Kuopio Dance Festival: A gathering of world-class talent in the heart of Finland

By Ndéla Faye

Every June, Kuopio transforms into one of the most vibrant dance capitals in the Nordics. For a week, the lakeside city becomes a stage for world-class contemporary dance.

Kuopio Dance Festival, founded in 1969, is the Nordic region’s longest-running and one of its most influential contemporary dance festivals. It draws professionals, art lovers and enthusiasts from around the world, and its setting – in the heart of Finnish Lakeland – combined with midsummer’s nightless nights, gives the event a uniquely atmospheric backdrop.

Tickets are already on sale for next summer’s festival, held from 8 to 14 June, and the upcoming festival will feature performances by one of Europe’s leading contemporary dance companies, GöteborgsOperans Danskompani.

For Kuopio Dance Festival’s artistic director Kenneth Kvarnström, bringing the company to Finland is a major achievement. Led by Icelandic artistic director Katrín Hall, GöteborgsOperans Danskompani is known for its bold and forward-thinking approach, and performances routinely sell out across the world. The company’s dancers come from more than 20 countries and perform almost exclusively new works created with acclaimed choreographers, composers and creative teams.

Kuopio Dance Festival: A gathering of world-class talent in the heart of Finland

“It’s incredibly special to have a company of this calibre in Kuopio. Their dancers come from all over the world, and the works have been created by some of today’s most sought-after choreographers. This is a rare treat for audiences in Finland,” Kvarnström says.

In Kuopio, they will present works by Sharon Eyal, Hofesh Shechter, Botis Seva and Marcos Morau. Two of these are new creations by Seva and Morau, giving Kuopio’s audiences an early opportunity to experience them soon after the world premieres.

Although GöteborgsOperans Danskompani is the headline act, the festival programme extends beyond a single company. A perennial favourite, the Kuopio Dance Festival Gala, returns with a curated collection of short works by leading Finnish and international artists.

Kvarnström hopes that newcomers will feel inspired to explore the festival. “The festival offers a great glimpse into the best of contemporary dance. The Gala, for example, is an accessible way to see the breadth and versatility of the genre. It’s a celebration where audiences can experience different styles and perspectives in one evening,” he says.

The festival also includes free workshops and seminars for all ages, as well as outdoor events and pop-up performances that animate the city. For many visitors, Kuopio itself becomes part of the experience, offering a uniquely intimate way to encounter contemporary dance.