Helsinki’s Night of the Arts kicks off with giant giraffes and 300 events
Helsinki’s annual Night of the Arts has begun, coinciding with the start of the Helsinki Festival Weeks. This year’s celebration features around 300 events, including a striking performance by French artists that has never before been seen in the Nordic countries.
The highlight of the evening is Les Girafes, a parade by the French Compagnie Off group, where large, brightly red giraffe figures march through the city center. MTV Uutiset reports that the artistic director of the Helsinki Festival Weeks, Johanna Freundlich, describes the giraffes as "memorable" and "magnificent rogues." She notes that while the performance has been staged worldwide, this is its first appearance in the region (MTV Uutiset).
Freundlich also reflects on the challenges of curating the festival’s program, calling it a "multi-year struggle" to bring the vision to life. Despite initial concerns over poor weather earlier in the day, the rain cleared by evening, allowing the events to proceed as planned. "There was a dramatic arc to this," she remarked (MTV Uutiset).
In addition to the giraffe parade, the Night of the Arts offers a diverse range of activities. Yle reports that the city will host several rave and dance events, featuring genres from swing to drum and bass. The tradition of open doors also continues, with cultural institutions welcoming the public free of charge (Yle).
