Scandinavian Culture Calendar: July 2023

By Hanna Heiskanen

– Where to go, what to see? It’s all happening here

Architecture Walking Tours (various dates from July to October)

Like all Nordic countries, Finland is well known for its high-quality architecture. Architecture walking tours are a handy way to learn about the aesthetics of a place and get to grips with a new (or old) city. The Museum of Finnish Architecture organises a number of tours in Helsinki with different themes, including one on the modern city, covering sites from the 1930s to the late 2010s. All tours are led by an expert.

Locations around Helsinki

www.mfa.fi

Junibacken

Junibacken is one of those places that will make you feel like a child again, regardless of your age. Founded to celebrate the legacy of Swedish children’s author Astrid Lindgren, Junibacken opened its doors in 1996 and features theatre performances, play and exploration and the Story Train exhibition. Until the end of August, you can also check out the Aja Baja exhibition, which is based on the popular Alfie Atkins books by Gunilla Bergström.

Galärvarvsvägen 8, Stockholm

www.junibacken.se

Scandinavian Culture Calendar: July 2023

Junibacken is a Stockholm classic. Photo: Ulf Huett

Copenhagen Opera Festival (11 to 20 August)

If you think opera is only for the big stage, think again. The Copenhagen Opera Festival lets you experience this impressive art form in unusual locations around this Scandinavian capital. While the full programme is yet to be released at the time of printing, some of the highlights include the Festival Stage at Den Røde Plads for an opening concert of lieder music, Alehouse sessions (sea shanties) and a fairytale concert for children with the Copenhagen International Children’s Choir and others.

Venues around Copenhagen

www.operafestival.dk

Experience opera in the city at Copenhagen Opera Festival. Photo: Victoria Mørck Madsen

Blockfest (18 to 19 August)

If you’re a hip hop fan, do not miss Blockfest. This Tampere-based event has become a key date in the summer festival calendar since it was first organised in 2008, and saw 80,000 people attend in 2022. This year’s lineup includes international superstar Akon and a number of Finnish acts, including Yeboyah.

Ratinanniemi, Tampere

www.blockfest.fi

Catch the coolest beats at Blockfest in Tampere, Finland. Photo: Julius Konttinen

Drawn to Life: Works from the time of Bruegel and Rubens (until 10 September)

The old masters never fail to impress. Now you can witness this yourself by visiting the Norwegian National Museum’s Brueghel and Rubens exhibition celebrating late 16th and 17th century drawing, with works on loan from a collection in Belgium. The amount of detail in the sketches is astonishing, so don’t miss this opportunity to get up close and personal with them.

Pb. 7014 St. Olavs plass, Oslo

www.nasjonalmuseet.no

Gösta Adrian-Nilsson: Den vita och den blå matrosen. Photo: Stockholms Auktionsverk

At Arm’s Length – One hundred years of Nordic art (until 1 October)

Founded in 2000, Artipelag combines art, activities and the archipelago. Located in the stunning Swedish archipelago, Artipelag is one of Stockholm’s most spacious art exhibition spaces and a cool example of contemporary architecture that exists in harmony with its surroundings. At Arm’s Length showcases works from the Norwegian Tangen collection, with Nordic visual artists represented. Check out the permanent outdoor sculpture exhibition, too.

Artipelagstigen 1, Gustavsberg

www.artipelag.se