Medieval festival in Turku draws 100,000 visitors

The Keskiajan Turku medieval festival, believed to be Finland’s oldest and largest of its kind, expects around 100,000 visitors this year as it marks its 30th anniversary, reports Yle.

Participants dress in historical costumes, with some even staying overnight on site in Viking tents. Erja and Tomi Vainionpää, local enthusiasts, sleep in their tent and share medieval ways of life with visitors.

“People often ask if we really eat and sleep here. We do both,” Erja Vainionpää says. Questions about weapons and clothing are also common.

For her, wearing a Viking-era outfit creates a sense of connection. “I feel like I’m part of a long chain of strong women, one small link among many.”

Craftswoman and author Mervi Pasanen stresses historical accuracy in her clothing, researching textiles, writings, and images before making a garment. She has dedicated her life to the medieval period since 2004.

Historian Veli Pekka Toropainen, who has attended nearly every festival, praises its ability to bring history to life. “Not everyone wants to read academic works. This makes history more accessible.”