Book and Rose Day at Valamo Monastery Sat 25.4.2026

Book and Rose Day at Valamo Monastery on Saturday, April 25, 2026

Guest writer and theater director Riko Saatsi

Photo: Liisa Valonen

The Valamo Monastery will be visited by writer and theatre director Riko Saatsi, whose work The Nightingales was one of the most significant Finnish novels of last year. The work was nominated for the Finlandia Prize for Fiction and was also chosen as Finlandia – Readers' Favorite 2025.

Riko Saatsi has been able to touch both literary experts and the general public in a way that is rare. He is a writer, story interpreter, theatre maker and cultural bridge builder who draws on the living heritage of Border Karelia in his works. In January, Saatsi was also awarded the Cultural Deed of the Year 2025 award.

The day will be opened by the monastery's director, Archimandrite Mikael. During the day, visitors will also get to know the treasures of the Valamo Orthodox Special Library.

Program: 

12:00 Moleben, opportunity to participate in a prayer service in the monastery's main church 

12:30 Welcome and news from the monastery – the monastery's director Archimandrite Mikael 

13:00 Guest writer and theater director Riko Saatsi 

15:00 Valamo tea table, restaurant Trapesan red hall   

An emotional moment with Valaam delicacies  

The tea table includes: tea and raspberry jam, pickles with sour cream and honey, salmon pie, cabbage pie, dry cake, cookies, sweets and fruit.

17:00 Guided tour of the Valamo Orthodox Special Library and its treasures – librarian Virva Suvitie 

18:00  Opportunity to participate in the vigil service in the monastery's main church 

The event will be held at the Valamo Cultural Center  

The day's program: 25 €/ person includes the program and tea table 

Registration 18.4.2026 by: myyntipalvelu@valamo.fi or 017 570 1810  

Also ask about accommodation.

A warm welcome!

The event's roses are provided by Karvio's K-Market

https://www.k-ruoka.fi/kauppa/k-market-karvio