Joen Yö in english
This year, Joen Yö celebrates the theme creative nature. Just as human actions shape culture, they also influence nature. Nature itself is inherently creative – it evolves, innovates, and strives to live, just like us. Nature offers us a space to connect with the world and ourselves, and it has long inspired our creativity. But can humans, in turn, inspire nature?
Culture doesn’t emerge in isolation. It is shaped by everything around us. That’s why Joen Yö exists – to bring people together in the spirit of culture. It is the largest stage for Joensuu’s cultural life, featuring local talent and highlights from beyond the city.
Joen Yö takes place on Friday, August 15, 2025, from 3 PM to 10 PM.
Highlights from the Program:
TORILAVA (Market Square Stage)
15.00-15.10: Miss Catastroph, event opening
Miss Catastroph is a multidisciplinary character embodying all natural disasters—past, present, and future. As both anti-heroine and tragicomic storyteller, she carries the weight of the world in Hirvonen’s lifelong artistic journey.
15.15-16.00: Hevimpi tanssikavalkadi
Hevimpi tanssikavalkadi features performances by Lines that Cross, the Joensuu Dance Institute, and the Joensuu Community College.
16.05-16.15: Näkki
Näkki, a shape-shifting figure from Finnish mythology, lures people underwater. The performance centers on a massive, eye-catching costume that captivates urban audiences, highlighting the character’s playful, strange, and unpredictable nature.
17.30-17.55: Pieni Balettistudio Relevé
The program features dance performances inspired by nature and the late summer or autumn seasons. Our students of various ages—from schoolchildren to adults—will be performing.
18.00-18.30: Joel Kenakkala & Theremin
Hands move through the air without touching, creating otherworldly sounds. The theremin, the world’s first electronic instrument, uses electromagnetic fields to turn motion into music. Experience this unique performance at Joen Yö!
TORI - KESKUSTA
17.45-18.15: The Carnival samba parade
The carnival samba parade "Flow of Flowers”. Can you hear the rhythm, feel the scent? The carnival samba brings the splendor of flowers into the heart of the city!
18.00-21.30: Illusia – Loistavat liljat
"Illusia – Glorious Lilies" is a light performance moving through various parts of the city center. The moving light show is an improvised experience, created in interaction with the audience.
18.45: Tanssiryhmä Wilders
Dance group Wilders (in collaboration with Dance Center Euforia). Wilders is an adult performance dance group from Joensuu, based at Dance Center Euforia and choreographed by Iina Parviainen. The energetic and empowering choreography is a reminder that pain can be turned into strength, life can be lived towards one’s own truth, and everyone can follow their own path.
16.15-16.45 Festarisimulaatio
ISKY Street Crew from the Eastern Finland Street Dance Association brings a festival vibe to the streets through dance! "Festival Simulation" is a freestyle-based street dance performance that inspires, energizes, and at the very least makes the audience bounce along. It may surprise, amuse, and pull the viewer into a whirlwind of dance.
KESKUSPUISTO
16.00–19.00: Blueberry Painting Workshop
A non-stop blueberry painting workshop for children and youth. In the workshop, participants paint with blueberries, and by using different acids and bases, they can create a variety of colors in their artwork.
15.00–17.00: instantRUNOKIOSKI
In the instantRUNOKIOSKI, the artist creates instant poems for all ages. At the kiosk, you give a single word, and I will compose a poem based on it and recite it to you. You’ll also receive a printed copy of the poem to take with you.
15.00–19.00: Nuoret Kotkat – Wheel of Fortune and face painting with nature-themed designs
TAIDEKESKUS AHJO
16.15–16.45: Tanssiteatteri Minimi – ORANGE
Choreographer Taneli Törmä has been inspired by human connection, touch, and relationships. Orange is a dance performance designed for everyone, but especially for children aged 4 to 9 together with their adults.
The project draws inspiration from Reidar Särestöniemi’s painting Kielto ja Kaipaus (1967). In the painting, we see two bears embracing in an orange field. It’s a playful and caring image—the color orange can symbolize shared connection, understanding, and mutual respect.
18.00–21.00 instantRUNOKIOSKI
In the instantRUNOKIOSKI, the artist creates instant poems for all ages. At the kiosk, you give a single word, and I will compose a poem based on it and recite it to you. You’ll also receive a printed copy of the poem to take with you.
Parafest art exhibition:
Works by Valtteri Kleemola and Maima Tani.
