Holdings
The National Library of Finland is a cultural heritage organisation that is open to all and provides nationwide
services to citizens, scientific communities and other societal operators. Its main focus is on cultural heritage
published in Finland or relating to Finland as well as to transmit and produce information for research, studies,
citizens and the society. We hold in our collections printed books, ephemera, journals, music and audio recordings
in several Western languages as well as Oriental ones. Other than legal deposit material, current collections form
a research infrastructure focusing on cultural and social studies.
Collection history
The Collection of Oriental Manuscripts contains, for example, manuscripts in Arabic, Persian and Turkish. The
collection is based on the manuscripts acquired by the explorer G.A. Wallin (1811–1852) during his journeys to
Arabia. Wallin's diaries, notes and other materials are included in personal archives. The collection also
includes materials derived from G. J. Ramstedt (1873–1950), such as Mongolian manuscripts. The materials in the
collection are varied ranging from papyri, parchments and palm leaves to writing on pieces of clay. In addition
the collection contains the manuscripts brought with C. G. E. Mannerheim (1867–1951) from his journey to Asia,
which are deposited at the library of the Finno-Ugrian Society.
