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Finnish Festival Summer
Welcome to the world of endless night and endless festival!
Finnish people may be considered quiet and respectful of each others’ personal spaces, but festivals; those make us definitely forget we love our distances! There is nothing like being jam packed in a fenced area, gathered around a topic that tickles our fancy. What is it about festivals that make them so popular?
Let’s begin with the obvious: music festivals. In this article I will only name the longest lasting festivals but trust me, there are plenty.
The big ones
Finland's largest and most popular midsummer festival, Himoksen Juhannus, or Himos Festival, has been organized 24 times now. Annually around 29,000 customers celebrate at the root of the Himos fell (ski center) during three days. More often than not, Himos Juhannus is the first one of Juhannus festivals to sell out their tickets. Some other midsummer music festivals are Tahko Juhannus (also at the root of a fell and ski center) and Raumanmeren Juhannus, which has been organised since 1999. The last one specializes in electro music and boasts the fact that the blonde bombshell Pamela Anderson visited the festival once.
From farmers dance events to heavy metal
Finnish festivals' histories can be varied and here is a little snippet of the festival history of Nummirock. Nummirock has up to 18 000 visitors on their festival and it is the first all metal festival in Finland.
Nummirock's roots go back to the early decades of the 1900s. Small farmers and agricultural societies played a key role in starting the midsummer event. These groups had already organized smaller midsummer celebrations, but in 1958 they decided to join forces. As a result, the first bigger midsummer festival was held in 1959. With the spirit of the times, dance bands performed, and people came specifically to dance and celebrate midsummer.
As the 1980s approached, the popularity of dances began to decline because young people were more interested in rock music. To revitalize the event, changes were made, and in 1987, the name Nummirock was introduced.
Events at Nummijärvi lake area were originally organized not just for a good time, but also to raise extra funds to support the small rural village. The money earned from these events was used to buy things like threshers and grain dryers.
Tuska
This one is my favorite. I frequented Tuska from the second year they organized it for 5 years in a row, before I moved abroad. Tuska Festival is one of the biggest heavy metal events in the Nordic countries, bringing together fans of heavy metal music for three full days. Tuska has been organised since 1998.
Besides music, Tuska also focuses on talks, art, and supporting small businesses. The talks cover important topics like mental health, equality, and the role of AI in our society. Tuska Expo showcases arts and crafts, giving micro and small businesses a chance to be seen at a major event. The Sideshow program highlights cultural diversity, well-being, and body positivity.
Tuska aims for continuous learning, diversity, and sustainable development through its responsibility and impact work. So heavy metal for a good cause, eh!
Source: Pixabay
Something for everyone
Puistoblues in July in Järvenpää, is the largest festival organised by volunteers only. Their selection is roots and blues music, and they even have a blues mini festival for kids. Kuhmo Chamber Music festival in Kuhmo attracts 7000-8000 visitors annually, literally doubling the population of small Kuhmo, where only 8100 inhabitants live. Porijazz has taken visitors to jazz celebrations ever since 1966. Over 50% of their events, concerts and programs are free of charge. Ruisrock in Turku exists so that there would be more joy and happiness in the world. They boast a whopping 105 000 visitors during one weekend, all days combined and promote a discrimination free atmosphere. Ruisrock was established in 1970 and is one of the oldest continuously organized festivals in Finland and second oldest in the whole Europe after Pinkpop in the Netherlands.
Non-music festivals
There are hundreds of festivals in all corners of Finland, just check your local area and you will find something you like. Apart from music festivals, there are of course a garlic festival (!), ethnic food events, even a burger festival, and please let's not forget dancing, and arts festivals. There is even a festival for quietness in Kittilä, Lapland.
Kajaani Runoviikko is an annual verbal and performing arts event. The event has been held since 1976 around the poem and summer day on 6th July. The event is organised by the city of Kajaani, which is my hometown! Last but not least worth mentioning, The Sodankylä Film Festival s one of the most unique film events in the world. The festival gathers top international and domestic directors with their films in to the magical light of Lapland's nightless night.
So lets discuss! Have you been to any festivals yourself, in Finland or elsewhere? Are you planning on going this upcoming summer? Is there any specific highlights, festival experiences that you experienced? Lets all share!
Minna, OLS Community Manager – Finnish
Source: Pixabay