Month by Month - Finland - page 36

Air Guitar World Championships
Tune your imaginary instrument and get involved in this crazy rockstravaganza
( www.airguitarworldchampionships.com ) held in Oulu in late August as part of a music
video festival. This surfeit of cheesy guitar classics and seemingly endless beer is all in the
name of world peace.
Neste Oil Rally Finland
Rallying is huge in Finland, and the local leg of the world championship, held around
Jyväskylä, is a massive event ( www.neste o ilrally finland.fi) that draws half a million spec-
tators, normally in early August. The town packs out for a huge party.
Siirrettävien Saunojen
Kind of like Wacky Races but with saunas, these mobile building championships
( www.sauna-ajot.com ) near Närpes offer a solid portion of offbeat Finnish humour and
frivolity.
Ijahis Idja
Over a weekend usually in August in Inari, Lapland, is this excellent music festival (www.
ijahisidja.fi) that features groups from all spectra of Sámi music.
Helsingin Juhlaviikot
Held over two weeks and three weekends from late August to early September, the all-arts
Helsinki Festival ( www.helsinginjuhlaviikot.fi ) keeps the capital pumping with loads of
events, including plenty for kids.
September
The winter is fast approaching: pack something warm. Autumn colours are
spectacular in northern forests, making it a great hiking month. Many attrac-
tions and activities close.