International Destinations

Savonlinna Opera Festival

In 2005 Finnish muses inspire 80 international festivals The Sibelius Festival and Lahti Organ Festival will be among 80 world-class Finland Festivals, distinguished by their scope and quality of performance, to be held this year.

Established in 1968, Finland Festivals attracts a combined annual audience of almost two million visitors to events in Finland involving more than 20,000 performing artists. There are multi-arts festivals, concert and vocal music festivals, chamber music, jazz, folk music and dance, rock and pop, dance, theatre, literature and visual art festivals.

Lahti's Sibelius Festival September 8 to 11, under the artistic direction of Osmo Vänskä, who also doubles as the music director of the Minneapolis Orchestra and the Lahti Symphony Orchestra, has been a smashing success for five consecutive years.

During the 2005 Festival, all seven of Sibelius' symphonies will be performed at Sibelius Hall, the world's only all-wood hall, which has outstanding acoustics, among the best internationally. The Lahti Organ Festival August 8 to 12 coincides with summer fun and abundant recreation in Finland's central lake district. Both festivals are part of Lahti's 100th anniversary celebrations.

Other top Finland Festivals include:

Savonlinna Opera Festival, July 8-Aug 6, 2005, held in Finland's idyllic eastern lake district, is an operatic extravaganza. Olavinlinna, a Disney-like medieval castle, sets the stage for new productions such as this year's The Horseman as well as favourites including Aida, Turandot and Tales of Hoffmann. Special guests: The visiting opera from the Gran Teatre del Liceu of Barcelona will perform a Spanish Night devoted to a concert version of Granados's Goyescas, some arias and the best of zarzuela. Another noteworthy item: A series of children's operas, Canine Kalevala, popularly referred to as "the canine national epic", will have two extra performances at Savonlinna this summer. Information: www.operafestival.fi

Pori Jazz. The 40th Pori Jazz Festival July 16-24, 2005, is a major international event with world-class performing artists. The festival has earned consistent praise over the years for the superb atmosphere created by its high-class music, friendly people, fine services and unique milieu. The celebrations centre in western Finland on the scenic banks of Pori's Kokemäki River, with its parklands, Jazz Street and old factory buildings. For just over a week, festival visitors can revel in world of jazz and other black music genres. The Festival program comprises over one hundred concerts and other events at ten performance venues. Past year's headliners include James Brown and Paul Simon. Information: www.porijazz.fi

Helsinki Festival, August 19-September 4, 2005. The Helsinki Festival is a stunner by all manner of measure. It is the biggest Finnish festival in terms of audience and the most diverse event in the Finnish cultural calendar — and it rates a 10 on the international scale. It includes major symphonic works and the finest baroque orchestras as well as magic acts and folk music. World music will be performed in the Huvila Festival Tent. Other festival elements will include visiting dance and theatre companies, and the most interesting names in visual art and cinema. Among the highlights is "The Night of the Arts" program with galleries open until midnight, music in parks and churches, dance groups and orchestras playing on street corners. Information: www.helsinkifestival.fi

Kotka Maritime Festival, July 28-31, 2005. During the Festival this eastern port captures all the romance of sailing and the high seas. The Seasong Festival, which runs concurrent with the Maritime Festival, brings ship crews, quartets and soloists who sing their moving, entertaining and always captivating chants of the sea. The Maritime Festival is also Finland's biggest maritime carnival with grand outdoor concerts, warships, sailing vessels and floating restaurants as well as a Children's Festival. Information: www.kotka.fi

Naantali Music Festival, June 7-19, 2005, on the sunny seaside resort in Southwest Finland will fill its 26th season with a fine series of chamber music concerts and diverse orchestral works — from Bach to Penderecki and from Sibelius to Sallinen. The principal musical venue will be the town's magnificent medieval abbey; other venues will showcase the archipelago's beauty. Performances will include Barbara Hendricks, Matti Salminen, the Korean Chamber Ensemble, the Virtuosi di Kuhmo, the Tapiola Sinfonietta and the Lahti Symphony Orchestra conducted by Osmo Vänskä. Information: www.naantalimusic.com

Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival, July 17-31, will be a celebration of Czech Republic chamber music including master works by Antonin Dvorak and works of genius by lesser-known composers. There will be a tribute to cello virtuoso and composer Luigi Boccherini and a great deal of music by Jean Sibelius. Performers this year will include the Virtuosi di Kuhmo conducted by Okko Kamu, Ann-Sofie von Otter, Jorma Hynninen, Pekka Kuusisto, and the Afflatus wind quintet. There will be about five concerts daily. Information: www.kuhmofestival.fi

Provinssirock, June 17-19, is a three-day rock festival held near Seinäjoki in western Finland. The Seurasaari Midsummer Bonfire Festival on June 25 brings to life folk traditions with traditional handicraft demonstrations, folk dancing and folk music as well as festive bonfires right in the heart of Helsinki. Due north of Helsinki the Jyväskylä Arts Festival, July 12-17, kicks off its Golden Jubilee this year with circus, comedians, mimes, international stars and more.

For more information about the festivals visit www.festivals.fi or contact the Finnish Tourist Board at 212-885-9700/1-800-FIN-INFO, email mek.usa@mek.fi, or visit www.visitfinland.org/na, www.finlandkingsroad.com.