Tampere Festival of Light's 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 Light, 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 Light on 23 October 

The Festival of Light 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 Light Opening Festival is the Tasa-arvon Tammerkoski art trail, which can be experienced over ten evenings from 23 October to 1 November, daily from 6 pm to 9 pm. 

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 Tasa-arvon Tammerkoski 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 Light programme. Performances will take place on the Tammerkoski rapids daily from 23 October to 1 November at 6 pm, 7 pm, 8 pm and 9 pm. 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 Light 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 pm Jumppatytöt performance at Tampere Workers’ Theatre 

• Approximately 5:15 pm Procession from Hämeenpuisto Park to Koskipuisto Park 

• 6:00 pm 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 Light 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 Light sites and installations will remain on display until the end of February 2027. 

Additional Information

Elsa Vähänen 
Communications Specialist 
Tampere Opera and Tampere Hall 
Phone: +358 40 551 2739 
Email: elsa.vahanen@tampere-talo.fi 

Emilia Hautamäki 
Coordinator, Communications and Marketing 
Tampere Festival of Light 
Phone: +358 40 154 4610 
Email: emilia.m.hautamaki@tampere.fi 

Jessica Stortz 
Coordinator, Lead Producer of the Festival of Light Opening Event 
Tampere Festival of Light
Phone: +358 40 628 0275 
Email: jessica.stortz@tampere.fi 

Ilona Kyykoski 
Senior Specialist 
Tampere Festival of Light 2026 
Phone: +358 40 706 5431 
Email: ilona.kyykoski@tampere.fi 

Meri-Maija Näykki 
Artistic Producer, Flow of Equality 
Phone: +358 40 567 3128 
Email: merimaija.naykki@gmail.com 

Jonna Nyholm 
Senior Specialist 
Tampere Festival of Light 2026 
Phone: +358 40 674 3617 
Email: jonna.nyholm@tampere.fi