The Armas Festival was one of the first initiatives to bring together municipalities, arts institutions, and organizations working with older adults to collaborate. The festival’s network includes over 60 partners, and nearly 200 events are held across Finland each year. Armas operates as an umbrella organization, with each partner responsible for their own events. Since its founding, the festival has been hosted at Kiinteistö Oy Kaapelitalo.

The Union for Senior Services, VALLI, has been a partner of Armas from the very beginning. Now, VALLI takes the lead in coordinating the network’s activities.

“Armas has established its operations in many ways,” says festival founder Raisa Karttunen, who has led the festival since its inception. “Now is the right moment to pass the baton. I’m thrilled that a nationally significant organization like VALLI is taking Armas under its wing. Through VALLI, the festival will surely find new ways to operate and reach audiences,” Karttunen adds.

“We at VALLI are happy and grateful to coordinate Armas,” says Virpi Dufva, Executive Director of VALLI. “We hope to engage even more new actors in the festival, alongside those already involved. Arts and culture belong to everyone, including older adults and seniors.”

• Read the full STT press release here.
• Learn more about VALLI’s activities here.