Festival organisers frustrated by lack of clarity over summer rules
Time is running short for final decisions on major music events such as Ruisrock and Flow Festival.
Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny drew large crowds to Ruisrock in 2019. Last year the event was cancelled for the first time since 1970.
Image: Nelli Kenttä, YleX
Event organisers have criticised the government s proposal regarding summer events as too vague. According to a cabinet proposal unveiled on Friday, public events could start in a limited way in June if health safety can be ensured. In July, further restrictions would be lifted.
One of Finland s oldest and largest music events, Ruisrock Festival plans to announce in the coming weeks whether the festival will be held as planned in July. The festival arrangements will be made, at least for the time being, so that the event can be organised as planned in Ruissalo, Turku.
There is a coronavirus-shaped question mark hanging over this summer’s music festivals, organisers say.
Despite this, while international events like the Glastonbury music festival have announced cancellations for the second year running, planning for many Finnish events is well underway. Finns have remained hungry for culture during the time of corona, but it remains to be seen if people will dare to gather along with others, says
Kai Amberla, Executive Director of Finland Festivals. Added to that, the summer of festivals is, of course, shaped by whether the coronavirus restrictions are relaxed or tightened. I understand very well that the Finnish government is nervous about the situation. The corona situation in Finland is currently good, but it is worth remembering that in Ireland, for example, infections increased sharply in a few weeks, Amberla adds.