The Jyv\u00e4skyl\u00e4n Kes\u00e4 cultural festival, which ended on Tuesday, was so large-scale that visitor counts are still being tallied. According to initial estimates, however, the number of visitors is close to the figures from recent years. During the festival week celebrating its 70th anniversary, attendees paused to reflect on emotions, insights, and experiences amid a diverse lineup of multidisciplinary events.<\/p>\n
The theme of Jyv\u00e4skyl\u00e4n Kes\u00e4n this year has been culture. For many, it was inspiring and enlightening to see just how broadly culture can be approached, where it can be found everywhere, and the many ways in which culture influences us. Throughout the festival week, this theme colored the entire array of science and arts programs, from the lecture series to the Park Festival.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have learned about programming themes for the week so that we can deepen speech through art and vice versa. It feels like our anniversary year honored past generations and creators in how this festival-like richness was realized.<\/p>\n
While putting together our 70th-anniversary exhibition, we came across a decades-old quote in some old newspaper articles: \u2018It always rains at Jyv\u00e4skyl\u00e4n Kes\u00e4,\u2019 and this time, that remark proved true\u2014at least in the forecasts. The threat of storms significantly affected ticket sales for the Park Festival. The public usually decides in advance whether to attend, and one of the most beautiful summer evenings in Lounaispuisto fell somewhat short of our visitor targets. \u201dIn terms of content, the whole week was fantastic, and most of the indoor events, in particular, drew a great crowd,\u201d commented Festival Director Ky\u00f6sti Ylikulju on the festival week.<\/p>\n
A comprehensive 70th-anniversary exhibition showcasing the festival's history is available at the University of Jyv\u00e4skyl\u00e4 Library L\u00e4hde until August 13.<\/p>\n
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The festival week kicked off with great emotion as the Encore Hall at Paviljonki filled with the joint celebratory concert by Jyv\u00e4skyl\u00e4n Kes\u00e4 and the Jyv\u00e4skyl\u00e4 Symphony Orchestra. The internationally acclaimed pianist Olli Mustonen served as both soloist and conductor in this unique concert. The program included, among other works, a new piece by Aulis Sallinen\u2014who is celebrating his 90th birthday\u2014titled *Varjoista laulujen varhain* (From the Shadows of Early Songs). The Jyv\u00e4skyl\u00e4 Sinfonia, also marking its 70th anniversary, celebrated with us the decades-long tradition of culture, art, education, and collaboration. The enchanting joint concert left no listener unmoved\u2014the hall was filled with an ecstatic and magical atmosphere that lasted throughout the evening.<\/p>\n
Emotional moments were also experienced on Sunday, when the jazzy Ricky-Tick Big Band, composer and jazz musician Valtteri Laurell P\u00f6yh\u00f6nen, and soul artist Emilia Sisco told the story of the forest spirit Tapio through music. The dark and atmospheric Helsinki Noir Suite \u2013 Searching for Tapio was a touching and relevant piece that dealt with modern people's relationship with nature. In addition, festival-goers got to enjoy Stevie Wonder's evergreen songs, as the captivating Emma Balbatsu, Antti Kleemola, and Lasse Hirven Wonder interpreted the legendary songs in the Stevie Wonder 75v tribute.<\/p>\n
Puistojuhlat, which focuses on pop, rap, and indie music, has established itself as a fixture of Finland\u2019s festival summer, and once again drew around 3,500 people from across the country to enjoy its diverse lineup. As usual, the park festival featured a wide array of artists: on Thursday, the crowd soaked up the summer evening atmosphere and danced to the beat of rap music with performances by Orvokki, Ville Leinonen & Valumo, good boys, Saimaa, and Regina. On Friday, pop and rap artists radiating energetic stage presence kept the festival crowd in high spirits: performing were Shakkii, Senya, J\u00e4tk\u00e4J\u00e4tk\u00e4t, Joalin, Paperi T, and Ege Zulu. The joyful atmosphere at the Park Festival was palpable, and festivalgoers were excited not only by the artists but also by the festival\u2019s hilarious side events.