Culture and events

The City of Varkaus' general cultural services support access to culture and accessibility, so that all types of citizens have the opportunity to participate in arts and culture. We provide a range of cultural content targeted at specific groups, such as residents of service homes, people with substance abuse and mental health problems, young people at risk of social exclusion and immigrants. We strengthen cultural inclusion through various means.

We promote cooperation between associations, businesses and the free arts and culture sector to ensure that Varkaus continues to be a vibrant, colourful cultural city. We cooperate regionally, for example with municipal cultural operators in North Savo in the Culture at Hearing network.

Among the cultural events in the city, we annually produce the National Veterans' Day on 27 April, the Independence Day celebrations on 6 December and the Independence Day celebrations for pre-school children.

Varkaus Days is celebrated annually in the second week of September and we coordinate the event.

We also produce other cultural events, activities or campaigns that change from year to year.

Verso Children's Cultural Centre and Vekara-Varkaus are part of the cultural and event services.

TheChildren's Cultural Centre Verso is a network of municipalities in eastern Finland, managed by the City of Varkaus. We educate children and young people to experience culture by giving them the opportunity to participate in experiences and create their own culture. Verso operates in day-care centres, schools, libraries, museums and other cultural venues, and works as a partner in various events.

Three times a year,the Vekara-Varkaus festivals colour Varkaus's cityscape, offering a varied programme for children, young people and families. Festival week is week 24 in June, Autumn-Vekara week 42 in the autumn holiday week and Winter-Vekara week 10 in the winter holiday week. Dozens of local businesses, associations and other partners contribute to the content production of the events.

Mun juttu - The Finnish model of hobbies project provides free hobbies for schoolchildren during the school day in every school in Varkaus.

The Culture Chain cultural education plan is part of the Central Savo regional curriculum. The Culture Chain Plan enables every child and young person to have regular cultural experiences as part of their school life.

Varkaus Days is a diverse city event for all Varkaus residents, held annually in the second week of September. Varkaus Days is part of the European Heritage Days.

The programme is run by local actors and there is plenty to do for children, young people and adults alike.

The event is coordinated by the City of Varkaus Culture and Events Services. The event is organised by dozens of different organisations, including different city departments, associations, companies, volunteers and operators in the field of the liberal arts.

The programme will be updated on the event page in August.

The CultureVarkaus 2030 programme is a roadmap for Varkaus' various cultural actors, outlining common goals, guidelines, practices and measures. The programme also aims to highlight the importance of culture in our city.

How will culture appear in Varkaus, how will cooperation between creators and experiencers take place in different contexts and for different target groups in the future?

The local cultural programme is based on the strategy of Good Supporting Culture North Savo.

The development of the CultureVarkaus 2030 programme has been launched in spring 2024 by a working group including
- Terhi Siippainen, Senior Cultural Producer, City of Varkaus Culture and Event Services
- Taina Laitinen, Art Expert, Arts Promotion Centre
- Pirjo Nyyssönen, Chairperson, Kirja-Varkaus ry
- Juha Vuorinen, Theatre Director, Varkauden Teatteri
- Leena Mäki-Patola, artist
- Kati Paananen, artist
- Pauliina Arresalo, Library Director, Varkaus City Library
- Jukka Tuohino, Rector, Soisalo University
- Tytti Härkönen, Community Work Coordinator, Varkaus Museum Centre Konsti

The working group prepares and guides the programme. The aim is to have the CultureVarkaus 2030 programme ready in spring 2025.

Participation in cultural services has been shown to improve people's quality of life, create a sense of community and belonging, and foster a positive atmosphere. Cultural activities also strengthen personal and local identity. For example, culture as a factor in well-being is about making connections, learning new things and discovering one's own strengths. Through cultural activities, people build meaningful everyday lives, are seen and heard, and are encountered as human beings.

Examples of researched health and well-being impacts of arts and culture:

• Dancing improves balance, functional mobility, motor skills and quality of life.
• Art and artistic activities have numerous researched effects on mental well-being and recovery from mental illness.
• Stimulating and inspiring leisure activities such as reading, painting and participating in cultural events can protect against dementia.
• Participation in artistic and cultural activities reduces stress and can protect against mental exhaustion.
• Regular singing can improve the quality of life for people with chronic respiratory diseases.
• Arts and artistic activities can reduce the need for sedatives, painkillers and sleeping pills.
• Listening to music can improve recovery from stroke. For example, music improves the plasticity of the brain during rehabilitation.

