FINNISH ID Text: Kari Ahonen / ID BBN Images: Turku 2011
The many sounds of the Capital of Culture Turku is the European Capital of Culture 2011. To celebrate the year, the city offers an even wider selection of events, representing all cultural branches from visual arts to music. In the spirit of the Capital of Culture, the scale of the events is vast and diverse. In terms of music it extends from classical masterpieces to the first heavy metal musical in the world. Modern music has always had a strong foothold in Turku, which has also been affected by the vibrant student life of the university city. The clubs run by various student nations have promoted the most advanced music of each era, from the 60s underground to jazz and from punk to the electronic sounds of the 21st century. PARTYING AT CLUBS TO URBAN BEATS The Turku club scene is currently more vibrant than ever. Dynamo, Klubi and Blanko have become the top spots for urban music, with live shows and DJ nights
encouraging partying till the wee hours. Blanko even offers a Sunday brunch with music played by a DJ. Moreover, Klubi and Dynamo will organise special Turku 2011 clubs during the year, bringing to the city upcoming bands and hot new talents praised in international media and blogs as well as established big names. The 2011 club nights often include a VJ in charge of the visual side, moving pictures and video art. RUISROCK IS STILL ROCKING HARD IN ITS FORTIES The first Finnish rock festival was arranged in Turku in 1970 – just a year after Woodstock. Surrounded by the beautiful nature of the Ruissalo Island, Ruisrock is the second oldest rock festival arranged without interruptions in Europe, with a history full of legendary artists. The main stage by the sea has seen appearances by rock legends from Thin Lizzy to Slash and from Bob Dylan to Ozzy Osbourne. As usual, in summer 2011 people will be rocking in Ruissalo for three days from 8–10 July. TURKU MODERN OFFERS CONTEMPORARY MUSICAL EXPERIENCES A newcomer among the music events organised in Turku, Turku Modern is a festival of electronic music to be arranged
from 20–24 July. On the evenings preceding the weekend the festival audience will be shown a through-composed film, with the internationally known DJ Jori Hulkkonen giving a live performance of the musical work commissioned from him. Turku Modern and the Turku 2011 Foundation have promoted Finnish electronic music on an extensive Night Moves 2011 club tour e.g. in Shanghai, London, Stockholm and Paris. The tour will culminate during Turku Modern in an extraordinary Night Moves cruise, taking electronic music lovers on a journey with some of the most current artists into the most beautiful archipelago in the world off Turku. DBTL TAKES OVER THE BANKS OF RIVER AURA WITH VARIOUS PERFORMANCES Another event taking place in July is Down By The Laituri or DBTL, the oldest urban festival in Finland with a legendary status. Originally an alternative festival established in student circles, DBTL has grown into one of the biggest summer events in Finland, spreading from the river banks e.g. to the clubs in the city. With focus on pop and rock music, the multicultural offerings of the festival are complemented by various events from street performances to poetry readings. In summer 2011, DBTL will occupy the riverside streets from 26-31 July.
www.turku2011.fi/en TURKU 2011
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Turku’s position as the European Capital of Culture 2011 is based on the Capital of Culture programme of the European Union. Launched in 1985, the programme provides a channel for the EU to increase interaction between European citizens and to promote the cultural richness and diversity on our continent. Turku is the European Capital of Culture together with Tallinn. The cities will also co-operate during the year, drawing attention to the geographical, cultural and historical connections between the two cities. The joint projects focus on the Baltic Sea and on improving its environment. Further details: www.turku2011.fi