As it is widely known that residents of the Helsinki metropolitan area are very fond of Mikkeli – and the feeling is mutual – it was decided in Mikkeli to bring the rest of Helsinki’s residents to experience something enjoyable as well. The City of Mikkeli, together with its partners, will arrive at Musiikkitalo in Helsinki on 5 August and invite people from the capital region to discover and fall in love with our city.
“We can see from the statistics that a large proportion of our visitors come from the Helsinki metropolitan area, and we believe that by presenting both the city and our event in this way, we can attract even more visitors to Mikkeli,” says Mirva Helske, Festival Director of the Mikkeli Music Festival.
“The headquarters city of clean water expertise and comprehensive security, Mikkeli occupies a central position on the map of Finland. We are also within easy reach of the capital region. Mikkeli offers a high quality of life as well as affordable and safe living. There is plenty to do and numerous leisure opportunities throughout the year – and nature is always close by. It is a pleasure to come to Helsinki to showcase Mikkeli and our rich cultural life,” says Mayor of Mikkeli, Janne Kinnunen.
The mini fair at Musiikkitalo will begin on 5 August at 10:00 and admission is free until 17:00. Participants include Visit Mikkeli, local educational institutions, stands presenting regional delicacies, the Headquarters Museum, Muisti, and other tourism businesses from the area. The aim is to create a “Mikkeli bubble” in Helsinki for the day, where visitors can gain a comprehensive insight into what Mikkeli has to offer as a destination for tourists, students, cottage owners, or those considering relocation.
The City of Mikkeli will highlight key themes at the event, including housing and second-home opportunities, travel tips – particularly the Astuvansalmi rock paintings – water expertise, and comprehensive security.
The event is jointly organised by the City of Mikkeli and the Mikkeli Music Festival. The day will culminate in a Philharmonia Orchestra concert starting at 18:00. Conducted by Santtu-Matias Rouvali, the concert will feature star pianist Gabriela Montero as soloist. The mini fair will remain open until the beginning of the concert and during the interval, giving concertgoers the opportunity to discover and be charmed by Mikkeli as well.
Photo: David Jakob