Super year of culture in Pori tourism

Fashion, art, and culture

Pori-born fashion and costume designer Teemu Muurimäki will open his first solo exhibition at the Satakunta Museum in April 2025. The exhibition will celebrate Muurimäki’s 25-year career and offers a significant overview of Finnish fashion art. Muurimäki’s unique garments have been seen at events such as the Finland’s Independence Day Ball, Finland’s Contest for New Music (UMK), the Eurovision Song Contest, and the Cannes Film Festival.

The Pori Art Museum will reopen to the public following an extensive renovation of its building. The new exhibition program will kick off with “Point” (Piste), an exhibition by the band Circle, which pushes the boundaries between different art forms. Working in the intersection of avant-garde sound art and various genres of rock music, Circle is a Pori-based phenomenon known for its repetitive monumental and sculptural music, as well as its trance-like performative live shows.

In addition, the museum now has a permanent exhibition space dedicated to showcasing the collection of Maire Gullichsen, the founder of the art museum, which focuses primarily on Finnish modern art. The opening year exhibition, Maire Gullichsen and the Turning Points of Modernism, will recontextualise iconic works from the collection by juxtaposing them with less frequently exhibited pieces. The reductive style of Helene Schjerfbeck, the colourful paintings of Magnus Enckell and Ellen Thesleff, the abstract still lifes of Sam Vanni, and the constructivist works of Lars-Gunnar Nordström are all milestones of Finnish art from the transformative periods of the 20th century. 

– For art and architecture lovers, Villa Mairea, designed by Alvar Aalto, is the highlight of a cultural trip to Pori. Villa Mairea leaves visitors in awe of its beauty, whether they are first-time visitors or seasoned experts, says tourism expert Maria Rasmussen.

Yyteri surprises year-round

At Pori’s top tourist destination, Yyteri, a new visitor centre opened last summer, serving as a hub for the area’s tourism. The architecturally striking building is a fantastic year-round destination, with exhibitions and various elements to explore. Last fall, Yyteri hosted a family-friendly autumn holiday program, which will continue this year.

– The popularity of the autumn holiday program was a pleasant surprise, and this year, a program will also be organized during the winter holidays in weeks 8 and 9. The winter holiday program will be published soon on the visitpori.fi website, says event and marketing planner Jenna Kainulainen.

Pori’s summer is warm, long, and full of stars

Sting, Roxette, Ultra Bra, and many other international and domestic top artists will headline Pori Jazz from July 17–19 at the legendary event area in Kirjurinluoto. Porispere will bring Sex Pistols, Apulanta, and The Sounds to the stage as its main acts. The Aito Iskelmä Festival Pori will fill the air with the rhythms of true schlager music on the last weekend of June, featuring artists like Jenni Vartiainen, Arttu Wiskari, and Suvi Teräsniska. The summer festival season at Kirjurinluoto will culminate in the festival Porin Venetsilaiset, which will throw a party with over ten artists in a massive event tent, rain or shine.

As usual, Pori will host some of the hottest political discussions and thoughts on growth, as the revamped SuomiAreena takes over the city center from June 24–27, and the unique film festival, Sensommar Filmfest, will offer unforgettable experiences in the atmospheric archipelago setting at the end of August. What more can be said: Pori offers moments that will be remembered.

Come and learn more about Pori tourism at the Matka Travel Fair. Visit Pori’s booth at the Travel Fair is part of the Finnish Archipelago display at booth 6p40. This year, you can find us on January 16th at the professional day in the special area of the Matka Business Forum at booth 7c132. Joining us at Matka Business Forum is the new cultural house Fiini, which is being built in Pori.