Monola festival week 6–10 July 2022
– Jean and Aino from Sibelius' honeymoon 130 years
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Wed 6 July 2022
At 16:30 Panu Rajala's presentation: The birth of Juhani Aho's Yksin work and the secret engagements of Sibelius
Monola fence courtyard
The lecturer is FT, author, docent, professor emeritus Panu Rajala
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18:00 Opening ceremonynsertti
Monola fence courtyard
Allegro Youth Choir (Iisalmi), conducted by Susanna Alajuuma-Kettunen
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Joint ticket for the presentation event and the concert €15 in advance (€20 on site)
www.store.charmi.eu (plus shipping costs)
Flower shop Lahtinen, Pielisentie 26, 81700 Lieksa
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Thu 7/7/2022
At 16:30 Pankakoski tour
Marja-Leena Ilvonen as guide. Departure in front of the Pankakoski workers' hall. The duration of the tour is about an hour. Free entry. Weather reservation.
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At 18:00 Heino Kaski and Pankakoski concert
Pankakoski Työväentalo, Vanhatie 20, 81750 Pankakoski
The concert will include e.g. Heino Kaske's rarely performed sonata for violin and piano (1920) and Prelude in B minor "Pankakoski". The event will be opened by professor emeritus Hannu Simola from Pankakoski.
Liisa Makkonen, violin; Jussi Makkonen, cello; Nazig Azezian, piano
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Tickets €15 in advance (€20 on-site)
www.store.charmi.eu (plus shipping costs)
Flower shop Lahtinen, Pielisentie 26, 81700 Lieksa
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Fri 8 July 2022
At 4 pm Uuno Klami - 120 years of the mysterious composer from Virolahti - presentation
Lieksa library, Urheilukatu 4, 81700 Lieksa
The lecturer is information writer, KTT Osmo Ruuskanen
Violinist Liisa Makkonen will perform at the event.
On display is literature related to Uuno Klam.
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Free entry
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At 18:00 Monola gala concert
Lieksa Church, Kirkkokatu 1, 81700 Lieksa
The concert features Jean Sibelius' Lemminkäissarja op. 20 and orchestral music by Heino Kaske and Uuno Klam. The first performance will be a piece by Tuomas Kantelinen performed by Jussi Makkonen and Nazig Azezian as soloists of the Kuopio City Orchestra.
Kuopio City Orchestra, conductor Atso Almila
Jussi Makkonen, cello; Nazig Azezian, piano
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Tickets €35
www.store.charmi.eu (plus shipping costs)
Flower shop Lahtinen, Pielisentie 26, 81700 Lieksa
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Sat 9 July 2022
At 4 p.m. Jean and Aino Sibelius's 130th anniversary concert
Lieksa Church, Kirkkokatu 1, 81700 Lieksa
The concert will feature parts of Jean Sibelius' string quartet in B flat major, op. 4 and the piano quintet in G minor, as well as the first performance of the piece composed by Kalevi Aho for cellist Jussi Makkone and pianist Nazig Azezian.
Liisa Makkonen, violin; Reeta Aho, violin; Nana Raitaluoto, viola; Jussi Makkonen, cello and
Nazig Azezian, piano
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Tickets €15 in advance (€20 on-site)
www.store.charmi.eu (plus shipping costs)
Flower shop Lahtinen, Pielisentie 26, 81700 Lieksa
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At 7 pm Wedding night event in Monola
Monolan aita courtyard, Monolanniementie, 81700 Lieksa (signposts from Vartialantie)
Initiating the wedding couple(s) at the Sibelius honeymoon destination in cooperation with Lieksa parish. Couples participating in the marriage ceremony can register: Lieksa congregation, lieksa@evl.fi and phone 0400365575 (Mon-Fri 9am-12pm). Music: Liisa Makkonen, violin; Nana Raitaluoto, viola; Jussi Makkonen, cello.
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The event is organized in cooperation with Monola-seura ry and Lieksa parish.
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Free entry
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Sun 10 July 2022
At 2 pm Sibelius and Topelius meet
Monolan aita courtyard, Monolanniementie, 81700 Lieksa (signposts from Vartialantie)
The performers are actor Simon Häger, journalist Kaj Kunnas, cellist Jussi Makkonen and pianist Nazig Azezian.
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Tickets €15 in advance (€20 on-site)
www.store.charmi.eu (plus shipping costs)
Flower shop Lahtinen, Pielisentie 26, 81700 Lieksa
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Tickets in advance:
Flower shop Lahtinen, Pielisentie 26, 81700 Lieksa
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There may be changes to the program information. The rights to changes are reserved.
Monola Festival
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Since 2017 the annual Monola Festival has brought together friends of Jean Sibelius, Finland's national epic Kalevala and karelianism to Pielinen Karelia area in the beginning of July to enjoy concerts and other events in the sources of Jean Sibelius' inspiration.
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Monola Society was founded in 2015, and one of its missions was to make the less known phase of Jean Sibelius' life, his honeymoon on the shores of Pielinen in 1892, better known. The phase is an interesting time in Finland's culture history as well as in Sibelius' career. The influences Sibelius had during and after his honeymoon can be heard in his compositions. After visiting Koli later in 1909, Sibelius began composing one of his most personal works, the 4th Symphony.
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Monola Festival is a forum that connects visitors and composers in the sources of inspiration to create experiences in the authentic environment. The programs of the festival not only include composers of the Pielinen area but also new music. In 2018 Pekka Jalkanen's and in 2019 Jonne Valtonen's pieces were premiered in the main event of the festival, the Monola gala.
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The festival has an important impact on the cultural life in the Pielinen Karelia area introducing high-class orchestras, choirs and other musicians to audiences in different backgrounds and ages. Monola Festival wants to connect with the audience by organizing lunch and dinner concerts, Karelian feast and guided boat trips. Monola gala, organized as of 2015, is one of the cultural highlights of the region.
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The first Monola Festival in 2017 celebrated the 125th anniversary of Jean and Aino Sibelius' honeymoon. In 2018 the theme of the festival was Kalevala, and in 2019 Sibelius' visit to Koli. 2022 marks the 130th anniversary of Jean and Aino Sibelius' honeymoon. In 2020 Kuopio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Atso Almila will make its debute at the festival bringing greetings from Aino Sibelius' home town, Kuopio.
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The artistic director of the Monola Festival is cellist Jussi Makkonen.
Monola Festival's events in 2019. Photos: Pekka Varonen
Opening hours
Open in the summer.
Opening hours in 2020:
30.6–31.7.2020
Tuesday–Sunday from 11AM to 4PM, closed on Mondays
Open for groups on request.
Tickets
Adults 5 €
Children (ages 7 to 12) 1 €
Free entry for children under 7 years
Address
Monola Granary
Monolanniementie, Lieksa
(guide signs from Vartialantie)