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Many faces of culture

Holiday activities for the whole family

Koli, as an iconic Finnish landmark and a source of Finnish sense of nation, has made a mark in the art history primarily through the great names of Karelianism, a romantic nationalist art movement in the late 19th century. Writer Juhani Aho, painters Venny Soldan-Brofeldt, Pekka Halonen and Eero Järnefelt and photographer I.K. Inha and composer Jean Sibeliuksen have all come to Koli to find inspiration for their art. Koli area still draws artists and friends of culture - from generation to generation.

Pielinen Soi -festival

The Pielinen Soi Festival has expanded into a year-round event with concerts held around Lake Pielinen. Annually there is a wide range of concerts from operas, choir concerts, folk music, tango and jazz concerts to concert for children. Most of the concerts are in the summer season. The Pielinen Soi Festival program includes legendary work of great masters of the Golden Age of Finnish art, but also new and international art. There are annual concerts in Koli, Juuka and in various locations in Lieksa, for example in Paateri church, art exhibitions and galleries and in beautiful surroundings around Lake Pielinen. There are also art exhibitions in connection to the festival. In Koli a popular outdoor concert is held on top of Koli hills at Akka-Koli. More information www.pielinensoi.fi.

Lieksa Brass Week

The biggest brass music festival in the Nordic countries in July and August offers high-quality brass music and other concerts. Organised since 1980, Lieksa Brass Week includes music courses, an international competition and a classical concert series as well as open air performances. Some of the concerts are free of charge. The Lieksa Brass Week attracts many well-known Finnish and international musicians and brass music lovers annually to Lieksa.

See the programme of Lieksa Brass Week.

Monola Festival

Since 2017 the annual Monola Festival has brought together friends of Jean Sibelius, Finland's national epic Kalevala and karelianism to Pielinen Karelia area in the beginning of July to enjoy concerts and other events in the sources of Jean Sibelius' inspiration. The programs of the festival not only include composers of the Pielinen area but also new music. The first Monola Festival in 2017 celebrated the 125th anniversary of Jean and Aino Sibelius' honeymoon. The Sibelius spent theit honeymoon at Monola, on the shores of Pielinen in 1892. Monola Society was founded in 2015, and one of its missions was to make this less known phase of Jean Sibelius' life better known and to restore to site.

More information: www.monola.fi

Koli Ruska Blues

Bright autumn colours and blue notes of blues meet every year in September in Koli. In the venue, Break Sokos Hotel Koli, great music is played and delicious meals served and enjoyed. You can get into the mood for the concerts by wandering the the near-by trails of Koli National Park and or byadmiring the views from the Koli Relax Spa downstairs of the concert venue.

Further information: Break Sokos Hotel Koli Sales Service, tel. +358 20 123 4662, sales.karelia@sokoshotels.fi.

Eva Ryynäsen's artisthome and "Paateri" church

Sculptor Eva Ryynänen's (1915–2001) artisthome Paateri is a great visiting place. Eva Ryynänen rose up to the nations favour in 1970s- 80s and in her home, workshop and galleria cafe you can enjoy her sculptures, unique builds and furniture. Over the years she made over 500 sculptures. Biggest single art piece is the magnificent Paateri church, finished in 1991, where guest are amazed by the pine trunk carved stools. Paateri is open in summer season 15.5.–15.9. everyday from 10 to 18. Outside opening hours by request for groups.

Paateri, Paateri 21, 81560 Vuonisjärvi tel. +358 401 044 055, www.lieksa.fi/museo

Artist Residence Kolin Ryynänen

Situated in the heart of Koli village, in the red log buildings of Kolin Ryynänen, is the Ryynänen artist residence, which is rented to visiting artists. Artists from Finland and around the world come to Koli to work for a month or two. Exhibitions of the works of the artists are often held at the Koli Nature Centre Ukko or in Koli Ryynänen.

More information: Kolin Kultttuuriseura ry, koliresidence@gmail.com, www.kolinkulttuuriseura.fi, Facebook: kolinkulttuuriseura

Arts Exhibitions

Koli Nature Centre Ukko is a must see for art and culture lovers. The permanent exhibition “Looking at the National Landscape” presents the geology, nature and history of the area, and films and slideshows presenting Koli can be seen in the auditorium. The changing exhibitions include photographs, paintings, sculptures, textiles and poems by various artists.

Koli Nature Centre Ukko, +358 206 395 654, Ylä-Kolintie 39, Koli, nationalparks.fi/kolinaturecentre.

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