Helsinki Festival

Helsinki Festival

Late August to early September

The largest cultural event in the Nordic countries is the Helsinki Festival. It grew out of Sibelius Weeks, established in 1951 to honor Finland's most famous composer, Jean Sibelius ( see also Sibelius Festival). But when the first official Helsinki Festival was held in 1967, it expanded its programming to include music from all periods—rock, jazz, opera, symphonic music, and chamber works—as well as theater, ballet, circus, and art and photo exhibitions.
Among the many musical events is what is known as the Festival Informal, a series where artists and visitors meet informally for "relaxed performances." Events are held in the city's parks and arcades as well as in the modern Finlandia Hall and and the Finnish National Theatre and Opera.
Ensembles that have performed at the 18-day festival include the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of London, the Moscow Chamber Opera, the Beaux Arts Trio, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the Groteska Puppet Theatre of Kracow, the Tientsin Acrobat Company of China, and the Ballet Nacional de Cuba.

CONTACTS:
Helsinki Festival
Lasipalatsi, Mannerheimintie 22-24
Helsinki, 00100 Finland
358-9-6126-5100; fax: 358-9-6126-5161
www.helsinginjuhlaviikot.fi/index.php?&lang=en_GB

SOURCES:
GdWrldFest-1985, p. 75
IntlThFolk-1979, p. 94
MusFestEurBrit-1980, p. 66