Eino Leino, Poetry and Summer Day in Valamo Sat 4.7.2026
At the Cultural Center at 13:00
Eino Leino Day is celebrated annually on 6.7., when summer is at its most beautiful. This year, poetry and music lovers in Valamo will gather to celebrate Eino Leino's masterful word art on Saturday 4.7.2026! Eino Leino's poems have touched the souls of Finns for over a hundred years. Leino has also been called Finland's most quoted poet.
The concert held in his honor is full of well-known classics as well as unknown texts by Leino. The music is composed of older and newer music set to lyrics.
Warmly welcome to experience an impressive, multidisciplinary experience.
Concert tickets 25€/person
Tickets will be on sale in the online store Webtuohus (link will be added later).
You can also book your place for the concert from the sales service: tel. 017 570 1810 or myyntipalvelu@valamo.fi
Ask about accommodation too!
Tickets also at the door one hour before the concert.
Eino Leino - singing and reciting
Vocal artist Maija Piitulainen, poems
Artist Jonna Ortju, vocals
Accordion artist, Matti Ekman, accompaniment
Introductions of the performers
Vocal artist Maija Piitulainen
The career of Maija Piitulainen, 84, a multi-talented woman of art and culture from Suolahti, began as a little girl. She was encouraged to sing and recite. Maija has also acted and studied directing. She still leads the poetry group at the community college and is currently preparing for performances of Katri Tannila's monologue, Niityilä tuulee, in Central Finland. Maija is already looking forward to the summer and the realization of a long-standing dream, a visit to Valamo on Saturday 4 July 2026, when she will interpret the poems of her beloved Eino Leino. (Photo by Marjo Steffanson)
Accordion artist Matti Ekman
During his more than 40-year career, Matti Ekman, a multi-talented musician living in Jyväskylä, has worked as a musician, artistic director and conductor in theaters, concerts, as well as a studio and TV musician. Matti plays various accordions, from digital accordions to bandoneons. His repertoire is also very extensive, from baroque to tango and from folk music to spirituals. In addition to performing, Matti works as a teacher and does professional instrument maintenance. (Photo, Keijo Valkonen)
Artist Jonna Ortju
During her 40-year career, versatile artist and music therapist Jonna Ortju has had time to offer her audience art and culture from all sides. Even as a little girl, Jonna knew that performing, singing and acting were her calling. Very soon, her own compositions, scripts and directing also came along. Jonna has worked as a pop-jazz singing teacher since the 90s and as an artist in numerous ensembles from gospel to jazz, from classical to light music and children's music. She has worked as a studio musician behind several artists and developed several fairy tale characters and corporate brands and products. Last year, Jonna made two premieres in the theater: the Suurtuotto Niskavuori musical and the musical monologue, Vanhan Valamon Juuli, which premiered in Valamo. The story tells of Jonna's great-aunt's life in border Karelia, Vanha Lintula, the evacuation journey and life in inland Finland. Valamo is an important place for Jonna, where she can find peace and even complete art projects in an inspiring and inspiring atmosphere.
