Valamo College

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Valamo College – at the crossroads of encounter, contemplation, and insight

Valamo College is an open-to-all Orthodox folk high school that organizes short courses at Valamo Monastery

Valamo College was founded in 1986. Education and learning naturally belong to the monastic environment. A school also operated in Old Valamo before moving to Heinävesi.

At the College's short courses, you learn about Orthodox faith and way of life, and various knowledge and skills related to culture and handicrafts also become familiar.

Icon painting is an important part of the College's course activities. We are the only educational institution in Finland where icon painting can be studied purposefully and deeply, and progress in studies from beginner to master level.

Valamo Monastery is a unique learning environment for our course participants. In Valamo, in addition to learning, you can get acquainted with the monastery's daily life and ecclesiastical life or even wander in the surrounding nature!

The activities of Valamo College are open to everyone, regardless of age, gender, place of residence, cultural background, or conviction.

Discover our course offerings

You can also enroll in courses by phone 017 570 1810 or by email at salesservice@valamo.fi

Smartum and Epassi mobile application are accepted as payment methods for handicraft courses.

Valamo College is an Orthodox folk high school that organizes short courses at Valamo Monastery

Upcoming courses

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All (89) Culture and Art (13) Orthodox Faith and Way of Life (19) Icon Academy (23) Courses in English (1) Courses in Swedish (2) Courses in Russian (3) Crafts (14) On the Path of Life (18)
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08.06.2026 - 15.06.2026

Beginner's Icon Painting Course: Christ Icon 6/2026

This course is intended for individuals who want to learn to paint an Orthodox icon using traditional techniques. On this course, you do not need any prior painting experience.
08.06.2026 - 17.06.2026

Icon Painting for Those with Some Experience: Saints 6/2026

This course is intended for individuals who have completed Valamo Folk High School's beginner's course, or who have equivalent knowledge and skills.
08.06.2026 - 14.06.2026

Week of Orthodox Lifestyle 6/2026

The course is suitable for all interested in Orthodoxy and even for church members who want to deepen their relationship with their own church or review what they learned during confirmation camp with this "adult confirmation camp"!
16.06.2026 - 21.06.2026

Midsummer Art Retreat: Landscapes of My Soul in the Monastery 6/2026

COURSE IS FULL, REGISTRATIONS ARE BEING TAKEN FOR WAITLIST SPOTS. Our inner world often craves expression and to be seen. In this retreat-like course, we will intuitively paint our soul's landscape, bringing the invisible into visibility. During the course, it is also possible to get acquainted with Orthodoxy.
21.06.2026 - 30.06.2026

Icon Painting for Those with Some Experience: John the Forerunner 6/2026

This course is intended for individuals who have completed Valamo Folk High School's beginner's course, or who have equivalent knowledge and skills.
22.06.2026 - 29.06.2026

Icon Painting Course for Those with Some Experience: Archangel Gabriel (Golden-haired Angel) 6/2026

This course is suitable for individuals who have completed Valamo Folk High School's beginner's course, or who have equivalent knowledge and skills.
24.06.2026 - 28.06.2026

Creative Writing 6/2026

COURSE IS FULL, REGISTRATIONS ARE BEING TAKEN FOR WAITLIST SPOTS. In this course, we will practice creative writing skills purposefully, according to the participants' needs. We will work with diverse exercises and seek inspiration from Valamo's surroundings.
29.06.2026 - 05.07.2026

Icon Painting for Young People 6/2026

We paint an icon using egg tempera technique and genuine natural pigments. No prior knowledge or skills are required. Ikonmålning för unga/Iconpainting for young people. Undervisning möjlig även på svenska vid behov. Teaching is also possible in English if needed.
29.06.2026 - 10.07.2026

Advanced Icon Painting Course: Konevets Mother of God 6/2026

COURSE IS FULL, WE ARE ACCEPTING REGISTRATIONS FOR WAITING LISTS The course is suitable for those with basic icon painting skills and who have already painted a few icons. During the course, an analytical replica of our church's spiritual treasure, the wonderworking Konevets Icon of the Mother of God, will be painted.
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Discover our course offering

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General information about courses

You can enroll in courses:

  • directly from the course's website
  • by email at salesservice@valamo.fi 
  • by phone at 017 5701 810 
General terms and conditions

Valamo Folk High School Contact Information

The contact information for the institute's staff can be found here.

 

 

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The board of Valamo Folk High School for the period 2025-2027 includes:

CEO, Rector Juha-Petri Niiranen, Chairman of the Board

Archimandrite Mikael, monastery abbot and treasurer, Vice Chairman

Professor Pekka Metso 

Professor, Archimandrite Serafim Seppälä

University Researcher Anna-Katriina Salmikangas

Conservator Antti Narmala, Icon painting teacher, Chief Conservator of the Church

Presenter and secretary is Valamo Folk High School's Rector Sirpa Koriala

"Valamo Folk High School is a folk high school open to everyone, operating in a unique monastery environment. The institute offers various short courses in different areas of life throughout the year. Studying in Valamo is an opportunity especially for spiritual and communal learning and growth."

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Visiting hours

Valamo Monastery is open all year round. Service visiting hours vary by season.

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In the newsletter, we inform you about Valamo Monastery's current events, upcoming proceedings, and institute courses. Subscribe to the monastery's newsletter

 

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