The Pentti Saarikoski Days are a literary event honoring the spirit of the master poet. The days feature domestic and international writers and researchers opening up themes from the perspectives of fiction and non-fiction, as well as other sciences and arts. The poet is buried in Valamo, where the Saarikoski Days are held annually towards the end of August.
This year the theme is Saarikoski and religion. The program includes writer Antti Heikkinen, essayist and writer Antti Hurskainen, priest, writer and rap artist Lauri Kemppainen, writer Sirpa Kähkönen, Dr. Th. Arto Köykkä, performance artist, non-fiction writer Sini Silveri, and writer Mila Teräs. The program begins on Friday morning, August 21; accommodation for the previous night is included in the course price, any meals on August 20 are paid to Trapesa at normal prices.
This course has a special price, and no discounts are granted on the price.
Accommodation starting from Thursday is included in the course price. Any meals on 20.8. are paid separately to Trapesa at normal prices.
Friday 21.8.
06.00 Midnight Service, Morning Service, First Hour
07.30 Monastery breakfast for those staying overnight
09.30-10.00 Opening of the Days, practical matters, literary events in Itä-Suomi, Cultural Center
10.00-11.00 Holy Fool | Björn Wallén
11.00 - 12.00 Lunch break
12.00-13.15 Antti Heikkinen | Everyone has their Saarikoski
12.30- 13.30 Lunch break
13.30 - 14.45 Sini Silveri | The Significance of Religion for Timo K. Mukka and Contemporary Artists
15.00 - 16.15 Mila Teräs| The Means of Poetry in Children's and Young Adult Literature
16.30 - 17.45 Arto Köykkä | Pentti Saarikoski's Faith and Disbelief
18.00 -22.00 Free exchange of thoughts in the wine cellar
18.00 Ninth Hour, Vespers, Small Compline and Tri-Canon
19.30 Evening meal
20.00 - 20.30 Liturgy at Pentti Saarikoski's grave, 43 years since his death on 24.8.2026
21.00 - 23.00 Lakeside sauna, 21.00 - 22.00 women, 22.00 - 23.00 men
Saturday 22.8.
06.00 Midnight Service, Morning Service, Liturgy
07.30 Monastery breakfast
09.00 - 10.15 Sirpa Kähkönen | Fireweeds are Blooming - On the Metaphysical Nature of Everyday Observation in Saarikoski's Poetry
10.30 - 11.45 Lauri Kemppainen | The Heart of Nihilism
12.00 - 13.00 Lunch / 12.00 prayer service
Room checkout by 12:00, belongings can be stored in the reception area
13.00 - 14.15 Antti Hurskainen | Sin in Pentti Saarikoski's Work and Life
14.15 Conclusion
Room checkout by 12:00.
