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Hi, 5 great Finnish festivals to visit during the summer

Summer is right around the corner. Not only have we survived the wet autumn, but also the long and harsh winter. Finally, it is time to be outside and enjoy the sun. But the sun is just the beginning. In Finland, summer is a truly magical season and it needs to be experienced to the max. There are few better ways to accomplish this than to visit some of the amazing festivals that Finland has to offer.

Ruisrock (July 6-8)

Perhaps one of the best rock festivals in Europe, Ruisrock takes places at the Ruissalo island in Turku. Big Finnish names like Cheek and Sanni will be present, as well as internationally renowned group N.E.R.D. Ruisrock offers popular music for all tastes, as well as art exhibits and performances.

Nummirock (June 20-23)

If you’re into metal music, Nummirock is the place for you. Taking place at the Nummijärvi lake in Kauhajoki (near Seinäjoki), this legendary festival is not only a pleasant music experience, but also a great chance to camp and chill with your friends. Finnish and international bands play at several stages, so there is enough variety for all types of metal enjoyment. At the place, there is space to park your car and place your tents. There are day tickets, as well as 2- and 4-day tickets.

Pori Jazz (July 14-22)

If jazz is more your thing, you can enjoy the tunes of the great Pori Jazz festival, which will not only include talented jazz artists, but also popular artists like Alanis Morissette and James Blunt. This festival has been taking please since 1966, and its audience has grown considerably over the years. Check out the program and artist line-up at porijazz.fi.

Midnight Sun Film Festival (June 13-17)

Music is not the only thing you can enjoy in Finnish festivals. If you’re a fan of cinematography, the Midnight Sun Film Festival is for you. Founded in 1986 by the Finnish Kaurismäki brothers, the festival takes place about 120 kilometers above the Arctic Circle in Sodankylä. There will be films being shown in 4 venues all day and all night. You will find all information at the Midnight Sun Film Festival website.

Tampere Theatre Festival (August 6–12)

Many people don’t think of theatre when it comes to festivals. However, this festival promises to blow your mind with all types of theatrical performances, ranging from classical to contemporary, from drama to circus. Taking place in the beautiful city of Tampere, the Tampere Theatre Festival is celebrating its 50th anniversary, so you can expect a particularly enticing programme.

If none of these festivals tickle your fancy, you can always check festivals.fi for a large list of all types of festivals in Finland.

Julkaistu 1.6.20181.2.2023

Oulu Is the First Place in Finland to Test 5G

4G? That’s so last year. We do things in 5G over here. VTT (a Finnish technical research centre) and University of Oulu will be testing an open 5G network at the University of Oulu. This means that we can get the taste of what comes in the future (provided we have 5G-capable devices)! After testing, the actual commercial 5G network is set to be implemented full-scale by 2020.

The Air Guitar World Championship Is Held in Oulu

If you think that playing an air guitar is only for shower or mirror indoor performances, you are so wrong. Oulu inhabitants took it to the next level. The Air Guitar World Championship has been held here annually since 1996. People from all over the world come to Oulu just for this event. The winner of the competition gets a very generous prize – an original Flying Finn guitar handmade by Matti Nevalainen. And anyone can take part in it, you too! All you have to do is to get through the qualifying round. Visit www.airguitarworldchampionships.com for more details.

Pancakes!

Do you like pancakes? Silly question… of course, you do! Oulu is one of the only 4 (soon to be 5) locations of the famous Pannukakkutalo (literally Pancake House). Located near the Toripoliisi (Oulu Policeman Statue) in the Market Square, it is a place of pure bliss. Freshly made sweet or salty pancakes will stimulate your taste buds and send you straight to Finnish heaven. Just remember to make a reservation if you go in a big group or if you want to skip the queue. The place is pretty small but cozy, warm and filled with the smell of freshly baked pancakes… Mmmm.

Music Festivals

If watching people pretend to play imaginary instruments is not your thing, there is a wide variety of music festivals to choose from: Jalometalli for the metalheads, Qstock with a bit of everything, Oulu Music Festival for those into classical music and jazz, The Irish Festival of Oulu to give a taste of traditional Irish music, the Haapavesi Folk Music Festival and Rotuaari Piknik to see Finnish artists. There is also a bunch of electronic music happenings (just ask around or search online). In Oulu you are sure to discover which sounds make your skeleton shake.

Get Your Two-Wheel Best Friend

They say you never forget how to ride a bike. And if you don’t know yet, I would say it’s high time you did. Oulu has one of the best cycling roads in the world, and since the land is relatively flat, it makes the ride much more pleasant. All you need is a pair of wheels, and you are able to explore this beautiful city in all its splendor. Just remember to always lock your bike with a sturdy U-lock (and lock it by connecting the back-wheel to the frame), so you can be sure that your new best friend is safe.

Julkaistu 1.7.20151.2.2023

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