Scandinavian Culture Calendar: July 2024
By Karl Batterbee
The Tall Ships Races. Photo: Lauri Rotko
Your guide to the goings-on that you can look forward to around Scandinavia throughout the coming weeks.
The Tall Ships Races (4-7 July)
The Tall Ships Races, billed as Europe’s largest free family event, takes place in the Baltic Sea every four years. And for the first time since 2013, it’s coming to the Finnish capital. Helsinki will serve as one of the race’s host ports, which is expected to attract around 500,000 visitors to the city. And as well as the main event, there’ll be plenty more lined up around town to keep families well entertained.
Helsinki, Finland
www.tallshipsraceshelsinki2024.fi
Simon Fujiwara: It’s a Small World. Photo: Pirje Mykkänen
Simon Fujiwara: It’s a Small World (until October 2024)
Simon Fujiwara’s very first solo exhibition in Finland is It’s a Small World, featuring key works from the full span of the artist’s career. It includes his latest project, Who the Bær. As they search for their ‘true’ identity, the lovable cartoon bear morphs effortlessly into various art styles, people and objects – such as an Aalto vase or Marimekko’s Unikko print pattern. It promises to be a treat for the eyes, as well as the mind.
Finnish National Gallery, Helsinki
www.kiasma.fi/en/exhibitions/simon-fujiwara
Riddu Riđđu Festivàla. Photo: Marakatt Bertelsen
Riddu Riđđu Festivàla (10-13 July)
With a focus on creating a stronger awareness and sense of pride in Sámi culture and people, Riddu Riđđu Festivàla is an international indigenous festival. It’s been going for over three decades now, taking place in the Nord-Troms county of Norway. The festival is open-air and has a varied programme of activities and events for the whole family, as well as live music you likely won’t be given the opportunity to enjoy anywhere else.
Manndalen, Kåfjord, Norway
Styrsö Art Tour. Photo: Lillemor Andreasson
Styrsö Art Tour (13-14 July)
An annual event since 2008, the Styrsö Art Tour invites visitors to discover the creativity of local artists and craftsmen in the stunning Gothenburg archipelago. Guests have a unique opportunity to experience the beautiful island of Styrsö via carefully curated exhibitions that painters, sculptors and craftsmen host in their own studios and homes. With that personal touch added, it’s a rare chance to experience art with the artist.
Styrsö, Gothenburg, Sweden
Aarhus Jazz Festival. Photo: Poul Nyholm
Aarhus Jazz Festival (13-20 July)
This summer, music fans will be able to choose between more than 300 jazz concerts at 40 different venues throughout Aarhus at this internationally renowned jazz festival. The scope of what’s on offer includes jazz for children, jazz brunches and concerts with both international stars and local musicians performing. Aarhus Jazz Festival presents all styles of jazz to attendees and is proud of doing so. This year, the festival is placing an extra focus on community, cohesion and the interplay between musicians.
Aarhus, Denmark
Stockholm Pride. Photo: Olav Holton
Stockholm Pride (29 July to 3 August)
The largest Pride celebration in Northern Europe has rainbow-hued festivities planned all across Sweden’s capital. Aimed at lifting and celebrating the LGBTQ+ community, everyone else is invited too. It’s the Pride Parade on the Saturday afternoon that is traditionally the most popular event, attended by all. In the wake of tougher political climates and intensified public debate, the theme for this year’s Pride is Starkare Tillsammans (Stronger Together).
Stockholm, Sweden
Þjóðhátið Festival Photo: Gunnar Ingi
Þjóðhátið Festival (1-4 August)
Every year, the population of the Vestmannaeyjar (Westman Islands) in Iceland goes from 4,000 to approximately 20,000 for four days at the end of July or the beginning of August. Icelanders travel from all over the country to attend events such as concerts, bonfires, fireworks displays and the festival’s signature crowd sing-along which takes place on the Sunday night. There are few festivals around the world that offer revellers views like this!
Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland
Simon Fujiwara: It’s a Small World. Photo: Iisa Smeds
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