Helsinki is a Scandinavian cultural city that has found its own niche between east and west and the city has become Finland's
hotspot for cultural events. The major annual events are in summer, although there are productions throughout the year. For
the latest events, pick up a copy of Helsinki Happens. To keep you tided over until you get there, here's a quick rundown of the
cultural events in Helsinki...
Concerts
The largest concerts are shown at the Hartwall Areena, where tickets start from FIM195/EUR33,
or the Hall of Culture. Another venue with constantly changing dance, music and theatre is Kaapelitehdas (Cable Factory).
The main concert hall for national and international acts is Finlandia Hall, and is home to the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra.
Details of the times of performances and programs are available from the customer service at the City of Helsinki Tourist Office.
The beginning of July sees the Jazz and Tango Festival when there is open-air dancing on Seurasaari Island.
The Storyville Jazz Club hosts jazz events in July and, for contemporary music lovers, there is the off-beat Helsinki Music
Nova. Juhannusvalkeat (the midsummer bonfire festival associated with the Feast of St John),
held on Seurasaari Island and the city rock festival, Hietsu, a three-day extravaganza at the end of
July. If you're into electronic music, check out the Koneisto Festival...
Cinema
Helsinki has many cinemas... each week a program showing times and venues is published by the City of
Helsinki Tourist Office. Box offices open an hour before the first show of the day. The Finnish Film
Archive, requires membership and allows one ticket to all performances; it shows classic and cult films.
Mainstream films can be seen
at one of the city's multiplexes: Kinopalatsi, Kaisaniemenkatu 2B (tel: (0600) 944 944), Forum 1-7,
Mannerheimintie 16 (tel: (0600) 007 007), and Tennispalatsiisti, Salomonkatu 15 (tel: (0600) 007 007).
The Helsinki Film Festival is held in September each year.
Theatre
There are two main venues, both showing mainly classical productions (such as Ibsen) in
Finnish. The Finnish National Theatre (Suomen Kansallisteatteri), L�ntinen Teatterikuja 1B
(tel: (09) 1733 1331, and Helsinki City Theatre (Kaupunginteatteri),
El�intarhantie 5, tel: (09) 394 0422..
Tiketti is the Ticket Theatre Information Center, Teatterikulma, Meritullinkatu 33 (tel: (09) 135 7887 or (0600) 11616; ).
Museums
Helsinki has countless museums and should be able to satisfy both the most
particular and the most demanding wishes in the artistic line. The Museum of Finnish Art,
Ateneum might be a better place to start with its work by artists ranging from Auguste Rodin
to Akseli Gallen-Kallela and more. Kiasma is a relatively young museum, having only opened in 1998.
Designed by American architect Steven Holl, the building exhibits a growing collection of
Finnish and international art from the 1950s to the 1990s, as well as visiting shows. Leading
Finnish artists in the permanent collection include Nina Roos, Susanne Gottberg, Jussi Nivi and
the homoerotic illustrator Touko Laaksonen; some of the international artists represented include
Nan Goldin, Richard Serra, Andy Warhol and Cindy Sherman.
Clubs
For the younger clubbers looking for MTV-style dance music
there are, among others, Arkadia, Highlight and Robert's right in the centre of Helsinki; but
be prepared to queue if going there on the weekend. For the slightly more trendy, grown-up
club-goers there are also plenty of places to go, especially in the Uudenmaankatu / Fredrikinkatu
area; among others, Kerma and Soda with funk, groove, house and techno music depending on the day.
Another trendy area for young adults is the vicinity of the Helsinki-club, Copacabana and Amarillo.
Festivals and events
Among the many yearly events worth taking note of in
Helsinki, is the Night of the Arts (Taiteiden Y�) when art in its various forms can be experienced
through the night in places ranging from the Hesperia park to a telephone booth. The Night of the
Arts has traditionally been held towards the end of August. It is also definitely worth checking
out about the Kaivopuisto concerts which are held in the summer.
In addition to that, you might do
well to check out the biggest rock festival in the area of greater Helsinki, the Ankkarock
(literally "Duck Rock") festival in Korso, usually held towards the end of the summer.
Highlights
One of the busiest stages in Helsinki, with live acts all day throughout the summer, including
folk dancers and string quartets, is the Esplanadi Park bandstand. In February, J L Runeberg (one of
Finland's best-loved poets) is commemorated on Runeberg Day, a day of cake eating. May Day marks the
beginning of summer and is celebrated with vast quantities of alcohol.
From the end of August, for three weeks, the Helsinki Festival, a huge arts festival celebrating
dance, art and music, heralds the end of the summer.
Have you read enough and you're ready to go? Trust us, you'll have a great time in Helsinki...
Why don't you go ahead and book your ticket
and you'll be there before you know it!
If you know of a great destination we're missing,
review it for us!!
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