The current global situation calls for us to stay inside as much as possible and avoid crowds, but there’s still plenty of fun to be had! So if you’re stuck inside this April, here are some ways you can still be a part of the local scene.
Here’s all the ways to enjoy Helsinki while social distancing this April, including virtual tours, concerts, and events, plus ideas for online shopping and at-home activities:
Tuesday 21st – Thursday 23rd April
Devops
Devops, which is usually a physical tech convention, is taking place virtually this year. Anyone who is interested in the latest tech developments can enjoy a programme centred around the cloud, data, and security. The convention includes many keynote speakers. Ticket prices TBA.
Friday 24th – Saturday 25th April
Korjausmaraton (Mending Marathon)
As part of spring cleaning, we might have a bunch of clothing and household items that need mending – this is the time to tackle those projects! Verstas247 suggests participating from home by sharing your mending work on social media under the #korjausmaraton/#mendingmarathon hashtags. Free.
Cultural Activities
Slow down with slow tv
Take a tip from our Nordic neighbors and enjoy the anxiety-reducing qualities of Slow TV – a Norwegian phenomenon that’s resulted in 12-hour marathon showings of train journeys, knitting, and wood burning to name but a few.
Sinerbychoff Art Museum Virtual Tour
Sinebychoff Art Museum showcases the art collection of Paul and Fanny Sinerbychoff, and it includes work by many European old masters. You can take a virtual tour of the house museum, which is a permanent exhibition consisting of art, furniture, and artifacts.
Virtual Helsinki
If you have access to a VR device such an Oculus Rift, you can visit Helsinki’s landmarks virtually. Zoan, a virtual reality studio, has created the experience. In their “Sound of Seasons” tour, you can see things like Senate Square and Alvar Aalto’s home at different times of the year. Free to use.
Ateneum Virtual Tour
Ateneum, the largest art museum in Finland and part of the Finnish National Gallery, is one of the museums teamed up with Google Arts & Culture to offer a virtual taste of their items. The Google gallery includes 55 items, among them works by Finnish greats like Akseli Gallen-Kallela. Free.
Worker Housing Museum Virtual Tour
The Worker Housing Museum is a time capsule from Helsinki’s past. At the turn of the 20th century, Helsinki built housing for city employees and their families. Today one of the buildings exists as this museum, which simulates living conditions in different time periods. They offer a virtual tour.
Tiedekulma Livestreams
Tiedekulma, where University of Helsinki researchers present their latest findings, has live streams of its program. A myriad of topics are covered, including health, social issues, climate change, and politics. Once it’s safe, check out the live event in the city center too! Free.
Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra Livestreams
The Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra’s spring season concerts have been canceled, but there are hours upon hours of live-stream footage from past concerts to enjoy! Many full concerts, from Beethoven and Tchaikovsky to contemporary composers, are available for free.
Korona-Konsertit Livestreamed Concerts
Korona-Konsertit (Corona Concerts), the newly launched and aptly named website, lists upcoming Finnish concerts that have decided to go to live stream instead of canceling. Concerts of many genres are available, and many of them are by small indie artists. Free.
Keikalla.fi Live-streamed Performances
Lippu.fi, Rockway, and the Musician’s Guild have partnered up to bring you this service, which will host concerts and other performances virtually via live stream. Big Finnish names like Mira Luoti and Anssi Kela are set to perform. Ticket prices will vary.
Finnish National Opera and Ballet Livestreams
The spring season for the Finnish National Opera and Ballet is on hold, but their Stage24 service lets you watch full streams of their past performances! The selection includes operas like Don Giovanni and shows like Pippi Longstocking and La Bohème. Free.
Home Activities
Bake Some Karelian Pies
If you’ve never made traditional Finnish Karelian pies, it’s a wonderful activity that can fill an afternoon. Despite the long process, Karelian pies are not difficult to make! SaimaaLife has a recipe, complete with instructional photos, in English.
Watch Classic Finnish Films
At the end of last year, Finland’s National Audiovisual Institute, or KAVI, made hundreds of old Finnish films available for free online. Over 200 are full-length films, and their production dates range from 1913 to 1990.
LIISA LAINE live stream Yoga
Keep focusing on your breath with online yoga classes, taught via Zoom. The classes will be given in English.
Shopping
LOKAL Online Store
LOKAL is a concept store and gallery that sells high-quality handicrafts from local creators. Their collection includes ceramics, jewelry, textiles, prints, wooden utensils, and more decorative items. You can buy from their online shop, which is in and of itself clean and aesthetic.
Kauniste Online Store
Kauniste is a charming independent lifestyle store that sells fabric, housewares, paper goods, and accessories. Their distinctive style is full of bold colors, shapes, and natural themes. Their online shop is well-stocked with many adorable items.
TRE Online Store
Nordic design items reflecting the values of good design, beauty, sustainability, and transparency are available at TRE. TRE has clothing for women and men, children’s items, housewares, furniture, health and beauty items, and more. Their online shop is open and easy to navigate.
Minna Parikka Online Store
Minna Parikka is a local shoe designer famous for her bunny-eared designs. The storefront in the city centre is famous for colourful and whimsical window displays, but even from home you can see that vibe reflected in the online store’s selection.
If you’re a business or organisation that would like us to add your event to next month’s calendar, please contact us at hello [@] scandinaviastandard [dot] com. Thank you!
Get new articles, interesting links and upcoming events delivered to your inbox every month. No spam. Unsubscribe whenever you want.
