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Helsinki Fest brings art to the city and homes on 21–23 August
Helsinki Festival cannot be organised this summer, but a new multi-artistic event in August will bring art to the courtyards and streets as well as the internet, radio and television. Helsinki Fest will be celebrated on 21–23 August, with three concert specials streamed on YLE channels. There will also be a digital street gallery, whereby young Nordic artists of the Platform Gátt network will have the opportunity to showcase their works in Helsinki.
“The idea of Helsinki Fest came about from a desire to bring art safely to people at a time when we cannot invite large audiences. Our plan is to realise artistic events with our partners and offer freelance artists opportunities to perform. In August, art belongs everywhere!” says Artistic Director Marko Ahtisaari.
The three concert specials of Helsinki Fest will be broadcast on Yle Areena and other Yle channels. On Friday, 21 August, the Helsinki Chamber Choir performs Passio by Arvo Pärt, who celebrates his 85th birthday this year. The outdoor concert on Saturday, 22 August is all about pop music, with Erja Lyytinen, Jesse Markin, Pariisin kevät and Ruusut taking to the stage. The weekend comes to a close with an extra-long classical music and jazz concert special on Sunday, 23 August, curated by Eriikka Maalismaa, Minna Pensola and Antti Tikkanen. There will be classical music and jazz by freelance musicians, including the Aki Rissanen Trio, Tölöläb, Elifantree and defunensemble. During Helsinki Fest, there will also be programmes for the whole family, organised in co-operation with OP and children’s favourites Mimmit, FlipFlop as well as Maukka and Väykkä. The concerts will be filmed in the city, with the audience consisting of the residents and actors of the venues.
During Helsinki Fest, intimate block concerts will take over the city and offer housing companies in Helsinki the opportunity to have top-class art experiences organised in their courtyards. All kinds of venues suitable for organising the block concerts are being sought through an open application process at helsinkifestival.fi right now. A total of about 20 short surprise performances by Finnish artists will be realised. Some of the block concerts will be filmed and streamed online.
In August, art will also provide surprises in the cityscape when some of Clear Channel’s digital billboards will be given over to gallery use. The Open Art Gallery project brings works by young Nordic artists to Helsinki in co-operation with the Platform Gátt network, Clear Channel as well as HOK-Elanto and Elisa Kulma.
On the eve of Helsinki Fest, Kiasma opens the Mika Vainio retrospect 50 Hz. There will also be two exhibitions for small groups. The interactive work Laila, created by Esa-Pekka Salonen, Paula Vesala, Tuomas Norvio and the Ekho Collective can be experienced in Almi Hall of the Finnish National Opera and Ballet. The work lasts for about 20 minutes, with the audience consisting of five persons at a time. A Homo Homo Sapiens laboratory will be set up in Gallery Rankka, exploring the changes of the human soul in extreme conditions with a limited audience. The works are open from 20 August.
Helsinki Fest 21–23 August 2020. Additional information and application form for block concerts: helsinkifestival.fi.
Helsinki Fest is made possible through the co-operation of the partners Helsingin Sanomat, Elisa and OP, the sponsors Accenture, HOK-Elanto and Clear Channel as well as the suppliers PunaMusta, Heku and Renault. The event is supported by the Ministry of Education and Culture.
Helsinki Fest is an event produced by the Helsinki Events Foundation. The aim of the Helsinki Events Foundation is to develop Helsinki into an ever more functional and attractive event city. The Helsinki Events Foundation is part of the Helsinki City Group.