CARELIA-SALI
18.00 ja 19.30 City Theatre, Joensuu City Orchestra, and Eastern Dance Regional Center
The City Theatre, Joensuu City Orchestra, and the Eastern Dance Regional Center join forces to offer a free concert at Joen Yö. Together, they showcase Joensuu’s professional performing arts expertise, strong skills, and moving experiences.
The performance begins with the City Theatre, presenting musical highlights from the new and colorful autumn farce musical Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown.
At Joensuu City Orchestra’s free Joen Yö concert, the audience is given an overview of the autumn program together with the orchestra’s artistic director, Jukka Untamala. Dance artists from ITAK perform improvised dance pieces to the music.
During the intermissions, the lobby features performances by RytmiHäiriköt.
RANTAPUISTO - RIVERSIDE PARK
18.00–22.00: Fiktion Yö, Under the Suvantosilta
As the evenings grow darker, it’s time for skirts to swirl once again at Joen Yö to the beat of electro sounds! This year, the celebration returns Under the Suvantosilta on Joensuu’s river boulevard. Fantastic DJs and performers will be bringing the rhythms and grooves.
19.30, 20.00, 20.30 ja 21.00: RajaSpeksi – Rajalla tanssiteos
Rajalla is a short dance piece exploring the boundaries between humans and nature. What is natural movement, and how do humans and nature connect through dance? This work journeys from humanity to nature through the lens of culture, inviting the audience to reflect on where the boundaries lie between humanity, nature, and culture—or whether these can even be separated at all.
17.00-17.30: Festarisimulaatio
ISKY Street Crew from the Eastern Finland Street Dance Association brings a festival vibe to the streets through dance! "Festival Simulation" is a freestyle-based street dance performance that inspires, energizes, and at the very least makes the audience bounce along. It may surprise, amuse, and pull the viewer into a whirlwind of dance.
KONSERVATORION KONSERTTISALI – Conservatory Concert Hall
15:00–16:00: Young Musicians on Stage
Talented young performers from the Conservatory showcase their skills in a diverse musical program.
17:00–17:30: Music Festival Performance
Violinist Runa Kimura, originally from Hiroshima, performs Beethoven’s Spring Sonata alongside pianist Janne Mertanen. The concert includes a moment of remembrance for the victims of the Hiroshima atomic bombing—marking exactly 80 years since the tragedy.
This free concert is part of the Music Festival’s collaboration with the City of Joensuu, in connection with its international partnership agreements.
JOENSUU MAIN LIBRARY
15:00–18:00: Jahti – a library orienteering event for the whole family. Starting point in the main library lobby (1st floor). You will need to bring your own smartphone or tablet.
17:00: Concert by Antti Willman and Julkinen Palvelu at Taiteiden aukio (2nd floor).
18:00: Eastern Turhat Tietäjät quiz at the music department’s Vintti (3rd floor), hosted by Matti Tapaninen.
PARAFEST GOES JOEN YÖ
12:00: Church Service – National Church Day for People with Intellectual Disabilities
17:00: Resonaari
17:30: Resonaari & Arja Koriseva
18:00: Arja Koriseva & Kemal Achourbekov
19:00: Free Electric Blues Band
NÄYTTÄMÖ
16:00–16:45 & 18:00–18:45 Open House
Visit Sirkus Supiainen and NÄYTTÄMÖ Theatre during their open house sessions—explore the space, meet the artists, and get a behind-the-scenes look at their creative world.
17:00 & 19:00 Circus Performances with a Sea and Storm Theme
Enjoy atmospheric and imaginative circus performances inspired by the sea and storms—two shows during the evening.
TAITOKORTTELI
Nature Inspires – Creativity Flourishes
Exhibitions, handmade crafts, and creative workshops celebrating the connection between nature and craftsmanship.
MARTTAKESKUS
15.00–20.00 Uudistuneen Martta keskuksen avoimet ovet. Vuoden luonnontuotteiden maistatusta.
PKS-ARENA
18:00–20:00 Ice Disco
Lace up your skates for an unforgettable evening on ice! The ice disco features both guided activities—games and fun led by figure skating coaches—and free skating.
Enjoy the glow of disco lights and tunes spun by DJ Silver, creating a lively atmosphere for all ages.
A snack bar will be open at the arena, offering coffee, drinks, and light refreshments.
PAKKAHUONE
17:00: Vääräpyörä: songs from the play Ootko mun kaveri?
19:30: Surprise bingo – clown character Dahlia Humus