Seurasaari Midsummer Nights

A midsummer celebration that has been held since 1956!

A group of "museum men" gathered on April 18, 1956 at the National Museum to sign the charter of the Seurasaari Foundation. The foundation's purpose was to continue the work of the midsummer committee appointed by the Finnish Antiquities Society and to carry out other cultural heritage work. Organizing the midsummer celebration remains central to the Seurasaari Foundation's activities, and this summer too you can experience the magical atmosphere of a city midsummer celebration in the midst of green nature. At Seurasaari's midsummer nights, the atmosphere rises through dance, music and play around the midsummer bonfires.

Along the path and at Antti's square:

Along the path you can admire the work of craftspeople, raise a beautiful midsummer pole, dance with Tanhu-Visalainen, make flower wreaths and ride in horse-drawn carts.

The museums are open in midsummer dress: Antti and Iisalmi parsonage & museum shop.

In Karuna Church:

At the jouhikko concert you will hear Kerttu Luotimo's playing. She is a singer, violinist, jouhikko and keyed-fiddle player and a folk music student at the Sibelius Academy. As a singer, she is interested in the similarities in vocal technique among Eastern European peoples and singing traditions.

Program for children:

At the Iisalmi parsonage, children can listen to the story "Midsummer Treasure" and watch the puppet theatre Pienpaja's performance about Nalle Naavatassun's summer. Children go on a magical path led by Fox Käreittär. Additionally, children can participate in decorating the children's midsummer pole, swing on traditional swings, dance the children's polonaise and admire the children's own bonfire.

In Seurasaari's festival hall:

In the concert "My Most Beautiful Karelian Songs", opera singer Sanna Matinniemi brings to life Karelian wish-songs collected from people. The concert features the most well-known Karelian songs, but also nearly forgotten ones.

In the Humina gallery next to the festival hall, a photography exhibition "National Costume in Landscape" by Anu Hätinen is on display.

On the festival field:

Southern Ostrobothnian folk music