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Helsinki, despite its status of capital and world-renowned political summit centre, is actually quite a small city. This can of course be both seen as an advantage or a disadvantage, depending on your point of view, but for the tourist it is ideal, as thus nothing is too far from anything. For example: the Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art, which is in the centre of the city, is a five minute walk away from the Finnish National Museum which is just across the street from the marble-clad Finlandia Hall. Then again, if you walk in the other direction you are not far from a number of restaurants, clubs and cinemas. And furthermore, if you are not the walking kind, you are quite likely to find a tram that goes in your direction - taking a tram is an experience that is not to be despised, especially if it is a new one for you (the experience, not necessarily the tram!). Art Helsinki has countless museums and should be able to satisfy both the most particular and the most demanding cravings in the artistic line. For a look on contemporary art the newly-opened Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art, will be an interesting place to start. Then again, if you have your sights set on something less avant-garde, more in the line of fine art, The Museum of Finnish Art, Ateneum, might be a better place to start with its works of art by artists ranging from Auguste Rodin to Akseli Gallen-Kallela and more. There is also a multitude of galleries in Helsinki, especially in the surroundings of Uudenmaankatu. Cinema The recently opened Tennispalatsi (14 screens, including among them Finlands largest screen with area of 176 m2) and Kinopalatsi (10 screens) are the two bigger cinema complexes in Helsinki. Besides these, there are of course many other smaller theatres and in most of them you will be able to see the most recent films. For the movie-goer with a more refined taste there is the Orion cinema, run by the Finnish Film Archive, with older films and a continuously changing programme of themes ranging from Fritz Lang movies to Czechoslovakian animations. In case you are looking for the slightly off-beat, but nonetheless want to see something more recent than what Orion has to offer, then Andorra, New York or Kino Engel might be the places to look. Most films are shown in their original language and have subtitles in Finnish and/or Swedish. Some childrens movies may be dubbed in Finnish. Theatre and dance Helsinki has an abundance of theatres, the biggest ones probably being the Kaupunginteatteri (City Theatre) and the Kansallisteatteri (National Theatre). The latter is situated directly opposite the Ateneum, right behind the statue of Aleksis Kivi, Finnish playwright of The Seven Brothers (Seitsemän veljestä) fame. Then there are, among numerous others, the Swedish Theatre (Svenska Teatern) catering to the Swedish-speaking part of the population with plays and musicals, Ylioppilasteatteri (The Student Theatre), and the not quite as centrally located but esteemed Pieni Suomi. The Vihreä Omena puppet theatre might also be worth your while, being known for its high quality productions. When it comes to dance, Helsinki is surprisingly amply equipped, having everything from the renowned Helsinki City Theatre Dance Group, to diverse Zodiak-productions at the Kaapelitehdas (?Cable Factory?), to the two-person Rollo Dance Theatre. Not to mention the numerous independent dance productions that are put on continuously all over the city. Then there is of course, the National Opera, where you can find anything from opera, to ballet, to more contemporary dance. Music For classical music the Finlandia Hall is definitely one of the places to go to. The Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra (Helsingin kaupunginorkesteri) often plays there, as does the Radio Symphony Orchestra (Radion sinfoniaorkesteri). Another most worth-while place to look is the Sibelius Academy (one of the worlds most famous music academies), which arranges a large number of concerts in various places over the year. Jazz-lovers, on other hand, will probably find what they are looking for in Storyville or Sture; and then again, if rock music is your thing, then the best places to look for it might well be Tavastia, Vanha or Semifinal. This, of course, is not to say that the above-mentioned are the only places to look! Further to these, all kinds of music, from classical to rock, can occasionally also be found in surprising places ranging from still-functioning churches to small cafés, and often in the outdoors Clubs If clubbing is what you are looking for then Helsinki should be able to give you your fill of that too. For the younger clubbers looking for MTV-style dance music there are, among others, Arkadia, Highlight and Roberts right in the centre of Helsinki; but be prepared to queue if going there on the weekend. For the slightly more trendy, grown-up club-goers there are also plenty of places to go, especially in the Uudenmaankatu / Fredrikinkatu area; among others, Kerma and Soda with funk, groove, house and techno music depending on the day. Another trendy area for young adults is the vicinity of the Helsinki-club, Copacabana, and Amarillo.
Amusement For those so inclined there is also an amusement park in Helsinki, Linnanmäki (meaning literally 'Castle Hill?, the park indeed being situated upon a hill). Here you will find bumper cars, slot machines, a roller coaster ride (the quite unique 100 year-old Vuoristorata), open-air shows and the Linnanmäki Museum, among other things. This is also the place where the Peacock theatre is located. Also worth a visit is the large Serena water park, not too far from the city. Gambling For those for whom gambling equals entertainment there is Helsinkis only casino, Casino RAY, situated in the President Hotel. Dress code applies. Festivals and events Among the many yearly events worth taking note of in Helsinki, is the Night of the Arts (Taiteiden Yö) when art in its various forms can be experienced through the night in places ranging from the Hesperia park to a telephone booth. The Night of the Arts has traditionally been held towards the end of August. It is also definitely worthwhile to find out precisely when the Kaivopuisto concerts are held this summer, especially if you are fond of Finnish pop music. In addition to that, if you are interested enough to look a bit further out, you might do well to check out the biggest rock festival in the area of greater Helsinki, which is the Ankkarock (literally 'Duck Rock?) festival in Korso, usually held at the end of the summer. In addition to this there are special festivals and events within for instance music and film that you should definitely find out about. Curiosities The Suomenlinna fortress island with its many small museums (for instance the Doll and Toy Museum, the Armfelt Museum, and the Vesikko Submarine, fortress remains, and a summer theatre, is a most worthwhile visit. It is lovely to spend a whole day there, picnicking and sunbathing as well as sightseeing. Getting there can be especially rewarding in the summer, when you can browse through the many stalls of the Market Square or take a look at the offerings in the cooler Old Market Hall (Vanha Kauppahalli), while waiting for the ferry to Suomenlinna. Among many other sights worth seeing and not yet mentioned are the Seurasaari Open-Air Museum in an environment that is sure to appeal to the nature-lover; the Heureka Science Centre for the more scientifically-minded; the Street Museum on Sofiankatu, for a look into the look of Helsinki streets in different times; and the magnificent Senate Square with its statue of Alexander II (1818-81), the Russian emperor who was favourably inclined towards the Finns. This is also the place to find the Cathedral, right behind the statue. Of interest is also the Kiseleff Bazaar with its many shops (one of the places to look for souvenirs and gifts to take home), having one of its entrances on Aleksanterinkatu, on the edge of the Senate Square. |
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