlandssvenska modernismen (The Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland, 2015–2017)

Awards and special achievements:
National Library of Finland Customer of the Year 2014
Finnish Academy of Science and Letters scholarship for an outstanding doctoral dissertation 2008
Society of Finnish Slavists MA Thesis Award 1997
University of Helsinki Alumni Association student prize 1996

Tomi Huttunen’s motto: “The University of Helsinki is better as a band than a brand. If we play well together, we can make some hits.”

Photo: Kirill Reznik
Written by Tomi Huttunen (Riitta-llona Hurmerinta ed.)
Translated by Matthew Billington

Hooked on the library

Huttunen's first experience of Dostoyevsky was terrifying. The sixteen-year-old consumed Crime and Punishment in 48 hours and reacted so violently that the experience was physical. Under the influence of the book, he wrote an incoherent letter to his friend – and the next day, wished he could take it back.

“I don’t remember any other book jarring me like that,” recalls Huttunen, who is currently a professor in Russian literature and culture.

According to Huttunen, Russian literature is full of shocks and thrills like this. Perhaps this is why he is so fascinated by it.

In the 1990s, Huttunen spent some time in St Petersburg studying and working with children. He enjoyed it immensely. Life in Russia at that time offered the extreme emotions he had come to know from its literature.

“Whenever I returned to Finland, I felt like life was in slow motion. Everyone moved, spoke and felt slower. And less.”

Russia has since changed. Huttunen recently visited Nizhny Novgorod and was astounded by its Soviet atmosphere. On the other hand, St Petersburg remains a wholly European city.

Happy Master’s thesis

Huttunen was admitted to study Russian language and literature at the University of Helsinki in 1992. When the conversation at the first-year students' party turned to Gogol, Gorky and Kharms, he felt like he had come home.

Professor Huttunen is slightly concerned by how poor the average level of knowledge of the classics is among new students entering the University. This concern turns to delight when he sees the students get excited about reading. He takes his students to the Slavica library and has set learning assignments there together with the librarians.

For Dr Huttunen the National Library’s Slavonic Library collection is a familiar and dear place. The National Library chose him as their client of the year this autumn.

“I loved writing my Master’s thesis, because I got to be in the library so much. That’s what made me turn to research – the need to be in the library.”

Huttunen studies the Russian avant-garde and cooperates closely with Russian researchers, authors, artists and musicians, whom he has also invited to Finland for lectures and panel discussions. Next spring, he will play host to the editorial staff of the online culture publication Colta, which has been under pressure from the government.

“We can serve as mediators and offer a meeting place for researchers and cultural people from the East and West. Nothing is more important than dialogue, and we are in an excellent position to promote it."