Tampere Festival of Lights 60th Anniversary Year Opens in Spectacular Style

This year marks 120 years since the introduction of universal and equal suffrage in Finland. Tampere played a significant role in advancing the reform, and the anniversary is strongly reflected in the programme of the Festival of Lights, which is itself celebrating its 60th anniversary. Over ten days, the event will transform the nationally significant Tammerkoski landscape into a stage for light art, opera and shared experiences.

Opening Ceremony Launches the Festival of Lights on 23 October

The Festival of Lights Opening Festival begins on Friday, 23 October at 7 p.m. with the traditional opening ceremony in Koskipuisto Park. The highlight of the evening is the new chamber opera Her Voice. The performance highlights the story of Hilja Pärssinen, one of the 19 women elected to the Finnish Parliament following the historic 1907 elections.

The music has been composed by Minna Leinonen, while the libretto and stage direction are by Marika Vapaavuori. Internationally acclaimed soprano Tuuli Takala performs the role of Hilja Pärssinen, while 13-year-old Villa Murtagh sings the role of Toini, a young factory worker. Her Voice is a commissioned work created for the 80th anniversary of Tampere Opera. Dancing waters are part of the performance.

For the outdoor performance, the orchestral parts will be recorded by the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Ruut Kiiski. Tampere Opera’s 50-member choir will perform live in Koskipuisto Park. The production also features 50 dancers from Balettikoulu Hannele Suomalainen. The choreography is by Riikka Korpi.

Flow of Equality Invites Visitors for an Evening Walk

A new addition to the Festival of Lights Opening Festival is the Flow of Equality art trail, which can be experienced over ten evenings from 23 October to 1 November, daily from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Stretching from Koskipuisto Park to Kehräsaari Island, the atmospheric illuminated route offers immersive light art and interactive experiences inspired by the anniversary of universal suffrage. This unique art trail features around ten works created by local artists, each exploring the theme of equality in a playful way.

Along the route, visitors can discover park pathways named after notable women from Tampere, learn the story behind a sculpture submerged in water, and find a message addressed to the men of a legendary Tampere rock band. At Vuolteentori Square, visitors can participate in the Voting for Light artwork, where voting influences how the area lights up and sounds. At the adjacent Equality Market, organisations promoting equality and inclusion will offer activities, opportunities to connect, and election-themed coffee gatherings.

The Flow of Equality art trail has been created by the same team behind Window Walkabout, a highly popular event held in autumn 2024. Inspired by the spirit of that event, installations displayed in the windows of Verkaranta and Kehräsaari feature artworks created using a variety of craft techniques.

More detailed information about the artworks and an event map will be published in the Tampere.Finland app closer to the event.

Dancing Waters Entertain Audiences Over Ten Evenings

As in previous years, Dancing Waters forms part of the Festival of Lights programme. Performances will take place on the Tammerkoski rapids daily from 23 October to 1 November at 6 p.m., 7 p.m., 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. This year’s soundtrack combines opera with works by artists and creators from Tampere.

People’s Celebration of Gymnastics Concludes the Festival

The Festival of Lights Opening Festival concludes on Sunday, 1 November at 6 p.m. with the National Celebration of Gymnastics in Koskipuisto Park.

The event is produced by the Jumppatytöt Theatre Group, recipient of Finland’s State Award for Public Information. Before the final celebration, participants will march in a procession from Hämeenpuisto Park to Koskipuisto Park, where a collective gymnastics and dance experience will take place.

The People’s Celebration of Gymnastics highlights the significance of women’s gymnastics in the history of Finnish equality and in the development of universal and equal suffrage.

Programme on 1 November

• 3:00 p.m. Jumppatytöt performance at Tampere Workers’ Theatre
• Approximately 5:15 p.m. Procession from Hämeenpuisto Park to Koskipuisto Park
• 6:00 p.m. People’s Celebration of Gymnastics at Koskipuisto Park

Festival of Lights Experiences Continue Throughout the Winter

In addition to the Opening Festival programme, this year’s Tampere Festival of Lights includes a large-scale light art installation in Hervanta, illuminations in the Milavida area, and the Light Gallery exhibition curated by the Tampere Art Museum throughout the city centre. All illuminated Festival of Lights sites and installations will remain on display until the end of February 2027.