Helping out and having fun – Helsinki Day takes place on Sunday 12 June
Would you prefer milking the cows at Viikki or simply enjoying morning coffees in the City Hall courtyard on Helsinki Day? The official programme has almost 100 events to choose from!
Photo: Lauri Rotko
Each year Helsinki Day inspires locals to organise activities or to take part themselves. This year too the annual festival is all about teaming up and doing things together.
“It’s wonderful to see so many new organisers taking part each year,” says Marianne Saukkonen, Producer of Helsinki Day. “This year’s festival will highlight the themes of responsibility and environmental values. Volunteers can join a paddling excursion to pick up trash from the islands, and families can enjoy the ‘Adventure in Bird Paradise’ on the island of Harakka. On the whole, families with children really have a lot to choose from this year.”
Helsinki Day is also a day for sports and exercise. Many sports centres have open doors, and those interested in Kendo and other Japanese sword disciplines can watch the demonstrations in Töölönlahti Park behind the Finnish National Opera. Alternatively, visitors can try House Yoga in Kaivopuisto Park.
New activities this year include the Remote Helsinki city tour, Planet Suvilahti and performances by street musicians at the Culinary and Urban Culture Centre Teurastamo. You can also compete in the quiz championship in Dianapuisto Park.
Helsinki Day will be officially opened by Mayor Jussi Pajunen, who invites locals and visitors to enjoy traditional morning coffees in the courtyard of City Hall at 9am. Traditional favourites in the programme include the announcement of the City Slang Man and Woman of the Year on the Espa Stage at 12noon, Dinner Under the Helsinki Sky along Pohjoisesplanadi starting at 5pm, and the Radio Aalto open-air concert in Kaisaniemi Park, which features pop star Robin and starts at 2:30pm.
The official Helsinki Day programme has been published online at www.helsinkipaiva.fi/en. To make it easier plan your day, the events have been divided into nine categories. You can also search for events using the Eventmore app, which can be downloaded from www.eventmore.io/app/helsinkiday.
Sign language interpreters will be available to assist people with hearing disabilities at the following events:
Helsinki Day opening and morning coffees in the City Hall courtyard, 9am–9:30am
City Slang Man and Woman of the Year on the Espa Stage, 12noon–12:30pm
Maltti ja Valtti live show for families at Laituri, 2pm and 3pm
Background information
Helsinki Day has been celebrated since 1959. The original initiative was proposed by the Helsinki Society. The date marks the founding of Helsinki by King Gustav Vasa of Sweden at the mouth of the Vantaanjoki river on 12 June 1550.
Helsinki Day is organised by the City of Helsinki together with active residents. Our media partners are Radio Aalto/Nelonen Media.
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