The times are local times of Finland and Sweden, note the one-hour time-difference between the two countries.
Sat 16 July
Peaceful Organ
6 pm, Övertorneå Church
Gunnar Idenstam, organ
Offertory
Performance on the oldest organ in Sweden opens this year’s festival. The 17th century instrument serves as the vehicle for the world-renowned virtuoso Gunnar Idenstam in performances of beloved works J.S. Bach and M. Praetorius, as well as improvisations titled “Peaceful Organ”.
Sun 17 July
Väyläfestivaali movie
12 noon & 4 pm, Röda Kvarn, Övertorneå Center
Tickets 5 euros (children for free)
Filmed in summer 2020 in The Torne River Valley, this arts voyage transports the viewers into the heart of the nordic nature and to spectacular natural scenes. Artists from three countries tell a story of the “Väylä”, a river and a path, that has given birth to an abundance of art and that now hosts a cultural summit on its shores.
Tue 19 July
Currents of Music
6 pm, Svanstein Church
New Helsinki Quartet
Martin Andersson, clarinet
Offertory
New Helsinki -string quartet, one of Scandinavia’s most acclaimed chamber ensembles, currently celebrates their 40th anniversary and performs three concerts at the Väyläfestival. The sonorous acoustics of the Svanstein Church feature the quartet performing some their favourite works from Jean Sibelius and Aulis Sallinen. Martin Andersson, clarinetist of the Arctic Philharmonic Orchestra, joins the outstanding roster of chamber musicians.
Wed 20 July
Glimmering Sea
7 pm, Pello Church
New Helsinki Quartet
Martin Andersson, clarinet
Program 20 euros
Grieg’s String Quartet and Brahms’s Clarinet Quintet are two gems of European Romanticism. Nordic starkness and romantic passion substantiate the creative tension of Grieg’s music. Emerging from his late period, Brahms’s Clarinet Quintet searches paths to express sentiments spanning from pensiveness to nostalgia.
Thu 21 July
Voces Intimae
6 pm, Muodoslompolo Church
New Helsinki Quartet
Tickets 20/18/10 euros
Muodoslompolo Church is a delicate Lord’s room standing in the immediate vicinity of the river. It provides an ideal surrounding to experience the String Quartet “Voces Intimae” Jean Sibelius and “Aspects of Peltoniemi Hintrik’s Funeral March” Aulis Sallinen. New Helsinki String Quartet, having performed on the world’s most famous stages, offers these works at their Väyläfestival concert which is not to be missed!
Fri 22 July
The Island
6 pm, Alatalo House, Kätkäsuvanto, Muonio
Kaisa Ristiluoma, accordion
Tickets 20/18/10 euros
The historic Alatalo House transforms into a scenic island, where the listener can close one’s eyes, quiet down, and be immersed in one’s own world. Kaisa Ristiluoma’s love for folk music and nature is heard through the music. Nature is also powerfully present in Antti Lindholm’s painterly soundscape. Sari Lehtimäki’s text is filled with spirituality and presence, a central thought being that of finding happiness in every moment.
Sat 23 July
Spring of Voice – Jiena álgu
6 pm, Kilpisjärvi School
Niko Valkeapää, song
Miro Mantere, voice mixing
Tickets 25/22/12 euros
Movie only, 5 euros
Charismatic but benevolent songs have made Niko Valkepää one of the most sought-after musicians of the Northern Polar Cap. At this year’s Väyläfestival he embarks on a new path as he encounters the visionary voice mixer Miro Mantere.
7:15 pm, Kilpisjärvi School
Väyläfestivaali movie
Filmed in summer 2020 in The Torne River Valley, this arts voyage transports the viewers into the heart of the nordic nature and to spectacular natural scenes. Artists from three countries tell a story of the “Väylä”, a river and a path, that has given birth to an abundance of art and that now hosts a cultural summit on its shores.
Sun 24 July
My Stories
12–4 pm, Kilpisjärvi
Simon Issát Marainen, jojk and poems
Tickets 30 euros adults / 15 euros children (includes soup lunch and coffee)
The master joikare and poet Simon Issát Marainen returns to the Väyläfestival. He spends an afternoon together with the audience in the middle of the breathtakingly gorgeous nature of Kilpisjärvi. Marainen tells his story, performs joiks, and sheds light into the roots of his art in the flow of the Sami everyday life.
19 July – 17 August
Photograph-caches on the Torne River
Photograph-caches feature the work of professional photography artists currently active in the Torne River Valley. A map leading to the caches will be released on July 18th on the festival website and in Facebook. The photographs will be present at the given locations until August 17th.