Epäjohdonmukaiset dance event in Kuusamo canceled due to police permit denial

The Kuusamo dance event, known as Epäjohdonmukaiset, which was scheduled for the weekend of August 1-3, has been canceled due to a denial of necessary permits from the police. Details on who authored the statement on the event’s website remain unclear, but it may have been written by the artistic director, Mikko Levón, or another organizer.

Originally, the event was being marketed as a grand celebration, aiming for a turnout of thousands. However, only around 500 tickets were reserved before ticket sales were halted, with no payments made for the reserved tickets. In the end, the event was scaled back significantly and was being planned as a smaller gathering for about 200 attendees, featuring a few performances each day.

Authorities indicated that the cancellation was influenced by strict deadlines and concerns over safety. Ari Kouva, a commissioner with the Oulu police, stated that organizers have been encouraged to reschedule the event for a later date. It has also been noted that there are still outstanding payments from last year’s festival that need to be addressed.

Discussions about potentially reviving the event next year are underway, as an intriguing collaboration proposal has been made. However, if it is realized, it is likely to be relocated away from the golf course venue. The news of the cancellation was initially reported by Kaleva.