Surrender to art: Helsinki Festival will take place (live!) at the turn of August/September
Helsinki Festival is the largest multi-art festival in the Nordic countries and is held each year at the turn of August/September. The purpose of the Festival Week is to provide unique art experiences to the home and international audience. The plentiful, multidisciplinary program also includes both international and Finnish dance.
Tiia Kasurinen: I’m not entirely here (cybersad) © Saara Taussi
Helsinki Festival has been held since 1968. The event will again take place, from 19 August to 5 September 2021. Last year Helsinki Festival was cancelled.
French choreographer Boris Charmatz’s work 10 000 Gestures is considered to be one of the most important contemporary dance and dramatic art performances of recent years. In the work, each dancer performs an uncountable number of gestures without repeating any of them. Charmatzi’s A Dancer´s Day provides a glimpse into the creation of a dance piece.
The Cable Factory will also see the Finnish première of Tero Saarinen Company’s Transit where dance is in dialogue with Sebastian Fagerlund’s music and the artist duo IC-98’s video installation. Finnish Dance in Focus magazine interviewed Tero Saarinen last autumn about his thoughts before the world premiere of the creation – read the article online.
Also the emerging artist Tiia Kasurinen is presenting her piece I’m Not Entirely Here (Cybersad) in the Helsinki Festival programme at the Cable Factory.
Art Gifts and Block Concerts will spread around the city
Last summer’s hugely popular Art Gifts and Block Concerts will be even more extensive this year. Anyone can order a 5-10 minute surprise performance by a musician, poet or performing arts professional in a loved one’s yard or under their window.
In August, up to one thousand Art Gifts will be available for the general public to order free of charge in cooperation with OP Bank, one of our partners. In addition, some 50 Block Concerts will take place in Helsinki yards during the first weekend of September together with partner Helsingin Sanomat.
In addition to choreographer Boris Charmatz, the line-up of international star guests at this year’s festival includes pioneer producer and visual artist Brian Eno, visual artist Janet Echelman, pianist Vikingur Ólafsson and soprano Nina Stemme. Wonderfeel, a new three-day laid back classical festival, will take place at Tokoinranta waterfront and in the Huvila venue during the Helsinki Festival opening weekend.
All festival events will take place in accordance with the safety requirements in force at the time of the event and limited tickets will be available taking into account safe distancing. Particular attention will be given to hygiene and distancing at Festival venues.
Learn more about the festival programme at helsinkifestival.fi.
