The quiet town of Pyhtaa in Finland is trading loud music and flashing stage lights for something far more tranquil: the inaugural Hiljaa Fest, or “Quietly Fest”.
Dubbed a “Quietchella” by locals, this inaugural festival of nature listening celebrates the serene soundscapes and vivid autumn foliage of the Valkmusa National Park.
Located roughly 90 minutes east of Helsinki, Valkmusa is a national park managed by Metsahallitus Parks and Wildlife Finland. The park is home to approximately 40 different mire habitats and a diverse bird life.
Outfitted with wooden plank boardwalks, observation towers and resting spots, the park is an accessible spot for visitors looking to disconnect from hectic city life.
“We wanted to place the spotlight on our beautiful national park. We believe in the Hiljaa Fest being our own little Quietchella: it encourages visitors to stop, truly enjoy the silence, and take in the vast surrounding nature with all their senses.
“Valkmusa is an enchanting place to experience all year round, but especially in the fall as the foliage changes colour and the leaves shine in a rich spectrum of shades,” Terhi Lindholm, municipal director of Pyhtaa, shares in a press release.
The festival’s lineup features 13 of nature’s best “performers” on four different natural stages. Visitors can expect to hear the sounds of the birds, bugs, the wind, water and many other wetland creatures.
“Some performers can be guaranteed to be there – but some are a little more mercurial by nature, so it’s hard to predict if they’ll choose to appear. But who knows? We might also have guest appearances from surprise performers we didn’t originally expect,” says creative director and wilderness guide Simo Peri.
Hiljaa Fest launches on Oct 10 as a free event. Following that, the festival continues throughout the autumn season as an unguided, self-paced experience, inviting travellers to explore Valkmusa’s trails and soak in the soothing sounds of nature at their own leisure.
If the festival goes well this year, there is a possibility that it may be held again next year, giving more international tourists the chance to join in.
