Välke light festival draws crowds to Kuopio

Kuopio’s free Välke light festival is expected to bring thousands of people into the city centre this weekend, Yle reports. The event is being held for the third time.

Ten artists from Finland, France, Italy, Australia and Peru have works on display. In Snellman Park, visitors can see the light and sound installation Evanescent Droplets, while children at Kuopio harbour square can play with large illuminated balls.

The route between installations is longer than last year, and a street train is running along it. One work is at Alava Church, just over a kilometre from Kuopio market square. Organisers are testing whether the train makes it practical to extend the route further.

Families visiting from Siilinjärvi said they had come to see the installations during the autumn school holiday. Raija and Samuli Heiskanen brought their four children, who were especially excited about the large light balls.

Välke began three years ago as part of Kuopio’s 250th anniversary celebrations. The city-centre development association took over organising the event the following year, when partners helped expand it. In previous years, it was held in November.

Organiser Tilla Martikainen said the installations encourage people to walk through the city centre and highlight its buildings. The event is being held a month earlier this year, after large crowds attended last year despite very cold weather.