(Source used, for example, from Sitra's information card on the impact of arts and culture on health.)

Cultural well-being in Varkaus

In Varkaus, you can participate in cultural activities and engage in art and culture in many different ways.

The Varkaus library offers reading and experiences in the form of traditional books, magazines and various recordings, while the e-library offers audio and e-books and e-journals for reading or listening. The library is a versatile meeting place for people of all ages in Varkaus.

The museums in Varkaus are free of charge. You can visit the exhibitions almost every day, and even when the museums are closed, you can access cultural heritage, information and photos through online services such as piipunjuurella.finna.fi/. You can also cycle to public art or architecture using maps and mobile routes published by the museums.

The Soisalo University and other leisure activities offer a variety of opportunities for cultural activities. Did you know that adults can also start their studies in basic arts in music, dance or visual arts? Or try different courses at the Civic Education Centre. Nowadays, there are also a variety of short courses and activities if you find it hard to commit to a weekly activity. For the curriculum, lectures and events, visit the website www.soisalo-opisto.fi.

For information on events organised by the city of Varkaus and various cultural institutions, please consult the city's events calendar. The Varkaus Theatre's varied repertoire can be found on its website, where you can also find practical tips for those who want to go to the theatre. And you don't have to go alone if you don't want to. With Teatterikaveri, you go to the theatre as a group!

• The magic heart: What is cultural well-being? video
• WHO report on the health impact of arts and culture
• Research summary: Perspectives on the impact of art and culture

The Kaikukortti is a card for people in a tight financial situation, which can be used to buy free tickets to museums, festivals, sporting events, sports facilities and places on courses at adult education centres, for example. The card is personal and costs nothing.

To get a Kaikukort, you must

- you are a customer of a card issuer participating in the Kaikukortti network

- you are also in a tight financial situation and therefore cannot afford tickets or course places, and

- you are at least 16 years old.

Card dealers in Varkaus

The following are the distributors of the Kaikukort in Varkaus

• Mielitupa / Varkauden seudun Mielenterveysväki ry
• Outreach youth work / Varkaus city youth services
• Elävä säätiö sr, Varkaus
• Immigration services / City of Varkaus

In addition, the card is distributed in the North Savo welfare area

• Client counselling and gerontological social work for the elderly
• Social services for working-age people
• Social work and guidance in child protection
• Social work and guidance for families with children

All-card sites

Each destination participating in the Allocations Card will indicate on its own website which events or performances the Allocations Card is valid for. You can also call a cultural or sports venue to find out what is on offer with the Kaikukort.

In addition to the Kaikukortti offerings in the North Savo region, you can also use your Kaikukortti card to get free tickets and course places for Kaikukortti offerings in other Kaikukortti regions.

Varkaus destinations

Kangaslammi Sports Centre

Rauhantie 4 A, 79480 Kangaslampi
tel. 044 743 6206, marita.rundelin@varkaus.fi

Soisalo University

Taipaleentie 24, 78200 Varkaus
tel. 040 713 8630, soisalo-opisto@soisalo-opisto.fi

Väinölä Art Centre

Ahlströminkatu 8-10, 78250 Varkaus
tel. 040 048 7401, info@taidekeskusvainola.fi

Vekara-Varkaus

Osmajoentie 1, 78200 Varkaus
tel. 041 731 3088, vekara@varkaus.fi

Varkaus Sports Centre

Järvelänkatu 12, 78200 Varkaus
tel. 040 771 8700, liikuntatalo@varkaus.fi

Varkaus Theatre

Laivalinnankatu 29, 78200 Varkaus
tel. 044 364 8830, myynti@varkaudenteatteri.fi

Also...

Remember the free cultural attractions, such as Varkaus Museum Centre Konsti, Taipaleen Canal Museum, Taideniitty, Varkaus Library and free events!

For more information, visit

For more information on the Kaikukort, its distributors and destinations in North Savo, please visit: www.kuopio.fi/kaikukortti

For more information and links to the Kaikukortti pages of the different regions: www.kaikukortti.fi/alueet

Feedback email: kaikukortti@kuopio.fi

Varkaus Kaikukortti contact person: Terhi Siippainen, terhi.siippainen@varkaus.fi

Culture belongs to everyone. The cultural strategy of North Savo expresses the common will of cultural and artistic operators and sets out the ways in which the cultural sector in the region is to be promoted.

