The MuseoFest programme is ready: rare museum experiences, workshops and an evening of electronic music

At MuseoFest, you can pick your own favourites from the packed programme or simply let curiosity lead you from one museum to another. The programme includes rare behind-the-scenes glimpses, guided tours, lectures, workshops, exhibitions, music, a museum quiz and, to round off the evening, electronic music to dance to.

The programme has been carefully scheduled to allow visitors to take part in as much as possible. The festivities kick off at 12 noon at the Finnish Air Force Museum, followed by a journey into the hidden spaces of Kanavuori for those who have reserved a place. The afternoon and early evening can be spent enjoying the programme at museums in the city centre, before heading towards Aalto2 Museum Centre as the evening draws in and ending the night dancing to music from the JKL.RAVES Collective.

Taking part in the event are Aalto2 Museum Centre (Museum of Central Finland and Alvar Aalto Museum), Craft Museum of Finland, Jyväskylä Art Museum, Jyväskylä University Museum, Finnish Air Force Museum and Ratamo Centre for Printmaking and Photography.

Tickets for the unique MuseoFest event can be purchased from Aalto2 Museum Centre’s online shop. The wristband costs 28€, or 22€ for Museum Card holders and students with a valid student card. The MuseoFest wristband gives access to the festival programme as well as the temporary and permanent exhibitions at all participating museums.

Secret collections, fighter aircraft and graffiti art

Once again this year, MuseoFest offers the chance to visit places that are not normally open to the public. Guided tours at the Kanavuori Collections Centre in Vaajakoski will take visitors behind the scenes of the collection’s facilities of the University of Jyväskylä’s Open Science Centre and the Alvar Aalto Museum. The tours explore, among other things, the history of the University and its predecessor institutions, nationally significant printed collections, and Alvar Aalto’s important collection of furniture and objects. Places on the tours are limited and advance registration is required. There are already plenty of places booked, so act quickly.

At the Finnish Air Force Museum, visitors can get close to the conservation of fighter aircraft. The programme includes a talk about the 13-year restoration project of the Finnish VL Myrsky II fighter, as well as an introduction to the history and future of a Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter awaiting conservation.

At Jyväskylä Art Museum, the programme includes a graffiti workshop and a lecture by visual artist and street culture expert Jukka Silokunnas, “Nice colours, but what does it say?” Imagery and terminology of graffiti.

Making with your hands, felt slippers and the magic of art

At Ratamo Centre for Printmaking and Photography, visitors can try an intaglio printing press under the guidance of printmaker Naoji Ishiyama. In this drop-in workshop, participants can take home the print they create if they wish.

At the Craft Museum of Finland, the programme includes a lecture in which burlesque artist Mallas Athene shares stories about crafts in the world of burlesque, a journey into the world of felt slippers through a fashion show by Huopaliike Lahtinen, and a drop-in workshop where visitors can make beeswax wraps for their festival snacks.

Dusk, witches and dancing at the museum

The evening continues at Aalto2 Museum Centre, where the exhibitions will remain open until 10 pm during MuseoFest. In her lecture, archaeologist Noora Hemminki from the Museum of Central Finland will talk about witches and folk healers who lived and worked in the Central Finland region from the 17th century to the early 20th century.

During the day, visitors can also step inside the atmospheric Heiska Artist Home. Illuminated by lanterns, this more than one-hundred-year-old artist home opens its doors as darkness falls, offering visitors the opportunity to discover the lives of two generations of an artistic family and the history of their home. At the same time, they can also enjoy a storytelling moment, where actress Elina Lajunen interprets the enchanting stories of the 13 Stories about Humane Design exhibition.

Aalto2 will also host a flea market of objects from the Alvar Aalto Museum and the Museum of Central Finland, offering the chance to make unique finds among objects removed from museum use, books, photographs and archival materials. The evening also gives a chance to test your knowledge in a museum quiz, and DJs from the JKL.RAVES collective gradually guiding the atmosphere towards the dance floor.

Take the bus with the same ticket!

During the evening, you can travel from one museum to another not only on foot or by bike, but also free of charge on Linkki local buses. Simply scan the QR code on your festival wristband on Linkki services within zones A–C between 11 am and 2 am, and arrive at the museum suitably relaxed. You can also travel by car, although parking is limited at museums in Jyväskylä city centre. Information about parking in the city centre and parking garages can be found online.
Travelling from further afield? Visit the Visit Jyväskylä Region website for tips on getting to Jyväskylä.

Advance registration is required for programme events with limited capacity, such as the tours of the Kanavuori Collections Centre. Ticket holders will be able to register for these limited-capacity events through a separate participation link provided after purchase.

The full programme is available on the MuseoFest event page.

Please note that during the museums’ normal opening hours, exhibitions can also be visited with a standard admission ticket or a Museum Card. However, participation in the rest of the festival programme requires a MuseoFest wristband.

Further information
Maija Talja
Community Coordinator, Museum of Central Finland
[email protected]
tel. +358 40 662 8116