A city for cultural activities and experiences
Helsinki will be World Design Capital 2012, so designated by the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid). The major recognition underscores Helsinki’s cultural strengths, which form an integral part of life and improvement towards a sustainable future in the city.
Helsinki offers a dynamic environment for cultural activities. The cultural climate fosters innovation and supports world-leading achievement.
The City of Helsinki is an active supporter of art and culture. The City is the second largest financer of culture in Finland. Culture plays an important role in the City’s policies and decision making.
The City of Helsinki cultural activities are administered by the Cultural Office. The office fosters an encouraging atmosphere for producing and experiencing art and culture. It actively organizes programmes at its many venues, offers venues for hire, organizes art education, makes grants, and supports cultural activities for children, immigrants and ethnic minorities.
Offerings for all tastes
Helsinki is a city of culture.
The city is rich in architecture and design. It offers residents and visitors a variety and frequent musical performances from classical to popular. A dozen professional theatre and dance companies offer performances from classical masterpieces to contemporary. Close to a hundred museums have something for everybody, from art to excitement for children. The film scene is active.
Helsinki has rich architectural layers. The city is home to a high concentration of 18th to 21st century architectural styles in an accessible, compact area. These styles include Neoclassical and Art Nouveau (Jugend), which was influenced by Finnish National Romanticism. Helsinki has been strongly shaped by functionalism and romanticism.
Coupled with the ample offerings, Helsinki’s dining and nightlife scene satisfies demanding gourmets and late night revelers. The Linnanmäki amusement park, the Helsinki Zoo on Korkeasaari, and the Suomenlinna (Sveaborg) sea fortress offer recreation to people of all ages.
A large number of festivals cater for varied needs, from heavy metal and electronic music to circus. The biggest of the festivals, Helsinki Festival, is Finland’s largest art festival and features the most varied programme on the nation’s annual cultural calendar. Helsinki is the stage of dozens of cultural festivals each year.
A literate city
Helsinki residents are avid readers and consumers of library services. Helsinki City Library’s close to 50 public libraries and HelMet Web Library are some of the most used City services.
Finland’s main national archives are located in Helsinki and available to all.
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