"Turku 2011 was a four star Capital of Culture"

Finns give hire rating to Turku's Capital of Culture year

According to a recent study, Turku’s European Capital of Culture year 2011 was a success. As many as 87 per cent of participants in events arranged during the year rated their experiences as either very positive or reasonably positive.

“It can be said that Turku 2011 was a four star Capital of Culture", states Merja Tuominen, Turku Regional Director of Taloustukimus.

The Capital of Culture year was an important reason for Finns to travel to Turku, and it impacted Turku’s image and perceived interest in the city’s cultural life throughout the country.

Finns who participated in events arranged as part of the Capital of Culture year usually came to Turku because of the programme itself. For 58 per cent of Finns taking part, the Capital of Culture year influenced the decision to travel to Turku 'very much' or 'reasonably much'. Another important reason was to visit friends and family. Exhibition and event centre Logomo attracted 36 per cent of the participants.

Logomo has become highly recognised as a result of the Capital of Culture year. As many as 96 per cent of Turku residents and 29 per cent of all Finns are aware of Logomo, which served as the event and exhibition centre for the Capital of Culture year.

An audience of over 2 million

The number of visitors to Capital of Culture events is estimated to be more than 2 million at the end of the year. The survey carried out by Taloustutkimus confirms earlier estimates: according to the questionnaire, Finns took part in the Capital of Culture year more than 1.9 times.

“If we add the estimated visits by children and elderly people and the number of foreign visitors, we have exceeded our target of 2 million visits", according to Jukka Saukkolin, Research and Development Director of Turku 2011 Foundation.

The method for counting the number of visitors at Finnish festivals and events varies. Turku Capital of Culture released figures of the number of visits.

An average Finnish visitor took part in Capital of Culture year events four times.

Turku most enthusiastic

The year also succeeded in changing cultural consumption, especially in Turku. Over 40 per cent of Turku residents said they had taken part in cultural activities somewhat more or considerably more than before, while 21 per cent plan to do so also in the future. In addition, a quarter of Turku residents claims that during the year they had become familiar with forms of culture or art that were new to them.

In addition, the Capital of Culture year has increased interest among people from all over Finland in Turku's cultural offerings and cultural life. 20 per cent of Finns and more than 50 per cent of Turku residents are more interested in Turku’s cultural life than previously.

The Capital of Culture year programme placed a strong focus on community spirit. According to the survey by Taloustutkimus, nearly 25,000 residents from Southwest Finland took part in events in some other way than as part of an audience.

Among other things, residents performed, took part in planting Aboa Tulipa Turku tulips or sent their greetings via a postal bus. A total of 75 per cent of all Turku residents participated in the Capital of Culture year as actual members of an audience.

Turku's image has enhanced

The survey indicates that the Capital of Culture year has enhanced the image of Turku. 38 per cent of Finns also think that the year had a positive effect on their view of Turku. 64 per cent of Turku residents think that the atmosphere in the city has improved.

As many as 59 percent of Turku residents partly or fully agree that the Capital of Culture year strengthened their pride over their hometown.

Also in January 2012, more than half of Turku’s residents (52 per cent) were of the opinion that Turku should host the Capital of Culture year again if possible, although 24 per cent disagreed.