The Jyväskylän Kesän 70th Anniversary Exhibition opens on Tuesday at 2 p.m.

Did you know that the oldest continuously running cultural festival in the Nordic countries originated in Seminaarinmäki, Jyväskylä? The first Jyväskylän Kesä was held in the summer of 1956. The venue was the newly completed main building of the College of Education, designed by Alvar Aalto. Finland’s first summer festival grew rapidly, and soon the event filled not only the campus but the entire city—extending its influence all the way to the surrounding region with its multidisciplinary program and international guests.

What has the festival's history over the decades entailed? How has the event been organized, and what have been Jyväskylän Kesä’s most memorable moments and greatest achievements? The Jyväskylän Kesä 70th Anniversary Exhibition showcases the event’s most significant themes and turning points through photographs, newspapers, audio recordings, and posters, among other things. The event’s unique visual identity also plays a significant role, and the furnishings at the university library Lähde are largely based on it—after all, the black-and-white fabric on the benches and sofas is even named “Jyväskylän Kesä.”.

The exhibition is organized by Jyväskylän Kesä in collaboration with the University of Jyväskylä Science Museum. In partnership with Print House Ace.

Exhibition opening on Tuesday, July 1st at 2 PM

At the University of Jyväskylä Library Lähde's lobby, there is an opportunity to view an exhibition and hear from a journalist who knows the festival well after a long time. Eila Tiaisen speaking time. Both the opening and the exhibition are free to enter. The exhibition is open and freely accessible until mid-August.

The exhibition's online section will be built throughout the summer at https://jyvaskylankesa.fi/nayttely