Iskelmäviikot triples Kiuruvesi’s population

KIURUVESI — Kiuruveden Iskelmäviikot, a week-long Finnish schlager music festival, is expected to triple the population of the small Upper Savonian town, organizers said.

The event, which runs annually in the 7,000-resident municipality, aims for 25,000 visitors and 65,000 sold concert tickets this year, according to Timo Marjoniemi, managing director of the festival.

“For many local entrepreneurs, this is like a second Christmas,” said Juha-Pekka Rusanen, Kiuruvesi’s city manager. “Turnover increases significantly.”

The festival features concerts, stage dances and singing competitions, drawing loyal audiences from as far as Ostrobothnia and Southern Finland. Organizers have arranged bus transport from surrounding municipalities and home stays to accommodate the influx, as local accommodation capacity is limited.

“We’ve reached about 25,000 visitors and 65,000 sold tickets so far this year,” Marjoniemi said. “We’re aiming for the same numbers as previous years.”

The festival’s success is attributed to its atmosphere, customer service and affordable pricing, despite rising costs in the events industry.

“We’re unique and not overly polished,” Marjoniemi said. “A smile goes a long way.”