Dancer Virpi Pahkinen pulls shapes with Tampere Philharmonics.

THIS YEAR’S Tampere Biennale features one of the most internationally renowned Finnish dancers, Virpi Pahkinen, who is performing solo accompanied by the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra. Currently residing in Sweden, Pahkinen travels all around the world as a choreographer as well as a solo dancer.

The Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra in turn is the only full-sized symphony orchestra outside the capital city of Helsinki. As Pahkinen is rarely seen on the stage in her former home country, her upcoming appearance at Tampere Biennale has become a much-anticipated event.

“What draws me and a lot of our international visitors to Tampere Biennale is the vibrant mix of Finnish contemporary music, contemporary dance, visual arts and electronic music clubs - all combined in a neat package of five days in the centre of the city. It’s like a brief overview to the Finnish marginal art scene,” says Raisa Siivola, Public Relations Manager at Tampere Biennale.

Jutta Vetter