Baltic Sea Festival

Come celebrate Baltic Sea Day at Kansalaistori Square, the Musiikkitalo building, Oodi and Finlandia Hall! The Baltic Sea Festival is a free event. We invite you to spend a summer day with us enjoying music, tasty foods and beverages, workshops and games, and learning more about the Baltic Sea. The festivities will begin with a merry carnival parade. The fun will continue with activities for children, including musical theatre sessions and a kids’ disco. In the evening, we’ll kick back with an afterwork vibe and enjoy live jazz and folk rock. The day will culminate with a Baltic Sea-themed pub quiz.

The 15 themed tents at Kansalaistori Square offer insights into the nature, culture, research, and protection of the Baltic Sea. The programme includes games, quizzes, and food tastings. Spin the wheel of fortune, hug Harry the Seal, take a look through a microscope, or admire the life in the aquarium. The tents offer new discoveries and hands-on experiences for both children and adults.

The stage programme is in Finnish, but staff at the tents will be happy to answer questions in English as well.

Programme on the Kansalaistori Square stage

11:00–16:00: the Kansalaistori Square stage will feature performances for children and teens. 16:00–18:00: an afterwork programme will set a laid back mood.

KIDS’ STAGE

11:00: Opening of the Baltic Sea Festival

11:15: MCMUSARIT
MCMUSARIT will get the crowd fired up as the Baltic Sea carnival parade prepares to set off. They will perform the songs “Are You Ready – Pelastetaan Itämeri” (“Let’s Save the Baltic Sea”) and “Roskapäivä” (“Garbage Day”).

11:30: The Baltic Sea carnival parade
The parade will set off at 11:30 from Kansalaistori Square. Join in or come watch! Additional information.

12:30: The Baltic Sea carnival parade will return to Kansalaistori Square
The time is an estimate.

13:00: Musical theatre session by Loru playground
Come join us to sing, play and have fun together. Fun for children of all ages.

13:30: Opening speech of the Töölönlahti Bay cleanup drive
Afterwards, we’ll head out together to tidy up Töölönlahti Bay. Volunteers will be provided with rakes, garbage grabbers and trash bags. Be sure to bring your own gloves.

14:00: Harri the Seal’s disco
Harri will get everyone at Kansalaistori Square moving to the rhythm of upbeat music and simple dance moves.

15:00: Musical theatre session by Loru playground
Come join us to sing, play and have fun together. Fun for children of all ages.

15:30: Ville the Viking’s ship disco
Come shake your tail feather at Ville’s disco! Afterwards, it’s time for hugs and group photos in front of the stage.

AFTER WORK

16:00: Viapori Jazz mini-concert: Jukka Perko & Jarmo Saari
Saxophonist Jukka Perko and guitarist Jarmo Saari are renowned for their distinctive sound, sensitivity and skill in creating unique musical moments. This duo’s concert will take you on a journey through jazz moods, offering a foretaste of the Viapori Jazz experience, to be held in Suomenlinna.

16:30: Kuha & Raha
Kuha & Raha is a folk-rock duo. The two friends sing and play acoustic guitars and harmonicas in the Finnish singer-songwriter tradition. The band’s songs are about nature, people, time, travel and questions for which there aren’t always simple answers. The duo also engages in lighthearted banter.

17:00: Baltic Sea pub quiz and a free nonalcoholic beer for the first 30 participants
Can you remember the salinity of the Baltic Sea in parts per thousand? What is another name for Zostera marina, a key Baltic Sea species? Who were the “Victual Brothers”? Assemble a team of two to six buddies and come test your knowledge of the Baltic Sea. We’ll be handing out nonalcoholic (0.3%) pub quiz beers to the first 30 adult participants (please be prepared to show proof of age). The winning team will get a prize.

Treat yourself

You can reduce water eutrophication and climate emissions by opting for a diet rich in vegetables and locally caught wild fish. Enjoy a lunch during the festival or crown your day with a Baltic Sea dinner!

Food & Co Restaurant at Oodi
A Baltic Sea-friendly lunch in honour of Baltic Sea Day will showcase the best flavours of the season. The menu will feature fish patties from our own kitchen, fresh herb and sour cream sauce, seasoned new potatoes, pan-fried herring, roasted root vegetables, cauliflower soup and a salad bar heaped with seasonal veggies. Lunch (€13.90) will be served from 11:00–14:30 on the first floor of Oodi.

