Amphitheatre and Main Foyer of the Finnish National Opera and Ballet, Töölönlahti, August 20, 2026
The Main Foyer
Main Foyer OAF Encounters of Hope
Time: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Welcome to the Main Foyer for a moment of pause and hope! Facilitated by OAF guides, the Encounters of Hope provide a low-threshold space for the audience and artists to share their thoughts. What brings us hope right now? You can participate in the moment by listening, having a conversation, or leaving your own hopeful thoughts and drawings on paper.
Amfi theater
Tribute to Park Drummer Jarmo
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
A tribute to the legendary Park Drummer Jarmo will be held at the Amphitheatre of the Finnish National Opera and Ballet. Jarmo, who has his regular spot by the shores of Töölönlahti in Hesperia Park, is a familiar sight to countless passersby. His instruments of choice are the park’s metal trash bins, from which he conjures up an irresistible groove – in the early years with sticks gathered from the ground, and later with real drumsticks patched up with tape. The event brings together 100 drummers, including Sami Kuoppamäki, Aleksi Kinnunen, Jaska Lukkarinen, Markus Raivio, Petri Sämpi, Toni Välitalo (PKN), Kari Aalto (PKN), Janne Flinkkilä, Creat, Drummers’ Association of Finland ry, and drummers from the Resonaari Music School. The trash bins are provided by Stara. Bring your drumsticks and join in!
Discussion: Javier Torres & Heini Merkkiniemi
Time: 18:45–19:00
A discussion between Javier Torres, Artistic Director of the Finnish National Ballet, and Heini Merkkiniemi, Executive Director of the Outsider Art Festival, from 18:45 to 19:00.
Pekka Suomalainen Performance: Töölönlahti Art Tour between Oodi and the Opera
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
The Amphitheatre event will also feature a visit by artist Dash Che with their performance “One Day of Pekka’s Life”, which will move around Töölönlahti from Oodi Central Library to the Opera during the Night of the Arts. The performance gives voice to Che’s alter ego, the fictional drag character Pekka Suomalainen. Pekka is a satirical embodiment of a conservative Finnish man: he proudly defends Nordic excellence and eagerly showcases its supposed virtues. The character stems from the tension created at the intersection of Che’s own immigrant background, genderqueer body, and Finnish culture.
Location: The Opera Amphitheatre is located in Hesperia Park, behind the National Opera. Hesperianpuisto, 00260 Helsinki, Taka-Töölö.
Read more: Park Drummer Jarmo’s artist profile, Dash Che’s artist profile