The North Savo Culture for Good Strategy 2030 sets out a direction for a better future, both in terms of visions and practical proposals for action. The strategy has been designed to take into account the needs of stakeholders and residents.

The main guiding principle of the cultural strategy is the Act on Cultural Activities of Municipalities 166/2019, which sets out the tasks of the municipality in relation to cultural activities. Another important background material for the strategy's themes is the North Savo Regional Programme 2022-2025. In addition, cultural well-being is a key starting point in the strategy work.

The people of Varkaus have been involved in the strategy work by responding to surveys online and at events. The city's cultural and event services have worked closely with North Savo actors during the strategy work. The strategy process has been led by the regional cultural development project Culture in Hearing.

Cultural Strategy for North Savo

Themes of the North Savo 2030 strategy for a culture of well-being

* Culture for all
◊ Art and culture for work and vitality
≈ Art and culture for well-being, joy of life and enchantment

Every year, the City of Varkaus' Welfare and Education Department awards the city's Culture Prize, as well as awards and scholarships.

Varkaus residents can nominate award winners each year using the online form. The Welfare Promotion Committee considers the nominations and decides on the winners.

The prizes will be awarded at the Independence Day celebrations on 6 December.

Recipients of the City of Varkaus Culture Prize, Special Prize and Recognition Prize:

Cultural awards

1981 Kaarlo Hilander

1982 Armas Männikkö

1983 Väinö Heiskanen

1984 Esa Pakarinen

1985 Eero Autio

1986 Tapio Kautovaara

1987 Väinö Rouvinen

1988 Pertti Tyrväinen

1989 Taru Mäntynen

1990 Jukka Itkonen

1991 Meeri Torvinen

1992 Varkaus Camera Society

1993 Kurt-Henrik Putkonen

1994 Varkaus-Seura ry and special mention to Kyösti Koponen

1995 Eino Puumalainen

1996 Leena Anttila

1997 Varkauden Soittokunta ry

1998 Matti Kanervala

1999 Timo Hämäläinen

2000 Helka Haukka

2001 Harri Eronen

2002 Moonfreeze breakdance group

2003 Jürgen and Liisa Kempf

2004 Hannu Itkonen

2005 Warkauden Kassiopeia ry

2006 Sirpa Ollikainen

2007 Leena Mäki-Patola

2008 Theatre group Anonymous ry

2009 Tommi Laine

2010 Varkauden Teatterin kannatusyhdistys ry/Varkauden Teatteri

2011 Riitta Pasanen

2012 Warkauden Mies-Laulajat ry

2013 Sinikka Tirkkonen

2014 Pekka Kinnunen

2015 Jukka Tyrväinen

2016 Timo Hämäläinen

2017 Kari Suhonen

2018 Marika Walldén

2019 Varkaus Song

2020 Tuomas Sopanen

2021 Nino Tolvanen

2022 The Artificial Grasshopper

2023 Anssi Huotari

2024 Petri Hervanto

Special Awards

1999 Varkaus 70 years - special prize for cultural work: Nelly Himanka, Erkki Vepsäläinen, Klaudia Vonkkanen

2004 Varkaus 75th Anniversary Special Award for Cultural Work: Katariina Behm, Paavo Jänis, Ulla Lehtonen, Jorma Tuunanen

2009 Varkaus 80th anniversary special prize for culture: Esko Ropponen

2014 Varkaus 85th Anniversary Special Award Tapio and Terho Lankinen

2017 Jere Koistinen

2019 Tommi Sirviö and Jussi Vänttinen

2020 Katja Torvikoski and Luca Calzavara

Recognition awards

2003 Noora-Helena Korpelainen, Heli Vepsäläinen

2004 Hanna Pohjola, Vesa Vitikainen, Phenomenon dance group, Pure Tactiks breakdance group, Lumihukat ry

2007 Lights Out band, Ville Kantanen, Päivi Honkanen

2008 Antti Aho

2011 Timo Heinonen

2013 Lauri Andersin, Merja Männikkö

2015 Rimpsaus band

2016 Savon Kinot Oy

2017 Orchestra Evening Shadow

2018 Vilja Itkonen

2019 Taru Mäntynen

2020 Arto Julkunen

2021 Pekka Koponen

2022 Varkaus Summer Classical

2023 Book-Varkaus Association

2024 Ville "Pehmee" Pehkonen

We are continuously developing our operations to a more sustainable level in terms of environmental, economic, social and cultural sustainability, with the aim of reducing the negative environmental impacts of our operations while increasing positive sustainability actions in our own environment.

