Espoo celebrates its 550th anniversary year in 2008

Jubilee year 2008 is a feast for all!

A common theme for year 2008 is BRIDGE which combines the long history of Espoo up to the present day and also binds different generations and cultures together. The aim of the year 2008 is to strengthen identity throughout the city and upraise communal spirit.

Year 2008 is a year of events. There are events throughout the city all year long. Events are listed in the Event Calendar in Finnish and in Swedish on this site. Most of these events are open to the public and many of them have free admission.

The main celebration will take place in late summer during a festival week held around the traditional Espoo Day of 27 August. Espoo's museums will also be getting into the celebratory spirit with their own themed exhibitions. The City Museum of Espoo will open its main exhibition in April. This exhibition will show how the life was like in Espoo 550 years ago.

Helsinki University of Technology will be contributing to the festivals as it marks its own 100th anniversary year. As with most old cities, the exact origin of Espoo is impossible to define. Traditionally the city has calculated its age from the first written entry registering the existence of the Espoo parish in 1458. This is why also Federation of Espoo parishes is celebrating its 550th anniversary year together with the city of Espoo.