Finlandia Cafe&Wine
Enjoy a beautiful vista and unforgettable culinary experiences at Cafe&Wine – admire our beloved Töölönlahti Bay from a new perspective! A Baltic Sea-friendly lunch (€14.90) will be served from 11:00–14:00.

Burman Tähti food truck
We serve Asian street food bursting with flavour – delicious vegetarian and vegetable dishes, plus gluten-free options. Kansalaistori Square, 11:00–18:00.

WTFries
We make the world’s longest French fries, served up with generous lashings of bold sauces and sides. Enjoy our delicious classics or have your fries exactly the way you like them – creativity, flavour and crunch all in one dish! Kansalaistori Square, 11:00–18:00.

Makea Unelma
Did you save space for dessert? Grab a freshly made donut from the Makea Unelma food truck and enjoy it with a cup of coffee from a small roastery. Kansalaistori Square, 11:00–18:00.

Finlandia Bistro
Enjoy a perfect finale to your festival day with a five-course Baltic Sea dinner at Finlandia Hall’s bistro. The menu’s flavours are inspired by Finnish nature and the archipelago. The dishes favour Baltic Sea-friendly fish species and delicious vegetables. Dinner will be served starting at 18:00. You can reserve a table for either the day of the festival, 27 August, or Friday, 28 August. The price of the menu is €69.

Musiikkitalo

The World Unseen photo exhibition at Musiikkitalo will showcase key species and their importance in the marine ecosystem. Photographers Meeri Koutaniemi and Pekka Tuuri have captured stunning underwater sights in both the Baltic Sea and the world’s oceans. This exhibition is organised by Canon and the John Nurminen Foundation. It will be open during Musiikkitalo’s regular hours, from 8:00–22:00, as part of the Baltic Sea Festival, and from 25 August to 28 September. Admission is free.

Oodi

Laser-cut herring bookmarks
Make your own Baltic Sea Day bookmark. You’ll get to check out Oodi’s laser cutter and make your own personalised herring-themed bookmark. This workshop will be open to everyone, free of charge. It will be held from 15:00 to 17:00 in the Urban Workshop on the second floor of Oodi.

Book exhibition
Come to the book exhibition on the first floor of Oodi to embark on a journey into the fascinating world of the Baltic Sea: its nature, history and culture. The exhibition features books for all ages in Finnish, Swedish and English. We welcome you to immerse yourself in a world of stories, research and maritime adventures!

Finlandia Hall

Come join us in the Töölönlahti Bay cleanup drive and help ensure that nesting birds aren’t harmed by the mess we humans leave behind. Keeping this popular outdoor recreation area tidy also makes it much more enjoyable for city residents. Volunteers will be provided with rakes, garbage grabbers and trash bags. Be sure to bring your own gloves. We will be careful not to disturb nesting birds. An opening speech will be held at 13:30 at Kansalaistori Square. We’ll then head out to tidy up together. Stop by to help pick up trash either for a while or until the event wraps up at 15:00.

Contribute to a marine artwork

Let’s make art together and turn Kansalaistori Square into an underwater world! Come draw an imaginary fish, a shipwreck resting on the seabed, a bladder wrack forest, a diving seal, or any other Baltic Sea creature on the asphalt of Kansalaistori Square. Let’s create Finland’s largest piece of street chalk art! You can borrow chalk from the John Nurminen Foundation’s tent. Subject to weather conditions.

Tents at Kansalaistori Square

Biodiversity loss
The John Nurminen Foundation
What human activities have led to biodiversity loss in the Baltic Sea? What can we do to change course and save our home sea? Play our jumbo-sized Baltic Sea games about biodiversity loss and marine protection.

Stories of the Baltic Sea
Baltic Sea Services
Embark on a literary journey to discover stories about the Baltic Sea and deepen your connection to the archipelago. Wear a piece of clothing that conveys the John Nurminen Foundation’s message: show that you care. Books, clothing and outdoor gear with a Baltic Sea theme will be on sale at our tent.

For a healthier Baltic Sea
HELCOM
The Baltic Sea is a source of joy and wonderful experiences, but right now it’s not doing very well. What things actually pose a threat to the health of the Baltic Sea? How are the efforts to protect it coordinated internationally? And what can we all do to help make it better? Come learn more about the Baltic Sea through interactive maps, fun games and other activities.

