City of Helsinki
City of Helsinki
07/01/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/02/2024 05:11
Tall Ships Races to fill Helsinki with sailing ships – 50 magnificent vessels, Baltic Sea protection and activities for the whole family
In the event area, music groups such as Timo Lassy Trio, Olli Soikkeli Trio and Repin & Rauhala Duo will entertain spectators on each day of the event. The programme will also include performances by football freestyler Emmi Björn, acrobat Rae Reinvall, Linnanmäki Circus School and TipTop Walkers. Additionally, the event will offer a varied programme and expert talks on the Baltic Sea and its protection.
The programme for The Tall Ships Races Helsinki 2024 (Link leads to external service)
Protection of the Baltic Sea as the theme at City Hall
The City Hall Event Square will feature a topical programme centred around the theme of the Baltic Sea on Thursday 4 July and Friday 5 July. Thursday's theme will be 'Sustainable Future in Successful Business', while Friday's theme will be 'Baltic Sea, Youth Voice and Future'.
"We wish to increase awareness of the Baltic Sea and the importance of its protection. Through the varied programme of expert talks, we can highlight different perspectives," says Juuso Liukkonen, the programme producer for the event.
The programme available on City Hall's Event Square is open to all. You can also watch the programme online via helsinki-kanava.fi. In addition to showing the expert talks, the Helsinki-kanava channel will also take the viewers to visit one of the sailing ships attending the event as well as the event area.
Sailing adventure for young people
The City of Helsinki will send 100 Helsinki residents aged 15 to 25 to sail on the ships participating in the competition. Communications Specialist Emilia from the City of Helsinki will sail with the group of young people from Klaipėda to Helsinki on board the German ship Johann Smidt. You can keep up with Emilia and the group of young people on their sailing journey via the City of Helsinki's Instagram account @helsinki.
Of the participating young people, 30 were recruited at the City of Helsinki's youth centres, and they will go on the journey accompanied by youth workers. The rest of the young people were recruited via an open call. No prior sailing experience is required. The ships specialise in youth sailing, i.e. the sail training method, which allows young people to not only learn seamanship and how to sail but also gain social skills, practise working in a group, take responsibility for a group and develop their self-knowledge.
Traffic changes on the streets and on water
The event will cause changes to both traffic arrangements and water transport. The event construction work in the area will start on 1 July, and the dismantling will be completed on 9 July.
Street traffic arrangements in the event area (Link leads to external service)
Changes to water transport (in Finnish only) (Link leads to external service)
The organiser of the Tall Ships Races is Sail Training International (STI), a non-profit organisation founded in London in 1956. The event's main focus is not on competition but on youth work. The aim is to promote young people's education and cooperation irrespective of nationality, cultural background, religion and social background.
The Tall Ships Races Helsinki is organised by the Helsinki Events Foundation, which is responsible for the City of Helsinki's event productions.