Fairy Tale Day remembering author Elina Karjalainen on Sunday 18.10.2026 at 12-16 at Valamo Monastery

October 18th is celebrated as the feast of all holy healers and also the national fairy tale day

Valamo's Fairy Tale Day is a shared day for children and their close ones, where the child participates with their mother, grandmother, godparent, or even an uncle.
Adults and pensioners without children are also welcome to the fairy-tale atmosphere.

During the day, we will discover the renewed exhibition of painter Rudolf Koivu and the fairy tale and poetry world of the beloved author Elina Karjalainen.
Participants can also tell fairy tales themselves.

On the feast day of the holy healers, we also pause at the healing power of fairy tales. A fairy tale does not replace a doctor, but it can comfort the sorrowful, encourage the fearful, and give hope to those who need it. In Elina Karjalainen's stories, the gentle world of Uppo-Nalle, and Rudolf Koivu's pictures, lives a wisdom that speaks to generations.

The day includes a trip to Valamo Monastery Cemetery to Elina Karjalainen's grave, where the monastery brotherhood will conduct a prayer service in her memory.

The shared fairy tale journey is brightened by Uppo-Nalle's pancake feast served at Restaurant Trapesa.

Joining you on the fairy tale journey are art educator, journalist Pia Paananen and the librarian of Valamo's special library, Virva Suvitie.

Program:

12.00 Welcome moment and Uppo-Nalle's rhyme bag game in the Cultural Center Hall

12.30 Discovering the Rudolf Koivu – A Fairy Tale Illustrator exhibition as well as a fairy tale session and community storytelling in the Cultural Center Hall

13.15 Pancake feast in Restaurant Trapesa

14.00 Walk or transfer to Elina Karjalainen's grave (weather permitting), where the Valamo Monastery brotherhood will conduct a prayer service in Elina's memory

Creating a land art piece and lighting a candle at the grave

15.15 Walk or transfer back to Valamo

Farewell fairy tales, thank you gifts, and goodbye until next time!

Day's program: 20 €/ person (includes program, exhibition admission, and pancake feast)

Registration by 12.10.2026: salesservice@valamo.fi or 017 570 1810

Also ask about accommodation

A warm welcome!