Littering
Keep the Archipelago Tidy Association
Pop in to say hello and learn about the state of the Baltic Sea and our lakes. Test your skills in our sorting game and guess how long it takes for garbage to decompose in water. Kids will win stickers! We’ll also share tips about the Siisti Biitsi cleanup event and how to engage in citizen science. Popular Roope merchandise will also be on sale!

“We make the Baltic Sea happier” campaign
The Velmu programme and the Biodiversea LIFE-IP Project
Peer into the diverse world of the Baltic Sea at our aquarium and photograph exhibition, and spin our wheel of fortune. Explore the historical layers of the Baltic Sea and immerse yourself in its underwater soundscape in the company of grey seals. Chat with us to learn about how research and practical actions can improve the vitality of the Baltic Sea.

Sustainable choices in daily life
The Finnish-Swedish Martha Association and the Uusimaa branch of the Martha Organisation
Learn about sustainable fishing and pick up practical tips for making sustainable choices in your daily life! We’ll offer tasty samples of sustainable fish, share ideas for using fish, and provide guidance on sorting waste. You’ll learn how your own choices can help reduce littering and support the Baltic Sea.

The Port of Helsinki and shipping companies on the Baltic Sea
Port of Helsinki Ltd, Finnlines, Eckerö Line & Viking Line
At our tent, you’ll learn about the operations of the port and shipping companies and hear more about our work related to the Baltic Sea. The mascots of the shipping companies will also be there to delight visitors. Children will enjoy a variety of activities, such as jigsaw puzzles and temporary tattoos.

The Baltic Sea for kids
Tallink Silja Line
Visitors to Tallink Silja Line’s tent will find a fun photo booth. Snap a photo souvenir to take home! Kids can visit our special tattoo station to get a sea-themed temporary tattoo. In addition, Harri the Seal will stop by every hour on the hour to greet visitors.

The Baltic Sea of the future
Interreg Central Baltic Programme
Visitors to the EU’s Interreg Central Baltic Programme tent can dive into the future of the Baltic Sea and learn about concrete solutions. Come learn about the Baltic Sea-themed projects funded by the programme, draw your own vision of the Baltic Sea of the future or post a pledge on our wall – everyone can be part of the solution.

Everyday actions for the Baltic Sea
Rural Women’s Advisory Centre and Jalotus circular economy centre
Small everyday actions have a big impact on the Baltic Sea! We’ll share tips on how to reduce plastic and transition to a more sustainable everyday life with our free Sustainable Life Method course. We’ll be serving up tasty samples of vegetables and tips on how to incorporate more veggies into your diet.

Responsible boating
Ocean Ladies Association
Come meet the Ocean Ladies team! Plunge into the world of responsible boating, learn about how boaters calculate their carbon footprints and take part in a fun trivia quiz. Be inspired by sustainable choices at sea!

Active citizen
The Finnish Nature League
How can children and young people get their voices heard? At our tent, you’ll learn about different ways to get involved in citizen engagement. We’ll also showcase the Baltic Sea Group’s activities, from restoration efforts to cleanup drives. You can take a stand by signing the Baltic Sea petition and making an environmental pledge.

Water protection from the River Vantaa to the Baltic Sea
The Water Protection Association of the River Vantaa and Helsinki Region
We’ll tell you about water quality, fish populations, fishing and the recreational use of waterways. We’ll answer your questions, present our conservation efforts and provide useful tips on how everyone can do something, whether small or big, to help protect our waterways.

Citizen science
Rotary District D1420 Baltic Sea Forum
We’ll present our blue-green algae monitoring efforts and our free Water Backpack designed for use by schools. The Water Backpack contains tools and instructions to make exploring your local waters easy and fun. We’ll also tell you about international environmental networks and the Silakkasoutu charity rowing event for the benefit of Baltic herring. You’re welcome to sign up for this event!

Water protection in Helsinki
City of Helsinki
Did you know that the City of Helsinki has kept the condition of the Baltic Sea under regular monitoring since the 1960s? Come learn about the City of Helsinki’s water protection efforts, examine Helsinki’s tiniest residents under a microscope and see how you score in our quiz.

More information about the event:
The event is partially accessible. For more information about accessibility, please contact the event organiser:
Oona Piiroinen
Communications Specialist, Producer of the Baltic Sea Day
John Nurminen Foundation
oona.piiroinen@jnfoundation.fi
+358 (0)50 434 4879