Come and join the celebration of 100 years old Finland!
Finland’s big year 2017
Finland became an independent state on 6 December 1917. The newly born state was willed into being by the Finns after a long struggle. In spite of hard times, the Finnish people have for almost a hundred years engaged in the building of their country and making decisions together. Now the Finns are leading their country into a new century with courage and determination.
The centenary of Finland’s independence in 2017 will be the most significant commemorative year for this generation of Finns. The centenary emphasises Finland’s strengths, such as equality and democracy by offering Finns and friends of Finland diverse and international centenary program in Finland and abroad. The centenary year provides opportunities to better understand the past, experience the jubilee together and set the course for Finland’s future success.
Come and join the celebration!
Theme – Together
The theme of Finland’s centenary celebration year is ‘Together’. With the help of a host of participants, we will draw up a lively programme covering the whole of 2017. The centenary celebration is open to both Finns and friends of Finland. Now you have the opportunity to do a small or great deed and so make a contribution to your own community – Finland.
The centenary is a vantage point from which we can look both forward and back on a hundred years, with our feet firmly planted in the present. Our centenary programme will deepen our understanding of the entire period since independence, while surveying Finland as it is now and seeking and forging a new country.
A varied programme will mark Finland’s independence celebrations in 2017. While overall responsibility for putting the programme together rests with the ‘Finland 100 Years’ organisation established in the Prime Minister’s Office, the centenary programme can only be created through the joint efforts of Finns and friends of Finland. The programme’s implementation and themes are going to be as diverse as Finland and the Finns.
(
Celebrations in Kerava
We celebrate 100 years old Finland in Kerava many ways.
In Kerava, we emphasise working together and building communality, also for years to come. A rich and diverse programme of events is carried out by the town of Kerava along with local organisations, associations and other partners.
Kerava – 100 years together
In Kerava, an ensemble of cultural events is carried out throughout the jubilee year 2017. During the year, we celebrate Finland’s 100th anniversary of independence, remember the past 100 years as well as create common good for the future. In the jubilee year of Finland’s independence, we, in Kerava, emphasise working together and building communality also for years to come. A rich and diverse programme of events is organised by the town of Kerava along with local organisations, associations and other partners.
Green Kerava
We plant 100 cherry trees in honour of 100-year-old Finland. We want to bring about the beauty of nature and its empowering elements in exhibitions and seminars. During the ‘Nature Week’ in Kerava Library, we familiarise ourselves with the Finnish natural phenomena.
Bold Kerava
We make bold cultural initiatives, for example, by arranging Finland’s first museum exhibition exclusively concentrating on graffiti art. We enjoy the unique light-installation created by an international New Media artist. In the civil conversation ‘100 Steps’, we brainstorm solutions for bettering and improving the future.
Common Kerava
We give people opportunities to be and do things together in excellent public lectures, concerts, dances, sport events and youth workshops. We employ and mentor young people as they take part organising the jubilee year events. We invite all to join us.
’Kerava – 100 Years Together’ -project is a part of the national ’Finland 100 Years’ –project. Program will be updated. See also
Picks from the jubilee year programme
For the Love of Freedom -exhibition
August 5 – October 29, Art and Museum Centre Sinkka
This exhibition, which is the first museum exhibition in Finland focused solely on graffiti art, presents around 20 high-profile graffiti artists as well as deciphers the concept, style and background of street calligraphy. For the exhibition, the artists use about 200 square metres of interior wall area to display their graffiti. In addition, graffiti art and culture is displayed comprehensively in the form of paintings, videos and other supplementary material.
There will also be a permanent mural on the exterior wall of Sinkka, which derives its theme from the exhibition title. The mural will be painted by a renowned foreign artist, whose name will be announced later. There are also workshops, lectures and artist-led tours about graffiti art during the exhibition.
Dance@Kerava - Dance Video Competition
From August 11 –
What kind of rhythms, feelings and steps can you find in Kerava? Be creative and let movement lead you towards the 100-year-old Finland! Junior Chamber International, Keski-Uusimaa and Kerava Dance Institute arrange an open Dance@Kerava –dance video competition for the second time. The competition starts during Tuusula Night of the Arts –event on August 11, 2017. There are own series for children, youth and adults in the competition.
