Stoa is the Cultural Centre of Eastern and Southeast Helsinki, providing cultural services for people of all ages. The programme of events strongly features excellent performances of modern dance and a programme for children. Stoa is also responsible for the Helsinki Cultural Officeís venue in Vuosaari House and for the activities of Villa Aino Ackté.

Due to the financial constraints that the City of Helsinki was under, Stoa began to look for new partners by approaching various foreign embassies and other parties. As a result of the search, substantial partnership projects were gained with the Chinese and Iranian embassies. The China Today 2003 festival spread out in September to all the regional cultural centres. Iranian culture took centre stage in May-June with a rich programme. The results of partnerships were also seen in Stoaís exhibition facilities, where art from Italy, Ukraine, Iran, Venezuela, China, Cyprus and other countries was displayed.

During the year Stoa served as the venue for a number of festivals. The Hurraa! childrenís theatre festival in March brought two new Finnish childrenís theatre performances to Stoa. Thanks to the Helsinki Festival and the Dance Arena festival, plenty of modern dance was seen at Stoa.

Concerts by Maija Vilkkumaa, Maarit Hurmerinta and Vesa-Matti Loiri attracted a goodly audience in the spring season. The provision of classical music was continued by the now traditional series of chamber music performances entitled Kuhmo Chamber Music at Stoa.

Vuosaari House

Vuosaari Houseís programme arrangements spotlighted childrenís culture and a fresh kind of programming for the adult population in 2003. After the completion of the Vuosaari artistsí house, Vuosaari House began a partnership with the residents by arranging club nights in Vuosaari Houseís café. The Sembe dance troupe from Guinea visited Vuosaari House in May.

The year 2003 began with a sold-out Avanti! concert. Seniorsí dances were also started at the beginning of the year. In the autumn a series of Monday Night Movies was launched. The Childrenís Saturday series offered performances by Theatre Ispinä, Theatre Kehä III and the Green Apple Puppet Theatre. Vuosaari House was also the venue for performances of the Hurraa! childrenís festival. Immigrant groups rented a hall in Vuosaari House for their own cultural events

Villa Aino Ackté

Villa Aino Ackté was open to the public from May to the end of October. The villa was the venue for a total of 30 concerts, the programmes of which ranged from classical to light music. Guided sea tours were held jointly with the Sun Lines operator to visit the manor houses and villas of Eastern Helsinki. The cruises ended with a concert at Villa Aino Ackté.

Paula Lehto
Stoa Itä-Helsingin kulttuurikeskus
Turunlinnantie 1, Itäkeskus
00099 Helsinki
paula.lehto@hel.fi

More information:
Stoa the Cultural Centre of Eastern Helsinki