Join a Kyrö Masterclass where you’ll learn about whisky born in a sauna, Finnish-style!
Date and time
Thu, 2 Oct 2025 18:00 – 20:00 BST
Location
135 Bar & Lounge, 135 Cambridge Heath Road London E1 5RN
For tickets go to: Kyrö Masterclass: Whisky Born in a Sauna Tickets, Thu 2 Oct 2025 at 18:00 | Eventbrite
Moominvalley in November
23 Oct 2025 until 16 Nov 2025
At Upstairs at the Gatehouse, The Gatehouse, Highgate Village, London, N6 4BD
In celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Moomins, the literary family of Tove Jansson, the Anglo-Finnish Society is privileged to advertise to the members and the members of other Nordic Societies (and family, friends) a new musical by a Swedish composer Hans Jacob Hoeglund in the Upstairs at the Gatehouse theatre in Highgate.
The musical is based on Tove Jansson’s last Moomin story Moominvalley in November, where the Moomins are not present. The musical is described as a gentle, profound and life-affirming meditation on grief, belonging, and quiet resilience.
For the composer the musical is a culmination of having read all the Moomin books at the age of ten, but, as Hans says, as a child he did not understand the depth of the stories. He later found a way back to Moominvalley through Tove Jansson’s truthful writing reflecting the juxtaposition of writing and invented story of non-human characters, but who experience the world as if they were ourselves. He admired Tove Jansson’s work and her trying to be true to her characters and what they were; how they saw the everyday world.
Hans had previous experience of having played the piano in theatre, which became useful in understanding how theatre works. In the process to a musical the snippets of music he had developed in his mind along the years, as well as the lyrics and the final score for the music, were initially in his head ‘in the Nordic Way’, not spelled out but as a subtext from which further developments and understanding would come. This continuing process is also reflected in the final version of the musical and the changes Hans made to the trial show performed earlier this year; the beginning and the end now have a sharpened focus.
Due to the themes mentioned above, the show offers reflection for adults but also according to age guidance is suitable for children 8+ years of age.
Running time is 2 hours, including interval.
Musical website: https://moominvalleymusical.com
There are two performances available with a pre-show talk by Hans Hoeglund to the audience of Anglo-Finnish Society and other Nordic Societies and their guests:
November 2 (Sunday) at 15:00, performance at 16:00
November 4 (Tuesday) at 18:30, performance at 19:30
(The other performance dates are: 23 October – 16 November)
Upstairs at The Gatehouse,
1 North Road,
Highgate, London N6 4BD
Ticket price: £28 (+£1 booking fee)
Box office telephone: 020 8340 3488
Star Finnish saxist Jari Perkiömäki will play at The 606 Club, 606 Club, 90 Lots Road, Chelsea, London, SW10 0QD
Wednesday 10th September 2025 – 8:00 pm
Music Charge: £17.00
The award-winning pianist/singer Jonathan Gee is a long established and respected bandleader and sought-after sideman who includes work with the likes of Joe Lovano, Mark Murphy, Benny Golson and Claire Martin. He has performed in groups comprised of leading musicians from France, Finland and Italy and his New York trio packed out Dizzy’s at Lincoln Center. Tonight he is appearing with his quintet featuring multi-Award winning saxophonist Denys Baptiste (McCoy Tyner, Incognito, Courtney Pine) alongside their special Award-winning guest from Finland, the alto sax star Jari Perkiömäki (Reggie Workman, Billy Cobham). Jari began his musical career in the late 1970s and has since played extensively in Finland and throughout Europe, in 2005 receiving the biggest jazz award in Finland, the Yrjö Award. He was the first Finnish Doctor of Music in the field of jazz, going on to become Vice-Rector of the Sibelius Academy and Rector of the University of the Arts, Helsinki. Tonight the band, also featuring Mikele Montolli-double bass and Tristan Maillot-drums, will be playing selections from Peter Gabriel, Wayne Shorter and Spandau Ballet plus original compositions from Jonathan and Jari and to ground it all, some Thelonious Monk. And if that wasn’t enough, Jonathan will be singing a tune or two from his latest vocal album The Lions Revisited!
“Gee…his breathlessly sparkling originality shines through” Jazzwise; “Denys Baptiste…icon of British jazz” Time Magazine; “Perkiomaki…his experience, talent and continuous curiosity to discover make him a true influencer in jazz both in Finland and internationally” Jazz Finland
For more details and tickets please follow this link: Jonathan Gee Quintet ft Jari Perkiomaki & Denys Baptiste
Concert on 23 August at 7 p.m. at the Church Hall at Stockbridge Church
Echoes of Finland: Rare Piano Gems by Sibelius, Madetoja and Palmgren
Performer: Mianoora Kosonen
Experience a captivating evening as Finnish pianist Mianoora Kosonen unveils rarely heard piano works by Finnish composers Jean Sibelius, Leevi Madetoja and Selim Palmgren. This program explores Finland’s rich musical heritage, from Madetoja’s delicate lyricism to Palmgren’s virtuosity and Sibelius’ atmospheric beauty. Kosonen’s expressive interpretations bring these hidden gems to life, offering a journey through a lush forest of Nordic soundscapes.