National poetry with new melodies - A concert with dance
August 16, 6pm. Kerava Library, Pentinkulma Hall
Poems by J.L. Runeberg, Aleksis Kivi, Aale Tynni, Saima Harmaja and Kaarlo Sarkia composed and sung by Kari Halme.
Garlic Festival
August 19, Kerava town centre
Arranged by Valkosipulin Ystävät – Allium Sativum ry.
Sykettä Sydämiin – sport and exercise day for children and seniors
August 22, from 2pm-
Wide-ranging activities, performances, light refreshments (for Activity Pass users). Themes include traffic safety, nutrition and healthy diet etc. Programme and venues are to be confirmed later.
Language Cafe – speak any language you want!
Autumn, Kerava Opisto
Welcome to speak in different languages! Language cafe is an open and free multilingual conversation event where you can practise the languages you like – in a good atmosphere. There are both native-speakers and language learners at the event. Languages include: English, Spanish, Italian, French, Swedish, Finnish as a second language, Russian and Estonian. Some language teachers of Kerava Opisto will also take part in the conversations.
Dates: Saturday, September 23, 1pm-2.30pm
Friday, October 6, 6pm-7.30pm
Saturday, October 28, 12am-1.30pm (Kaikkien Kerava –event)
Saturday, November 11, 1pm-2.30pm
Friday, November 24, 5pm-6.30pm
Venue: Kerava Lukio ja Aikuislukio, 3. floor, (entrance through F-door). Speak any language you like – even Finnish! Conversation topics include food culture, travelling, hobbies and participants’ own topics.
Free of charge. Coffee and tea served. No registration.
Handicraft tour into the Sámi culture and handicrafts
August 29-September 3, Finnish Lapland and Norway
On this Keravan Opisto study trip, we visit, for instance, Culture Centre Sajos, Nature Centre Siida and The Sámi Education Institute. In Sevettijärvi, we learn how to make Sámi handicrafts under the guidance of Skolt Sámi handicraft master. We also visit Sámi Handicrafts Market in the arctic area.
‘Finland 100’ Exhibition in Iceland
September 1-3, Reyjknaesbaer, Iceland
Handicraft exhibition and ‘Finland 100’ exhibition at the ‘sister institute’ of Keravan Opisto. Arranged by Keravan Opisto.
100 Minutes: Body Maintenance Yoga
September 3, 1pm-2.40pm, Keskuskoulu gym
Instructor: Minna Loponen. First, we warm up our bodies gently. The exercise is based on dynamic hatha yoga. At the end of the exercise, we concentrate on increasing body flexibility and getting rid of tensions with the help of long stretches. Level 1. Free of charge. Lasts for 100 minutes.
‘Finland-100’ Lecture: Foreign Correspondent’s Europe – What is Finland’s role in it?
September 4, 6pm-7.30pm. Keravan lukio ja aikuislukio, Auditorium 1.97
Journalist Heikki Aittokoski
Taanila and 100-year-old Finland.
September 6, 6pm, Kerava Library, Pentinkulta Hall
Special guest: Writer Sirpa Kähkönen
Kerava Circus Market 40 years
September 9-10, Town Centre
‘Finland 100’ told by rags
September 26 – October 8. Art Gallery Alli.
Sinikka Salminen’s exhibition at Art Gallery Alli of KuumArt Art Society.
Finnish Film – singalong
September 30, 1pm, Kerava library, Pentinkulma Hall
Shining stars, unforgettable melodies and strong emotions on the silver screen. Come join us as we sing together the most beautiful and joyful Finnish film pieces! Our singing will be accompanied by singing clips from classic films.
100 Minutes: Zumba
October 1, 1pm-2.40pm, Keskuskoulu gym
Instructor: Rina Knape. Zumba is the biggest workout hit of the past decade. And no wonder! Compelling music with fun and easy dance movements get you going and bring both sweat and smile on your face. Level 1. Free of charge. Lasts for 100 minutes.
‘Finland 100’ Lecture: Finland Now
October 5, 6pm-7.30pm. Sampolan Palvelukeskus, Rooms: Väinämöinen and Ilmarinen
Satu Miettinen (YLE current affairs reporter). Arranged by Keravan Opisto.
Finland After Independence –dances
October 5, Kerava Liblary, Pentinkulma Hall
Music Academy concert series is followed by ‘Finland After Independence’ –dance event, where you can hear music from the 1930’s and 40’s. The event is a part of Senior Week programme.