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday evening, the festival week was capped off by the acclaimed singer-actress Arja Saijonmaa, known for her captivating performances. The unique closing concert was a production commissioned by Jyv\u00e4skyl\u00e4n Kes\u00e4, entirely conceived by Saijonmaa\u2014from the performance script to the selection of the ensemble. The concert\u2019s central theme was Jyv\u00e4skyl\u00e4n Kes\u00e4\u2019s 2025 theme of \u201ccivilization,\u201d as well as the festival\u2019s 70-year history. In his concert, which offered poignant commentary on the state of the world, Saijonmaa shared his own memories from his colorful career: after all, he has been part of Jyv\u00e4skyl\u00e4n Kes\u00e4\u2019s program since as early as 1970.<\/p>\n
Throughout the festival week, programming was spread across the city so widely that the entire city was filled with a summery cultural atmosphere. The old Toivola courtyard and the Old Rectory area became a new focal point of the festival, hosting concerts, stand-up comedy, and summer theater. At Toivola, in the company of Lasse Hirvi, audiences saw, among others, Oliver Hurrell, who charmed the audience and viewers in the Voice of Finland competition, and Paleface. The Pippi Longstocking season at the Toivola summer theater, which opened during the festival week, is just beginning, so it will still be possible to attend some of the programming later on.<\/p>\n
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In addition to a wide variety of concerts and live performances, Jyv\u00e4skyl\u00e4n Kes\u00e4 also featured a broad range of theater, monologues, opera, and poetry readings. During the festival week, for example, audiences had the chance to delve into the lives of Veijo R\u00f6nkk\u00f6nen and Siiri Angerkoski through monologues, be surprised by the relationship twists in La Kala\u2019s opera *Rita and Two Friends*, and reflect on Edith S\u00f6dergran\u2019s moving poems. In addition, visitors had the chance to delve into the current state of schools in the emotionally charged performance *The State of the School \u2013 One More Time!*, written and performed by Anna-Mari Laulumaa. There was plenty to do for the whole family as well: M\u00e4ki-Matti Family Park featured various theater and music performances, a samba workshop, and a collaborative effort to paint Oikokatu into a colorful work of art together with visitors. In connection with the painting of Oikokatu, an exhibition was also held showcasing the painting\u2019s tradition spanning over 40 years.<\/p>\n
In addition to multidisciplinary art, science also plays a significant role at Jyv\u00e4skyl\u00e4n Kes\u00e4. This year\u2019s lecture program explored the concept of culture through topics such as the culture of discourse, consumerism, and polarization. Furthermore, festival-goers had the opportunity to participate in activities such as the traditional \u201cFrom Lawn to Meadow\u201d community workday and philosophical walks in the great outdoors. All of this year\u2019s panel discussions will be available to watch for a year on the Jyv\u00e4skyl\u00e4n Kes\u00e4 and Keskisuomalainen websites. The discussion on culture continues through both the book *Sivistyksen vuoksi* (For the Sake of Culture), published in connection with the festival, and opinion pieces appearing in various media outlets.<\/p>\n
As usual, during the festival week, Jyv\u00e4skyl\u00e4n Kes\u00e4 visitors enjoyed free admission to various museums, art exhibitions, and events. This year, there were significantly more museums and galleries participating than in previous years, including, as a new addition, the Pyk\u00e4list\u00f6 Center for Contemporary and Light Art in Jyv\u00e4skyl\u00e4, recently opened by the Alonen family of artists. Multidisciplinarity is indeed something that Jyv\u00e4skyl\u00e4n Kes\u00e4 wants to continue to cherish\u2014after all, it is a treasure that should not be taken for granted.<\/p>\n
Jyv\u00e4skyl\u00e4n Kes\u00e4n Image Library: https:\/\/jyvaskylankesa.kuvat.fi\/kuvat\/<\/a><\/p>\n