The Finnish Glass Biennale presents vanishing craftsmanship, industrial history, robotics, unicorns and Sun Bottles - many reasons to celebrate Finnish glass

The first-ever international glass festival, the Finnish Glass Biennale, is a diverse event for lovers of glass art and cultural tourism, as well as professionals in the creative industries. Glass will be celebrated in Riihimäki, Nuutajärvi and Iittala from 5 to 8 June 2025.

The main venue of the Glass Biennale is the historic Riihimäki Old Glass Factory. In June, the ground floor of the factory will be occupied by an exhibition presenting the possibilities of glass, a program stage and a glass bar by top chef Markus Aremo. The Riihimäki Old Glass Factory is currently owned by Kallioinen Yhtiöt Oy.

The exhibition features works by Arni Aromaa, EGS, Matias Karsikka, Konsta Klemet, Aleksi Puustinen, Janne Rahunen, Helmi Remek, Kimmo Reinika, Sauli Suomela, Henri Timperi and Tommi Toija. The works have been selected through an open call for entries. There is also a joint exhibition of educational institutions in the field, where the views of future creators are presented by Aalto University, Häme University of Applied Sciences, Tavastia Vocational College and Ikaalinen College of Arts and Crafts.

The Old Glass Factory will also host an exhibition called "From Art to Everyday Life" presenting the history of Finnish glass. The exhibition is curated by Japanese designer Akira Minagawa from the collections of the Finnish Glass Museum. Minagawa has also designed a unique glass artwork for the exhibition, which was created in Nuutajärvi in ​​collaboration with glassblower Kaappo Lähdesmäki.

“The Finnish Glass Biennale program is more than the sum of its individual events: it is surprising, unique and boundary-breaking. I know that this whole thing will gain new passionate friends for glass and give artists and those working in the industry new job opportunities. In addition, the Old Glass Factory will come back to life! That is also something that many people probably didn’t think they would see,” says Hanna Mamia-Walther, director of the Finnish Glass Museum.

A stone's throw from the Old Glass Factory, the Finnish Glass Museum is hosting exhibitions by two female artists. Expect an impressive symbolic union of aesthetic minimalism and colors from Tamara Aladin and an overflowing declaration of joy of life and femininity from Jasmin Anoschkin. The museum will also organize an introduction to the museum's animal art collection, the world of glass birds, bambis and unicorns, aimed at children. A seminar on glass technological innovations and the versatility of glass material is aimed at an international audience.

On Sunday, the museum courtyard will be taken over by the Glass Day sales event organized by the Finnish Glass Museum Friends Association. The association is celebrating its 40th anniversary and to celebrate the occasion, the association is commissioning 500 Sun Bottles designed by Helena Tynell. The public will have the opportunity to watch them being made.

The biennial also extends to Nuutajärvi and Iittala

The International Glass Festival is part of the Riihimäki Glass City project, which aims to make the city known through glass-related culture. A Glass Route for tourists is also being planned, running from Nuutajärvi and Iittala.

Iittala will celebrate Tapio Wirkkala's 110th birthday with discussions, workshops and guided tours of the exhibition. Iittala will also host the World Glassblowing Championships. In addition, the Iittala factory viewing gallery will be opened and there will be a demonstration of skills by Czech Zdeněk Kunc and Iittala masters.

Jenni Sorsa and Hungarian Balázs Telegdi are working at the international glassblowing workshop in Nuutajärvi Glass Village. The Prykäri Glass Museum displays Kerttu Nurminen's works spanning 55 years.

The goal of the Finnish Glass Biennale is to increase the appreciation and visibility of glass, internationalize the Finnish industry and strengthen cooperation in the industry.

A group of Finnish glass lovers from various fields have been invited to the advisory group for the new event. During the spring, the group has offered their expertise and vision to support the biennial. The members include Riihimäki Mayor Jouni Eho, Riihimäki City Councillor Aarno Yrjö-Koskinen, fashion designer Anne-Mari Pahkala, Nuutajärvi Pruuki Oy CEO Ari Salmi, Finnish Glass Museum Friends Board Member Jyrki Kippola, Iittala Creative Director Janni Vepsäläinen and culture and event entrepreneur Tomi Hänninen. The group is guided by the City of Riihimäki Development Manager Kristian Keinänen, the Director of the Finnish Glass Museum Hanna Mamia-Walther and the CEO of Luovi Productions Kari Korkman.

“Finland is known as a design country – perhaps more among experts than the general public. Glass has played a central role in this story. You could even say that glass art has contributed to the development of Finns’ self-esteem – it has shown the world that a small country can create something unique and distinctive,” says Jyrki Kippola. “Art and design offer the public the opportunity to experience our culture concretely, through beauty, craftsmanship and stories. We have a very strong foundation, so the potential to bring it to a larger audience is great.”

The Finnish Glass Biennale will be held from June 5 to 8. The advance program starts on June 2. The Riihimäki Old Glass Factory is located at Glassworks Square 2, 11910 Riihimäki (Go to Google Maps).

The event is easy to reach by train and car. Riihimäki is located on the main line, just an hour's train ride from Helsinki, Tampere and Lahti. Riihimäki is also located on Highway 3, which leads from Helsinki to Tampere.

The event is organized by the City of Riihimäki, the Finnish Glass Museum, and Luovi Productions, the founder and producer of Helsinki Design Week and Fiskars Village Art & Design Biennale.

Daily program of the Finnish Glass Biennale on the event website
Glass City Riihimäki website
Website of The Finnish Glass Museum

Additional information

Hanna Mamia-Walther
Director, Finnish Glass Museum
tel. 040 330 4100
hanna.mamia-walther@riihimaki.fi

Kristian Keinänen
Development Manager, City of Riihimäki
tel. 050 465 2251
kristian.keinanen@riihimaki.fi

Kari Korkman
CEO, Luovi Productions
tel. 040 548 3767
kari.korkman@luovi.com