On Thursday Finland’s government recommended the organisers of large public events to cancel in an effort to fight the spread of coronavirus. Any event with over 500 people should not be held before end of May. Today, Regional State Administrative Agencies officials have reacted by prohibiting such events a month at a time starting 13 March. Following this, the decision was made to cancel this year’s World Village Festival, which was scheduled for the end of May.
World Village Festival is a culture and discussion event for the whole family with dozens of concerts, exhibitions, documentaries, food and talks on current issues. The admission free festival was planned to be held 23 and 24 May in Kaisaniemi Park and on the Railway Square in Helsinki. 400 exhibitors had signed up for the event and 100 performances had been arranged. Approximately 70 000 visitors attend the festival every year. The festival is organised by Finnish Development NGOs – Fingo.
— In this situation, the health and safety of people is our main concern. We will try to do as much as we can to minimize any loss caused by the cancellation. On the issues already agreed, we strive to negotiate the best possible solution, says Fingo Communications Director Salla Peltonen.
The festival organisation will be in contact with exhibitors, programme producers, performers, partners and other stakeholders on specific arrangements as soon as possible.
Postponing the festival was also considered, but in the current situation it was found too challenging and risky.
— Rescheduling the festival would require completely new arrangements with international performers arriving from all over the world and would be very difficult to accomplish in the current state of uncertainty. The same would apply to Finnish performers, exhibitors, festival venue reservations and technical production, says Peltonen.
World Village Festival will be held again in the end of May 2021.
For further information
Media enquiries: Fingo Communications Director Salla Peltonen, salla.peltonen@fingo.fi, +358 50 317 6710
Enquiries related to communications, marketing and partners: World Village Festival Communications and Fundraising ManagerNelli Korpi, nelli.korpi@fingo.fi, +358 50 317 6698
Exhibitor and area production enquiries: World Village Festival Production Manager Rafael Campos, rafael.campos@fingo.fi, +358 50 317 6709
Enquiries related to artists and programme: World Village Festival Programme Manager Johanna Eurakoski, johanna.eurakoski@fingo.fi , +358 50 317 6696