• We pay attention to responsibility, environmental friendliness and energy consumption and encourage our partners to do the same.

  • All set and decorative materials, props, costumes and other materials are reused, refurbished, repaired and recycled.
  • We give priority to borrowing or hiring and new purchases are made using ecological and fair trade alternatives wherever possible.
  • We favour locally produced options in both materials and food, and our offerings focus on local, organic and plant-based food.
  • We consider the environmental impact of transport and make choices that reduce the environmental burden of transport on our operations.
  • Waste generation is prevented in various ways and attention is paid to the proper sorting of waste.

   

• In the content of our activities, we promote perspectives in relation to energy use and other sustainable choices.

  • Workshops will use ecologically selected materials and minimise material waste.
  • We select presentations with themes and topics that address a sustainable future from a variety of perspectives, ranging from environmental issues to acceptance of diversity and from cultural heritage to friendship.
  • We reinforce a positive relationship with nature.
  • We promote local cultural heritage in different ways.

   

• We take care of the physical and mental health and safety of both staff and participants.

  • Comprehensive safety and emergency plans are in place for events.
  • We report all accidents and near misses and take corrective action accordingly.
  • We take care of staff well-being at work.
  • Provide a safe space for participants where discrimination or harassment is not tolerated.

   

• We provide equal opportunities for participation in our activities in the most accessible way possible. We break down barriers to participation through various means, such as

  • offering free cultural activities throughout the area
  • distributing free tickets for paid content through family work
  • actively asking for feedback and requests; and
  • paying attention to the different levels of participation already at the planning stage.

   

• Our work on sustainability is guided by, for example.

  • The Global Agenda for Sustainable Development Agenda2030
  • Guide to sustainable development in children's culture
  • OKKA Foundation's indicators for a sustainable future for children's culture

   

Numerical data on the City of Varkaus' cultural and event services are compiled on this page.

CultureTEA

The municipality's health promotion activity is monitored by the TEA quiz. For culture, the previous data collection was done in 2023 and you can read the data for Varkaus at the link.

The investments made in culture in Varkaus in 2021 will start to be reflected in the TEA-Quizar. In the 2023 survey, the overall score is 68/100 (compared to 45/100 in 2021).

Participant data 2023

-Vekara-Varkaus Festival, Winter-Vekara, Autumn-Vekara and Enchanted Park events with a total of around 30 700 participants

-Varkaus Days with around 5000 participants

-Other cultural events of general culture with 1777 participants

-201 participations in art activities for special groups

-14 624 customer contacts in the 9 municipalities of the Children's Cultural Centre Verson (Varkaus 6 401)

-The Finnish model of hobbies: Varkaus, Rantasalmi, Joroinen spring -23 and autumn -23 87 hobby groups in total (56 in Varkaus), total attendance 9705 (6342 in Varkaus). In Varkaus approx. 200 hobbyists

-HolidayVarkaus day camps for 99 children, 495 attendances

Accessibility and inclusion in the statistics of activities

Statistics and evaluation of accessibility of activities, including accessibility of content and physical accessibility.

• In 2023, 76% of the activities at the Children's Cultural Centre Verso were suitable for all participants, 12% were suitable for some specific groups and 11% were directly aimed at specific groups. In 2023, 8% of Verson's activities were bilingual or multilingual.
• In 2023, 43% of in-house productions of general cultural services were suitable for all participants, 2% were suitable for some specific groups and 55% were directly targeted at specific groups.

Different definitions of inclusion and interactivity are also used in the statistics.

• In 2023, 19% of Verson's activities were designed and implemented in an inclusive way. 78% of activities were interactive (e.g. workshop) and 2% passive (e.g. watching a presentation).
• In 2023, 21% of GSC's own productions were designed to be participatory. 62% of activities were interactive (e.g. workshop) and 17% passive (e.g. watching a performance).

Economy

The city's budget and financial statements can be found here. Cultural and event services are under the heading of Well-being promotion services.

For more detailed visualisations and comparisons between municipalities, for example, visit the Explore Governance website.

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Is there any information you would like to see added here? Please contact us by e-mail: terhi.siippainen@varkaus.fi