At the Church Hall at Stockbridge Church
Situated in the heart of vibrant Stockbridge, ten minutes walk from city centre. Stockbridge Church is an attractive Grade-B Georgian listed building. A magnificent space which has a flexible stage, a balcony with a splendid church organ and separate halls.
More details and tickets at: Echoes of Finland: Rare Piano Gems by Sibelius, Madetoja and Palmgren | Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Music from the Thousand Lakes
A one-day seminar on Music from Finland, Karelia, and the Meänkieli
Date: 14 October 2025
Time: 1.30 pm-6 pm
Venue: Large Seminar Room 204, Faculty of Music, Schwarzman Centre, Radcliffe, Observatory Quarter, University of Oxford, OX2 6AH
or Online: link provided closer to event date
Tickets:
The Anglo-Swedish Society has kindly invited our members to their Zoom Talk with Ellen Strömberg on 18th September 2025 (18:00 – 19:15).
Ellen Strömberg, who writes in Swedish and is one of Finland’s most prominent authors, will talk to us about her work as an author, including her critically acclaimed, August Prize-winning novel “We Will Just Ride By” (vi ska ju bara cykla förbi). The August Prize is Sweden’s most prestigious literary award. The book was also nominated for the Finlandia Prize, the most prestigious literary award in Finland.
Ellen’s novels address with enormous sensitivity the challenges faced by young people as they struggle with the demands of close friendships and the desire to be accepted by the people they admire.
It is the spring of ninth grade, and Manda and Malin are best friends in a small town where nothing ever happens. When the hottest guy ever, in Malin’s opinion, gets a job at the local pizzeria, life feels like it is finally starting. But is the interest mutual, and is she genuinely interested in the end?
“With sensitivity and accuracy, Ellen Strömberg describes the turning point of adolescence, when the fantasies about who you want to be are suddenly put into practice, friendships are put to the test, and first love feels both alluring and terrifying. With the most tremendous respect for both her readers and her characters, Ellen Strömberg gives new life to the most iconic motif in youth literature”.
August prize jury.
‘”This is one of the most authentic novels I’ve ever read. Strömberg’s prose is quick, fun and suggestive.” Dagens Nyheter.
The talk, which will be followed by a Q & A session, will be held in English, by Zoom.
Email RSVP@angloswedishsociety.org.uk for a link to the talk
See also: angloswedishsociety.org.uk/events/?event_id=209&lang=en
The Finnish Defence Attaché Captain (Navy) Juha Ravanti will give a talk on Developing Finnish Defence. He will share current situational information and estimations about it. Details circulated to members.
One of our members who is moderating a short online lunchtime talk on the Helsinki art scene ahead of the Biennale’s opening next month. The session is free, open to all, and designed as an accessible 30-minute snapshot.
Despite the near absence of a commercial art market, how do artists in Finland build long, sustainable careers without gallery representation or regular sales? And what does this mean as public funding begins to shift?
Join us as we explore Finland’s quietly thriving art scene, deeply connected to nature, shaped by public support, and still largely under the radar of the international market.
Speakers:
– Kati Kivinen – Co-curator, Helsinki Biennial; Head of Exhibitions, HAM Helsinki Art Museum
– Sara Karpanen – Programme Director, Arts at the Finnish Institute in the UK and Ireland
– Josefina Nelimarkka – Artist
Moderated by: Vanessa Vainio, Art Consultant & Curator
Event Details:
Date: Tuesday, May 21
Time: 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM (BST)
Location: Online RSVP HELSINKI FORECAST — AWITA
We have organised a tour for a group of up to 20 of our members at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
The time will be between 14:00 – 16:00 on the 20th May 2025 for a guided museum and conservation studio tour.
There will be a general tour of the museum given by one of the Museum’s expert guides, followed by a specific behind-the-scenes tour of the conservation studio led by Johanna Puisto, and showing some work-in-progress on objects for upcoming exhibitions and displays.
It is free of charge. Further details will be confirmed nearer the time. If you wish to attend please email the Hon. Secretary on secretary@anglofinnishsociety.org.uk. We are already operating a waiting list but you can request to be put on it.
The Finnish Embassy is delighted to present a historical lecture and exhibition curated by Dr Jussi Nuorteva, highlighting the life of Baron August Filip Armfelt (1768-1839).
Step back in time and explore the life of the Swedish-Finnish antiquarian and military officer. Find out about his adventures during a trip to England in the late 18th century, through a poster display at the University of Manchester’s Mansfield Cooper Building.
The opening lecture is open for the public and will take place at the Manchester University’s Mansfield Cooper Building lecture room 1.02 on Tuesday May 6 at 11am.
The free exhibition will run May 6-9 from 10am to 4pm.