This year, the opening programme will take place in an exceptional setting, as the performance venue is the new temporary bridge crossing the Tammerkoski rapids. The bridge replaces the Valssipadonraitti bridge during its renovation and will now serve for the first time as the stage for the entire opening performance.
This year’s Festival of Light programme celebrates the 120th anniversary of universal and equal suffrage in Finland. The highlight of the evening is Her Voice, a commissioned chamber opera created for the 80th anniversary year of Tampere Opera. The work tells the story of Member of Parliament Hilja Pärssinen, one of the first women elected in Finland’s historic 1907 parliamentary elections. Created specifically for the Festival of Light opening, the outdoor performance combines opera, choral music and dance while making use of urban space in a way never before seen in the event’s history.
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 Villa Murtagh sings the role of Toini, a young factory worker.
The opening night performance features Tampere Opera’s choir of nearly 50 singers and 50 dancers from Balettikoulu Hannele Suomalainen. In addition to the hundred performers, Dancing Waters also forms part of the chamber opera production.
Deputy Mayor Anne-Mari Jussila, who will deliver the City of Tampere’s greeting at the opening ceremony, emphasises the significance of this anniversary year:
- For 60 years, the Festival of Light has held a special place in the autumn of Tampere residents. This year, we are also celebrating the 120th anniversary of universal and equal suffrage and the 80th anniversary year of Tampere Opera. I hope as many people as possible will come and experience the Flow of Equality art trail, the unique opera performance at the opening ceremony and the many other experiences offered by the Opening Festival together with family and friends.
A new addition to the Festival of Light Opening Festival is the Flow of Equality art trail, which is open daily from 23 October to 1 November, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The approximately 1.5-kilometre illuminated route stretches from Koskipuisto Park to Kehräsaari and features 11 artworks created by local artists, along with participatory experiences inspired by the 120th anniversary of universal and equal suffrage.
Along the route, visitors can stroll through park avenues named after notable women from Tampere, discover the story behind an underwater sculpture, experience an artwork dedicated to the memory of Seela Sella, and find a message from a Tampere rock legend in Äijäluola.
At Vuolteentori Square, visitors can actively participate and influence how the surroundings of an artwork light up and sound. The All Tampere Development Programme enables both the multi-part Voting for Light installation celebrating suffrage and the Equality Market, which highlights the equality work carried out by Tampere-based communities. At the Equality Market, visitors can enjoy activities, meet others and take part in election-themed coffee gatherings provided by the All Tampere Development Programme.
The Flow of Equality art trail has been created by the same team responsible for the highly popular Window Walkabout event in autumn 2024. Inspired by that event, installations displayed in the windows of Verkaranta and Kehräsaari feature artworks created using a variety of craft techniques.
As tradition dictates, Dancing Waters will return to the Tammerkoski rapids for ten consecutive evenings following the opening night. Performances will take place daily on the hour at 6 p.m., 7 p.m., 8 p.m. and 9 p.m.
The story of Tampere comes to life through performances whose music shifts from one style and atmosphere to another. As in previous years, audiences are encouraged to watch the performances from Koskipuisto Park. This arrangement ensures the normal operation of the temporary bridge and the safety of visitors during the Dancing Waters performances.
The Festival of Light Opening Festival concludes on Sunday, 1 November with the People’s Celebration of Gymnastics.
In the finale, gymnasts will march in a procession from Hämeenpuisto Park to Koskipuisto Park, where participants will join a shared gymnastics and dance experience led by the Jumppatytöt Theatre Group and accompanied by Dancing Waters.
This community celebration highlights the significance of women’s gymnastics as part of the history of equality in Finland.
In addition to the Opening Festival, this year’s Festival of Light programme includes the Hervanta light installations, illuminations in the Milavida area and the Light Gallery exhibition curated by the Tampere Art Museum.
This year’s Light Gallery artist is Tampere-based visual artist Sanna Kauppinen with her work The Mythic Forest and the Golden King.
Festival of Light installations and illuminated sites can be enjoyed across the city until the end of February 2027.
The temporary bridge crossing the Tammerkoski rapids, which will be used as the stage for the Festival of Light opening ceremony, will be closed to pedestrians and cyclists during event preparations and the opening programme on 22-23 October 2026.
During the closure, crossings of the Tammerkoski rapids will be routed via Hämeensilta Bridge and Satakunnansilta Bridge. Signage in the area will direct pedestrians and cyclists to temporary routes. The temporary bridge will return to normal use on Saturday, 24 October.
The bridge was originally constructed to maintain pedestrian and cycling connections across the Tammerkoski rapids during the renovation of the Valssipadonraitti bridge. It will now take on an exceptional role as the stage for the Festival of Light opening ceremony for the first time.
