Helsinki to celebrate Baltic Sea Day virtually on Aug 27

The City of Helsinki will organise a virtual carnival to celebrate Baltic Sea Day on August 27, said a press release.

The daylong livestreamed event features a fascinating selection of programming for children and adults alike.

The Baltic Sea is an important source of food and livelihood for Finland, but it also serves as a vital transit route for bringing people together.

The waterway has also been a unique source of inspiration for many stories, including the maritime adventures found in the Finnish author Tove Jansson’s famous book series featuring the Moomins.

The city will organise online video service, Helsinki-kanava from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm.

The day will start out with children’s stories in Finnish, Swedish and English, followed by afternoon presentations on the geological origin of the Baltic Sea, its economic and cultural significance, and its biology and aquatic life.

Highlights of this year’s programme include the Finnish Environment Institute Syke’s stunning video on underwater nature, as well as the John Nurminen Foundation’s fascinating virtual exhibition entitled “A Sea of Memories”.

The day’s stream will conclude with the Baltic Sea adventures of the “Finn Family Moomintroll”, featuring episodes from the new Moomin animated series in Finnish, Swedish, Sami and English.

The Baltic Sea Day Carnival is an annual event organised by the City of Helsinki on Baltic Sea Day, a tradition first initiated by the John Nurminen Foundation.

The programme this year is jointly coordinated by the Baltic Sea Challenge initiative and the city.

Programme organisers include the John Nurminen Foundation, Finnish Environment Institute, Natural Resources Institute Finland, University of Helsinki, Geological Survey of Finland, Moomin Characters Ltd, Ministry of the Environment, Helsinki City Library, the SATAKOLKYT project and the artists of Harakka Island.

In addition to the virtual carnival, Baltic Sea Day will also feature several other events. A discussion on the Baltic Sea is scheduled to take place on the Espa Stage in the Helsinki city centre, opened by the Mayor of Helsinki Jan Vapaavuori at 8:00 am.

Author Juha Hurme, Former Finnish President Tarja Halonen, Creative Director and Chair of the Board at Moomin Characters Sophia Janson, university professors Laura Kolbe and Markku Ollikainen, and the Vivace youth choir will participate, with Baba Lybeck hosting.