Jäger’s Wife – singspiel
October 7 – November 18, Kerava Hall
This year, while celebrating the 100-year-old Finland, Kerava Opera also celebrates its own 40th birthday. To mark this occasion, Kerava Opera presents Sam Sihvo’s singspiel Jäger’s Wife. Based on a true story the singspiel tells about young men travelling to Germany for their military training in order to be ready to fight for Finland’s independence in 1917. However, in the thick of the battle and treacherous schemes young love blooms between dancer Sabina and jäger Martti. In the singspiel, you hear brisk jäger marches and evergreens such as, ‘Oi, poika Pohjolan’, ‘Lauloi mulle äiti armas’, ‘Elon mainingit korkeina käyvät’. The play is directed by Timo Tirri. Coreography by Sami Vartiainen. Music by Ilkka Kotaja Orchestra.
Art Society KuumArt Kerava -exhibition
October, Kerava’s sister municipality Ascherleben, Germany
’We have Finland’ -concert
October 12, 6pm. Kerava library
A dramatised concert for young children. The concert is a part of Music Academy’s series and it features actor Veikko Honkanen as well as flutists and violinists from the Music Academy.
Stadi –theme week
October 16-20. Kerava library
During the theme week, we dig into the core of the concept ‘stadilaisuus’ by lectures and guest speakers.
‘Finland 100’ Lecture: De Drogo till Paris – They went to Paris –art lecture
November 2, 6pm-7.30pm. Sampolan Palvelukeskus, Rooms: Väinämöinen and Ilmarinen
Art lecture by Eija Olsson (MA). Arranged by Kerava Opisto.
100 minutes: Kettlebell
November 5, 1pm-2.40pm, Keskuskoulu gym
Instructor Rina Knape. Kettlebell is a versatile exercise that particularly develops the muscles that sustain the posture of the middle body. During the 100-minute-exercise, we have time to both learn and practise the technique and do a comprehensive workout for the whole body. Bring your own kettlebell. Level 1. Free of charge.
‘Finland 100’ –lecture: Sustainable Future – Where is the world going and what can we do?
November 6, 6pm-7.30pm. Keravan lukio ja aikuislukio, auditorium 1.97
Future Studies and Communication Researcher, Marja-Liisa Vihreä. Arranged by Keravan Opisto.
Finland after the war
November 2, Kerava library, Pentinkulma Hall
In the Music Academy concert series, we go through different eras of independent Finland. The theme of the last concert is ‘Finland after the war’: a variety of music trends.
By the Highway – Kerava 100 years ago
November 11, 2017 – January 14, 2018. Art and Museum Centre Sinkka
In 1917, when Finland got its independence, Kerava was still countryside, a small settlement built on the clay soil by the Helsinki railway line. Little by little, industrial plants, first commercial buildings, villas and houses appeared in the area. This exhibition takes you on a journey along Vanha Valtatie (Old Highway) through the community of local people. It also gives you a glimpse of the foundation of Kerava market town (kauppala) in the 1920’s. The historic milieau spreads also to the streets of Kerava and can be viewed through mobile devices.
Finland 100 - Jubilee Concert
November 26, 4pm. Kerava Hall
Chamber orchestra Tanto, KemuPop – orchestra and various singers. The programmes consists of easy-listening, pop and rock classics. Coffee served during intermission.
The Unknown Soldier in three versions
December 1-3. Kerava library, Pentinkulma Hall & Kerava Hall
Just prior to the Finnish Independence Day all three versions of the Unknown Soldier are shown on the successive days. The marathon of this ‘Finnish national film’ starts with the versions from the 1950’s and 80’s at Kerava library and culminates in Kerava Hall, where the latest version (by director Aku Louhimies) is shown with theatre quality projectors. Note: Subject to change without notice.
December 1. The Unknown Soldier – Edvin Laine (1955) Kerava library, Pentinkulma Hall
December 2. The Unknown Soldier – Rauni Mollberg (1985) Kerava library, Pentinkulma Hall
December 3. The Unknown Soldier – Aku Louhimies (2017) Keuda Building, Kerava Hall
Independence Day Celebration
December 6. Kerava Hall
The ‘Finland-100 years’ – jubilee culminates in Finland’s Independence celebration arranged by the town of Kerava. All residents are welcome. Programme includes performances and speeches. Coffee&cake. Free entrance. Kerava town also arranges an Independence Day Ball for the 6th graders at Kurkela school.