Happening Helsinki

The CitySherpas are not paid a salary, nor does it cost anything to use their services. In return, travellers using the service will hopefully tell others about their stay in Helsinki on the sherpablog at www.HS.fi/citysherpa.

The weekly supplement of Helsingin Sanomat, Finland's leading newspaper, and the local radio station Radio Helsinki will follow sherpas during the summer. On some of the tours, a reporter may join the tour.
 
Citysherpa tours do not have a set length. Visitors to Helsinki can read the presentations of sherpas on the website www.HS.fi/citysherpa, which also lists their specialties, and send an e-mail to the person they wish to show them around Helsinki. The tours are available to 18 August.

Citysherpas range from 20-year old Paula, whose specialty is urban culture, to 67-year old Masa, who has guided hundreds of foreign politicians and journalists around Helsinki over the past 30 years. 24-year old Nuppu has recently returned to Helsinki after five months in Australia and has a soft spot for Australians. Her specialty theme is chill out.

Other highlights in Helsinki in August are the Helsinki Festival and the Helsinki City Marathon.

The Helsinki Festival, which takes place between 18 August and 3 September, is Finland's largest annual cultural festival. Highlights this year includes a series of Mahler symphonies, performances of Chekhov's "The Cherry Orchard as interpreted by up-and-coming Lithuanian director Eimuntas Nekroshius, and an exhibition of photographer Wolfgang Tillmans, the first photographer to win the Turner Prize for Art. The programme also includes many activities for children. www.helsinkifestival.fi

The Helsinki City Marathon takes place 19 August and is Finland's largest running event, attracting 6000 runners from around the world. A Disney Mini Marathon is catering the young ones. www.helsinkicitymarathon.com

See Also: City Sherpa Blog