Tall sailing ships, circus, ancient fires, free concerts, etc.

Summer of culture conludes with the last weekend of August

Turku’s extremely active Capital of Culture summer season concludes at the last August weekend, i.e., on 25–28 August. The River Aura is set to witness yet another massive public event – much like the highly popular opening night.

In August, The Culture 2011 Tall Ships Regatta will pay homage to the Capital of Culture year and bring grand sailing ships to Turku. Following the actual Tall Ships Races sailing event, the cultural regatta is the first thematic Tall Ships Race ever organised in Finland.

The dozens of ships arriving at the River Aura in August include the Russian four-masted barques Sedov and Kruzenshtern, two of the largest sailing ships in the world. Access to the sailing ships is free of charge.

The Swan of Finland surroundings will set a magnificient stage for the MILjazz concert on Saturday evening. A swinging marine and summery atmosphere is guaranteed as the MILjazz bands take to the stage. The performers include the Navy Orchestra featuring Emma Salokoski, the Air Force Big Band with Lenni-Kalle Taipale and the Conscript Band of the Finnish Defence Forces together with Jussu Pöyhönen.

Fire, air, water and earth combined

During the last weekend of August, Turku will fulfil the promise by uniting people around the Baltic Sea in celebration of the Night of the Ancient Bonfires. It will be an occasion to say your goodbyes to the summer, to thank the sea for calm waters and winds as well as to make promises for the well-being of the sea.  

“We have made an effort to communicate this novel, responsible, yet cheerful way to celebrate the Night of the Ancient Bonfires to other countries surrounding the Baltic Sea that are not familiar with the tradition. Our own promise is that we will ensure the continuation of this work also in future years,” says Sevón.

This year, the ancient fires will be introduced to Turku city centre for the first time. The bonfire floating in the River Aura will be lit on 27 August at 9:30 pm from the Theatre Bridge. After this, the bonfire will be transported along the river toward the sea.

Saturday night will be topped off with the impressive The Elements circus performance set on and above the river, featuring aerial acrobatics, fire art, music and light show. The performance is produced by the Helsinki Circus Professionals’ Association. Before the spectacle, Turku will get to enjoy international circus through the Future Circus festival, which concludes on Friday 26 August with a grand gala in the Circus Finland tent in Kupittaa Park.

The Dream Park, part of the Central Park of Culture and Exercise project, will open in the Sports Park on the eastern side of the river on Saturday morning. The opening event for the active art park features all kinds of programme, various activities and rest stops around the park.

On the other side of the river, in the Turku Castle courtyard, the Henrik and the Hammer of Witches folk opera on the 1600s witch hunts will take place. The opera, based on actual events, is composed by Ulf Långbacka and will be performed by more than one hundred performers and contributors. On top of all this, there will be plenty of other programme in Turku and the neighbouring areas as well.

The majority of the events during the final weekend of the culture of summer will be free of charge. Over 300,000 participants are expected over the weekend. The huge figure will also have an effect on the traffic arrangements near the river – using private cars should be avoided if possible.